Love Is Kind

January 31, 2016January 31, 2016 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Love is kind…

– 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

I shall pass this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

– Henry Drummond

God, You are all-powerful, yet You are humble of heart and kind – something that will always, always amaze me and continually cause me to be grateful that I am a recipient of Your Divine love and relationship.

– Susie Stewart

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

– Matthew 11:29 (NLT)

I choose kindness…I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God treated them.

– Max Lucado

Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.

– Frederick W. Faber

The greatest sorrow and burden you can lay upon the Father, the greatest unkindness you can do to Him is not to believe that He loves you.

– John Owen

Photo by Susie Stewart

Love is Patient

January 30, 2016 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Love is patient…

– 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)

It seems that when I write about a certain subject, it is that very day that I am tested in that very area of my Christian walk. I fail miserably at times, and walk in my God-given freedom from sin at others.

Sanctification, the process of growing to be more like Jesus, is an ever upward thing in which I press on, and He is at work. There are unfortunate moments when I am not reflecting Him, and it is those moments when I am exceedingly grateful for my patient Heavenly Father, and that He is refining His children through their ups and downs.

God is love. And love is patient. Today is a new day. And with forgiveness, that new day may start right in the middle of your day.

– Susie Stewart

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.
– Helen Keller

The times we find ourselves having to wait on others may be the perfect opportunities to train ourselves to wait on The Lord.
– Joni Eareckson Tada

Wait on God and He will work, but don’t wait in spiritual sulks because you cannot see an inch in front of you! Are we detached enough from our spiritual hysterics to wait on God? To wait is not to sit with folded hands, but to learn to do what we are told.
– Oswald Chambers

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

– Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is His faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning.

– Lamentations 3:22,23 (NLT)

Photo taken by Susie Stewart

Goodness

January 29, 2016 / Susie Stewart / 1 Comment

God promises to work ALL things for the GOOD

for those of us who love Him

and have been called by Him

He takes our mistakes

our heartache

our everything

and brings purpose and good

Beauty from ashes

from all that happens in our lives

No exceptions

because of unconditional love

How unimaginably gracious!

So, what if you and I sought to do that

for people?

What if we were to respond with grace

when wronged,

bringing the good

to that situation?

And what if we loved

when it makes more sense

to hate?

And what if we took awful circumstances,

and inserted compassion

and truth

instead of criticism?

What if we responded with patience

when it isn’t warranted?

What if we sought,

by God’s Spirit,

the good

in everything?

What if we showed His goodness,

by His power,

with His Light,

in the darkness?

– Susie Stewart

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

– Romans 8:28 (NIV)

…we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

– Romans 8:28 (MSG)

And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.

– 2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMP)

To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oak that the Lord has planted for His own glory.

– Isaiah 61:3 (NLT)

Photo taken by Susie Stewart

Most Important

January 27, 2016January 27, 2016 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

If I were to ask you right now,

“What one person or thing is the most important to you?”

what comes to mind first?

Does it match up with what you’re doing with your life, how you spend your time?

And do people recognize the importance of that person or thing to you? Would they answer that question the same way about you?

Or was that your “right” answer?

– Susie Stewart

Whom have I in heaven but You?
I desire You more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
He is mine forever.

– Psalm 73:25,26 (NLT)

Do not put any other gods in place of Me.

– Exodus 20:3 (NIRV)

Our god is the thing, or person, which we think most precious, for whom we would make the greatest sacrifice, and who moves our heart with the warmest love. He is the person or thing that if lost would leave us desolate.
– Alan Redpath

Photo taken by Susie Stewart

Planted

January 25, 2016January 25, 2016 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Words…

above the ground

skimming the surface

never digging in

never planted

as opposed to

Words

piercing the dirt

lodging deep

roots and shoot ever growing down and up

planted and solid

It’s a picture of how

the seed of God’s Word

is meant to be cultivated

in you

Its effects powerful

causing you to flourish

Soaking in

Living Water

Let the Seed of His Word

take root

and transform

– Susie Stewart

…humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

– James 1:21 (NIV)

…In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.

– James 1:21 (MSG)

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.

– Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)

Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

– Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)

Photos taken by Susie Stewart

Perfect

January 23, 2016January 23, 2016 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Self-loathing

Self-consciousness

and

Self-hatred

do not lead to true humility

but lead only to increased self-absorbtion

Let us not waste time

being engrossed in how we don’t hit the mark

but focus our energies on Almighty God

the One whose

unconditional

perfect

stubborn

unrelenting

Love

desires an accepting of that love

unconditionally

– Susie Stewart

It used to be that I never felt safe with myself unless I was performing flawlessly. My desire to be perfect had transcended my desire for God. Tyrannized by an all-or-nothing mentality, I interpreted weakness as mediocrity and inconsistency as a loss of nerve. I dismissed compassion and self-acceptance as inappropriate responses. My jaded perception of personal failure and inadequacy led to a loss of self-esteem, triggering episodes of mild depression and heavy anxiety.

Unwittingly I had projected onto God my feelings about myself. I felt safe with Him only when I saw myself as noble, generous, and loving, without scars, fears , or tears. Perfect!

But on that radiant morning in a cabin hidden deep in the Colorado Rockies, I came out of hiding. Jesus removed the shroud of perfectionist performance and now, forgiven and free, I ran home. For I knew that I knew Someone was there for me. Gripped in the depth of my soul, tears streaming down my cheeks, I internalized and finally felt all the words I have written and spoken about stubborn, unrelenting Love. That morning I understood that the words are but straw compared to the Reality. I leaped from simply being the teacher of God’s love to becoming Abba’s delight. I said good-bye to feeling frightened and said shalom to feeling safe. What does it mean to feel you are in a safe place? That same afternoon I wrote in my journal:

To feel safe is to stop living in my head and sink down into my heart and feel liked and accepted…not having to hide anymore and distract myself with books, television, movies, ice cream, shallow conversation…staying in the present moment and not escaping into the past or projecting into the future, alert and attentive to the now…feeling relaxed and not nervous or jittery…no need to impress or dazzle others or draw attention to myself…Unselfconscious, a new way of being with myself, a new way of being in the world…calm, unafraid, no anxiety about what’s Going to happen next…loved and valued…just being together as an end in itself.

– Brennan Manning

Quit keeping score altogether and surrender yourself with all your sinfulness to God who sees neither the score nor the scorekeeper but only His child redeemed in Christ.

– James Finley

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith….

– Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

– Ephesians 2:4-9 (NLT)

Photo taken by Susie Stewart

Enemy

January 22, 2016 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

Our natural tendency

is to despise

to mock

to wish the worst on

our enemies

And when they fall

it seems like it should feel right

to be glad

they got what was coming to them

Satisfaction, right?

But that supposed satisfaction

only leaves a bittersweet taste

in our mouthes

We might do well to remember

that Jesus said,

“He who is without sin,

cast the first stone.”

David in the Bible

he was the rightful king

But Saul

the actual king on the throne

feeling very threatened

spent much of his time

and energy

pursuing David

and trying to kill him

for years

15 years

David had logical reasons

for retaliation

to hate

to fight back

even to gloat

with smug satisfaction

when his enemy

died

But he wept

He wept over the violent end

that came to Saul

and not only for him,

but for Saul’s son Jonathan

David’s best friend

He wept over the death of his beloved friend

and he wept over the death of his hateful enemy

and there was no satisfaction

for Saul getting what was coming to him

only sadness

For this king

was a foreshadowing

of a greater King

who would look on a whole race of people

who should have gotten

what was coming to them

and He wept

and He died

and the enemies

were saved

and they were loved

– Susie Stewart

In lament, David ripped his clothes to ribbons. All the men with him did the same. They wept and fasted the rest of the day, grieving the death of Saul and his son Jonathan, and also the army of God and the nation Israel, victims in a failed battle.

– 2 Samuel 1:11,12 (MSG)

Yet it was our weaknesses He carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for His own sins!

But He was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.

– Isaiah 54:4,5 (NLT)

Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

– Romans 5:7,8 (NLT)

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives His best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

– Matthew 5:43-48 (MSG)

Photo taken by Susie Stewart

Secret

January 21, 2016January 21, 2016 / Susie Stewart / Leave a comment

I know a secret….

it’s one I want to spread

to anyone reading this

Paul shared what he had learned

and I listened

for I myself needed what this secret offered

and all of us do

It’s a secret

about how to be content

and not just content when things are pleasant

but content in any circumstance

How can that be when I’m not happy?

