"5 Small Things Friday" No. 25

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Paper Raindrops In My Window

2. Hearing: Laughter And Prayers

3. Smell: Cut Grass

4. Taste: White-Chocolate-Dipped Cookie Dough Balls

5. Touch: Breeze In My Hammock / Mom Covering Me With A Sheet

The stories behind the list:

1. Online I found an idea for raindrop garlands to hang in the window. So I dug out my scrap paper and cardstock, selected three shades of blue, cut out random sized and shaped raindrops, and sewed a simple line on the sewing machine, inserting random drops into the line as I sewed it. I made three strands of raindrops, each a different length. I borrowed three suction hooks from Mom, stuck them to my bedroom window, tied loops in the tops of my strings of raindrops, hung them on the hooks, and 'ta-da!' I have perpetual rain! Those little paper raindrops make me so happy :) !

2. On Wednesday night after church we have a prayer time that anyone is welcome to stay after class and attend. It's usually just the college-age young people and Bro. Mike that stay, but we have such sweet times of laughter, sharing, and prayer together. It had been several weeks since Trissy and I had been able to stay, and this Wednesday night was especially refreshing and sweet.

3. I love the smell of fresh-mowed grass!

4. Someone at church gave us some cookie dough balls that were dipped in white chocolate. I was pretty much the only one of our family that liked them, but that was fine with me :) ! They were SO good!

5. This week I finally got my hammock hung. I got it at a garage sale a couple of years ago I think, for about $1, and it's practically brand new. I just hadn't gotten it hung out yet! So this week I did, and I spent a little while one afternoon reading in it and enjoying the fresh spring breeze. But even with the breeze, it was pretty hot and I'd hung the hammock between trees that were too close together, and I couldn't get comfortable, so I went inside. Everyone else was laying down taking a short nap and I knew I had a few minutes still before they would be up, so I just kindof collapsed on the living room couch :) . As I was laying there, almost asleep, I heard Mom come into the room, and in a moment I felt a cool sheet coming down on me. It gave me such a cozy feeling :) !

A Typical Week

Just for fun, and because life is always changing, I thought I'd record a rough schedule/description of what a typical week in my life is like right now. Of course there are variations from day to day and week to week, but below is a 'skeleton schedule' if you will, of my weeks at this point in my life.

Monday -
Chores and helping Mom, then if all the chores are done, free time (crafting, internet time, etc.) until time to get lunch. After lunch, clean up, then finishing chores if they weren't finished in the morning, and (if there's time) a short 'power nap' until time to leave for work. Off for town by 2:30, to get to the school by 3:00. Work at VRCA after-school from 3:00 'til 5:30. After leaving work and dropping off the other after-school worker (whose car is out of commission right now) at her house, go to meet Dad, Mom, and Trissy at 6:30 at our Hispanic friend's house for Bible study with her and her three young children, until 7:30. Supper, and family or free time until bed, around 9:00.

Tuesday -
Chores, random duties, and project or free time until lunch. Get lunch ready and on, eat, clean up. Then same as morning until around 5:00. Try to exercise with Dad and/or Trissy sometime during the day. Get ready to go to music practice with the youth music group at the church. Leave for town at 5:30. Music practice at 6:00. Ending time varies, depending on if we are learning a new song, and how hard it is, but we typically get done between 7:00 and 7:30. Back to the house, supper and family or free time until bed.

Wednesday -
Pretty much the same as Monday, except after work, I head over to Victory Rd. for Wednesday night church. At 6:00, the youth music group runs through the night's music again, and has prayer asking the Lord's blessing on our playing and singing. Music, then class from 6:30 until 8:00. Youth prayer meeting after class is over, ending anywhere from 8:45 to 9:30. Trissy and I don't always get to stay though. Head back to the house, supper and family or free time until bed.

Thursday -
Off to town early enough to pick up the pastor's (of the church The Grandparents attend) twin sons and get to the church by 7:00 for Thursday morning devotional breakfast. After breakfast, usually Mom has given us a Wal*Mart list, and we go grocery shopping, trying to get back to the house as early as possible. The rest of the morning and afternoon are pretty much the same as Tuesday, until about 5:30. Then eat a light snack or supper and get ready to leave at 6:00 for Thursday night college Bible Study at 6:30. Bible study from approximately 6:30 until approximately 8:00. Head back to the house, supper and family or free time until bed.

