Interconnected thoughts

Mark 3:33-35 (HCSB)

He replied to them, "Who are My mother and My brothers?"  And looking about at those who were sitting in a circle around Him, He said, "Here are My mother and My brothers!  Whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother."

These verses really motivates us to seek out God's will and do what He's already to us to do ... and not just study and hear His word.  Of course, as we do what He says and constantly commune with Him, we draw closer and know what He wants in a better way.

James 1:22 (HCSB)

But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Along the same lines, to be a friend of Jesus', we have to obey His commands.

John 15:14 (HCSB)

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Which (I'm not backing this up with Bible, but I think it's fairly logical.  Feel free to argue if you see something wrong.) I would take to mean that being familiar (like family) with God is more than just following rules, and more of just loving Him and other people.

Matthew 22:37, 39 (HCSB)

He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Which of course means:

Luke 6:31 (HCSB)

Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.

And we would follow Jesus' example of loving ... and living really.  Otherwise, He wouldn't give us this command:

Matthew 5:48 (HCSB)

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Cuz... you know... all those rules... They're not there so we can get on the "good side" of God.  They're for our own good.  For example the Sabbath:

Mark 2:27 (HCSB)

Then He told them, "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath."

God loved His people so much, He literally commanded them to take a break, so their bodies wouldn't break down.
All He wants is to love us with His unlimited and unconditional love and that we would love Him back.  And you can't very well love someone if you don't obey Him.

Anyways... just some thoughts from Bible reading...

Mizzoria~

Niceties

Well... I've been in the "deep south" for 4 days and in Austin for 2 days.

And what was the first thing I noticed?
People are SO DANG NICE!  
I mean that in the kindest way possible.  

Seriously, the natives are friendly, talkative, chatty, sweet, smiling, willing to help, generous, and a bunch of other things that I can't even describe.
Suffice it to say...

I like it here.

I'm from NC (which is also considered the south),
but man... those people seem like northerners now.

Those snobby city-slickers should take some lessons from these sweet, kind, lovable people.

Speaking of all things sweet... this video is adorable!!


And just a random comparison that's really bugging my lips is that it's very dry in Texas... like very dry... which is nice in a way, because the cold isn't as cold and the heat isn't as bad.  Thankfully I brought chapstick and Mom bought me this awesome smelling petroleum jelly:

Anyways - Have a splendiferous new year!  I know I'm looking forward to all the new things to be!  And maybe, just maybe!   I can blog more.

Blessings!

Mizzoria~