Dear God,
Thanks for everything, again. Wow, that just covered a lot. I mean, everything is a lot haha. included is the conversation i just had with daddy. He's awesome!
Help me be an imitator of You, Help me see that I am loved deeply--I need to live a life of love. Help me live a pure life that is lived in the light. Empty words can seem filling at first, but in reality, they are subtraction stew. Help me realize which words are true and full and which are empty, no matter how appealing they seem. Help me make the most of every opportunity. Sometimes I feel like I have to let some opportunities slide, because it would be too much all at once, but every opportunity is there for a reason, and I need to take them! Help me be drunk on the holy spirit in a very holy and youly way. Help me learn how to submit to others.
God, I feel like this relationship is very one-sided, but I suppose that can't be helped. I need a lot of help with everything, and you have to do all the helping. But I guess that's what makes you happy is helping me out. You don't get tired of it. Thanks so much for your patience.
Love,
Me.
Ephesians 5
Be imitators of God. Wow. That's a tall order, if I do say so myself! :-D
But he doesn't leave you hanging. He says: Be imitators of God--because you are dearly loved kids of His... and live a life of love, because Christ died for you, because he loved you.
Among yourselves, be pure.
No immoral, impure or greedy person (a person who has interests other than God--an idolater) has a place in Heaven. Wow. That's offensive to a lot of people, I can tell you.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient (and should I say, oblivious? some of those empty words are in "this I believe," and many of those words are something to the effect of "live a full life, living in the moment, appreciating art, creativity, potential in man, and love, compassion, living for something bigger than yourself... that is what I believe in. The pursuit of happiness, the search for truth, the search for God, even if you can't really know for sure about anything." Those are empty words if God is not in them. Help me remember that.
Live as children of light. Lots of living here :-D Light too. If you live in the light, the tiniest specks or off-white becomes evident. It's so easy to dabble in "little" sins. Help me reject it, and see it as You see it.
"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Powerful words.
I love how it says, "Don't get drunk, be filled with the Holy Spirit" which sometimes make you act the same way, but in an awesomer way hehehe. Thank you Nickole.
Submit to one another. Wives to husbands, husbands to Christ. That whole section about wives' and husbands' roles is so beautiful.
(Chapter 6) Children, obey your parents. Fathers (and this is one of our personal favorites muhaha) do not exasperate your children. Haha :-D
Our parents have done an incredible job. God, you better do one swell job rewarding them when they get to heaven for all the great things they have done. Mom should get some kind of reward for every meal she cooked. Dad should get one for every day he worked, and sacrificed doing things for his family rather than for himself. Lord, thank you for these two amazing persons in my life. I am truly blessed.