Friday -
Pretty much just like Monday and Wednesday, except that after work I leave town. Friday night is 'Family Night' and we usually spend supper and the evening up at The Grandparents' house. Alot of times we'll have a country 'breakfast-for-supper' supper, like grits, scrambled eggs, home-made biscuits and gravy or jelly, bacon or sausage, or waffles and peanut butter and syrup. After cleaning up the kitchen, we'll usually listen to an audio, watch a movie, or someone will read a book out loud to the rest until about 9:00. Help The Grandparents to bed, then back to our house down the lane at about 9:30, and to bed as soon as possible.

Saturday -
Pretty much just like Tuesday and Thursday, except don't go anywhere unless it's a random event. Try to have Sunday dinner done, or at least well on it's way.

Sunday -
Get up moving quickly if I didn't get my clothes laid out and ironed the night before. If they don't have to be ironed, and if we don't have to cook or finish cooking Sunday dinner, get to stay in bed a little later than other mornings. Home-made milkshakes for breakfast - quick, healthy, and super yummy - and out the door as close to 9:00 as possible, to get to Victory Rd. for Sunday School at 9:30. Stop to help The Grandparents to their church on our way to Victory Rd.
Sunday School from 9:30 to 10:30. Music service from about 10:45 until about 11:20. Preaching until 12:00. Stand around and chat with people after services if we have a few minutes, but The Grandparents are usually out of their services and waiting on us to help get lunch. Go up to The Grandparents for lunch. Usually done and cleaned up by about 1:45 or 2:00. Back to the house for a Sunday afternoon nap. Trissy and I get up about 3:30 to eat a snack and head back to the church at 4:00 for choir practice at 4:30. Choir practice until about 5:30. Dad and Mom get to the church about 5:40. Evening church services from 5:45 until about 7:00. Get to do more visiting with people after church in the evening than in the morning. Trissy and I head over to either Aron and Henley's or another young couple's house for the college-age Sunday night supper/fellowship. The whole group is paired up, and each week is another pair's turn to provide supper for everyone. We rotate around and it's alot cheaper than going out to eat, and we still get to have supper together every Sunday night! Aron and Henley and the other young couple (Aron's cousin and her husband) take turns hosting it, since they have their own houses. Usually everyone disperses between 8:00 and 9:00.

And so ends a week full of adventures, disappointments, surprises, wonderful blessings, and whatever else makes up life.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 24

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Butterflies on our walk

2. Hearing: Butter Sizzling For Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

3. Smell: Late Spring Country Evening

4. Taste: Fish At Ryan's Steakhouse

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. Tuesday we took a family walk, using a local wildlife trail. We probably hiked for a couple of miles before we turned around to head back. We didn't want a long hike, just a way to get outdoors and get some exercise, and spend a little time together, just the four of us (Dad, Mom, Trissy, and me). None of us are in great shape though (and it was hot), so by the time we were about half-way back to the start, we were getting pretty tired.
We saw a butterfly on our way in, one of those that looks like a monarch, but isn't really. It landed on the trail in front of us, only flying away when we got real close, then it would land again, then fly a little farther. It was almost like it was accompanying us on our walk :) . Eventually it flew off. On our way back, when we were getting tired and ready to reach the end, we saw another one (or maybe the same one) that did the same thing. It was fun to imagine that it had come back to encourage and cheer us up :) .

2. Grilled cheese sandwiches are delicious. End of story. This week we made some, and when we laid the bread on the griddle, the butter on it made a wonderfully cheerful, enthusiastic, sizzling sound.

3. There were some small branches reaching out into the path on our dirt road, and I finally got tired of us having to dodge them everytime we left the house. So Tuesday I grabbed our pruning shears and walked down to the place in the road where those poky little branches were sticking out. It was evening time and the earth had that cool, woodsy, earthy smell that comes to the country on a late Spring evening.

4. Mom and Trissy and I went to the 'big' city about an hour away for something this past week, and as a treat, Mom took us to Ryan's Steakhouse for a buffet lunch. We don't eat out much at all, and it was so special! I got fried fish from the buffet as part of my meal, and it was SO good!