When things are not going as planned?

When I suffer and I don’t know why?

All is stripped away?…

What then?

How can I be content

when important things

important people

important well-being

keep me happy

enable me to do what I do things

are stripped away

What then?

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

So there

I said it

The secret is out

and it has been

since Paul penned those words so long ago

and it was known in the hearts of many of his predecessors

Joseph in a prison

David on the run

Ruth in a foreign land

Hosea with a wayward wife

Noah on a rockin’ boat

Moses with an overwhelming job

Esther in a palace of pressure

Jonathan with relatives closed to truth

Abraham never able to settle down

Isaac with work piled high

Jonah with a task unbelievable

and the list goes on

and the stories go

that each one came to find

that trusting God

and following God

and surrendering to God

is where you find contentment

in the messes

and the inconveniences

and the hardships

of life

and we each have our head-kept lists

of why discontentment is an option

and then we remember the secret

to being content

in any

and all

circumstances

I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

– Susie Stewart

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

– Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

– 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 (NLT)

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9,10 (NLT)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

– Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Photo taken by Arik Stewart

Romance

January 20, 2016January 20, 2016 / Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

Admittedly

I’m a romantic

and when I heard the words to the song recently

about how

She is his life

and She is his whole world

it sounded so beautiful

and so

well,

romantic

but I thought about

how my stance has changed

since I was young,

a young romantic

Truth be told

when I met Mr. Wonderful

and started dating Mr. Wonderful

and married Mr. Wonderful

he was my whole world

I could barely think of much else

I loved God too

but I cared more about seeking Andy’s attention

than seeking my God

But of course

earthly affections do not completely satisfy

they don’t completely fill you

and when a person is your whole world

you can’t help but be disappointed

it’s inevitable

because that’s not how it’s meant to be

No one fills and satisfies

a soul’s longings

even for romance

like Jesus

He’s the heroic groom

for His bride,

His follower

And as I’ve gone through the ups and downs

of life

I am thankful to have gone through them

with Mr. Wonderful

and yes, I’m thankful for romance

in my marriage

but

my love for my Savior

my focus on His affections

my longing to do His will

to do what I do out of love for Him

has surpassed all other loves

I’ve come to realize

that He has been pursuing me

romancing me

loving me

all this time

even since the womb

And when I focus on Him

other relationships in life pale in comparison

but then all is as it should be

and I am free to love people

without expecting them to be God

– Susie Stewart

…Then I gave you My divine promise to always be your Beloved, and I entered the sacred covenant of marriage with you. I wed you, and you became Mine.

– Ezekiel 16:8 (VOICE)

As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you;

as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

– Isaiah 62:5 (NIV)

For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the God of all the earth.

– Isaiah 54:5 (NLT)

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.

– Hosea 2:20 (NLT)

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
For He has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom dressed for His wedding
or a bride with her jewels.

– Isaiah 61:10 (NLT)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

– Revelation 21:1,2 (NLT)

“Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the Lord says: “I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness.

– Jeremiah 2:2 (NLT)

The marriage covenant of a husband and wife is to be a beautiful representation of Christ and His beloved, the church. The earthly relationship should never overshadow the Divine.

– Susie Stewart

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her…

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

– Ephesians 5:25,31,32 (NLT)

Photos taken by Bob Karraker

Voicemail

January 19, 2016 / Susie Stewart / 2 Comments

My cell phone

tells me my voice mailbox is almost full

That I need to delete some messages

in order to receive more

But I don’t want to

For there were points in time

when people I love and care about

left me messages

and they left an impression

on me

Dates and times frozen

With words of affirmation

of light

of life

of encouragement

to build up

saved in my little rectangular hip magnet

And I view these words

as the very love of God

spoken to my heart

On everyday days

at high points

at the lowest points

Thank you, dear ones,

for minutes spared

to lift up a sister

May my words, Lord,

bring the same

encouragement

whether spoken

written

or typed

– Susie Stewart

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.

– 1 Thessalonians 5:10,11 (MSG)

What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.

– Proverbs 18:21 (GNT)

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

– Proverbs 16:24 (AMP)

Here are some of those messages ….