Kasey Ewing

Seriously?

I have been contemplating love all day. 1 Corinthians defines love so differently.

“Love is patient, kind, it doesn’t envy, boast, dishonor, or is proud. Love isn’t self-seeking, isn’t easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love delights in truth; it always protects,  always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres”

Wow, love doesn’t really have much to do with flowers. Don’t get me wrong, I am not against flowers but they don’t define if you are loved or not.  Tonight, while sitting in a semi-crowded mall eating Chick-fil-a with my favorite men (Brad, Drew and Jackson) I realized that love was staring me in the face.

Love is sitting around a table talking, laughing, and reminiscing about our day.

Love is more than getting lucky .  . .Love is taking turns getting up at the crack of dawn to drive your son across town for football practice.

Love is holding your tongue when you are frustrated. 

Love is spilling out words of encouragement.  

Love is the reassuring glance from across a room that you are the only one.

Love is a quick text during the day showing you are thinking of each other.

Love is picking up the clothes next to the hamper, silently.

Love is doing the dishes without a dishwasher.

Love tucks your kiddos in at night.

Love holds you close in the darkest of nights.

Love gives. And it gives some more.

And then gives some more.

How?

“We love because He first loved us”

(I John 4:19) 

When we realize how lavishly we have been loved, we can liberally love those around us.

Do you believe this?

God’s love is best described and translated with the word “agape”.  Agape love is the love that one writer expressed, “sets us free”!  I love that.  You and I are to love (agape) God with every fiber of our being!  He has loved us with this type of love.  He has loved us with “hesed” love. Covenant binding love that He will never break.  Yet He has also loved us with “agape” love.  The undeserved, self sacrificing love that goes beyond one’s own pleasure and wants.  It looks at the greater good for the other.  Haven’t you and I received that kind of love from our God?  Don’t we want this kind of love?  “It’s been written, that we are all hard wired to express, “eros” and “phileo” but agape love is a choice to make deep personal sacrifice and this kind of love transcends circumstances.”

Today is Valentine’s Day in the United States!  It’s a big “love” day for a us.  There will be millions of dollars spent on flowers, candy, cards and gifts!  There will be some proposals, dinners and special nights celebrated.  I wonder how much of most of this is “eros” or “phileo” love?  Probably much of it.  I am challenged by the fact that we are to love God.  The kind of love that He blesses – that He honors – that kind of deep personal sacrifice.  There is the “sticking point”.  SACRIFICE.  We live in a world that knows little of personal sacrifice.  In fact, we are told that we need to “get all we can, while we can, when we can!”

I am aware that many to whom I write, are living testimonies of sacrificial love!  Most ministry women understand “Agape”.  You have and are making deep personal sacrifices to “agape” God and those He has called you!  Let me cheer you on in the race ladies!  Well done!  Keep going!  You can do it!  He knows of your sacrifice of love!  He sees! He will never forget!  So when ministry and life is taking it’s toll on you remember that the originator of “Agape” knows!  He is watching and will never, never forsake you! He keeps track of all your sorrows, He has collected all your tears in a bottle and He has recorded each one. (Psalm 56:8)  He is not going forget the sacrifice you are making!  He will remember!  He does remember!  Love Him…..He loves YOU and counts it a high honor to call you His daughter!

Love,
Diane Nix
John 15:5; Col. 3
Founder/Director

“These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.” Titus 2:4-5 NLT

Far too often amidst the busyness of ministry, demands of family and social life we lose sight of what is most important. As a result we “love” our husbands when it fits into the schedule. We may be doing just fine keeping up with our duties as maid, chef and child care worker. We can become so busy serving our husbands that we overlook enjoying him. He may feel like he is just another item being checked off the “to do” list.

The type of love referred to in Titus 2 is Phileo Love. It’s a love based on friendship between two people. Friendship is the foundation of a successful relationship.It’s a love that is emotionally positive. trustworthy, devoted and a source of support.