5.

Thoughts On: Dating

A few of weeks ago, the pastor's wife of the church The Grandparents attend told me the teenagers' class on Wednesday night was doing a study on dating, as well as what may be right and what may be wrong with it, and also alternatives to dating. We used to go to that church years ago, and our family friendship goes deep both with the church and with the pastor's family, who used to be missionaries in the same area where Uncle Alvin was at the time. The pastor's wife knows that alot of our family doesn't believe dating is a good practice, and asked me if I would come and talk to the class about our family's thoughts on the subject. I pondered and prayed over it and when it was all said and done, felt like it had gone very well. I hope and pray that the Lord will use it to give the young people that heard a mind of purity and a purpose of righteousness.
I worked so hard on my notes and struggled so hard about wording and how to say what I had to say! The Lord just guided it all, even down to helping me memorize most of it, so that I could make eye contact with the kids and still keep my thoughts collected into the points I wanted to get across, as well as giving me the idea for an illustration using chocolate heart boxes. It pretty much sums up my thoughts on dating.
Here is the lesson:

"I’m Kyrie. I think most of you kind of know me, though I see some faces that are new since I've been here. [The pastor's wife] told me y’all have been discussing dating in your class on Wednesday nights, and asked me to come talk to you about how I and my family approach this idea of dating and relationships.
First off, I want to ask you a question. How many of y’all want to get married one day?

(Most of the class raised their hands.)

Well, I asked [the pastor's twin sons] if they would help me with an illustration I would like to try, so you two can come on up here.
Ok C., it’s a bunch of years from now, say you’re 26, and you’re fixing to get married. So one day the girl you’re going to marry says, 'C., we’re fixing to get married, and I think it’s time I gave my heart to you. After all, you’ll be my husband, and a husband should have his wife’s heart, right? Ok, so here it is.'

(I handed him an empty heart-shaped chocolate box. He took it, and I had him open it. He got kind of a funny look on his face when he saw it was empty.)

What first pops into your mind when you see that empty heart?"

"It’s all gone."

"That’s right. It’s all gone.
'Well,' the girl says, 'I had a boyfriend in Junior High, and I gave a piece to him. Then I gave a piece to my boyfriend in High School, then one to someone else, and to someone else... but the rest is yours! You can have all that’s left!'

(There was a murmur of understanding, and I paused, hoping my point was sinking in.)

Ok J., it's you're turn. You're fixing to get married. One day your fiancee' comes to you and says, 'J., you know we'll be married in a few weeks, and I think it's time I give you my heart. I believe that when a girl gets married, her heart should belong completely to her husband, the one who leads her, and takes care of her. So (I handed him a new and unopened chocolate heart box), here it is. I’ve kept it safe all my life. It’s all there. I’ve kept it away from the other men that have wanted it. Now I’m giving it to you, as new and special as when God gave it to me.'

(I thanked the boys and had them sit down. I'd asked the brothers to help, 'cause I knew the one with the new chocolate box would share with the one who got the empty box :) .)

Can you tell where I’m going with that? Who wants to marry someone who's heart has all been given away to others?!
I once heard someone say that when you're dating, every time you date someone new, you give a tiny piece of your heart away to that person. That goes for girls and guys. Some people have this idea that there are degrees to dating. Some people are 'serious' when they date, come people are just for fun, nothing serious. But the truth is that all dating is serious, in that you are in a 'romantic' relationship with a person, and no matter how innocent it may seem, you are losing some of yourself to that person, and that will leave less to give to the person you will one day marry.
The dating game is a dangerous one to play. Even if a relationship starts out innocent enough, it can lead way too far! I've heard lots of sad stories of young people who have given more than their hearts to the person they were dating. Besides the broken hearts from break-ups, and betrayal and all that drama.
Save yourself that pain.

I work at a school, and one of the young men I'm in charge of is eleven, and he thinks I’m hilarious because I'm in my twenties and I've never had a boyfriend. Now that may seem so boring, so old-fashioned. It may seem like I'm missing out on an exciting life. Let me tell you something: The Bible is old-fashioned – it was written thousands of years ago – and it’s just as current now as at the time it was written! And you believe that, at least to some extent or you wouldn't be here at church now – the reason we have church is because of the Bible!

