Love in Action: The Defining Proof of Genuine Faith

June 18, 2023June 15, 2023 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood2 Comments

“Your LOVE for one another will PROVE to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35

The Bible verse John 13:35 carries a powerful message, it emphasizes the essential aspect of being a disciple of Christ: the demonstration of love towards one another. Love that transcends political affiliations, levels of conservativeness, pro-life stances, fashion choices, or any external characteristics that may divide us.

In today’s world, where divisions and differences seem to abound, it is easy to lose sight of the core principles that Jesus taught. He emphasized the importance of love as a defining characteristic of his followers. Love is meant to be the distinguishing mark of Christians, the evidence that we are truly walking in the footsteps of Jesus.

It is a love that mirrors the selfless and sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus himself. This love is not selective, only extended to those who share our beliefs or align with our perspectives. It extends to all people, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or appearances.

By loving one another, we display the transformative power of Christ’s teachings. This love speaks louder than political debates, ideological differences, or personal preferences. It breaks down barriers, builds bridges, and brings people together in a profound way.

Our love should be evident in our actions and attitudes. It should be expressed through compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and a genuine desire to help and serve others. It involves treating everyone we encounter with dignity, respect, and empathy. It means actively seeking opportunities to uplift, support, and encourage those around us.

When we choose to love unconditionally, we bear witness to the transformative love of Jesus. Our love should inspire others, drawing them closer to the truth and goodness found in Christ. It should be a beacon of hope in a world that often seems divided and filled with animosity.

The verse reminds us that our love for one another is a reflection of our relationship with Jesus. It is a tangible demonstration of the faith that we profess. Love becomes our testimony, speaking volumes about the transformative power of Christ’s teachings.

Let’s not allow our differences to define us or overshadow the love that we are called to demonstrate. Instead, let’s focus on emulating the love of Jesus, allowing it to radiate through our words, actions, and interactions with others. May our love for one another be a powerful testament to the world, serving as proof that we are truly following in the footsteps of our Savior.

Last week I posted about my frustration with finding a lack of love in the church. If you want to read more about that you can click HERE.

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LOVE is all you need, ALL you need is LOVE | lookingjoligood.blog — LOVE is all you need, ALL you need is LOVE

Where Is The Love, The Love, The Love?!

June 11, 2023June 10, 2023 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood4 Comments

If the title doesn’t immediately make you start singing the 2003 Black Eyed Peas song, then I don’t know if we can be friends.

The church is comprised of individuals who, despite their best intentions, are prone to shortcomings and failings. While love is a central principle throughout the Bible, I recognize that people within the church can still display flawed behaviors and attitudes that contradict the essence of love and compassion.

Conflicts and divisions can arise within any community, even including the church. Varying perspectives, beliefs, and personal preferences can lead to disagreements and misunderstandings, hindering the authentic expression of love. When this happens, it can be disheartening and easy to perceive a lack of love within the church.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 specifically speaks about what happens when things are done without love…

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. (The Message Bible: emphasis added by me)

Through my own Bible reading and study, I’ve spent time getting to know who Jesus is and what He taught. During his ministry, Jesus constantly taught the importance of showing love and kindness towards those around us. He acknowledged those shunned by society. He was a friend to the outcasts. A dinner companion to the sinner. A healer of the sick. A comfort to the hurting. The more I read about Jesus, the more I love Him. My faith and trust in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have only increased along this journey.

I acknowledge that I have not always exemplified love in the past, I recognize that there have been moments when I’ve succumbed to pettiness, unkindness, and an unloving attitude. Regrettably, there have been instances where I have responded with unkindness to those who treated me poorly. While I cannot alter the actions of others or the way I reacted in the past, I am resolutely choosing to embrace a loving approach in the future.

My quest to discover “Where is the love?” constantly leads me back to Jesus. I find myself consistently drawn back to Him. I have come to realize that even in situations where love appears to be absent, He remains present.

When asked which commandment is the most important, Jesus answered “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ‘ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ‘ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Simply put, Love God, Love Others.

Following in the footsteps of Jesus, I have the capacity to become a friend to those who feel alone, a source of encouragement to those who are disheartened, and a warm smile for those who find themselves isolated. I can extend compassion and recognition to those who are marginalized by society. Through consciously choosing to care for and wholeheartedly love individuals who cannot repay me, provide personal gain, or offer anything in return, I have the opportunity to manifest the love of Jesus. In each decision I make, I can be the embodiment of the love that someone else needs.

With each choice I make I can show the love of Jesus.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything,Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 1 Corinthians 13 4-7

Where there is no love… Be the love!

