In my last blog entry I talked about the truth that God is not only loving and lovely but God is pure, simple, complete love (1 John 4:8 & 16). The Bible teaches alot about love. In fact the New Testament teaches a new commandment: John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Verse 35 adds, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." The truth is I have found this "new" commandment difficult to follow at times. Quite frankly I have felt some people appeared to be unlovable. I am sure some people have felt the same about me. I know that I have highly offended one Costa Rican man whose son had a conflict with one of my sons. I did not mean to offend him but offend him I did. I thought, "Is there any reason to love everyone other than that the Bible commands it?" Of course if the Bible commands it, that really is the only reason we need. But I thought from a purely selfish point of view is there a reason we should love everyone? I think the answer is yes. John 15:10-12 says "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."
So the Bible promises we will have full joy if we obey God's commandments and love other people even when we do not want to or feel like it. If you do not want to love people just because the Bible says to, then love them for purely selfish reasons so you too can have full joy. I can tell you that I want, I mean I really, really want, to have full joy in my life. Who doesn't? So I have resolved to put alot more effort into loving everyone, even those that I may think are unloveable(unlikeable). Maybe those people will start to love me in return. So I hope and pray that the next time you see me you will think I have more joy in my life.
These thoughts beg the question, "How do we know if we truly love people?"--Next time:-)
God Bless and God grant us the desire to love all people more.
Amen
Written by Tully
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Love
I wanted to write some about what God has been showing me in my quiet time. It began as I was studying participles in my grammer class. Dawn mentioned participles in her previous post. Participles are the passive voice in verbs. For example, "The food was eaten by my children." The verb "eaten" is the participle. Participles in English end in -en or -ed. The sentence structure is reverse of normal, hence the term "passive." Normally we would say "the children ate the food." In Spanish, participles are very important. They can function as nouns, verbs, and adjectives. I began thinking about how that applies to the word "love." In addition during our Bible study time with the kids we have been talking about love.
The word "love" can occur as a noun such as "Dawn's love is special." And that statement is true. We hear the word "love" used in this way often. More commonly the word "love" is a verb, such as "I love you." I have tried to tell Dawn this casi todos los días (almost everyday) since we have been married (another participle). The word love can function as an adjective such as "Dawn is a lovely person." The word lovely modifies the noun person and therefore is an adjective. We hear the word used in this way many times for people or for things such as "that was a lovely dessert." Finally, love can be an adverb such as "Dawn acts lovingly towards her family." The word "love" modifies the verb acts, therefore it is an adverb. These are all examples that we are familiar with. Some of these examples are obviously used more than others. But one use of the word I have never heard used in 51 yaers is for someone to say of another person "He/she is love." A very simple sentence but we never hear someone say it about someone else. We usually hear that someone is lovely or loving--both adjectives.
So, what is the point of all this grammer review? The phrase "God is love" does occur in the Bible and it has had a large impact on me. First John ch 4 vs 8 and 16say "...for God is love," and "...God is love..." I have always been taught that if the Bible says something 2 or 3 times we should pay particular attention to it. It struck me that the Bible does not only use "love" as an adjective such as God is loving, though He is, or God is lovely, though He is that also. With God, love is a noun: God is love; pure, simple, and complete. Más luego (more later on).
The word "love" can occur as a noun such as "Dawn's love is special." And that statement is true. We hear the word "love" used in this way often. More commonly the word "love" is a verb, such as "I love you." I have tried to tell Dawn this casi todos los días (almost everyday) since we have been married (another participle). The word love can function as an adjective such as "Dawn is a lovely person." The word lovely modifies the noun person and therefore is an adjective. We hear the word used in this way many times for people or for things such as "that was a lovely dessert." Finally, love can be an adverb such as "Dawn acts lovingly towards her family." The word "love" modifies the verb acts, therefore it is an adverb. These are all examples that we are familiar with. Some of these examples are obviously used more than others. But one use of the word I have never heard used in 51 yaers is for someone to say of another person "He/she is love." A very simple sentence but we never hear someone say it about someone else. We usually hear that someone is lovely or loving--both adjectives.
So, what is the point of all this grammer review? The phrase "God is love" does occur in the Bible and it has had a large impact on me. First John ch 4 vs 8 and 16say "...for God is love," and "...God is love..." I have always been taught that if the Bible says something 2 or 3 times we should pay particular attention to it. It struck me that the Bible does not only use "love" as an adjective such as God is loving, though He is, or God is lovely, though He is that also. With God, love is a noun: God is love; pure, simple, and complete. Más luego (more later on).
Monday, March 16, 2009
Thinking in Spanish . . .
First, the past tenses are the cause of much frustration among Spanish students. We have memorized the fine points of when to use which one, but have been told that it is really just a matter of speaking and listening to hone our usage of the two past tenses. With ongoing actions, descriptions, and narrations, you use the imperfecto tense, and with actions completed in the past, you use the preterito tense. Within those two tenses, there are some verbs you use that, when used with one or the other of those past tenses, their meanings are completely changed.
My tutor, who absolutely LOVES his language and teaching it, tells me the past tenses in Spanish are beautiful and he likes them very much. He laughs and adds that they help feed his family, because many students come to him for more explanation or practice with them. I will admit that upon first learning them, I only considered them quite ugly because they tricked me every time. What I thought was an action completed was instead a description, or vice versa. Now I think they are a little bit attractive. One day, I know they will be beautiful to me, too! : )
More differences:
If you have lost your keys and wonder where they are, you would say, "I wonder where my keys will be." The future tense is used.
If you wonder if someone lied to you or did some other action in the past tense, in Spanish you would use the conditional tense: "I wonder if he would lie to me."
It is tempting to think that a word in Spanish which sounds like a word in English means the same thing. There are many in which that is exactly the case. However, we have to be careful of the ones that are different in the two languages. For example, the verb desepcionar doesn't mean to deceive, as we English speakers would think, but to disappoint or let down. Embarazada doesn't mean embarrassed at all, but pregnant.
We are finishing up a unit on participles, which are very important in Spanish, and in English are verbs ending in -ed or -en. However, there is a group of participles that is "regular" and a group that is irregular, and some of the participles in the irregular group have two participles, one regular and one irregular. Some of those "irregulares" have two very different meanings. As with many subjects that we study in learning the language, our teachers smile at us and say, "I'm sorry, you just have to memorize these." And then, my grammar teacher, who has a great sense of humor, chuckles to herself and adds, "Pobrecitos," which translates, "Poor things."
Oh well, off to study. . .
My tutor, who absolutely LOVES his language and teaching it, tells me the past tenses in Spanish are beautiful and he likes them very much. He laughs and adds that they help feed his family, because many students come to him for more explanation or practice with them. I will admit that upon first learning them, I only considered them quite ugly because they tricked me every time. What I thought was an action completed was instead a description, or vice versa. Now I think they are a little bit attractive. One day, I know they will be beautiful to me, too! : )
More differences:
If you have lost your keys and wonder where they are, you would say, "I wonder where my keys will be." The future tense is used.
If you wonder if someone lied to you or did some other action in the past tense, in Spanish you would use the conditional tense: "I wonder if he would lie to me."
It is tempting to think that a word in Spanish which sounds like a word in English means the same thing. There are many in which that is exactly the case. However, we have to be careful of the ones that are different in the two languages. For example, the verb desepcionar doesn't mean to deceive, as we English speakers would think, but to disappoint or let down. Embarazada doesn't mean embarrassed at all, but pregnant.
We are finishing up a unit on participles, which are very important in Spanish, and in English are verbs ending in -ed or -en. However, there is a group of participles that is "regular" and a group that is irregular, and some of the participles in the irregular group have two participles, one regular and one irregular. Some of those "irregulares" have two very different meanings. As with many subjects that we study in learning the language, our teachers smile at us and say, "I'm sorry, you just have to memorize these." And then, my grammar teacher, who has a great sense of humor, chuckles to herself and adds, "Pobrecitos," which translates, "Poor things."
Oh well, off to study. . .
Thursday, March 12, 2009
More Language Learning Funnies. . .
In class, we were learning how to use the conditional tense and our assignment was to describe our perfect world. What my classmate meant to say was that in her perfect world, there would be no little children without parents. What she said was that in her perfect world, there would be no cucumbers without parents.
My tutor asked me where my friend was as she hadn't met with him at her scheduled time this week. What I meant to say was that she was probably just really excited because she had two new grandchildren born Monday or Tuesday, twins! What I said was that she was probably just really excited because she had two new grandparents born Monday or Tuesday, twins! He smiled patiently and said, "WOW! Can you say that again now?" Which is my cue that I had really messed something up. Then I figured it out and we had a big laugh. : )
My tutor asked me where my friend was as she hadn't met with him at her scheduled time this week. What I meant to say was that she was probably just really excited because she had two new grandchildren born Monday or Tuesday, twins! What I said was that she was probably just really excited because she had two new grandparents born Monday or Tuesday, twins! He smiled patiently and said, "WOW! Can you say that again now?" Which is my cue that I had really messed something up. Then I figured it out and we had a big laugh. : )
An Exciting Day
Yesterday, we experienced our first two earthquakes. I was in class, where we were all discussing participles--it was a little loud. My chair began to shake a little, as if someone had their feet on the bottom part and was bouncing their legs. Then it began to shake a little harder, and a little harder . . . I turned around to ask my classmate behind me what she was doing and at the same moment I realized her feet were not touching my desk, a man in our class calmly said, "That's an earthquake." We all went outside to wait it out, and it was over in a few moments. The students were much more excited and animated than the teachers, of course. The teachers are always tranquilos! Not knowing how strong it was nor where it originated, our hearts went out to those closer to the epicenter than we were.
Later in the afternoon, I was talking to a friend on the telephone and saw a book near me begin to shake a little. Then I felt the shake as well and heard my friend's husband (through the telephone) say, "That's an earthquake!" At that point we just thought it was an aftershock of the first one. It was actually another earthquake, and stronger than the first. It was a reminder for all of us how quickly life can change.
Lastly, a group of NFL football players came to the children's school and shared their testimonies with the kids during their chapel hour yesterday. They said they enjoy doing that in the offseason. What an impression it made on the kids, especially the ones who love sports. Our boys were able to get autographs and talk with the players. The kids couldn't believe how huge the players were, and how friendly, and enjoyed being able to talk to them. We are grateful for these men who love Jesus and spent an afternoon encouraging a group of missionary kids. It was a day the children will never forget.
Later in the afternoon, I was talking to a friend on the telephone and saw a book near me begin to shake a little. Then I felt the shake as well and heard my friend's husband (through the telephone) say, "That's an earthquake!" At that point we just thought it was an aftershock of the first one. It was actually another earthquake, and stronger than the first. It was a reminder for all of us how quickly life can change.
Lastly, a group of NFL football players came to the children's school and shared their testimonies with the kids during their chapel hour yesterday. They said they enjoy doing that in the offseason. What an impression it made on the kids, especially the ones who love sports. Our boys were able to get autographs and talk with the players. The kids couldn't believe how huge the players were, and how friendly, and enjoyed being able to talk to them. We are grateful for these men who love Jesus and spent an afternoon encouraging a group of missionary kids. It was a day the children will never forget.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Our Security
I talked to my aunt yesterday, and before we hung up, she asked me if we were safe. She said she worries about that sometimes. Honestly, security is always a concern here.
I remembered then what one of my professors told our class last semester about what it was like to grow up in San Jose, Costa Rica. She is my age and grew up riding her bike in the street, walking to the corner store by herself, all the normal things kids do. It was safe to walk around at night and the neighbors visited back and forth. She didn't remember when it changed. When she and her husband built their first house, she remembered looking at all the bars on the windows and the heavy gate outside and thinking, "This is great. We are so safe." That's when she realized that if there were a fire at the front of the house, they would die.
This is the door going into our house. There are no exterior door knobs, and all the bolts can make two complete revolutions to drive the bolt further into the wall.
Same door, going out of the house
We do not live in fear, but we definitely live with a heightened sense of awareness, of surroundings, of people, of strange cars, or cars or motorcycles speeding, of anything out of the ordinary. It is prudent to live that way, as it would be in any big city in the world.
Before we left last summer, one of Tully's former patients gave us some books written about Psalm 91, God's promise to us of His protection. When we received them, we did not realize how important that chapter of Scripture would become to us on the mission field. We have claimed it numerous times about many situations and have prayed it for our family and over our kids, even as they slept at night. More than any lock or gate could ever be, God is our security.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you make the Most High your dwelling--
even the LORD, who is my refuge--
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels
concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your
foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
I do know that there are many Christians who are the victims of crimes and other bad things. These verses, in fact, assure us that there will be times of trouble. There is also a flip side, however, in that we really have no idea how many times throughout our days and nights God saves us and/or protects us from something or someone. I praise Him for His tender care and protection and want to be no place else but under His wings and covered by His feathers, finding refuge.
I remembered then what one of my professors told our class last semester about what it was like to grow up in San Jose, Costa Rica. She is my age and grew up riding her bike in the street, walking to the corner store by herself, all the normal things kids do. It was safe to walk around at night and the neighbors visited back and forth. She didn't remember when it changed. When she and her husband built their first house, she remembered looking at all the bars on the windows and the heavy gate outside and thinking, "This is great. We are so safe." That's when she realized that if there were a fire at the front of the house, they would die.
This is the door going into our house. There are no exterior door knobs, and all the bolts can make two complete revolutions to drive the bolt further into the wall.
Same door, going out of the house
We do not live in fear, but we definitely live with a heightened sense of awareness, of surroundings, of people, of strange cars, or cars or motorcycles speeding, of anything out of the ordinary. It is prudent to live that way, as it would be in any big city in the world.
Before we left last summer, one of Tully's former patients gave us some books written about Psalm 91, God's promise to us of His protection. When we received them, we did not realize how important that chapter of Scripture would become to us on the mission field. We have claimed it numerous times about many situations and have prayed it for our family and over our kids, even as they slept at night. More than any lock or gate could ever be, God is our security.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
If you make the Most High your dwelling--
even the LORD, who is my refuge--
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels
concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your
foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
I do know that there are many Christians who are the victims of crimes and other bad things. These verses, in fact, assure us that there will be times of trouble. There is also a flip side, however, in that we really have no idea how many times throughout our days and nights God saves us and/or protects us from something or someone. I praise Him for His tender care and protection and want to be no place else but under His wings and covered by His feathers, finding refuge.
It's the Little Things in Life . . .
I ordered pizza last night and, upon hanging up the phone with the pizza place, got downright giddy! He understood me, I understood him, and forty minutes later, there they were at the gate with exactly what we wanted! I don't think the delivery guy understood why I was so excited. But that's okay! What a feeling of accomplishment! : ) (Phone conversations are difficult).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
