I never tire of posts like this, reminders that "it is better to give than receive."

Where is our God? You say, He is everywhere: then show me anywhere that you have met him. You declare him everlasting: then tell me any moment that he has been with you. You believe him ready to succor them that are tempted, and to lift those that are bowed down: then in what passionate hour did you subside into his calm grace? In what sorrow lose yourself in his “more exceeding" joy These are the testing questions by which we may learn whether we have raised our altar to an “unknown God" and pay the worship of the blind; or whether we commune with him “in whom we live, and move, and have our being. James Martineau.

  
"If Christ never deemed himself nearer to Heaven than when in the presence of the childlike heart, then the resources of a devout life cannot be remote and of difficult access, but so nigh unto us, that, if we miss them, it is from their close presence rather than their distance. James Martineau. 

"Men never grow up to manhood as an acorn grows up into an oak-tree, Men come to it by re-births in every faculty, again, and again, and again." H.W. Beecher.

I like that, we don't grow a little each day, but rather, we have re-births, spiritual awakenings, new revelations on old truths and new break-throughs we never imagined.

This was sent to me by a 17 year old young lady that grew up with out a loving father. She has faced more adversity in her few years than many ever do, and she has overcome and continues to grow and mature into a responsible, loving girl with a growing faith in God. Sadly in our world this is becoming more common and, perhaps, it is worse when the father is still in the home and yet has no time to love and nurture his children. 

Description of the Misanthrope

  "He is a man who avoids society only to free himself from the trouble of being useful to it. He is a man who considers his neighbors only on the side of their defects, not knowing the art of combining their virtues with their vices, and of rendering the imperfections of other people tolerable, by reflecting on his own. He is a man more employed in finding out and inflicting punishments on the guilty, than in devising means to reform them. He is a man who talks of nothing but banishing and executing; and who, because he thinks his talents are not sufficiently valued and employed by his fellow-citizens, or rather because they know his foibles, and do not choose to be subject to his caprice, leads him to talks of quitting cities, towns and societies, and living in dens or deserts." Saurin.

  "Dogs bark at all persons indifferently; so if you persecute everybody that offends you, you will bring the matter to this pass by your impudence, that all things will flow down into the imbecility of your mind, as a place void and capable of receiving them, and at last you will be filled with nothing but other men's miscarriages." Plutarch.

  "What a large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life, by him who interests his heart in everything; and who, having eyes to see what time and chance are perpetually holding out to him as he journeyeth on his way, misses nothing he can fairly lay his hands on!

I pity the man who can travel from Dan to Beersheba, and cry -- "Tis all barren." And so it is; and so is all the world to him who will not cultivate the fruit it offers.

"I declare," said I, clapping my hands cheerfully together, "that were I in a desert, I would find out wherewith in it to call forth my affections. If I could do no better, I would fasten them upon some sweet myrtle, or seek some melancholy cypress to connect myself to. I would court their shade, and greet them kindly for their protection. I would cut my name upon them, and swear they were the loveliest trees throughout the desert; if their leaves withered, I would teach myself to mourn; and when they rejoiced, I would rejoice along with them." Sterne. 

  I was reading some of Paul's sentiments toward his fellow believers and so I wove them into what I think it would look like if it were to an individual.

Together with these things, the most important part of our new life is to love each other. Love is what holds everything together in perfect unity.

For it is only right for me to feel this way about you, because I have you in my heart, For God is my witness, how I long for you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

  

For you know that I dealt with you as a father deals with his own child, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live your life worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

My goal is that our hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself.

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose, to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard each another as more important than ourselves.

I hope I have proved to be gentle with you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own child. Having so fond an affection for you, I am well pleased to share with you not only the good news of God but also my own life, because you have become very dear to me.

The goal of His command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith

You bring me honor and joy.

Taken from Colossians 3:14, Phil. 1:7-8, 1 Thess. 2:11-12, Co. 2:2, Phil. 2:1-3,

1 Thess. 2:7-8, 1 Tim. 1:5, 1 Thess. 2:11