Maybe I am old-fashioned. I probably am. But I know young men and women who have decided to keep all of themselves for their future husband or wife, and when they marry, are SO glad they did that, instead of 'having fun' like everyone else.

Sometimes when I talk to other teenagers about this idea, they ask me, 'Well, if I don't date, how am I ever going to find someone to marry?' That is a super question, and I would love to be able to say, 'Well, the Bible says to do this.' and there's your simple answer. Well, it has lots of advice on relationships, but as far as I know, the Bible doesn't say anything specifically about how to find the right husband or wife. Probably because in those days, your parents picked who you were going to marry, and you just had to live with it!

But what alot of Christians are doing now as an alternative to dating, is group dating, 'intentional dating', or courting. The idea is to get to know someone you may be interested in – but in a group setting, and ideally in a group of Christian people. One of the dangerous things about dating is that you're alone alot of the time! A guy and a girl alone together is just plain trouble. Even if both of you are completely honorable, removing yourself from that kind of situation is just a smart thing to do. Why do good drivers wear seatbelts? Why do careful construction workers wear hard hats? Well it's not because they're sloppy or careless. It’s to protect them from some fluke accident that might happen.

And just 'cause you’re courting doesn't mean you can never have a conversation without someone listening in. But it means that you don't go anywhere or are never alone together, and you have a 'hands off' mentality – which is the kind of mentality anyone should have even if they are dating.

I have several cousins and friends, both young men and young women, who have courted, and the person they married was the first person they were ever interested in. They will tell you that they are so thankful that they did not go the dating route. Their marriages are exciting, fulfilling, and they are completely in love with their husband or wife. Now, of course that doesn't mean they never have problems. Anytime you get more than one opinion involved in a situation you are going to have little disagreements. But they are trying to do things the way they feel like the Lord wants them to. They started out by praying for a Godly husband or wife, and the Lord led them to the right person. Most of them met at church.

Guys – don't just pick a girl because she looks good. Watch her for a while. Is she just beautiful on the outside? Beautiful girls are everywhere. Or does she have a beautiful spirit too? Do her actions show a love for God and for others too? I read a quote that says, 'A woman should be so lost in God, that a man has to seek Him, in order to find her.' If she jumps at the chance to get you, she may not be a good choice. Pick a girl that will be worthy of your love and sacrifice. Pick a girl that will support you all your lives and work with you in whatever the Lord may call you to do with your life, whether He wants you to be a missionary in Russia, or whether He wants you to be a garbage man! Pick a girl that will love you because you love God and are trying to follow and serve HIM.
And another thing to think about: Be the kind of guy, around all girls, that you wouldn't mind your daughter being around.

Girls – don’t settle for the first cute guy that comes along and acts interested in you. You may not like how this sounds, but take this advice: It's better to be single, than to settle for someone who is just out for a good time, and no commitment. DO NOT, please, I beg you, do not give yourself to someone just because they say they love you and they're good-looking. Don't give yourself away, heart or body, so cheaply. Make him work to get you. And an honorable man will be willing to do what it takes to win you – the right way.
You are special. You are beautiful. Don’t believe Hollywood when they tell you that you have to look a certain way to be beautiful. Those women and girls are just made of plastic surgery and Photoshop. And ten-to-one if you asked one, they would tell you they have a miserable life. God made you to complete a man – one man! God made woman because He saw that man was alone and needed someone special. If your 'guy' doesn’t treasure and honor you like GOD does, dump him. Dump him! Now that may sound cruel, and you may say, 'But oh I love him! I couldn’t live without him!' Let me ask you something: Will that guy love you sixty years from now when you're old and wrinkled? When you're not pretty anymore, not healthy, not always able to give him what he wants? Does he love you because you love God, and he does too? Does he love God more than he loves you? That's the kind of man worth waiting for.

Guys, be that kind of man. Girls need that kind of men around. Even if they're not interested in you in 'that' way, having Godly men around is a comfort and encouragement.

I'm thankful for what I'm hearing about some of you guys here. Thank you. Keep going. Become a man that a girl will be thankful to be married to one day.

Well, [the pastor's wife] said I had 5 – 10 minutes, and I think I've about used that up :) so I'll quit. If any of you have any questions about courting or this topic in general, that I haven't really answered here in what I've just said, come ask me and I'll try my best to answer them."

