J is for "Julie, Julie Do You Love Me?"

Do you know or remember that song from Bobby Sherman?

Julie, Julie, Julie, do ya love me?
Julie, Julie, Julie, do ya care?
Julie, Julie, are ya thinkin' of me?
Julie, Julie, will ya still be there?

You can see more lyrics at Lyrics Mode

Sometimes, I believe God is asking me "Julie, do you love me?" just like when Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?"

And instinctively I answer, "Yes, of course, I love you."

Yet in this world one might ask, "What is love?"

For me, the answer is in "Good Friday".

As Christians, we speak about how much God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die on a cross for our sins.

On Good Friday, we experience a little bit of that time when God leaves us. We take away the things that symbolically or spiritually connect us with God. It is then when we can get a sense of the love we have for God. On that day we face our emptiness, our nothingness, our weaknesses and we can briefly though only by human interpretation experience what our life might be without God.

It is then when we experience that awe and understanding of how much we need and trust and love God.

When He rises on Easter morn-we experience that joy not just in a service but intimately (if we let it) within us. Then I can confidently respond to God when He asks if I love Him not just out of instinctive goodness, fear or respect. I can respond based upon a bigger view of love that "Yes, you are my Lord and I love you!"

One more thing about "Love"-kind of silly perhaps but try singing the song lyrics above but replace "Julie" with your name. Generally, one sings a song to someone, right? But as you sing this song, can you answer, "yes" to the one who is singing it to you? Do you love yourself? If you read my earlier post on "It is what it is" you might have caught the inference that you are a reflection of God and as you love yourself-you reflect that love to God and to others.

Blessings, peace and love!
JulieD

Snow and Cold

It snowed last night! While I find this to be a wonderful event many of my friends don't share my enthusiasm-something about the cold that comes with snow. Well having lived up north where winter temperatures fall below zero and where they raise the height of the stop signs to accommodate snow drifts, the temperatures here seem a bit chilly and the three inches we were blessed with seems more like a dusting of snow.

Knowing how my friends feel about the snow and cold I had no intention of writing about the weather today however, I just heard something that I really wanted to share with you.

My children for their World History and Culture are listening to a Teaching Company tape about cultures. Since I am focusing on other things I listen only enough to make sure it is appropriate and to get information to quiz my children. I do want them to listen and retain the information. Anyway, as the instructor was discussing the development of different cultures and culture theories I had to laugh when I heard him mention one of the theorists actually begged his government to send him to the North Pole. Ok...I love snow but that is something I would never do. lol

Thought/Question for the day: When you say you love something are there limits or boundaries to your love? Perhaps with things it is ok to have limits but what about when you tell someone you love them...is it I love you if or as long as or when ???

What is love?
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not see its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (New King James Version)

Peace!

JulieDD

The Sisters

It has been about a week now since I returned from a mission trip. I have been trying to put into words just one of the many amazing things I experienced on this trip for you but have been distracted and unfocused. So today, I'm trying again.

I want to tell you about the sisters. Specifically, two sisters-twin sister sisters. These two women captured everyone's attention-even those who didn't get to interact with them. Their stamina, energy and sheer dedication and pride in what they do was an inspiration to all.

Unfortunately, I was one of those that didn't get to interact with these amazing women except for a few quick moments. However, about midweek one member of our group made a comment about their work that caused me to step back and really examine how I approach things.

The comment paraphrased: Did you notice that there is no mulch and there is no weeds either?

You see, these elderly sisters, have as their responsibility the care of the monastery grounds. This is their ministry. How easy would it have been for them to put down mulch, to let the leaves fall on the grounds or to let little things go...but they didn't. Their attention to the details is an expression and reflection of their love for God.

Sometimes when I have taken on responsibilities-I took them on for the wrong reasons. Sometimes I took them on for the right reasons, too, but when I have done things I hoped were serving God and not myself-now I wonder what more I could have done? Did I give my best or take shortcuts? I'm sorry to say, I don't like the answer I would give.

To be a true reflection of God through the use of our gifts and talents we must be willing to go the step beyond our own understanding and abilities because that is where God shines through us-and is no longer just a reflection. It is only possible to do this with God's help. That is what can make a simple task a true ministry of love.

I am home now...and as I look at my real and spiritual gardens, I see many weeds that still need to be pulled. It is a difficult choice to avoid the way of the mulch and there are many challenges to getting at the weeds but with God's help-I will try.
Will you?