Despite moments when the actions of the church and its leaders have left me bewildered, causing me to question, “Where is the Love?”, I firmly believe that regardless of any circumstances, I can always discover love in God.

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good. Stop by and visit my Instagram page as well @lookingjoligood. Generally, I post pictures of food, plants and puppies, but there are pictures of makeup and beauty products as well.

People killin’, people dyin’
Children hurt, hear them cryin’
Can you practice what you preach
Or would you turn the other cheek?

Father, Father, Father, help us
Send some guidance from above
‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’
Where is the love (love)

Where is the love? (The love)
Where is the love? (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?

Love and Life

THE CROSSES A poem for Memorial Day By William H. McRaven

May 29, 2023May 29, 2023 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

I have stood before the crosses
as we laid a soldier down.
They cast a simple shadow
upon the upturned ground
The bugler sounds taps
as each cross its witness bears
to the journey of a soldier
released from earthly cares.
I have stood before the crosses
and prayed a lonely prayer,
in hopes of some redemption
as I struggled to compare
My life of long contentment
with the soldier’s hallowed call
to warrant with his dying breath
a better world for all.
I have stood before the upturned ground
and struggled to compare
my courage and my character
with the man or woman there.
Would I have died a valiant death
in a foreign land,
upon a distant battlefield,
to save my fellow man?
I have stood before the crosses
as the sun was going down,
watching as the shadows faded
upon the upturned ground.
I have looked upon the hillside of
the crosses, row on row,
upon the young and brave of heart
never to grow old.
I have knelt before the crosses
at night, before I sleep,
and made upon my bended knee
a covenant I keep:
To live a life of service,
to honor all our losses,
for those who went before us,
those beneath the crosses.

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all three. I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Love and Life

Memorial Day 2021

May 31, 2021May 8, 2022 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

Memorial Day is an American holiday on which those who died in active military service are remembered. It’s a day for honoring and mourning people who’ve died while fighting to keep us safe. It’s a time many visit friends and family who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. In 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. It was traditionally observed on May 30 but is now officially observed on the last Monday in May.

Florida National Cemetery where my grandfather is buried

John McCrae wrote the poem In Flanders Fields in 1915 as a memorial to those who died in a World War I battle fought in a region of Belgium known as the Ypres Salient. McCrae himself treated many of the soldiers injured in that battle and was particularly moved by the death of a close friend, Alexis Helmer. This poem helped popularize the red poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
        In Flanders fields.

Stop by and visit my Instagram page @lookingjoligood. Generally, I post pictures of food, plants and puppies, but there are pictures of makeup and beauty products as well.
I would love for you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good.
I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

Lifestyle

Healing a Relationship With Yourself and With God While Navigating the Trauma of Spiritual Abuse

May 19, 2021 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood2 Comments

For the last several years I’ve been on a personal spiritual journey. I’ve been discovering what I believe and why I believe what I do. Spurred on by finding myself frustrated by different difficult situations in my church community, I found myself broken and questioning. I don’t yet have all the answers that I am looking for. The journey has had its ups and downs and twists and turns. Along the way, my beautiful kind sister, Sarah has been instrumental in helping me to navigate.

Today I am sharing a piece so graciously and eloquently written by her from her heart. She put into words what’s been knocking around my head and heart for months and years!

SarahAheron | lookingjoligood.blog — My beautiful kind sister Sarah Aheron

At the risk of vulnerability, I feel compelled to share this.
Over the past few years, I have participated in multiple conversations and shed many tears with people from different walks of life who have been deeply affected by spiritual abuse. Books, websites, podcasts, conferences, and even whole ministries are devoted to helping those who have experience with it.
For those of you who have no experience with this kind of abuse, praise God, but please be aware that the person sitting beside you in Bible study, worshipping behind you in service, or praying next to you in life group may be dealing with deeply seeded wounds planted by spiritually abusive systems, doctrines, and/or leaders. And for every person still struggling to engage in community with other believers after having experienced spiritual abuse, there are countless more who physically cannot enter a church building without reliving trauma.
“Whether subtle or obvious, spiritual abuse is a form of trauma that undermines your relationship with yourself and with God.”
The Allender Center defines spiritual abuse for their “Confronting Spiritual Abuse” conference as, “The use of religious or spiritual power and authority to control, coerce, or perpetrate harm. In many ways, spiritual abuse is a distortion or exploitation of God’s power and authority to manipulate or control others’ bodies, personhood, relationships, and autonomy through shame and fear. Spiritually abusive systems and organizations and spiritually abusive people use religious texts, theologies, and practices to harm relationally, emotionally, and physically.”
Spiritual abuse, as defined here, is the very antithesis of 1 Timothy 1:7-10, where we read,
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”
The gospel is redemptive. It heals, restores, transforms, forgives, empowers, and frees. So, brothers and sisters, if you have suffered or are currently suffering, not for this gospel’s sake, but at the hands of some other gospel; please know that there is hope and healing as we rest in faith through the grace Jesus Christ displayed in his ultimate sacrificial suffering on the cross.
You are not alone on your journey. You belong. You are wanted...not for how well you perform; how hard you work; how consistently you attend gatherings; how connected you are; how committed you are to institutional standards; how well you dress; how intensely you serve, how eloquently you speak; how much money you give; how well-behaved your children are; how glowing your reputation is; how well you fit into a mold; how talented, gifted or educated you are; how dedicated you are to a cause…but you are wanted because you are accepted in the Beloved. Chosen. Adopted. Redeemed.
I know our healing journey may be long, and unsteady; but I believe the “Confronting Spiritual Abuse” conference may be a place to start or rest along the way.