As I was leaving church later, five or six of the boys were out playing basketball in a corner of the parking lot. As I passed going to my car, one called out, "That was good!" and several of the others chimed in, agreeing with him. It really encouraged me, and I hope and pray my efforts were used to encourage and challenge the whole group.

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 23

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: A Wren On Our Burning Barrel

2. Hearing: Law's Prayer

3. Smell: Our Woods

4. Taste: Chocolate Mint Cookie

5. Touch:

The stories behind the list:

1. I love wrens. I love their pert quirky friendliness. I love how they are so small, but have such bold, daring personalities.
Monday I was in my room and happened to look out my window at the garden and the old metal barrel where we burn papers. There was a cheeky little wren perched on the edge of the burning barrel, bobbing up and down and giving a little opera concert to the world, if it wanted to listen.

2. Tuesday night (my second music practice with the youth music group at Victory Rd.) before we got started, as each one was arriving there was good-natured teasing and such as everyone got into their places and got ready to practice. When everyone was there, Austin called the group to order and started to say, 'Ok, let's start with...' and I think he was going to say which song. But Law, who evidently was still feeling mischevious, interrupted him and finished the sentence, "Prayer!" which actually was appropriate :) . So Austin just kindof smirked and said, 'Ok Law, that's a good idea. Why don't you pray for us before we get started.'
For some reason, most people are uncomfortable praying out loud. I guess it's because it feels like everyone's listening in on your conversation with God.
Anyway, evidently Law is one of those. He kindof made a little bit of a face, but he knew he'd gotten himself into it :) . But he prayed such a sweet prayer! And in it, it caught me by surprise when he said, "... thankful to have Kyrie as a new member of our band. It's good to have her. ..."
He went on, asking the Lord to help us play for Him. That prayer warmed my heart and encouraged my spirit more than I can say.

3. We have a spread of young woods behind our house. I call them "young woods" because it was just pasture when we first moved here. But now the trees are certainly big enough to be called "woods".
I went on a walk Tuesday through them. I love the outdoors anyway, but the smell of the pine and the grass and the fresh air on that walk was positively theraputic.

4. Someone had brought a plate of chocolate mint cookies to church Wednesday night, for people to eat before class time. The parents had picked up the last children from after-school at Victory Road Christian Academy late, and so I had to scurry to get from work to church on time. I didn't even have time to eat a snack or supper, and I was so hungry! I grabbed one of those chocolate mint cookies and ate it on my way to class. It was SO good!

5.

Thoughts On: Love

Ok. I'm going to take a plunge here. I've been dealing with this idea of being 'real' on my blog for a while. And while often I am 'real' - and maybe even what may be called 'brutally honest' - I'm afraid I sometimes come across as if I'm a pretty perfect Christian (or at least trying to portray myself as such). Please let me assure you, I am not.
So, lately there have been some thoughts swirling around in my head. Ideas. Doubts. Consolations. Questions. And here I am to share them. I don't know who all reads this blog. I know some believers do. I'm pretty sure non-Christians do too - at least pop in now and then. For you who profess to know Christ, you will either read and condemn my thought process, read and shake your head and love me anyway, read and have no idea what I'm talking about, or read and relate and love me because you've been here.
For you who do not know Christ as your Savior, you will probably not understand where I'm coming from, and maybe not even care. But hopefully you will be encouraged that not all who claim to be Christians think that they are perfect, holy, and too good to admit that they have struggles. We are human, we have doubts, and we make mistakes, just like everyone else. The difference is, that we who belong to Christ are also the most blessed of men, for we have hope - and not just the hope of Hope, but the guarantee of Hope - and a purpose for life and living, both now and forever. So whatever our imperfections, we are safe and at peace.

I am writing for you, but talking to myself. If you can gain from reading this conversation, it will have accomplished it's purpose. Whoever you are, I pray that you can benefit from, or at least be comforted by, my bared heart...


I want to love people. I do love people. But I don't ever want to love anyone so much that my love for them overshadows my love for God.

I wrestle with alot of things. One thing is love.
How to love the people I should, but don't. Or how to love different people in different ways. How to love those I love a little bit, more. How overwhelming my love is for some, and how to show it in God-honoring and them-encouraging ways.

