Selfish Love

Ok, I have one more quote from Vanity Fair. I promise, last one. Check it out: 

"He had placed himself at her feet so long that the poor little woman had been accustomed to trample upon him. She didn't wish to marry him, but she wished to keep him. She wished to give him nothing, but that he should give her all. It is a bargain not unfrequently levied in love."

From chapter 66 ("Amantium Irae") on page 662.

Read that last line again: "It is a bargain not unfrequently levied in love."

Is this love? Treating someone like a doormat? Expecting to gain everything, but intending to give nothing? Keeping someone around because they do nice things for us?

"Love is patient,

love is kind and is not jealous;

love does not brag and is not arrogant,

does not act unbecomingly;

it does not seek its own,

is not provoked,

does not take into account a wrong suffered,

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.

Love never fails..."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NASB)

There's no such thing as "selfish love"-- only selfishness. How many of us treat our spouses this way? Our parents? Friends? Jesus?

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." -John 15:13 (KJV)

Joab

**WARNING** Today's post is a stroll down a meandering dirt path buried somewhere deep in the recesses of my mind. Musings from Scriptures I've been reading recently. Lots of questions and not much resolution. If this is not for you, read no further.

Joab is one of the most perplexing characters in all of Scripture to me. I mean, he was extremely loyal to David (to the point of obeying David in his wicked scheme to kill Uriah). He spoke the truth to David even when it was hard for David to hear or accept (like after Absalom died and David was mourning instead of thanking the people for their loyalty and valor). He was one of David's mightiest men, and David obviously trusted him (he put Joab over the entire army). Joab was probably one of the greatest war heroes in the Bible. 

Yet at the end, David--from his deathbed, mind you--expressed his desire to Solomon that Joab be put to death. And Solomon had him executed. 

What is that??

Of course Joab made mistakes. No one is perfect. But why at the end of his life did David want Joab executed? Had he harbored anger toward Joab because Joab killed Absalom? Was pledging his loyalty to David's older son Adonijah the cause? Was David still experiencing guilt over killing Uriah and feeling bitter towards Joab for the role he played in that situation? I mean, Joab had given David wise counsel at other times. Why didn't he write David back and tell him not to be so foolish?

I know the explanation David gives to Solomon is that Joab killed innocent men in peace time and that blood was on David's head. And maybe it really is as simple as that. Maybe David didn't have the heart to carry out the proper punishment because he did love and trust Joab and valued his loyalty. 

But it just seems so abrupt to me. So out of the blue. It makes me wonder if there wasn't more to the story that we're not privy to. I wonder...

Are there certain stories from the Bible that you wish you could fill in some blanks for? That you're left wondering about? A scene you wish you could have watched as a fly on the wall? I have many. Tell me some of yours.

Happy Birthday to the Best Mother-In-Law!

Happy Birthday, Mommy Trina! I love you forever!

bringing in 2011 together

Ormond September 2012

Graduation May 2014

Casual Fridays

So, I've decided it's time for another segment of "A Few of My Favorite Things". These things have been making me happy lately.

The Root of the Righteous by A.W. Tozer : Cody and I have been reading this book together kind of like a devotional. Each chapter is about three pages long so it's perfect to read this way. Y'all. I've been wanting to discuss this book on the blog, but I can't even pick out quotes to put up because I just want to copy the whole thing. Every word is golden. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. There are like, 46 chapters, and I think we are on chapter 13. Please, please, PLEASE read this book. 

Wonderstruck Bible Study by Margaret Feinberg : I just started this study Tuesday night with some women from my church. First of all, women's Bible study: what a huge blessing in my life. I had taken a break from our church Bible studies the past few months, but I am so excited to be diving back in with this one. In the past few days, my eyes and heart have been opened to the wonder of God all around me simply because I've been looking for it. One of the exercises in the book is to daily write down three wonders of God that you observe. Even if you don't plan on doing this study, I would encourage you to develop this habit in your life of noticing God's wonder all around you. 

