Things I love

So yesterday I was thinking about how I wrote the other day about something I hate. Today I started thinking about some things I love. So if you're interested here are my thoughts..........

Things I love:
-looking at the ocean, walking along the cliffs, and feeling the fresh air
-the clean,crisp air in the morning where silence is golden and the only real sound is that of the birds
-the smile of a baby and cuddling with them
-stained glass windows in a vaulted cathedral
-beautiful music
-the feeling of the sunshine on a spring day
-the sound of a stream or babbling brook
-a good romance movie
-a good comedy movie
-spring days: not too hot and not too cold!
-contemplation of a work of art
-conversation with a friend
-spring flowers!
-the smell of gardenias and roses
-a good book
-a cup of coffee with a piece of chocolate
-avocados
-spinach salad at claim jumpers
-candles
-parks with lakes
-hummus!!!
-walking a sweet dog (not that I have one =()
-Jesus, who He is---He is truly the most amazing and challenging person I have ever met!
-the sound of a piano
-love!
-learning about lots of things
-europe
-a new pair of earrings or jewelry
-pralines&pecans frozen yogurt from golden spoon
-watching Pride and Prejuiduice
-a roaring fireplace on a cold eve or morn
-the sound of an acoustic guitar
-virgin strawberry margarita from islands
-coca cola zero
-light double fudge brownie ice cream by dryers
-captain kidd's cookies from trader joe's


okay, that's all for now....toodles.

things i hate

So I am discovering that there are some things in life that I hate. One of those is division amongst those who claim the name of Christ.

I just got done reading a blog comment from another site by one of those who claim His name. I was so saddened by the dogmatic beliefs that were espoused with authority from an uneducated, common human. I don't say this to insult this person but I wonder where they believe they get such authority. So often people who claim Christ divide over everything.....not only that but lack such humility and love when doing it. It seems to me that humility and love are predominant characteristics of Christ Jesus. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I hate this spirit of pride and division.

The person's blog was talking about how God doesn't love all the world because we must define the "world" properly. Instead this person thought it would be "edifying", to use their term, to let all us know that God indeed hates people. He doesn't love everyone. Well, I'm not sure that is the message that Christ left for us to proclaim.....but of course I'm sure even the blogger would have some response for that. Most undoubtly the blogger would "teach" me from the Scriptures how I've erred. Anyways, that's my two cents about something i hate. I'll just continue to pray "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on me, a sinner" and I have confidence that He will.....that He will save me and continue to save me, by His grace empowered by torrents of love.

Saint Nina of Georgia

I learned a lot about this woman's life,depicted of course in this icon, and was inspired. Check it out if you want. Here are some links:

www.comeandseeicons.com/klv03.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nino

www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/saints/nina_georgia.htm

Frederica Matthewes-Green also mentions here in her article "Orthodoxy Tradition, yesterday and Today"
www.frederica.com

God's mercy

Lately I have been thinking a lot about God's mercy. Partly this is because I have been visiting an Orthodox church for the last few months in which the liturgy has an anthem, it seems, of "Lord, Have Mercy." One cannot walk away without being reminded of God's mercy. At first, I wondered why they ask God for mercy so much. But then I realized that this is probably a correct view of oneself. I am a sinner and He is God. He is holy, I am not. His desire is to give mercy to me, a sinner. I pray "Lord Have mercy" because of who is He and because of who I am. I am reminded over and over that God's love and mercy pursue me. I pray for it because it is His desire. More than that, I pray for it.....because I am acknowledging that I need it. Some scriptures come to mind today. I thought I would simply post them here.

Psalm 103:8-14,17
"The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust. . .
But the mercy of the Lord is
from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children's children...."