Or how to love God. Truly love Him. Or if I love Him at all.
Wow. Sobering thought? You bet.
My next thought is, "But surely I love Him! I belong to Him! I am His child! I'm not in this falsely?! Could my heart be so good at it's deceitful game that it has even fooled me?"
Well let's pause there a minute. The Bible says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)
So, technically, I guess it could have fooled me all these years. But the Bible also says, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:35) and "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. ..." (1 John 3:14) I know I love God's people. I do not love them all alike. I do not even love them all to the same extent - without favoritism - as I should. But I know I love them.

But how do I know I love them? How can anyone know they love someone else?
Well, I know my heart breaks when they hurt, and that it sings when they are happy. I know I mourn in their sorrows and rejoice in their victories. I know I want them to be blessed. I know I feel like I am on top of the world whenever I can help or encourage them in some way. I know I have great pride for them in their beautiful qualities and great thankfulness in their Godly traits.
Am I wrong to interpret those facts as evidence that I love them?

This question takes us to the need to consider the fact that "love" must be a choice. True love, that is. Many people interpret feelings of attraction or infatuation as "love", when in fact those feelings are no more than selfish desire of one form or another.
True love must be a choice. There are people I love now that I had to decide to love.
Some people are easy to "love". But those who disagree with you (or you with them), those who are unpleasant to be around, those who are just negative people, those who are unkind to you (or to others who are important to you), all of these are hard to love! One must make a conscious decision to love those people.

When I first heard that love is a choice, I totally disagreed. Well, maybe not totally, but I sure didn't think it could be completely true. You had to be attracted to someone, at least to a certain extent, right? Whether it was romantic attraction, or love for someone who had been kind to you (parents, friends, family, etc.), or sympathetic love for someone you felt sorry for.
But I learned that even those loves deal with choice. Romantic attraction is just that - attraction. It doesn't mean you truly love that person. And of course it is natural to have kind feelings for someone who has benefited you in some way, like your family or friends - you would be totally selfish if you didn't!
The last one gets closer to the 'choice' deal. Feeling sorry for someone who is in a sad or less fortunate situation is good but, number one, you must choose to feel for them - some people harden their hearts against those kinds of people because it's easier and they feel less guilty. And number two, how far does your sympathy go? If it is true love, you will want to do something to help them out of their suffering. Whether it's a family member who's just having a bad day, a homeless man at Wal*Mart, or the starving orphans in a World Vision commercial.
How far should "love" reach? With the family member, sometimes just a kind comment or offer of help is appropriate. With the homeless man, maybe giving him some of the groceries you just bought is what's needed. With the orphans, maybe the Lord has blessed you financially so that you can sponsor a child, or if not, praying for them on a regular basis is worth more than any amount of money!
All of these things involve a choice, a choice of love.

Now, as I've grown in experience, met more people, and faced more decisions to love or not love, I've learned that loving really is a choice! I can think of a person at Victory Rd. even, who I could not stand at first. I thought they behaved themselves inappropriately (and they did), and I was angry at them for their silliness and lack of modesty. I never showed my disgust outwardly (at least as far as I know!), but I just avoided that person as much as I possibly could.
One Sunday, I realized something. Through Bro. Dennis' teaching I had been learning that many things in life deal with choice. You have a choice to be joyful in a discouraging situation. You have a choice to let someone offend you, or to refuse to let it bother you, forgive it, and move on. Etc. Basic stuff, but somehow more obvious and 'do-able' the way he presented it.
I remembered that I'd heard that love is a choice too. So, I decided to try it. That person was not going to go anywhere. I was becoming more and more involved in the things that were going on in the church, and was having to rub elbows more and more with this person. I couldn't go on avoiding them without being downright rude. So, I decided that I'd just better love them.
Longer story shorter, that person is one of my most precious friends at Victory Rd. now.

Love is a decision.
Yes, some people are hard to decide to love. Some people are easy.

So how do you know if you love someone?
Well, how far are you willing to go to benefit them?
In all my mulling-over of this whole topic, that is about the simplest, most direct way to come to a conclusion that I have come up with. The answer to that question is a good place to start analyzing.

