Fist Bump

Reality Check

(Day 5)

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:6

Today we are featuring a special guest post from Cassandra Finkes. She is well known for being an encourager! Read, enjoy and be encouraged!

I was thinking about a study I read in Dr. Dobson’s book, Bringing Up Girls; the top ten reasons for depression in women. More than 50% of women listed self-esteem of some sort as their number one issue. At least 80% listed it in the top five. (Check out the book for more specific details).

This really made me think that we should make a dedicated effort to help tear down the lies that each of us ladies has brewing in our heads. It lead me to believe that most of us are struggling with some self-esteem issue on a daily basis. That something is the enemy and our flesh lying to us and holding us in bondage. Jesus calls us to be confident and bold in Jesus Christ! As my pastor said in one of his sermons; we have all the power in the world to break through these bondages but we let a tiny chain hold us down. (This was referring to an illustration about how elephants as infants are held by a chain and that same chain keeps them in check even as adults, despite them being more than able to break the chain. But their life has convinced them that the chain is able to keep them from going beyond it.) Not only does God give us more than what we need to break through all of this bondage; He gave us each other to, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Heb 3:13). It’s our job to build each other up so that we are not held in bondage by the lies in our heads. SO.... let’s actually do that for one another!!!
God has searched us and knows the innermost parts of our beings... we were fearfully and wonderfully made! His thoughts are precious toward us even though He sees the deepest parts of our souls and searches every part of us! Why then do we tear apart ourselves with hurtful words and thoughts? It's like we are spiting on God’s creation and saying, “What you made was not enough.” Let's find joy and comfort in knowing that our God made us and made us with His perfect hand. We can be sure that Jesus has made us new in Him. So even when we think; “We’ve messed up Gods creation,” we can be reminded, that we aren’t big enough to void out what Jesus did for us on the cross!

Practice: Have you ever been at a store and watched a child throw a tantrum and toss their stuff to the floor? Then lean over to your friend and whisper how the mother should…. Mothers this can be especially true of us, but many are guilty. If you are a mother, how many times have you seen or heard someone whisper about your parenting and suddenly felt like a failure. Or a past comment makes you feel like a failure the next time it happens? Let’s kick this habit of putting others down (regardless of what we think of the situation). Chances are, we don’t even know the whole story. Instead let’s jump in and help! When little Tommy throws a fit and throws his mom’s purse to the floor. Instead of whispers (that encourage those lies and bad self-esteem), grab the purse and say, “It’s tough being a mom.” Or “Not every mommy (or daddy) moment is glamorous, keep up the good work!” Be an encourager, seek out ways to break our flesh and satan’s lies! While you’re at it, today set a time aside and read Psalm 139:1-18

Family Activity: Discuss what being an encourager looks like (and what delighting in evil looks like). Help your kids point out opportunities to encourage others. Maybe think of a friend or family member to make an uplifting and encouraging card for.
Share ideas on how you can give a "fist bump" of encouragement!

The Beauty of The Cross

Day 4
Reality Check

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

When you read 1 Corinthians 13, what do you think? Does your mind wonder to various weddings or songs? Does it bring feelings of guilt? Do you see it as unattainable, or ignite thoughts of failure? Satan wants us to feel like a failure, but the spirit reminds us of that reset button. The spirit reminds us that through forgiveness, we are clean; we are not failures but rather are made perfectly righteous through Christ. The beauty of the cross. This is true love. Conviction is not the same thing as despair and feelings of failure. Conviction is like inspiration, it makes you want to be with God. When Christ died, there was clearly pain-because sin is horrible! But it was temporary, He didn’t dwell there! He didn’t stay there and neither should we! When the spirit convicts us, there may be momentary grief because sin hurts, but forgiveness hits the reset button! Satan would like you to wallow there; he would like to help you dig that pit. One of the beauties of love is that it keeps no records of wrong! 1 Corinthians should inspire you; it should lift you up and encourage you. If you are convicted, thank God for pointing it out and move forward to bathing in God’s word and asking for the ability to change. Don’t dwell on the negative because true love doesn’t want you there!

Practice: Don’t allow yourself to dwell in feelings of defeat, instead remind yourself that true love has the fruit of joy. Sorrow for sin should fade away as you seek forgiveness and be replaced with inspiration.
Activity: Write (or draw) lightly with a pencil something you’ve done that didn’t show true love. Using paint or markers to draw a beautiful picture completely covering the sin. Talk about how the cross shows us how true love covers our sins completely through forgiveness.

AND THE WINNER IS.....

If this is you, use the contact me, or personal FB message, so you can claim your prize!

Does Your Love Measure Up?

