Faith, Hope, and Love

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

Well these were the words used in the first Sunday worship service of this year, 2008. And were they words I needed to hear.

I haven't been struggling with the word Love, but Hope and Faith have been another story. Don't get me wrong it isn't as if I have stopped having Faith or Hope in GOD, it actually probably has to do more with the word Trust than with Faith and Hope.

Ron's message this morning was just perfect timing. It is also the start of a series called "Deepen" and today's message was 'Deep Change'. It wasn't anything new or something I didn't already know. It was more of a reminder of the Faith and Hope I have had and lived out loud in the past. It reminded me of where I wanted and needed to get back too.

The disappointments in my life in 2007 were way more than I could bare. They have made me question so many things, but today that ALL is over. I want Kimie back and she has this child like Faith and a Hope that GOD has every tomorrow in HIS Hands. I am going to start living that Large again. Forgetting yesterday, looking forward to tomorrow, but living fully and presently in today. "Today, after all is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday."

Again, let me get back to Faith, Hope, and Love. As well as the choice we all must make. I had given up on Hope, especially in the thought and dream of a man finding me and loving me and choosing me for the rest of our lives. GOD has been speaking, but I chose to finally listen to what I know HE is saying.

And of course "Our Daily Bread" and "God Calling" just confirmed what I already knew and what I was reminded of at Church today.

"God Calling" for January 5 said:
Love Me and do My Will... Take no thought for tomorrow... Hope all the time.

Today's said:
You must pray. The way will open. God cares and His plans unfold. Just love and wait. Love is the key. No door is too difficult for it to open. What cause have you to fear? Has He not cared for and protected you? Hope on. Hope gladly. Hope with certainty...

"Our Daily Bread" today was titled 'Ripple Effect'. Have you ever skipped a rock across a lake and watched the ripples that formed from the impact?

ODB said: It's like that with choices. Every choice we make creates a ripple effect on our lives as well as on the lives of others. The choices we have made throughout life determines where we are and what we are becoming. Choices are also telling. What we really want, love, and think show up in the choices we make...
...our lives are not made by the dreams we dream but by the choices we make. -Joe Stowell.

So let's make GOD Choices and watch the blessings from the ripples. And HOPE on.

"And now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love...."