Fun Keys : I mean, why have plain old boring keys when you can have green chevron or a mustache or the American flag on them, amiright?? They're easier to identify and they make me happy every time I have to unlock my house. Win-win.

Springbok 1000-piece State Plates Puzzle : We finished it last weekend and it looks amazing!! (read "amazing" in a sing-song voice) I would have taken a picture of the completed puzzle, but it was too big to fit in with everything else. Take my word for it: it rocks. Now to find a place in the house for it....

Bracelets : I'm big into bracelets right now, and if you'll look closely at the picture, you'll notice three of my current favorites. The first one (super-colorful on the tall glass) is the Colors of the World Cuff from Trades of Hope. It goes with everything because it has every color imaginable in it, and I love, love, love it. The second one (on top of the short glass) is a daisy chain bracelet that my mom gave me for Easter. Daisies are my favorite flower ("Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?" NAME THAT MOVIE!), and my mom thought of me when she saw it, and that makes me happy. The third one (wrapped around the bottom of the short glass) is my favorite bracelet in the whole world. My husband gave it to me for Christmas. I mean, y'all, he measured my wrist and everything. He's sneaky. It's a T. Waterbury Wrap bracelet and it wraps around my wrist five times. It also goes with just about everything, and it feels bohemian and gypsy to me. I'm a bit of a flower child, can you tell?

Cute New Pictures of My Nieces to Frame : Enough said, right? I can't believe they are 3 years old and 7 months old already. STOP GROWING UP! 

and finally, Homemade Mini-Banana Muffins : You guys, I'm amazed I even was able to get photographic evidence of these. They are usually gobbled right up straight out of the pan. They are the best. And if my husband wasn't at work when I took the picture, they would have been gone. But when he's at work, I feel obligated to restrain myself from eating every last crumb before he gets home so that he can have a fair shot at them, too. I know: powerful self-control at work in my life right now. The Holy Spirit is obviously moving. 

Well, I was going to talk about how Sawyer Fredericks made it into the Top 12 on The Voice (of course, because he's so amazing) or how today is the Colonel's first ever haircut (and I'm kindof freaking out about it because what if they totally butcher it??), but I think this post is long enough already. Happy weekend, friends!

What are some things that are making you happy right now?

Tell the Truth

Ok, I have another quote from Vanity Fair for you today. I know, I know: you thought we were finished with Vanity Fair, right? Wrong! Muaahahahaha! I just thought this one was too good not to share:

"But that is the misfortune of beginning with this kind of forgery. When one fib becomes due as it were, you must forge another to take up the old acceptance; and so the stock of your lies in circulation inevitably multiplies, and the danger of detection increases every day." 

From chapter 66 ("Amantium Irae") on page 652.

Does this sound familiar to you?  Like maybe:

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!"
-Sir Walter Scott, Marmion

Or how about:

"He who tells a lie, is not sensible how great a task he undertakes; for he must be forced to invent twenty more to maintain that one."
-Alexander Pope

Lying is a messy business. Not only is it complicated to maintain a lie, as all these quotes suggest, lying ruins relationships. I would venture to say that the basis for any good relationship is trust. With one lie, that foundation can be instantly destroyed. In some cases, trust may be rebuilt with time. In others, trust is lost forever.

God hates lying. He says so in His Word.

"There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers."
-Proverbs 6:16-19 (NASB)

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight."
-Proverbs 12:22 (NASB)

"What is desirable  in a man is his kindness, and it is better to be a poor man than a liar."
-Proverbs 19:22 (NASB)

"He who practices deceit shall not dwell within My house; he who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before Me."
-Psalm 101:7 (NASB)

Not only does God clearly hate lying, He explicitly tells us not to lie.

"Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit."
-Psalm 34:13 (NASB)

"Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another."
-Ephesians 4:25 (NASB)

"Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him."
-Colossians 3:9-10 (NASB)

Let's review: lying is complicated and messy. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Thackeray, Scott, and Pope among countless others throughout history could obviously see the dangerous effects of lying. Lying ruins relationships by completely destroying trust. God hates--I'm talking, absolutely abhors--lying and commands us not to lie in His Word.

