Some thoughts on love
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 4:50AM John Vandervelde
Program Director
Today in our staff devotions we read 2 Peter 1. The verses we focused on were 5-7 which say, "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."
I have a beautiful 18-month-old daughter named Annika who is slowly beginning to learn words and communicate with the world around her. Her favorite word right now seems to be a strange version of the word "banana"; but she enjoys trying to say just about anything you ask her to say. She usually gets the first letter out and then sort of mutters the rest with a smile on her face looking for approval for simply trying to talk. We've been teaching her to say "love you" when she greets us in the morning or when Daddy goes to work and other times like that. There's just something about a little child saying "love you" or in Annika's case more like "muv woo" that melts your heart. The stress and troubles of the world seem to melt away for a moment and we feel so good. This morning as I gave my little girl a hug while she was eating breakfast in her high-chair and when I kissed her cheek, which was covered by a bit of banana mush, she mumbled, "wuv woo dada". Oh man, so amazing!! All was so good in my world. I wanted to stop time.
Who in your world needs to hear that they are loved? Maybe you need to tell someone "I love you" today--someone who hasn't heard it in a while. Maybe someone needs to hear, "God loves you." Remember there is something powerful about love. Love draws people to Him. Love heals. Love protects. Love makes things all better. God is love.
So today let's share love. Parents, tell your kids you love them. Kids, tell your mom and dad you love them. Friends encourage each other through love--let those close to you know God loves them.
The words to an old song I used to sing as a kid come to mind, "...And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love."
PRAYER REQUEST / PRAISE:
>We praise God for the group from Philadelphia Biblical University (PBU) who was here on Saturday for a day of team-building utilizing our challenge course facilities. It was a fun group that encouraged our staff greatly. Their spirits were high despite the cold and rain.
>We continue to pray for healing for Ethan Welsh and Edee Williams.
IMPORTANT NEWS:
1. The website has been updated with new dates and prices for 2010. Online registration is now open.
2. Don't forget to come to HoneyRock Round-Up on November 7 on the Wheaton College Campus.
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