Love is…

Love is patient when your two-year-old asks “what’s that” for the umpteenth time.

Love is kind when your daughter asks for help and you just want to sleep.

Love does not envy that couple from church who is given a car when yours hasn’t been safe to drive for three years.

Love doesn’t get excited about that cool outfit you just bought in front of your friend who can’t afford clothes, not even from Wal-mart.

Love does not say look what I did all by myself – in front of the person who helped you.

Love does not make fun of, embarrass, your child when they fail.

Love does not tell a friend you’ll help them then not show up or call.

Love does not blow up when your child wants to play and you them to go to bed.

Love doesn’t say “Oh, I’m wrong? But do you remember what you did six years ago.”

Love doesn’t spread office gossip; it keeps quiet and seeks the truth.

Love always protects her sister from that dangerous boyfriend.

Love trusts her daughter when she leaves the house that she won’t come home drunk.

Love believes the friend who doesn’t believe in themselves.

Love keeps going, and going, and going; it doesn’t give up even when you don’t see any chance that spouse will change.

Love comes through for that friend who has asked for help too many times.

Love is always there; no matter our gifts, no matter our talents, no matter our abilities or how smart we are, none of these can ever replace our love of family or friend.

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

 

Next Week: A Courageous Attitude

City on our Knees

If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now

Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave
Tonight’s the night For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display

It’s all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees

Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
As family
We’re family

Check out the video City on our Knees  by Toby Mac

 

Show Them the Way

Quotes for a Caring & Kind Attitude

Be encouraged and an encourager; think on these words to build a kinder attitude

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”     ~ Plato

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”     ~ Desmond Tutu

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”     ~ Mark Twain

“Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.”     ~ George Sand

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”     ~ Dalai Lama XIV

“Do yourself a favor and forgive anyone that has anything against you. Do it as an act of faith and trust God to change and heal your emotions. Pray for your enemies and never say another unkind thing about them. It is the only way you can move past the pain and begin to heal.”     ~ Joyce Meyer

“Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.”     ~ Kahili Gibran

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”     ~ Aesop

“Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.”     ~ Jesse Jackson

“The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful then a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”     ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“There is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast, it is all a sham.”     ~ Anna Sewell

“Affirmations are our mental vitamins, providing the supplementary positive thoughts we need to balance the barrage of negative events and thoughts we experience daily.”     ~ Tia Walker

“If I have to build a big company by mistreating other people then the Bible says WOE to me. I don’t know what that is, but I don’t want any of it.”     ~ Joyce Meyer

“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.”     ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

Lead Me

This song has meant much to me over the past couple of years as I’ve struggled to lead my own family, giving up chasing dreams to care for them.

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames, I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling, but on the inside
Oh, I can hear her saying

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They’re just children from the outside
I’m working hard, I tell myself they’ll be fine
They’re independent, but on the inside
Oh, I can hear them saying

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can’t
Don’t leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you’re willing to fight
That I’m still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I’m called to be
Oh Father, show me the way To lead them
Won’t You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing things that I could give up
I’ll show them I’m willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home

Lead me ’cause I can’t do this alone
Father, lead me ’cause I can’t do this alone

Check out the video Lead Me by Sanctus Real in its entirety

 

Who You Love

How to Have a Kind and Caring Attitude

Don’t be lone wolf, isolated, you become too much inside yourself. Not feeling wanted results in frustration, aging, illness. Strive after popularity and you’ll never get it; for those who won’t receive you shake it off (Luke 9:5). Instead of worrying about what others may think, practice building the ego of those in your life. Build up as many as you can, unselfishly because you like them and see potential in them.

10 rules for valuing others **

1. Remember their name
2. Be comfortable with others
3. Don’t let small things ruffle you
4. Don’t be egotistical, a know it all
5. When speaking have something of value to say
6. Attempt to heal misunderstandings
7. Practice liking people
8. Congratulate others for their achievements
9. Express sympathy, sorrow and disappointment in times of need
10. Get a deep spiritual experience so you’ll have something to give others to help strengthen them

** Adapted from Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

Attitude Challenge

Interaction between people is vibration. Sending out prayers for another is amplifying vibrations in the universe between people and God. Prayer is a force inherent in spiritual universe. You transport from yourself to another a sense of love, help, and support.