So why risk it?

"...you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."  -John 8:32 (NASB)

A Book to Read

G. K. Chesterton once said, "There is a great deal of difference between an eager man who wants to read a book and the tired man who wants a book to read." And that struck a chord with me today because, y'all, I'm tired.

The last couple weeks have been non-stop. I'm talking go, go, GO. And it seems like April is shaping up to be more of the same. 

Don't get me wrong, I am loving this crazy life. We've been getting a lot of quality time with family that we don't usually get to spend time with. I love that. It makes me wish we all lived close because my heart is happy when we're all together. We have the sweetest puppy who has completely wormed his way into our hearts while totally adding a new element of chaos to my days. I mean, y'all. My floors will never be the same. What is the point of even mopping, amiright? I'm almost to a place of acceptance about it. Adoption paperwork is expiring and having to be re-done. I started this wacky blog. There are church activities, soccer games, birthdays, meetings, airport runs: the list goes on and on. And I wouldn't trade a thing (except maybe that crazy adoption paperwork).

So by the time I catch a minute to sit down by myself in the quiet, I don't want to read a book. 

I just want a book to read.

Is anyone out there feeling me? 

I know last Monday I introduced When God Writes Your Life Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy. But you know what? I haven't picked that book back up since I finished the first chapter. Over a week ago. So I think it's time for an old friend. After all, C.S. Lewis did say, "It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between." And Much Ado About Nothing and Vanity Fair were both new. I'm overdue for a good re-read.

I was looking back over my book list, and I think it's time for Sense & Sensibility. Or Little Women. Or maybe I'll go totally rogue and treat myself to something I deliberately left off the list because I've read it so many times. I mean really, "There's nothing wrong with reading a book you love over and over." (Gail Carson Levine) Who knows what you might find here on Wednesday? 

What's your go-to when you just want a book to read?

Casual Fridays

Praise God, it's true! 

Jesus is ALIVE! 

This is the foundation of my faith: I serve a risen Savior!

If you are reading this blog, I sincerely hope that you have met Christ and have a reason to celebrate this weekend.

Last weekend, Cody, the Colonel, and I got our roadtrip on and went up to visit my brother and sister-in-law (and their dog Romy, of course) in Columbus, GA. We left Friday morning at 2 AM and arrived there around 9:30 or so. I am proud to report that Colonel did great in the car--both ways--and he loved his cousin Romy. Can't you tell? 

We had an awesome weekend together. We packed a picnic lunch and took the dogs on a super-fun hike. We caught an arena football game that turned into a real nail-biter (52-50. Go Lions!). And we spent quality time together eating great food, talking, and playing plenty of games. We Osborne kids are, um, shall I say, a little on the competitive side....it's hard on our spouses at times, but all I have to say about the games this weekend is this: if you are the only person to roll an actual Yahtzee during the game, you should automatically win. *sigh* Oh well. At least Caroline and I DOMINATED in Pictionary.

#pictionarywinnersforlife 

#girlsruleboysdrool 

Anyway, all this to say, I thought I had it together and scheduled Friday's and Monday's blog posts before we left, and figured I would have plenty of time after we got back to write Wednesday's post. Well, after driving from 2AM Tuesday morning straight through....I was wiped. And no post happened. Sorry if anyone was disappointed. (Thanks for texting me about it, Reagan. At least I have one faithful follower who looks forward to my posts. You're the best!)

Cody and I started this puzzle this week after we got back from our GA adventures. I got it for him for Christmas, and I'm totally loving it. (Thanks for helping put it together with us, Dakota and Caleb!) As you can see, we left the easy parts for last. PSYCH!

Colonel's Corner

In celebration of Easter, I got this brilliant idea to take the Colonel outside and snap some cute Easter-y photos of him.

But Cody was at work. 

And we haven't quite mastered "stay" yet.

So this is the best I got.

Happy Easter, y'all!