except my principle who deemed me her absolute favorite lol....
Infatuation is instant desire-one set of glands calling to another.
Love is friendship that has caught fire. It takes root and grows, one day at a time.
Infatuation is marked by a feeling of insecurity. You are excited and eager, but not genuinely happy. There are nagging doubts, unanswered questions, little bits and pieces about your beloved that you would just as soon not examine too closely. It might spoil the dream.
Love is the quiet understanding and mature acceptance of imperfection. It is real. It gives you strength and grows beyond you-to bolster your beloved. You are warmed by their presence, even when they are away. Miles do not separate you. You have so many wonderful little films in you head that you keep replaying. But near or far, you know they are yours and you can wait.
Infatuation says, "We must get married right away. I can't risk losing them."
Love says, "Be patient. Don't panic. Plan your future with confidence."
Infatuation has an element of physical excitement. Whenever you are together you hope it will end in a closer touch, or embrace.
Love is not based on sexual desires. It is the maturation of friendship which makes that physical touch so much sweeter. You must be friends before you are lovers.
Infatuation lacks confidence. When they are away, you wonder if they are cheating. Sometimes you check.
Love means trust. You are calm, secure and unthreatened. They feel your trust, and it makes them even more trustworthy.
Infatuation might lead you to do things you will regret, but Love never steers you in the wrong direction.
Love is elevating. It lifts you up. It makes you look up. It makes you think up. It makes you a better person than you were before. Always reaching for a new level in HIM-together!
Sincerely yours,
a.rose 2008
*some portions of this essay have been changed
I'm singing in the rain
My daddy came across this story the other day and I thought it was too cute and too true to keep to myself.
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Still I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's Winter Pageant. I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production, unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation, all parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come at that time. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.
As the class would sing "C is for hristmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love." The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: "C H R I S T W A S L O V E" And, I truly believe, He still is.
Amazed in His presence....humbled by His love.
Sincerely yours,
a.rose 2007
Today I analyzed my present emotion and state of mind and found myself placing anthropomorphic qualities to God. In this I found I was able to understand and relate to Him in a whole new way.
I love you more than words can express,I was in for a bumpy ride as the year 2004 opened its doors, for this was a year of drastic change in my life. As a young child growing up in a separated home, I knew God had a plan and purpose for my life, a ministry and a deeper calling, but what that plan was I had no idea and still do not know completely. I was an early graduate of 2004 and was blessed with the opportunity to visit Jackson College of Ministries. There God touched me in a way I have never felt before; speaking into me words of strength in a voice so powerful it shook my being. I thought this is where I need to be, but in August of that same year as I was preparing to leave for Mississippi, my pastor felt led to ask me if I would be interested in being apart of Apostolic Youth Corps, AYC, and help a young home missions church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I excitedly agreed and prepared for Salt Lake City were I would be catapulted into a 10 hour daily Home Missions 101 crash course. There I would be assisting in the outreach portion of General Conference and from there I would be deployed to Pittsburgh for that life changing experience not even my pastor could have ever truly prepared me for.
Before leaving my pastors wife pulled me aside and instructed me in wisdom, warning me to be wary of simple things that would contradict my upbringing, giving me her contact information and blessing me with her prayers I arrived on the east coast ready to win the world. Loneliness soon set in a few weeks after my arrival and that was where my true challenge began. So many thoughts began to flood through my mind; it was as if I became the victim on the devils playing field. I was heavily involved in everything from painting, to outreach, secretarial work, children’s church, drama, you name it, I was in shoulder deep; but I was sinking. After many messages and failed attempts to reach my pastors wife, I sunk deeper into the grasps of loneliness. All I could hear were her words, " Call me if you need me, I will be there and will be praying for you. I want to hear from you and please, please call." Precious words that never came true were the thoughts the devil filled my mind with day and night.
Disappointment ate at me, and it seemed as if no one was there, no friends, no family and no covering of ministry. My convictions were tested and my world spun out of control, not only was my spiritual world rocked, but my health began to suffer as Lupus began to claim my body. I tried to keep the smile and hold on to what I knew was right, but days turned into gloomy nights. I would cling to my Bible and lie on the floor of my room in pain and cry as my roommate watched endless hours of television. But in the puddle of my tears laid a strength I never knew existed. I started to feel less and less sorry for myself and began to embrace the physical loneliness and let God carry me to a place in Him that had once been hidden. Psalm 91 speaks of a secret place, a place beyond the ordinary, a place of deep meditation and a relationship with the Almighty, far more precious than this world has ever felt. My Bible, a gift from my pastor’s wife, became my strength, and that secret place with God became my comfort. Each night without my friends, family or ministry I would find Him. He became my everything! I found life in Him (Proverbs 21:21), He was my strong tower (Proverbs 18:10) and as I set my affections on Him and things above (Colossians 3) I found I was complete in Him (Colossians 2:10).
It was not until I returned home and my pastor’s wife called me to her home that I realized this all was meant for a monument in my life. She embraced me and told me she had been praying for me, received every letter and every phone call, and was so proud of me. It hit me then; she had taught me the most important lesson in a Christian’s life. The references in Deuteronomy 31:6 and 8 became so precious and so real to me in that moment, He never left me nor forsook me. He was closer than a brother as promised in Proverbs 18:24. I had to come to a place where I had to find Him on my own, not just because mommy and daddy loved him, not because my pastor knew Him, but because my existence and future relied on knowing Him for myself. James 2:19 confirmed. It is much like the ten virgins, five wise and five foolish spoken of in Matthew 25. The wise knew the bride groom, talked with him, felt his love, experienced his faithfulness, but the foolish only knew of him. They never had the opportunity to lavish in his fullness, ridding them of the eagerness and excitement the others felt. We can not be as the foolish; we have to be ready, excited and continually seeking for His coming. He seeks a spotless and whole bride, rid of bitterness and confusion. Many nights I have let my mind drift back to those amazing evenings, just me and Jesus, the realness of His love and the words of promise. He strengthened me, and in the doctors amazement He healed me completely. I plead with you; get to know him for yourself, Trust Him. I can not express in words how important it is to find Him for you, experience all the knowing Him can bring.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'." I'm whispering " I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.
"When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, My flaws are far too visible But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace,...somehow!
Sincerely,
a.rose
Feeling a little under the weather? Get a fire in your bones and let the Holy Ghost blow in you and through you...WIND AND FIRE- An insirational and a must read!
This tree has been standing here growing bigger and stronger for approximately 46 years and within a few short hours it was totally gone. All that is left is a few stumps that will be burned for firewood and some mulch which can be used for some good in a garden. This got me to thinking about Reputation. We can work all of our life to build a good reputation,, one of character, and in a moment of temptation or anger or whatever, it can be stripped away and we are left with just a few stumps and some mulch. We are ground down to nothing! Guard your reputation. It is worth everything! You worked too hard and long to let it be stripped away from you in a moment. Your reputations defines who you are. It dictates where you are going and where you will end up! It is the very essence of 'you"!...... You do not want to miss the rest of this post, it is a GREAT read!
