Things I Love Thursday...

My heart is kinda full right now, in fact my eyes are filling with tears as I think about what I love this day. I love when the body of Christ really lives out the church...when we take the words of James 1:27 to heart and live it out in our everyday lives. ..
James 1:27 (New Living Translation)
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

I know that I don't love this in myself, because I know I have a real long way to go. Have I lived this out in my life? Certainly not nearly as much as I should be. But I am encouraged and challenged, uplifted and broken when I read about people I love, people I don't know, people who just love, who are making a difference in the lives of those that we may call unworthy or not good enough all because they were first loved. Here are just a few examples of this kind of love in action...

My dear friend Beth, is giving her heart and time to the orphans of South Africa through The Door of Hope.

I have been so encouraged watching the Chip In meter on my friend Katrina's blog rise! She is helping to raise money for some friends who are desperately trying to bring Pavel, a special needs orphan home to a family full of love.

And even though I do not know these people, I have been following their journey to India through Compassion International. And today as I read their posts, I was overwhelmed by the way my heart was stirred.

I guess I just am really loving people who love, people who take the love of Christ that lives in them and shares it with the poorest of the poor, the neighbor in need, the baby with no hope. And today, I am ready to love like that. Are you?

Things I Love Thursday...

Once upon a time (before I was a blog slacker), I used to post Things I Love Thursday. I like having some themes to the blogging...so I have decided to start this one back up. I have to admit I was inspired by my friend Sarai to pick this one back up. Sometimes it becomes really hard to decide what to write about, there are really a ton of things that I love...I guess that means I will have lots of Thursday posts coming!

So this week the thing I love is EASTER...for so many reasons. The child in my absolutely loves to get an Easter basket. I know that I am certainly not a kid anymore, but I kinda get a little sad when the Easter Bunny does not leave a basket of super colorful eggs at my house. I hope he remembers me this year. I love to find Reese Eggs and Jelly Beans in my basket, and occasionally cute stationary or other treats. The Easter Bunny does know what makes me smile!Along with Easter comes the spring holiday that all teachers are live for...SPRING BREAK! This year I am needing this break more than ever. I am excited to spend break this year at the beach with my mom and some dear friends. A week of basking in the sun, reading, laughing, watching good movies and sleep, makes me very happy! Emerald Isle...here I come!

But most of all this Easter, I love my Risen Savior. I am overwhelmed by the love He showed for me by His sacrifice on the cross...because of His love for me, I am able to love others. I am humbled by the thought that Jesus would even think of me or want to love me. How grateful I am for this. The events of that Easter Sunday give me hope and joy and purpose and for this I am thankful! What better thing could I love! Here is one of my favorite songs right now...as you celebrate this Easter, may you be reminded of this Divine Romance that we are offered...there is no greater love!


So what are you loving this Thursday?