For myself, I'll go back to Victory Rd. for my starting place.
At times I am nearly overcome by my love for my dear friends there.
Bro. Earl and Mrs. Shannen and Austin, Bro. Dennis and Mrs. Carrie and precious Maxwell, Bro. Mike and his family, Bro. Blake and his, the dear S. family (Archer, Law, Abigail, Piper, and their sweet parents), Lindy, Toby, Russell, and all our other college friends, Mrs. Renae and her dear family. And so many others.
As far as I can evaluate myself without actually physically coming to that situation, I believe I would give my life for them if it was necessary.
John 15:12-13 says, "This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Hmm, ok, so laying down one's life is the highest symbol of love.

Christ laid down His life for us. The highest symbol of love. And His followers are commanded to love each other as He loved them (us).

I know I love these people. It would be hard to die, if it was to be a painful death. But through Christ Who gives me strength, I could.

Do I love Christ enough to die for Him?
Once again, without actually facing that situation, I don't suppose I can know for sure. But once again, in His strength (and only in His strength), I could.

After all, the only reason I could ever love anyone is because Christ loved me first.

I just thought of something else. In 1 John 4:20 and 21 it says, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? ... he who loveth God love his brother also."

My thing is that I love my 'brothers', but am wrestling with being able to know that I love God more! Luke 14:26 says, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." meaning that the love we have towards God should be so huge, that our love for family and friends seems almost like hate in comparison.
Do I love Him that way? My love for 'my people' is enormous! Is my love for God hundreds of times greater than that, as it should be?

Another thing about loving my 'brother'. What if I do not love all my 'brothers'? Does it mean I don't love God if I love some, but not others (see 1 John 4:20 above)? I know I have hard feelings toward certain people who claim to be followers of Christ (and therefore 'brothers'), but live in direct disobedience to His Word. Are my hard feelings only 'righteous anger', or are they the result of a spirit of unforgiveness?

There's also the love that Christians are to have for unbelievers. The reason the Lord left us here, is so that we would show them the love He has for them, through the love we have for them. We have seriously neglected this aspect of our duty and reason for living. It shouldn't be the movie stars, politicians, and celebrities running the charities and humanitarian organizations; it should be Christians! And years ago, it used to be! When did we drop the ball?! When did we begin to get caught up in the 'me' mentality that has become such a trademark of American culture? And what are we doing to pick up where we have been failing? It should be our daily goal to spread the love of Christ to those who are hurting, whether it is the glum cashier on our trip to Wal*Mart, or the war-torn refugee on the other side of the world. Our lives as followers of Jesus Christ should be dedicated to two things: Showing the love of Christ to others so that they too can know His peace and joy, and encouraging and edifying those who are already His.

Love. Wow. What a huge subject; and I haven't even scratched the surface - I've just touched on a few aspects that have been on my mind lately. The whole thing is so complicated.

But with all my unanswered questions, I can say that my analysis has brought me to these definite conclusions:

1) No matter how much I love God 'now' (whenever 'now' is), I must always be striving to love Him more.
2) It is alright to love other Christians with overwhelming love.
3) I must learn to love unconditionally.
4) I must work harder at my part to actively demonstrate Jesus' love to those who do not know Him.

Pretty simple huh? Maybe.
I do feel like I have things a little straighter in my mind now though, after just getting all my thoughts laid out so I can study them without one running over the next.
Thanks for letting me ramble :) .

Keep Looking Up!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

-Kyrie<><

"5 Small Things Friday" No. 22

Go back and read this post for the story behind "Five Small Things Friday".

For this week, here is my list:

1. Sight: Clouds And Kids At VRCA

2. Hearing: First Practice With The Youth Music Group

3. Smell: Burnt Squash

4. Taste: Frosted Mini Wheats

5. Touch: Going Barefoot On Our Carpet

The stories behind the list:

1. At after-school Wednesday, I was outside with the kids, and I believe it was one of them that noticed and pointed out the majestic-ness of the huge clouds moving slowly across the sky overhead. The afternoon sun shining through the trees at the edge of the school yard also shone gloriously through the spaces in the great clouds, making them brilliant shades of silver, gray, and pure white, and gilding the edges with dazzling gold. The kids as they stood still, play forgotten, mesmerized by the beautiful sight and staring up at the sky with gaping mouths and curious eyes, were as wonderful to see as the clouds themselves.