In many ways, spiritual abuse is a distortion or exploitation of God’s power and authority to manipulate or control others’ bodies, personhood, relationships, and autonomy through shame and fear.

Thank you, Sarah for your contribution.

Click HERE to register for the Confronting Spiritual Abuse Event.
Confronting Spiritual Abuse Event is a one day, online event taught by trauma-informed specialist Rachael Clinton Chen.

Love and Life

The Best Way to Prevent Bankruptcy

April 9, 2021April 9, 2021 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 speaks about what happens when things are done without love…

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
(The Message Bible: emphasis added by me)

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

1 Corinthians 13 4-7 goes on to tell us what true love looks like…

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

The Best Way to Prevent Bankruptcy Is By Being Loving In All You Do.

Stop by and visit my Instagram page as well @lookingjoligood. Generally, I post pictures of food, plants and puppies, but there are pictures of makeup and beauty products as well.
I would love for you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good.
I would also love to follow you on Instagram and Twitter as well, so let me know your user name in the comment section below!

The Best Way to Prevent Bankruptcy | lookngjoligood.blog

Lifestyle

All We Need Is Love, Love Is All We Need

January 11, 2021January 24, 2021 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

“Your LOVE for one another will PROVE to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35

Not your political party
Not your level of conservativeness
Not your pro-life stance
Not the color of your tie
Not the length of your skirt
Not the placement of your side part
Your LOVE will prove you’re following Christ.

Lifestyle

Pro-Trump Christians: Stop, Please Just Stop!

January 7, 2021January 7, 2021 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

Pro-Trump Christians: Stop, please just stop! You, you have allowed this to happen.

You’ve encouraged the raging narcissist in the White House to think he is God’s chosen and in turn an untouchable god.

You praise him for placating you with lies of his “pro-life” stance, while turning a blind eye towards his hatred of “losers”, the poor, women, immigrants, people of color, children in cages, mistreatment of his staff and advisor, and hundreds of thousands of Americans that have lost their lives due to his mismanagement of this virus.

You’ve heard the disgusting things he’s said and you’ve made excuses for him.

You’ve given reasons for his bad behavior and explained “what he really meant”

You’ve chosen to keep your head in the sand while being warned.

Despite your fearless leader calling his supporters and proud boys to action on several occasions, you are somehow shocked by these occurrences, or even worse defending them, or blaming someone else! Shame on you!

Your over-the-top opinions about Trump have divided us at family gatherings and church meetings.

The rest of us wonder what happened to the person we once knew. How has my friend, neighbor, family member, been so blinded by such obvious insanity? How can such an intelligent person be so easily fooled?

You claim self-righteousness and moral high groundedness on certain key issues choosing to be “right” rather than kind, all while ignoring the second greatest commandment to “love thy neighbour as thyself. “(Matthew 22:39)

We have all been watching your twisted version of Christianity. There is no truth and there is no love. Stop pretending there is!

Pro-Trump Christians, please do everyone a favor and STOP! Stop giving moral and spiritual insight because clearly, you don’t have any to offer.

Lifestyle

The Answer to the Single Most Important Question Ever…?!

February 9, 2020February 1, 2020 LauraJoli LookingJoliGood1 Comment

The answer to the single most important question: “If I were to die today, would I spend eternity in Heaven with God?”

What happens when I die? Where will I spend eternity?

Your relationship with Jesus Christ is where you will find the answer to these questions.

The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…” God wants you to know where you’re going to spend all of eternity!

In order to spend eternity in Heaven with God, you must personally receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, that He was buried, and that He rose on the third day. Jesus’ sacrificial work of redemption made it so that all people can be saved!

