Lara Love's Blog, page 366

Crazy Man Becomes Model for Us All - BIBLE TAKEOUT 4/20

The man was so crazy he could break out of the chains people tried to bind him in. The tombs were his home, and the stones he found were used for self-mutilation. No human being could help him. Jesus healed him. The story of how Jesus cast the devils possessing the man into a herd of swine might threaten to steal the show, but don't miss the message this true story contains for us all.

When we place our faith in the Lord and truly come to know Him by studying God's Word and developing a deeply...

Giving Gifts to People Who Don't Thank Us - DAILY INSPIRATION 4/15

When a friend shared with me how hurt she was when the recipients of a gift she had sent did not thank her, I knew how she felt. In fact, not long afterward, I sent a precious gift to someone and did not receive an acknowledgement let alone a thank you. Soon after, someone told me I deserved for the recipient of my gift to receive it in the same light I had sent it - which had certainly not been the case. But I have learned to see the giving of gifts in a new light. The 3 greatest lessons on...

When Your Loved Ones Break Your Heart - DAILY INSPIRATION 4/14

I couldn't have felt more hurt and angry, but then anger is relative. And if the truth be known, I had felt plenty more hurt and angry - for years in fact. I had learned long ago that hurt and anger go with the territory of when loved ones break our hearts. I should know. Looking back at my life, those who should have loved me the most hurt me the most. But that was not all. The stuff they had done, and the things they had not done, were nothing when compared with their refusal to acknowledge...

Best Exercise in the Universe GUARANTEED - Daily Inspiration 4/11

Surely I qualify for the world's record when it comes to the least amount of gyms joined, the lowest attendance for the scattering of gyms I did join, the minimum attention given to my physical fitness and appearance outside of my passion for walking, and the worst knowledge ever when it comes to staying up on the latest fitness trends. Not only did I give up making new year's resolutions years ago, but I would be a total failure from day one if I ever resolved to become a fitness fanatic - f...

Why You Should Never Say Never - DAILY INSPIRATION

I must have sounded like a broken record to all who cared to listen. Over and over. Again and again. Records might have gone out of style decades ago, but I just couldn't help myself. I am not getting any more dogs in the future. I am not getting any more dogs in the future. Then, just in case anyone in fact was bothering to listen, I had more to say. Again and again. I have 17 mostly special needs and senior rescued dogs in my care, and that's just a small part of my ministry. I haven't trav...

Are You a People Pleaser? DAILY INSPIRATION 4/8

Are you a people pleaser? How often I hear words like these. I struggle with people pleasing, people tell me. I have trouble saying no, people share with me. I just want people to like me, some think to themselves. I keep saying yes because I don't want to hurt that person's feelings, some figure. One would think people pleasing is a virtual epidemic given how often through the years I have heard people share their so-called struggle with people pleasing. And I have most assuredly not be...

Come Follow Me - DAILY INSPIRATION 4/7/2015

Come follow me. No, please don't follow me. This isn't about me. It's about Him. Jesus. I don't want you to follow me. Follow Him. See, we aren't just called to believe in Jesus as Lord. We are called to follow Him. But some of us aren't even believing. And those who are believing aren't necessarily following. And those who are following sometimes are pickers and choosers when it comes to following. I will follow you IF. I will follow you WHEN. I will follow you IF ONLY. I will follow you UNT...

Delivering Dreams - Daily Inspiration 4/6/2015

One day as I drove behind a truck with a huge advertisement on its posterior with the slogan, "Delivering Dreams", I couldn't help but think of how we as humans can so easily fall prey to believing God is seated on His throne in heaven so we can wave our magic wands and He can deliver our dreams - on our timetable, mind you. How often have we all heard the mottoes, "follow your dreams" and "achieve your dreams"? But is this really how we should encourage one another, or is there a better way?...

Enjoying Beach Ministry as New Season Starts Off....

How does beach ministry work? As the Lord leads..........I take some of the very special ministry dogs to the beach - often the wheelchair dogs - and do my best to listen for the voice of the Lord as He tugs on my heartstrings and provides opportunities as crowds gather around the dogs to talk about the Lord....! Some days are quiet. Others are full of opportunities. No matter what, I am blessed to have a heart overflowing with the love of the Lord Jesus Christ and my endless passion to tell...

In Pursuit of Pleasure - Are You Leaving God Behind? DAILY INSPIRATION 4/3

Are you looking for happiness and pleasure, or are you looking for God? Are you seeking to satisfy your flesh, or are you seeking to satisfy the will of the Lord? Are you living to achieve your dreams, or are you living to pursue God's calling on your life? These may be difficult questions to consider, but there is a question much more challenging than this one. Are you willing to lay aside your desire for happiness, and your pursuit of pleasure, and the satisfaction of your flesh, and the dr...