One of the most important roles we have as wives fill is to “Phileo” your husband. You are his companion, his helper, the friend he can count on. Remember that God said it was not good for man to be alone. (Read Genesis 2) God saw what man truly needed was a best friend to share his life journey, his hopes and dreams, his heart. Our men should never feel alone. We have a high calling in our role as wife and friend.

Now we understand the importance of strong friendship with your spouse. But what about a strong intimate relationship with your spouse? Eros love is a very important piece of the puzzle. It is based on strong emotional and physical feelings toward another. The romantic feeling common in “eros love” is natural and an essential part of relationship between a man and a woman. Romance also plays a role in strengthening the bonds, feeling of security and oneness. This is an important part of God’s plan and should not be neglected. Just read the Song of Songs and 1 Corinthians 7.

We women in an effort to organize our lives often compartmentalize our priorities. We should realize that loving God and loving our husbands are not to be separated. They are completely connected. All your relationships are intertwined or the very least touch one another. Your relationship with God affects them all. You are a child of God when you pray and read your Bible. You are a child of God when you care for your children and home. You are a child of God when go grocery shopping or attend meetings. And you are a child of God when you make love to your husband.

“Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.” Song of Songs 8:7

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Do you expect to see the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the living?

“13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;” Psalm 27:13-14

Psalm 27 is known as a passage  that paints a picture of fearless trust in God.  I have asked myself the question in the last few days, “Do I have fearless trust in my God?”  “Do I expect that He is and will act on my behalf for my good or for my harm?”  “Do I expect something good from Him or am I ruled by the fear of this world?” “Do I have a stronghold of fear?”

Final question, “Do I expect and believe that I will  see goodness from the Lord in my “land of the living?” 

Is it just me, or does it seem to get harder and harder to expect this kind of goodness from God in the land that we are living?  I mean, come on, I know that everyone is not going through difficulty in your church or personal life everyday but isn’t it true that if you personally are not close to despair, you know someone that is…….?  So what do we do?  Well, first you and I cannot DESPAIR.  I think we need to check out our belief quotient?  What do we believe?

When it becomes unbearable in the “land of the dead” and our belief is weak and our hearts grow weary – you and I need to throw ourselves upon the mercy seat of our Father.  We need to sit still and seek His face! Psalm 46:10  The word picture for this Psalm is that in the midst of an all out hellish war  you and I are to let our hands hang limply to our sides.  We are to turn our eyes and head to the sky and we are to seek only the presence of our God.  The point is that we are to seek Him  – not our activity, trial, or just daily life.  We must cry out from our Spirits to the God of this universe and let Him minister to us, heal us, sustain us and raise us  in the “land of the living.”  Too many times we just try to keep moving.  We keep fighting out the daily battle.  We are tired, weary, beaten.  He just wants us to keep seeking Him above anything else.  Then despair will not overtake us!  There is something about stillness that will heal us from the inside out.  What do you think?  Meet me in the forums or share your comments on the blog.

Not Despairing but Expecting!

Diane Nix  

Contagiousjoy4him.com

Micah 6:8; 7:7

John 16:33; 15:5

Mighty words of encouragement!  Are you “watching expectantly” for God to work on your behalf in this new year?  I desire to watch and wait with great expectation!  How about you?  Have you ever been caught in the trap where you can expect good things from God for everyone else but when it comes to your own personal life – you don’t expect anything but the worst or the least!  You live in disbelief and hopelessness.  At the very least, you might not believe that you deserve anything else!  God is the God of your salvation!  He hears your cry and long to answer the deepest longing of your heart!  He is moving and working on your behalf!  Are you crying out to Him and then expecting Him to work?  Are you watching for the dawning of His new day for your life?  What are you expecting God to do for you this year?  What are you expecting to hear from Him this year?  Are you in a place where He could speak – He could act?  What do you need to do to live a life of expectation?  Please meet me in the forums and let’s talk about it…..