Bible tells us that eternal life is not something we can earn or buy, but instead, it is a gift.

God’s gift is eternal life with Him.

The thing about this gift is that before you can get it, you first have to realize that you need this it. Romans 3:23 tells us that “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

All of us have sinned by breaking God’s rules. Some of the rules are broken by things that we have been doing, and some of the rules have been broken by things that we haven’t been doing. We have all sinned in one way or another.

Romans 6:23 tells us that the price for those broken rules is death. That death isn’t just talking about our physical body dying, but about our spiritual body as well.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When our physical body dies, our spiritual body will go to one of two places, either an eternity in Heaven or an eternal death apart from God in Hell.

God doesn’t want to be separated from us! Romans 5:8 says “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The price of our sin is death, but Jesus Christ already paid the price for our sins when he died on the cross.

Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh. He lived a perfect life and voluntarily took our place on the cross, all because He loves us! He took your place, He took my place, He paid your price with His life. He loves you!

The Bible tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Any time you get a gift you have to accept it in order to own it. It is no different with the gift of eternal life, you have to turn to Christ and place our full trust in Him alone.

Romans 10:13 tells us that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If you have never trusted in Jesus Christ to be your personal savior, you can do it right now! It is as simple as believing in your heart that Christ is the only way to have eternal life in Heaven and saying a prayer that is something like this…

“Dear Lord God,
Thank you for the sacrifice you made in sending your only perfect son to die on the cross for my sins! It should have been me sentenced to that horrible death, but you Lord, gave Jesus to save me from the punishment that I deserve. Thank you for this free gift of salvation! Amen!”

You will never regret that decision! This decision has changed my life! If you have just trusted Christ and received the gift of eternal life, I would love for you to tell me!

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

Lifestyle

Help Me See

February 5, 2020February 1, 2020 LauraJoli LookingJoliGoodLeave a comment

I want to always be willing to learn and grow. May I always be praying Lord teach me what I do not know, help me see what I am blind to.

Teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
Job 34:32

I would love for you to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can find me as Looking Joli Good on all four.

Looking Joli Good

Kindness is beautiful!

Tag: Christian

Love in Action: The Defining Proof of Genuine Faith

Where Is The Love, The Love, The Love?!

My quest to discover “Where is the love?” constantly leads me back to Jesus. I find myself consistently drawn back to Him. I have come to realize that even in situations where love appears to be absent, He remains present.

Where there is no love… Be the love!

THE CROSSES A poem for Memorial Day By William H. McRaven

Memorial Day 2021

In Flanders Fields

Healing a Relationship With Yourself and With God While Navigating the Trauma of Spiritual Abuse

In many ways, spiritual abuse is a distortion or exploitation of God’s power and authority to manipulate or control others’ bodies, personhood, relationships, and autonomy through shame and fear.

The Best Way to Prevent Bankruptcy

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

1 Corinthians 13 4-7 goes on to tell us what true love looks like…

The Best Way to Prevent Bankruptcy Is By Being Loving In All You Do.

All We Need Is Love, Love Is All We Need

“Your LOVE for one another will PROVE to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35

Pro-Trump Christians: Stop, Please Just Stop!

The Answer to the Single Most Important Question Ever…?!

The answer to the single most important question: “If I were to die today, would I spend eternity in Heaven with God?”

What happens when I die? Where will I spend eternity?

God’s gift is eternal life with Him.

Help Me See

I want to always be willing to learn and grow. May I always be praying Lord teach me what I do not know, help me see what I am blind to.

Teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
Job 34:32

Share this:

My quest to discover “Where is the love?” constantly leads me back to Jesus. I find myself consistently drawn back to Him. I have come to realize that even in situations where love appears to be absent, He remains present.

Where there is no love… Be the love!

Share this:

Share this:

In Flanders Fields

Share this:

In many ways, spiritual abuse is a distortion or exploitation of God’s power and authority to manipulate or control others’ bodies, personhood, relationships, and autonomy through shame and fear.

Share this:

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

1 Corinthians 13 4-7 goes on to tell us what true love looks like…

The Best Way to Prevent Bankruptcy Is By Being Loving In All You Do.

Share this:

“Your LOVE for one another will PROVE to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35

Share this:

Share this:

The answer to the single most important question: “If I were to die today, would I spend eternity in Heaven with God?”

What happens when I die? Where will I spend eternity?

God’s gift is eternal life with Him.

Share this:

I want to always be willing to learn and grow. May I always be praying Lord teach me what I do not know, help me see what I am blind to.

Teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’? Job 34:32

Share this:

Teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
Job 34:32