HOW DO WE LOVE THE WORLD, BUT HATE THE DARK?  

In my opinion, one of the best worship songs that was ever written is called “Great I Am” by New Life Worship.  ”Loving the world, but hating the dark” is a lyric from “Great I Am”.  As I listened to the song over and over again, as I often do with music, that verse really made me ask myself…. how I am loving the world, but hating the dark?

First, let’s define the world and the dark in the context of this verse.

• The world –  the inhabitants of the earth; the human race
• the dark - wickedness or evil or sin

Now we can ask ourselves, “How do we love the human race, but hate the wickedness, evil or sin that is rampid in human beings hearts?”

So….. ”HOW CAN WE LOVE THE WORLD, BUT HATE THE DARK?

You might think I am going to go into some long speel on how in order to love the world you have to go on a mission trip (Matthew 28:19-20), feed the hungry (Isaiah 58:7), take in orphans (james 1:27), give your time and money (prov 3:9)… All of those are good deeds that God calls His people to do & maybe God is calling you to do one of them or all of them.  But I’m learning that you could be doing all those things mentioned, yet if the people closest to you are not touched by His love in you then do the really “BIG” things  matter?

Are you a person who thinks if you’re not doing something “BIG” then you’re not doing anything at all?  I think the the world we live in makes “BIG” seem like it’s the only thing that matters.  I’m learning that loving the world can be as simple as loving the people in our sphere of influence (your spouse, children, neighbors, friends, parents, siblings, extended family, teachers, your children’s friends), and having a servant heart right where God has planted us.

My pastor preached something to this affect, and it really spoke to me—– “God has you right where He wants you to influence those around you for Him.  He put the people in our lives to accomplish His purpose, and His purpose is for us is to shine His light to those in the world who are watching us.  And whatever title we have whether it be spouse, parent, homemaker, athlete, student, sister, brother,coach, business person, business owner – it is all a cover up .  Our real title is child of God, and our purpose is to shine His light & spread the Good News to the sphere of influence He’s given to us.”                 (these are not my pastors exact words)

So let me take a stab at putting together a few ideas on how we can begin our walk closer to LOVING THE WORLD BUT HATING THE DARK.

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Let go and forgive the people in our lives!  That includes ourselves!   We are to extend grace & mercy!  (Mark 11:25)

On our knees!  PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!! (Psalm 33:6)

Value the sphere of influence we have.  (Luke 6:32-33)  That includes valuing ourselves because God values us! (Psalm 139:13)

Experience God!  We need to read His amazing, life changing Word; Go to church; Get involved in a Bible study; and we need to trust & obey God! (Psalm 46:10)

We need to be learning and changing.  Change is not easy, loving the unloveable in our lives is not easy, and forgiveness is not easy,  but we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).  I believe if we take ourselves out of the equation, and put the emphasis on God then He will begin to show us HOW WE CAN LOVE THE WORLD, AND HATE THE DARK!  

When we learn of His love that helps us love the world, and when we learn of His ways that keeps us hating the dark!  

Blessings and Peace!!!  Please post any words of wisdom, thoughts, or feelings, and ways you are loving the world, but hating the dark!!!!

Crista Stewart

go to The Little Frog facebook page to hear the words to the song “Great I Am”; and friend me please!

WORDS TO THE SONG GREAT I AM by New life Worship

I wanna to be close, close to your side

So heaven is real and death is a live

I wanna hear voices of angels above

Singing as one

Chorus:  

Hallelujah, Holy Holy

God Almighty, Great I Am

Who is worthy, None beside Thee

God Almighty, Great I Am

I wanna be near, near to your heart

Loving the world, hating the dark

I want to see dry bones living again

Singing as one

Chorus

The mountains shake before Him

The demons run and flee

At the mention of the your name

King of Majesty

There is no power in hell

Or any who can stand

Before the power and the presence of the Great I Am,

The Great I Am, The Great I Am,

The Great I Am, The Great I Am, The Great I Am

Chorus

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All across the nation, there is an increase in families who have become homeless or financially down and out. “He’s Got Your Back” is a non-profit, Christian organization that provides backpacks, school supplies and a gift card for a first day of school outfit to children in need. There are families who are struggling to feed their children. How do they have the means to provide their children with backpacks, school supplies and clothing? Well, they don’t have the means. And this is where “He’s Got Your Back” steps in to be God’s hands and feet. By your contribution, we will be able to provide a great start to a new school year for children right here in the USA.