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.¹⁹ But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

This simple group of men were given the single greatest task in the history of all mankind.  They announced to humanity the birth of our King and our Savior!  If God would choose to trust these shepherds – can we not grasp the fact that He would, could and does trust us to carry out His work?  Simply put, you and I need to GO about doing the things that God has for us to do.  When the angels left them.  They didn’t procrastinate.  They didn’t take a vote.  They didn’t discuss if the angels were real or if there was some other scientific or theological explanation for the phenomenal occurrence of a host of angels filling the night sky and singing, “Glory to God in the highest!”  They acted!  So Here is a question for you and I.  “Why do we not act in a decisive manner, when it comes to obeying the things that our God has commanded us to do?”  I believe there are several reasons and I’ve listed them below:

1. Unbelief – We can’t believe He would choose US

2. Faithless -  Faith in Him and in ourselves is small

3. Money – We don’t have the funds

4. Time – We haven’t disciplined our time

5. Life Change – The task will require a life change – other things will have to go

6. Knowledge – You are not clear on what direction to take

7. FEAR – We are afraid of……

Believing that if He has spoken He can use YOU.  “Lord I do believe help me in my unbelief!”  If He chose shepherds girls – He could choose you.  Knowing that little faith (faith as a mustard seed)is enough to move a mountain and faith grows as we push forward.  What God commands for us to do He will supply everything that we need.  Time is not against us it’s on our side  – sit down and prioritize.  Everyone in the world of today is busy but we have an opportunity to choose the right kind of busy.  Life change is necessary ALL the TIME for growth in the Christian life.  If you have not had a LIFE CHANGING moment lately – I would question whether you are truly growing in your spiritual walk.(Remember, life changes are individualized – what is life changing to me might not be life changing to you)  True knowledge comes from the Word of God!  If you become a lover and student of the Word of God He will guide you in every step!  FEAR is of the devil!  Our great enemy is an intimidator and desires nothing more than you and I to be completely bound by fear.  Fear is to be fought and put death by renewing your mind in the Word of God and rebuking this fear in the name of Jesus!  It is a great tool in the hands of the devil.   Fear will immobilize you and keep you from accomplishing the greatest work of our Lord.  We must  cry out to our God to help us in the area of fear.  He will come to our rescue and He will deliver us – we must ask!

So during the last days of this month and before the season is finished – decide that whatever HE clearly speaks to us for the coming year – we will do.  No questions.  No sidestepping.  Just action.

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity(fear) but of power, love and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)  

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. (I John 4:18)

In my opinion, there are two types of fear.  The fear of trembling, shaking and rule your emotions, terror fear and then the “fear the Lord” type of fear.  You know the type of fear that is spoken of in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  It is the type of fear that evokes awe and respect for the mightiness or authority and power that someone possesses.  This latter fear is the fear I want to possess.   The night of our Saviors birth the shepherds went from one type of fear to the right type of fear in a matter of moments.

^“8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; ¹¹ for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:8-14

They were frightened out of their minds!  Terror gripped them!  Who could blame them?  There they were minding their own business, just another night in the fields, tending the sheep and an angel of the LORD appears and the “glory of the Lord” was shining all around them.  So they went from darkness to brighter than day and an angel saying quickly, “Do not be afraid!”  I would have been terrified!    After all of these years of reading this story, I am still astounded.  The message of the angel was from our LORD.  He had a very simple message.  They needed to listen.  The angel spoke with urgency and with important simplicity so that these common ordinary men would understand there need not be any fear – just simple obedience to what they heard!  This good news was for all the people every where.  The “good news of great joy” was the change moment in all of history!  The message was given to the most common – shepherds  - and to the most influential –  three pagan wise men of Persia!  WOW!  

Do we have the good news living in our hearts?  If we do, the angel of the Lord would say to us, “Do not be afraid!”  We have no need to fear anything – for that baby, grown up to be a man – crucified and risen is living in our hearts by His spirit.  You and I should have no fear of what man can do to us or what event or experience might come our way – He knows us and He is faithful to complete what He has started!  You are His – Live like it!

