Love is Kind

We are studying different characteristics of love from I Corinthians 13.  We last broke down the idea that love is patient.  Today we are going to look at the truth that love is kind.

I looked up the definition of kindness.  Google says Kindness is an adjective that means "having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature."

Most of us can think of people in our lives we consider kind.  These are the people that always take the time to make us feel warmly welcomed when we see them.  These are the friends who have us over to their home and give generously of their time, home, money and talents to help others. 

My favorite explanation is that they are considerate.  These are the people who just naturally say, "Excuse me" and open doors and let you go first in line.  In other words, these are the people who put others first, and that certainly is applauded in scripture.

Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

That explains why considerate and kind people love so well.  They are not prideful.  They think about others' needs more than their own.  They consider others as MORE significant than themselves.

That sounds like a love that is like Christ's love for us.  Philippians 2:5-8 goes on to say that Christ exemplifies humble kindness.  "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

How can you exemplify kindness like Christ today?
--How about letting your spouse pick his movie or restaurant for your next outing?
--How about letting that person with a few items move ahead of you in line?
--Maybe you can go strike up a conversation with that girl/co-worker/mom who seems to be isolated or alone at school/work/etc.
--Park far away from the church so someone else can have the better parking spots.
--Volunteer to serve at church so you can minister to the needs of others in your body of believers.
--Write a note of encouragement to someone who ministers to you.

Love is kind. 

Love is Patient

Hi, everyone!  I have been so busy, but life has been awesome!  I really see God teaching me some good things in 2013 so far.  I pray all your New Years have been off to a great start too.

For the next month or so, I am going to dissect I Corinthians 13's love verses and share some thoughts on the characteristics of love.

Here is the entire section: 
I Corinthians 13: 4-8   Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶ it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
⁸ Love never ends.

Today's focus is love is patient. 

This is a tough one for me.  I am a multitasking, quick acting, low attention span kind of gal.  To practice patience takes self discipline.

According to Google, the definition of patience is:  The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.  Synonyms of patience are:  endurance, forbearance, and sufferance.

This is why patience is so difficult for us.  It is sacrificial.  It doesn't come naturally.  We put off our feelings and fleshly instincts and, instead, put on and CHOOSE to have empathy, understanding, possible painful waiting, and love toward someone.

This defines God's love for us, does it not?  While we were still putting ourself as god of our lives, while we were enemies of Him, He loved us and sent Christ to die and suffer for our sin and reconcile us to Him.  Then, he patiently waits for those He chooses to respond to this gift of grace and mercy.
 

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

 

God is also patient to deal with our sin.  He wants us to repent and choose obedience.  We know He will be just someday, but He often patiently waits for us in our slow, stupid ability to recognize and stop sinful actions.

 

Romans 2:3-4   Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance

 

Yesterday, at Women's Bible Study at church, our teacher told us that we need to be patient and wait after we lovingly and gently admonish or warn a sister in Christ who is in sin.  We have to pray for her after we talk to her and be there when she needs encouragement and help in stopping her sin.  We might even have to be patient with her if she responds defensively and badly at first.  Love her.  Be patient.  God is patient with us.

 

How can we be patient in love today?

--CHOOSE to extend grace to someone who offends you driving, in line at a store, in a meeting at work, or a friend who puts her foot in her mouth.  Smile and pray for them with love instead of brooding and simmering inside.

--Don't assume the intentions of your husband, friend or children.  Patiently draw them aside and ask them about an issue before you respond in anger or hurt.

--Think of someone who is sinning against you and choose to pray for that person in love and compassion.

--Share the gospel with a non-Christian in your life who you would think, humanly, there is no way God can reach this person.

 

Pray about it.  How can you be loving with patience today? 

Remember, love is patient, and God is our ultimate example of loving us patiently and perfectly.

 

Happy Valentine's Day

I thought I'd share a few snapshots of our Valentine breakfast this morning. . .

I hope to synch up my phone sometime in the next 200 years and talk about the Wives' Workshop I spoke at last weekend. 

For now, enjoy the love . . .

Heart waffles and bacon on a new plate and a bag of dollar bin goodies . . .

One love bug

He's a ham and cheese

Another love bug . . . He likes his chalkboard I made him for practicing his writing . . .

We called daddy at work to say we loved him and to wish him a Happy Valentine's Day!

We pray your day is filled with LOVE!

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

I John 3:16

Valentine Chalkboard

I went to the Target dollar bin and filled a baggie with little odds and ends for my two little Valentines this year.  I also wanted to make my kindergartener something fun with items I had around the house.  He is really excited about writing, so I decided to use scrap wood and left over chalkboard paint to make him a chalkboard for Valentine's Day.

First I took the 12 inch by 12 inch piece of thin plywood I had left from a trip to Michael's.

I painted white acrylic craft paint over the surface.  I painted two coats.

I then--because I'm lazy and didn't want to hook up my Silhouette (someday I'll have a desk where it is permanently set up)--handdrew a heart on paper, cut it out, and then traced it onto the wet paint.  I wasn't concerned about the mess in the heart because that was getting painted.

I painted the inside of the heart with chalkboard paint and let it dry.

I covered the edges with glued red ric rac.  Voila!  This was fast, easy and will entertain him for hours.

Have fun writing messages, my little buddy!

Easy, Affordable and Personal Valentine Day Cards

I HEART Costco. 

They are genius.  Somehow they have managed to mix low cost and high quality together, and they deliver just that.  Plus, they are awesome with their return policies.  One shopping trip I bought Tangled, the movie, and the DVD didn't make it home.  I honestly didn't know if I left it in the cart in the parking lot or if the cashier forgot to put it into my cart at checkout, but it was paid for on my receipt.  I went right back to the return counter and explained just that--I wasn't sure what happened and it could have very well been my fault.  Without hesitating, they gave me another copy and said, "Have a nice day!"  That, folks, is a lost art at stores these days.