Your financial contribution will go toward

A new backpack which is filled with folders, pencils, notebooks, crayons, markers, glue sticks, calculators, pencil boxes, kleenex, highlighters, colored pencils, a gift card for a new school outfit, and of course a Bible.

The non-profit works hard through out the summer months to prepare the backpacks for the upcoming school year. All backpacks are distributed to the children the second week of August through different organizations.

Some organizations include: Urban Impact, Washington City Mission & Washington Housing Authority residents & New Hope Ministries.

We are always open to any suggestions or areas in need. Please send us an email, and depending on our contributions we will fill the need.

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

No donation is to small.

May God bless you for supporting “He’s Got Your Back.” The children in need will be blessed by your contribution.
He’s Got Your Back Donation Flier

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The Little Frog was submitted to the 17th Annual Writer’s Digest International Book Awards.

• Brad Paisley & Kimberly William Paisley read The Little Frog book series to their children.
• The members of The Jars of Clay band
• Steven Curtis Chapman received a copy of The Little Frog for his family
• The Duggars – yes, 19 kids and counting are reading The Little Frog as well as 2 grandchildren so that makes 21 and counting!
• Kay Arthur, founder of Precept Ministries was personally given The Little Frog book series for her grandchildren.
• Dan Haseltine – lead singer of jars of clay & author of the one, the only magnificent me. ”little Frog is a welcome new character for every child who is searching for love & acceptance in a big world.”
• Tim Tebow’s family and ministry are reading the Little Frog.

Little Frog is hopping the globe….
He is all over Pennsylvania, in New York, Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, Idaho, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, New Mexico and California. And many other states as well. He’s even went global – New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Poland, Brazil, and throughout Europe.

February 2011, Stewart’s 2nd release, The Little Frog Learns the Golden Rule hit airwaves, internet, and t.v. ads that broadcast all over the country.
The Almanac and in Peters Township interviewed and featured a piece on Stewart and Little Frog.

Crista’s 1st book, The Little Frog, was released February 2010.  Since then there has been a lot of croaking going on in the news about Stewart and Little Frog.

Radio appearances on Thema Radio in New Zealand, The John Hall Show on Word FM in Pittsburgh, The Wiley Drake Show in California, and Catholicmom.com.

Stewart and Little Frog also appeared on Catholic TV.

The endearing Little Frog teaches children that God has a purpose for their life, and that you can Fully Rely On God (FROG) for everything.

In Book 1, Even though Little Frog feels worthless and unloved, he realizes God made him for a purpose, and that purpose isn’t to feel bad for himself because he’s small and is missing a limb. His purpose is to help others just like himself. In book 2, Little Frog’s faith is put to the test when he is up against bullies. Little Frog realizes it’s easy to be nice and follow God’s ways when you are around others who are nice and loving, but it’s a lot harder when you are faced with others who are mean.

Little Frog will capture the hearts of your children, and he will even touch the heart of the reader.

“Little Frog is a welcomed new character in the stories of children who wonder why they are made differently, and every child who is searching for love and acceptance in a big world.” quotes Dan Haseltine, lead singer of Jars of Clay & children’s book author. The news is spreading throughout the world about the Little Frog, and the message he brings…. Fully Rely On God, God has a purpose for all of us and loves us despite what we perceive as our own flaws, and following God’s ways can be challenging but He prepares us to rise up to the call.