I have been busy writing and creating a new web site! Just in case you have missed me lately, now you know where I have been hiding.
I will still be posting ocasionally here, so don't loose this site from your favorites, ok? I would miss you. I will be using this site now mainly for Bible studies I write and more in-depth stuff.
My newest location is http://www.thresholdmoments.blogspot.com. I hope to see you there.
If you do stop by, please leave me a comment. I kinda thrive on those things...just a little..... just so I know I have touched your life......just so I don't feel alone.
See you soon!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Abundantly overflowing. More than I dare even begin to ask for or imagine; that's the measure of blessing I have received from being in such a fine family. I have the privilege of being able to declare my parents marriage of forty-five years. This day in age that is certainly a rarity.
My sister and I were raised by a mom who not only disciplined us, but became our best friend. Our daddy has always been there to protect us and do all those "daddy things" like car maintenance and handyman service. He also had a stern hand that pulled us through many misguided teenage girl shenanigans. That couldn't have been an easy task.
There were two sets of grandparents who could have easily rivaled the lifestyles of "Leave It To Beaver" and "Father Knows Best". As a child, even as an adult, I have always been filled with a sense of pride when given the chance to introduce someone new to my family.
As proud as I am of my family's greatness, I am well aware we have had our share of unpleasant moments among the abundant blessings. You know, no one really lives a "Ward and June Cleaver" life. Maybe your family memories are no where even as close as mine to being blissful.
If you are feeling alone...If you are in need of a family to love you...I want to remind you, or perhaps tell you for the first time ever, that "God gives the lonely a home". (Psalm 68:6 NCV)
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 3:14-20 that your true name comes from God the Father. You are His Child. You are loved so long and high and deep that you cannot even begin to fathom it! Love Him back! Receive His invitation to become a part of His family. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and thank Him for Jesus, Who saves you by grace and unmerited favor. You don't earn God's love...you only have to accept it.
Sometimes you may find your earthly family is not so eager to forgive, but let me tell you, your Father in heaven IS. He is patiently waiting for you to ask. He is more than willing to accept you as you are. Love covers a multitude of sins. His love is abundant. His mercy is overflowing. Receive it.
Offer that same compassionate love to your own family. Offer it to yourself. If you have been hurt..forgive. If you have been ignored...make yourself available to those who ignored you. If you feel unworthy..know that God sees you as perfect through Jesus.
If you have no family, seek friendship. How? By being a friend. Reach out to serve. Your territory will be enlarged, I promise. Loving God, loving yourself and loving others is the first step in expanding your area of influence. People will be drawn to you.
Set out today to leave behind your own legacy of abundantly overflowing love. By living in that realm, you will begin to give and receive more blessings than you can even dare to imagine!
*What can you do today to start that abundantly overflowing fountain of love to spring forth from your heart and into the world?
* Approach the most unlikely person and begin to serve or offer an unexpected act of kindness.
* Think of your love for others as seeds of God's mercy sprinkled over a fertile land.
Talk to you soon and have a wonderfully blessed day!
"But, Jesus said, Let her alone; why are you troubling her? She has done a good and beautiful thing to me [praiseworthy and noble]." (Mark 14:6 AMP)
I found myself randomly reading Mark Chapter 14 verses 1-11. I had read it many times over, but this time I found two very distinct personalities in the passage. First you have the woman with the alabaster jar. That jar contained a very expensive perfume. Not just Walmart brand, but so expensive that it would have cost over a year's salary to replace it. At that time, it would have been rare for anyone to have such a treasure in their possession. And, if they did, they would have held tightly to it. At the very least, it would have been sold for profit.
This woman took that treasure and poured it lavishly over the head of Jesus. Not only did she sacrifice her expensive perfume, she broke the jar that contained it. The jar would have been a treasure as well. In effect, she exhausted her resources for the glory of God. She wanted to acknowledge and bless her Savior more than she wanted to keep her earthly possessions.
She gave it ALL; no hesitations, in spite of crude remarks and condemnation from onlookers. She kept NONE of her treasure for herself; not any. She willingly gave it to Jesus. In doing so, she anointed Him for burial in her own precious way. Jesus was touched by her gift of love and Verse 9 even tells us that her story would be told through the ages. It is indeed. Her story is told so that we would desire to follow in her footsteps. Earthly treasures mean nothing in comparison with Jesus. He gave it all for us. How can we do any less for Him?
Here is where the second personality comes into the picture. Verses 10-11 tell us the short but not-so-sweet story of Judas and his greedy desire for personal gain. He was willing to betray his Savior. He had spent day after day sitting under the teaching of Jesus, but threw away all he had learned for a bag of money. He was interested in the profit. He was self-absorbed. He didn't care who he hurt in the process as long as he got what he wanted.
The woman with the alabaster jar has been honored for her wonderful example over and over again. Judas' greediness cost him his very life. He lost it all, though not willingly as she did and for the wrong reasons. That is a perfect example for us as well. Treasure gained through selfish thoughts and actions will cost us everything in the long haul. It may even cost us our eternity with God if we make personal gain our focus in life.
The woman looked crazy to everyone around her, but not to Jesus. Through her acts of love, she gained treasure no amount of money could ever buy. I want to be a woman who gives it ALL to Jesus. Even if I look crazy. Even if I can't keep up with the Joneses. Even if I must give up earthly possessions. My contentment comes from my Jesus. He alone is my joy! He alone is my life and my portion! He is the One I want to appear honorable to. I am ready to surrender like crazy!
Blessings,