Anyway, I digress.  Last year, we made homemade scrapbook type Valentine cards with a cute photo of the boys to mail to relatives.  It took a long time, but it was affordable and cute.  This year I don't have that much time, but I still wanted a cute, original, and AFFORDABLE Valentine card to send to our hundreds of relatives (I exaggerate, but we have a lot of family!).  If there ever is a time to send snail mail and put a stamp on an envelope, it is Valentine's Day. 

Costco to the rescue!  For $7.99, you can design a greeting card and get 10 copies, along with pre-printed return address envelopes.  Seriously, that is the cost of 2-3 cards at the Hallmark store these days.  If you have more to send, you can do the greeting cards people send at Christmas, but with Valentine trim and wording.  They are 50 for about $15.00.  They come with unprinted envelopes.  All you need to have is a Costco membership.

Here is our creation. 

My 5 year old decided to be uncooperative and would not allow his brother to hug or kiss him.  He held out his arm, winced, moaned and tried in every way to ruin the photo session.  I finally got the ONE shot of my 2 year old sneaking a kiss, but I had a mess of all the other photos.

So, I decided to just roll with it.  I added a little bit of humor to the card.

The kids punched out hearts and glued them to the inside.  On the other inside page, we will sign a little personal message.

I love the fact that you can add a little message and picture on the back of the card too!  Fun!

So, if you don't want to go spend $3-5 dollars on an impersonal card at the store, try Costco!  Oh, and I am getting no money or endorsement for promoting them.  I just like Costco.  : ) 

Happy card creating!

Happy February!

It is February!  The month of love.  Plus, my two year old has taken to potty training this week like a bee to honey, so I'm filled with thanks!  I whipped out my Silhouette and made a LOVE banner.  Happy LOVE month to you!

Friday Favorites

I am still at home with feverish, coughing boys, and I can't post pictures of my homemade valentine cards and give away the finished product to family. So, I thought it would be fun to share some amazing ideas I've seen in the craft blog world this week!
Enjoy the inspiration and fun!

Sweet Craft Cakes held an Owl Always Love You party:


The Farm Girl shared a great Superbowl recipe:  Chicken N Bacon Pizza Rolls:


Christina's Adventures sewed this adorable gray and white pouf pillow:


Eighteen25 shared some creative Valentine card ideas:


An Oregon Cottage made soft pretzels.  We made these this week, and they were fun.  We made salt pretzels, and then I found out they are even better with melted provalone over the top (sneak a little protein into my snackaholic boys).


Sugar Bee Craft Edition posted about this darling pillow dress, which is a perfect starter sewing project.  Her young daughter sewed this herself!  I need to practice with this project!


My friend, Erin, over at In Between Laundry made these ADORABLE Smore Pops:


Jenny, a friend in ministry, life and crafts, held a baby shower with a Farmer's Market theme.  You can read about it here at Running the Race:


Finally, my friend, Amanda, has some amazing crafts and recipes over at the Homemaking Honey.  Look at this darling Valentine yarn wreath she made:





Have a great Friday!

Free Printable Fill in the Blank Love Poem

I used to do sensory poems with my elementary school students when I was a teacher. We usually would do autumn poems, but this type of poem works with anything, including Valentine's Day and love.

My two little boys are extremely sick with fevers and coughs, so we have had a week of inside time.
While we had some down time, I thought my 4 year old might have fun writing a sensory poem for his daddy.
Here is what he wrote:

Love
Love looks like daddy coming home from work.
Love smells like flowers.
Love feels like getting a backrub.
Love tastes like mommy's french toast.
Love sounds like dogs and Micah (his brother).
Love

If you are so inclined, even adults can do this.  Write one and make vinyl wall art, create a card for your spouse, or simply exercise some creative juices.  Here is a sample one of mine:

Love
Love looks like my husband kneeling and praying next to our sleeping boys.
Love smells like the hot coffee my husband brings home to me.
Love feels like the hug I get from my husband when he comes home from work.
Love tastes like the sticky popsicle my two year old offers to share with me.
Love sounds like my husband reading the Bible to me each night.
Love

Here is a printable blank version for you to use!

Love sensory poem


I linked this post to:

A Little Bit Romance--A Little Bit Rock N Roll

Valentine's Day is coming up, and I decided to make twisted flower brooches, pins and bib necklaces for my favorite ladies. 

It is fun thinking about each person's style and what accessory they would most use.  Then I have to think about what to add or subtract to make it fit their personality.

Carter's Pre-K teacher, Mrs. Macaluso, is young and trendy.  She has a fun, lighthearted way of dressing, often with fun clips in her hair.  Her style is a mostly trendy, with a little edge to it now and then.  Here she is with Carter on his first day of school.

Of course, such style screamed for a zipper flower--soft and sweet with a little hardware in there to make it fun.  Since she wears hair clips, I decided to hot glue my flowers to an alligator clip.

She can wear it down low in her hair like so: (I pulled my hair back really quickly and took a picture with one hand, so forgive my odd angles and less than perfect hair.)

She can wear it clipping her hair back up high:

She can wear it on a t-shirt:

She can clip it on a purse or bag for a little punch:

Fun! 
I have cute little black tins I got at Michael's for 1.99 about a month ago.  As I finish my other projects, I'll post them and show you how I wrap them up in the tins. 

Have fun creating your Valentine's gifts!  I am having so much fun looking at everyone's decorations and crafts!

"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8


I linked this post up to: