Calibrating the Compass of Your Heart

May23

We tend to think that we love someone when that person attracts us. When we no longer feel attraction, we feel that we no longer have love. We see others as magnetic-like forces with the power to attract or repel us.

But are we really helpless magnets compelled to move toward attracting forces? Could it be that love is more than attraction?

God says that love is choosing to walk toward someone. Maybe attraction is not the decisive force; maybe we are.

With God’s help, we can calibrate the compass of our heart so that we move toward our choices. Godly love is a force within us which moves us toward someone whom we have chosen; it is not an external attraction that works upon us.

If we are married, we can set our compass so that the arrow of our heart points toward our covenant partner; we can determine to walk steadily in that direction, regardless of the pulling or pushing of other forces.

How Fluent are You in the Language of Apology?

May17

You have probably heard of the five love languages,
but are you familiar with the five languages of apology?[1]
Here’s the basic idea: there are five components to a full apology. Many people find that one of those components is especially important to them. An apology with just that one key element is a satisfactory apology to them; but if that one key element is missing, then the apology feels incomplete to them.

Here are the five components of an apology:

1) Expressing Regret: “I am sorry.”
2) Accepting Responsibility: “I was wrong.”
3) Making Restitution: “How can I make this up to you?”
4) Genuinely Repenting: “I will try never to do that again.”
5) Requesting Forgiveness: “Will you please forgive me?”

Once you have determined your spouse’s language of apology, you will be able to apologize in ways that are meaningful to him or her. If you fail to include that one key element, however, your apology may seem insincere or weak to your spouse.

Understanding that we have different languages of apology allows us to receive more graciously the apologies of others because we can recognize that others may be sincere even when their style is different from our own.

“You cannot repent too soon, because you do not know how soon it may be too late.” Thomas Fuller

“An apology is the super glue of life. It can repair just about anything.” Lynn Johnston

“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” Corrie ten Boom

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Jesus, Matthew 5:7, NIV

[1] See The Five Languages of Apology by Jennifer Thomas and Gary Chapman.

What are You Celebrating this Sunday?

May14

Are you ready to celebrate? This Sunday is Pentecost, a fantastic time to celebrate some of God’s best gifts to us: the Scriptures and the Spirit. You can have a super-simple celebration, or you can create something elaborate.

Here are a few ideas that you can easily adapt for your home. Although the suggestions are simple, they are able to communicate profound truth. If you’d like to read more about celebrating Pentecost, you can also go to this link, which will provide further background and additional ideas: celebrating Pentecost.

Here are several easy-to-implement ideas:

1. Celebrate the incredible gift of the Scriptures by eating foods that symbolize the Word of God: bread, milk, and honey. Read corresponding Scriptures, such as Matthew 4:4, 1 Peter 2:2, Psalm 19:10-11, and Psalm 119:92, and 103. Emphasize the spiritual nourishment, strength, and sweetness that God gives us through Scripture.

Use symbols of light, such as a candle or a flashlight, to represent the guidance and comfort that we gain through Scripture. Read Psalm 119:105. (All of Psalm 119 is a rich celebration of the Scriptures.)

2. Celebrate the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit to God’s people by eating foods that have been fried in oil, which symbolizes the Spirit.

Light an oil lamp. Talk about the need to refill the lamp and our need to be filled continually with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

3. Celebrate Pentecost as the birthday of the Church! (You can read about it in Acts 2.) With cake and candles, thank God for His Church, which is made up of all believers in Christ. It would also be a great time to take a minute to pray for the Church.

I would love to hear about your Pentecost celebrations, and I invite you to share your thoughts and ideas here.

Happy Pentecost!