2. Well, Tuesday was the fulfillment of a long-held, but contentedly-suppressed dream of mine: To play keyboard for/with our group of young musicians at the church, who play for the young people's class on Wednesday nights (and for the Sunday morning service on the first Sunday of the month after a "5th Sunday").
Andrea had to have surgery to fix an ankle injury, and this past Thursday instead of having our college-age Bible Study, we took the church van and went and visited her. Austin, Archer, Aron, Henley, and Timothy, and Trissy and I were the ones that went. Austin and Archer had bought a special cable to hook up her TV with a DVD player or something right beside her bed so she could watch it without having to bother her mom to come put on something for her. She was pretty thrilled :) . After the boys got it hooked up, we all sat or stood around in her little room for a while, watching the "Swamp People" show that was on, and chatting during commercials. During one, Austin turned to me and asked, "So what are you doing Tuesday night?" I thought for a minute, but couldn't think of anything that I knew of, and asked how come he was wondering. I had forgotten that the youth music group practiced on Tuesday nights. He asked if I'd like to come and play keyboard for them. Would I?! I said I'd love to, but I didn't know how to play chords, which I knew was what they needed. He and Archer (who was listening by this time) both said that was no big deal, I could learn, and they would help me along if I needed it. I thanked them and said I'd ask Dad and Mom and let them know.
I was thrilled! I'd been secretly wishing I could play with the group for a while, but 1) I knew I couldn't play chords, 2) I hadn't been invited, and 3) I enjoyed listening to them! and if I was playing, I'd be on that side of it instead. So I was satisfied where I was, and tried to give encouragement and support to them whenever I could. Now I was being given this honor, and even if Dad and Mom said no, I'd still have that warm feeling of knowing they had wanted me. But Dad and Mom said yes, and Tuesday night was my first practice! I spent a huge part of the day Monday looking up YouTube videos and chording music, trying to teach myself enough to get started, or so that I could at least ask intelligent questions if I needed to.
But it really wasn't that hard. I found an excellent, simple, instruction video on YouTube, learned the basic chords and how to read them, and got off to a good start with my keyboard chording education :) !
So Tuesday night rolled around, and I got to the church a little before time, just to make sure I'd be there on time! The boys set up the keyboard, and put me right in the center of the group. That turned out to be just perfect for me starting out. That way I had each of them right next to me, and it was pretty hard to get lost - I could just tilt my head one way or another and hear whichever instrument loud and clear that could help me keep on track.
Julia singing slightly ahead to my right, helped me keep my place and where we were in the song. Law and his bass guitar slightly behind to my right, picking each bass note strong so I could tell which chord I was supposed to be playing right then. Simon on the drums behind and on my left, helped me feel the timing. Archer strumming his acoustic guitar ahead to my left, led the rhythm and helped me feel when we were fixing to change chords. Austin directly in front of me, either picking on his electric guitar, singing, or playing his cajon (Pronounced, "kuh-HONE". It's a box drum.), filled in the spaces and kept everything together.
It was challenging, but not overwhelming, everything sounded really good, and I appreciated again the talent and great potential the Lord has given to these young people. When we said good night and I left, I felt like I was on cloud nine.

3. Bless her heart one of our family cooks (I won't name which one) fixed squash for our lunch Thursday, but it burnt. Not so bad that we couldn't eat it, but you could smell it. And it smelt for all the world like cigarette smoke! The whole house smelled like that for quite a while, and it brought back memories of sad classmates I had in college that would smell like that. It made me thankful that the Lord has blessed me with a family that doesn't smoke.

4. Thursday night coming in from College Bible Study I was so hungry, and I was going to spend the night with The Grandparents. Whenever I'm at their house and I'm hungry, all I want is cereal! Jaylyn and Jewel, y'all know what I'm talking about! The Grandmother is famous among the grandchildren for having a stash of various cereals that she keeps for us :) . Bless her heart! I came in Thursday night, and she sent me into the kitchen for a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats. They were SO good!

5. Our carpet is several years old and rather worn in spots, but Monday morning the weather was so fresh and cool (not cold) that I went barefoot all morning. That wonderful old carpet felt SO fluffy and soft under my feet!