The challenge is to pray for people as you pass them; at work, on a bus, in your car, shopping; whenever you see someone down. Notice the change in their demeanor. These are often called “flash prayers”, shooting blessings to those we pass. Kingdom of God is within you; use it, practice it, bless others with it (Luke 17:21).

Books on a caring and kind altitude

Reduce me to Love by Joyce Meyer
Secrets to Exceptional Living by Joyce Meyer
Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded? by Dwight L Carlson
Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
The 5 love Languages by Gary Chapman

Bible Verses to mediate on to strengthen a caring attitude

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.     1 Peter 4:8

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?     Matthew 5:43-48

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.     Ephesians 4:31-32

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.     Luke 6:35

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.     Galatians 6:2

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.     Romans 15:2

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.     1 Peter 3:9

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.    1 Corinthians 13:4

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,     Colossians 3:12

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’     Luke 10:27b

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.     Romans 12:15

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.     Proverbs 21:21

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.     Romans 13:10

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’     Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.     Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.     Romans 12:14-16

Back to: A Kind and Caring Attitude
Next: Quotes for a Kind and Caring Attitude

Whose Rights

A Kind and Caring Attitude

Learning to live deeper, living for others is just one character of a mature Christian. When we act in selfishness the enemy can use this to hurt others but we can overcome selfishness by learning how Christ cared for people. We will always be disappointed if we make others responsible for our own happiness so do things for people who can’t pay you back. This is our gift to God.

Don’t just care for people like you’d like to be cared for, they may have different needs. Don’t care for people how they want to be cared for, they may have low self-esteem and expect to be treated badly. Instead, care for people how Christ cares for them:

In your relationships with one another,
have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death
– even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)

Good relationships are impossible without forgiveness and humility. Pride acts out vengeance and unforgiveness, a humble heart lays the offense in God’s hands.  If you’re concerned that people who hurt you or offend you will get away with it – don’t be! God will take care of it. Unforgiveness will not only affect our relationship with the offender but also taint your relationship with others as well as our relationship with God. God can’t be in relationship with us if we aren’t willing to forgive.

How does the Lord show is kindness to us?

• Through his grace he shows kindness toward us in Jesus (Ephesians 2:7)
• His kindness isn’t based on what we do but on his mercy (Titus :5)
• His love is poured out into our hearts, enabling us to show kindness (Romans 5:5)
• His kindness is seen in his provision (Acts 14:17)

How are we to show kindness to others?

• Be affectionate and kind, showing no preference of one over another (Romans 12:10)
• Be compassionate and kind, showing forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32)
• Show tolerance with other’s weaknesses and build them up (Romans 15:1-2)

Jesus said it best:

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Matthew 25:35-40  (NLT)

This is how we show kindness to others and therefore show kindness to Jesus. When our depth of loving kindness increases we draw closer to God and become more like him.

A Prayer to be more Caring

Lord Jesus, help me daily to live out your words “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

More Posts on a caring & kind attitude:

How to Have a kind and Caring Attitude
Quotes for a Caring & Kind Attitude

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Links to other Attitudes in this series
Introduction to Attitudes

Attitudes of the mind:
A Positive Attitude (negativity)
A Confident Attitude (insecurity)
A Contented Attitude (anxious)
A Patient Attitude (impatient)

Attitudes of the Heart:
A Joyful Attitude (depression)
A Kind and Caring Attitude (selfishness)
A Courageous Attitude (fearful)
A Determined Attitude (quitting, distracted)

Attitudes of the spirit:
A Hopeful Attitude (hopelessness)
A Humble Attitude (proud)
A Trusting Attitude (doubt, double minded)
A Peaceful Attitude (frustrated, anxious)

I Refuse

Sometimes I, I just wanna close my eyes
And act like everyone’s alright well no they’re not
This world needs God, but it’s easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on like nothin’s wrong

But I refuse
Cause I don’t wanna live like I don’t care
I don’t wanna say another empty prayer

Oh I refuse
To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh I could choose not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Cryin’ out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet of You oh God
So if You say move it’s time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do and show them who You are

Oh I could choose not to move but I refuse
To stand and watch the weary and lost cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back and try and act like all is well
I refuse to stay and change to wait another day to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

Check out the video for I Refuse  by Josh Wilson in its entirety

We Judge