Until tomorrow!

Thirty-two years ago I left for the “big city”.   Sometimes, I will admit, I long for life on the farm.  I’ve been thinking about this word “simplicity”.  The word conjures up words like ease, less stress,  no worries, no pressure…..you can add your words.  But as with the farm life, though it would be considered simple or a life of simplicity, it was anything but easy.  I believe that the work of simplicity has to do with keeping a singular focus and  the farm life had a singular focus and purpose.  The purpose of making the farm yield an income to provide for a family.  It was anything but simple but it was a singular focus.  I think that’s it!

At the moment of this writing, I have a very busy professor/preacher husband, a 16 year old, a 14 year old, a Alzheimer’s mom (in the 6th stage) living with me.  I have two older spiritual daughters coming home one for a visit the other to work on her master’s at seminary.  I have two dogs, a mortgage, bills, bills and more bills.  A non-profit ministry is run from my computer and well life is anything but simple!  At this moment, it’s quite overwhelming – if I let it be…  Simplicity comes with great effort!  So in this season of hurried living, stress of finances and just plain busyness.  Two verses keep coming to mind…..

Simply but profoundly put by my Savior…

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in ME you will have peace.  In this world you will have tribulation, but take courage for I have overcome the world!”      John 16:33

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”                          Colossians 3:1    

Praying you and I will keep focused on the ONE who willfully but simply paid the price so that we could live!                                                                                                                                               

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy! – Matthew 2:10

The Joy of the Lord is our strength!  We need to simply celebrate this season because Jesus has come!  He came, He lived and He died for you and I!  What a glorious gift!  What an exciting hope!  We have been rescued from darkness and can now live in the marvelous light!  We do not have to live in condemnation!  We can seek healing and forgiveness from the penalty of sin!  We can have an intimate relationship with the God of this universe!  Rejoice with Exceeding JOY – He has come!  Our Savior has come!  Our home is not this world!

Is it amazing to you that Jesus came as a lowly babe in a manger?  Isn’t it just like our God to send the first announcement of the birth of the Savior of the world to shepherds?  The lowly of the world, with the greatest news ever!  Besides the shepherds a host of angels show up to make the announcement !  Can you even imagine?

Besides the shepherds and the angels, that night a new star appears in the sky.  Think what it must have been like to be an astronomer, a wise man.  Students of the galaxy, probably from the Persian culture – they were honored for their wisdom.  They were pagan but they could not deny the appearance of the star in the east.  They studied the star charts and then they realized that this star was in direct correlation with Jewish prophecy and so they had to go and see if it was true!  The Eastern star hung over the area of Jerusalem.  They traveled to this city and had an audience with Herod.  When Herod the king hears that they have come to worship a new born babe named as king, he called all of his chief priests and scribes together and sought their counsel.  As they reported to him the prophecy found in Micah.  The prophecy foretold of the Savior, the ruler, to come from Bethlehem! Herod, who professed conversion to Judaism, rejects this new born king and makes plans to kill the new born babe.  The magi after hearing that the baby was to be born in Bethlehem left and went on their way.  Then the most exciting thing happened – THE STAR MOVED – and “went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was! When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy!” (Matthew 2:9) J OY consumed them!   After many days of traveling the wise men had reached their destination!  God had led pagan men to the Savior of the world.  He has been doing that ever since!  These men took their gifts and bowed before the King!  They worshiped Him for who He was!

Joy, is the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospet of possessing what one desires!

Do you see their joy?  Can you imagine longing for something and then knowing that one day you will possess it! I hope you can because of this hope we can have JOY in whatever situation or season we find ourselves.

Today, I can imagine where some of you are emotionally.  This time of year can bring a great deal of stress!  But you can still have JOY – simple, straightforward JOY because one day we will possess in completion what we have deeply longed for!  Because Jesus came we can “rejoice exceedingly with great joy!”