Day 3

Reality Check

 ^“ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11

Love one another. This seems like such an easy task. But how successful are we really? What standards are we using to measure our love for each other? Check out 1 John 4: 4-6 and Romans 8:5

1 John 4:4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Romans 8:5For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

 What measurement for love are we using? God’s or the world’s? God makes a clear distinction between the world (and our flesh) and those who abide in Christ and live by the spirit. We should be living by the spirit of truth and our measurement of love should come from there as well. Go back to 1 Corinthians 13. Use your concordance or do a Google search on all the scriptures of love. Is this the love you are referring to when you “love one another”

Practice: I've often wondered what meditating meant when it came to God's Word.  It can't really mean putting my fingers together and humming.  Meditate on the verses you found in your search. Write down the verses in a journal.  What comes to your mind?  Where does the Holy Spirit lead you?  Does He convict you?  Does He prompt you to work on a specific area of your life or perhaps convict you to show true love to someone you haven't been?  Is He prodding you to memorize a verse?  Listen to the Holy Spirit and where He leads you; that's what it means to "meditate" on God's Word.  Read, wait on God, listen, talk to, think about and immerse yourself in God's Word! 

Family Activity: Create a ruler (see picture). Instead of numbers, use the definition from  1 Corinthians 13 as markers. Throughout this month when someone seems to be acting without love, ask them to measure themselves. Maybe you even want to post this on the fridge or wall somewhere as a reminder.

Did you use the family activity? How did it go, what experiences did you have? (And what ages are your kids?)

*Last day to comment and be entered into the Valentine Day Card GiveAway. You can make comments on day 1-3 and Like our post and/or FB page*

Learning Patience Can Be "Ruff"

Reality Check:

Day 2

“Love is patient, love is kind…” 1 Corinthians 13:4

Did you start today with love? If not, how about starting the day over right now!

With God it’s never too late.

I noticed recently that the definition of love from 1 Corinthians begins with patience. Why do you think that is? As a mother and a wife, I don’t have to think about that for long. God is extremely patient- that’s why it’s never too late to start over. As a mom, I am ever thankful for the reset button. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cringed after responding without love to my children or husband. I hate to even admit it, but some moments I am so overwhelmed, that I don’t stop and try to change my attitude. I think I’m justified…but in my heart, where the Holy Spirit resides, I know that I am wrong. Thankfully, God is love. And that means he is patient with me as I learn to respond with love in ALL situations!

 

Practice: Practice patience, by pretending to be patient. It sounds silly but it works. When I want to say something badly, but know I shouldn’t- I literally bite my lip to keep from opening my mouth. Having patience has a lot to do with self-control; biting my lip helps me control my urge to talk. By pretending you are a patient person, you inadvertently learn to control your reactions.

Family Activity: Dominoes is an activity that needs great patience. As you carefully set up a row of Dominoes talk about how waiting (in expectation, with a good attitude), brings about good things. Give examples on how a lack of patience can hinder good things. For example knocking down 5 Dominoes is not as much fun as 50.

Share with us what you do to practice patience!

14 Days of True Love GiveAway

I am so excited about my new series to kick off my blog! Just to get the excitement going, one lucky loved reader will win 2 handmade, Valentine cards. All you have to do is visit here between February 1st and February 3rd and make a comment on one of the 14 Days of True Love posts. For each day you comment, you get one entry into the drawing. For a bonus, like my Facebook page and be entered again!

14 Days of True Love

It's coming! Join me as we go back to the source of true love and debunk the fairy tale myth! True love beats the sugar coated candy hearts, that give a temporary high but comes down with a crash! Join me each day. starting February 1st. This journey can be taken by anyone. Whether you are single, married, parenting or not- you will want to join us!

Love Doesn't Come From Cupid

It's finally here! I hope you are as excited as I am!! For this special series the posts will look a little different. Rather than the typical theory vs reality; we will start each day with a Reality Check aka God's Word. This series will apply to anyone but if you have children, make sure you check out the Family Activity at the bottom. Use these to relate what you read in the blog to your kids (who probably aren't interested or old enough to read it ;) ) Enjoy! And don't forget to comment to be entered into the Valentine's Card Give Away!

Reality Check

“We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 

1 John 4:16

The fact is that without Christ, we would be incapable of loving. ! If God is love- then the beginning of our journey would logically take us straight to him! Have you ever noticed that on the days that you start your day with prayer, Bible reading and/or devotions- things seem easier? The coffee that baby knocked on your blouse, as you walk out the door, is not quite as frustrating as it was last week when it happened. The comment your spouse made that would usually send you into a tizzy, is easily glanced over with grace. Why is that? Because when we start with God, we start with love. And when we start with love we have; patience, kindness, a lack of jealousy. We have humility and meekness, and we act with decency; we are not selfish or easily provoked; we do not take into account a wrong suffered, or rejoice in unrighteousness, but we rejoice with the truth; we are able to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. Because we know that Love never fails!

Practice: Start with love. Place a sticky note in a place you will first see when you wake up or start the day. Write a reminder to start with God, who is love and gives us the ability to love.

Family Activity: With your family, make bracelets that remind you to love always. Use “love” colors like red and pink, or letters that spell love. Talk about how God is love and that’s why we are able to love each other. Discuss the meanings of the words in 1 Corinthians 13, and give examples. (Depth of discussion will depend on age. You may also decide to focus on certain meanings more than others.)