Do I love? - Looking into myself

We all talk about love, and most of us are serious when we say the world needs more love!  But, do we love as we should?  Do we take responsibility for our part?   Are we failing miserably?  Or are we striving to love more, to love better?  Well one way to find out, is by having a little time at the end of the day or the week to reflect on how we are doing.  Ask ourselves some tough questions....are you up for it?

Here is a great list of questions that will help us see how we are doing when it comes to loving others....to truly loving others.  I advise you to take paper and pen and take some notes.  Take this seriously and you will learn a lot about yourself, you will also be able to make some real changes that can move you in the right direction....to truly love!  I will have these divided into four or five parts...keep your eyes open!  I advise you to not rush through these, read a question and take time to truly ponder it....only then move to the next one.  Get a journal or a pad of paper and take some notes.  Come on get excited and take this seriously, the world needs more love and it starts with us!  This is part 1 !

V"Love is patient love is kind

Am I patient with myself? 

Do I expect too much of myself? 

Do I get angry at myself when I fail? 

Am I patient in prayer? 

Do I stop praying if I don’t get quick results? 

Do I remember to pray for others?

Am I patient with others (family, friends, school)? 

Do I get irritable at other people’s failures or weaknesses, or if they are less quick or clever than I am? 

Am I patient and kind with children, the elderly and the sick? 

Am I patient with those who work with me or for me?

Am I gentle and kind in my speech? 

Do I speak well of others? 

Do I act kindly towards those in a less privileged position than mine?

Do I act kindly towards those in a higher position than me (maybe people I consider more beautiful, more successful, or rich)?

V  It is not jealous, or pompous, it is not inflated. 

Am I jealous of someone else’s good fortune, or success? 

Do I judge people because of their car, their clothes, their home etc (when they have nicer things than me, or more expensive things than me)?

Do I try to keep up with the next-door neighbour? 

Do I boast about my children, my friends, my abilities….about anything else?

Am I affronted if others don’t live up to my expectations? 

Do I expect more of others than I do of myself? 

Do I criticize others so that they lose confidence in themselves? 

Am I complacent about myself? 

Am I hypocritical in the way I live? 

Do I keep on comparing myself with others?

Do I look for praise from others? 

Do I always try to be the centre of attention?

Am I slow to thank, to encourage, to praise? 

Do I bore others by talking about myself? 

Am I conceited? 

Do I stop to give thanks to God…and to those who love me?

Do I bother to listen to others? 

Am I slow to apologize or to admit my faults? 

Do I show my gratitude to God and my fellow men for all they do for me?

Do I include others in my group of friends?

Do I care when others are lonely or feel left out?

V  Love is not rude, it does not seek it's own interests( it is not selfish)

Do I treat others with the respect due to them as persons? 

Do I act as if I don't need anyone?

Do I disparage others with the way I talk to them?

Am I genuine in my relationships with others? Am I ever fake? Do I gossip about them? 

Do I disregard fairness in mind or action? (ex: with those who work for you or with you?) 

Does my language reflect my loving attitude toward others?(what about when you fight and/or are angry?) 

Am I ever arrogant, rough, obstinate or overbearing?(with your friends, parents or husband?) 

Does my character prevent others from speaking? 

Do I inconvenience others by my selfish use of radio…TV…record player etc? 

Do I insist on what I want before thinking about others and what they might want? 

Do I consider the effect that my actions will have on others?

 Am  I inconsiderate? 

Do I try to let others know they mean a lot to me?

Do I take a genuine interest in the needs of the Third World? 

Is my attitude to material things determined by selfish motives? 

Do I use my own and other people’s property with do care? 

Do I ever deliberately hurt another? Do I always find excuses to justify why I hurt them?

Do I seek for my own pleasure at the expense of others? 

Does my selfishness ever lead me to ignore God?

Guest Post- Where Is My Wife

When you are down by Hannah Akoglu

Darkness you refuse to quit? Today a Poem

The bottom of the Lake

Did you sink to the bottom of the lake and like it?

Are you recoverable?

Or Are you Too comfortable, to even try it?

Vulnerable, sinking in terror.

You suffer deep inside

consequences of your own error.

Open wounds full of grit

no end in sight, a path well-lit 🔥

Now deep into this endless pit - 

all because the darkness you refuse to quit!

Darkness like quick sand swallowing you whole.

You justify and excuse

you vilify and accuse

Everything that can save your soul!

Oh, tame servant of control!

Your will, please try to break

This decision you must make.

There is not much more 

your poor soul can take! 

Can’t you see? Your life is simply fake?

Vulnerable now dangerously close to death

Truth you seek- for in the rubble 

every breath a mighty struggle. 

Can’t you see friend you’re in trouble?

Please Swim swiftly and reach for help!

Yet Of hope you are not able

nor of sweet commitment capable.

With your eyes closed Instead 

you dive in this sinkhole of despair!

No longer breathing life's sweet air

Is it so hard to acknowledge?

you’ve been wrong since before college

In the cavern of your mind

Hope cannot be undermined

or neglected for too long

Don’t you know?

Your purpose to God does belong.

See Love can’t be unexpected

If your thirst is well directed

Death to pride could save your soul

You just need this to decide

If your life is redirected

Run away, have a new goal

Your enemies’ constant demands

too much for you to withstand!

Self-reliance, fear and insecurity.

Pride, lust, anger and impurity.

I desperately want to say

Someone your soul wants to save.

But You are drowning with a purpose,

I wonder will stop and try to stay?

Will you pause and try to pray?

Hold His hand

his angels immediately he will command

To help you and lift you

And take and free you

out of the land of the damned!

Talks and Workshops

Talks and Workshops are available. 

Please contact me for more information: 

rosariessacredheart@gmail.com

or carolinaakoglu@gmail.com

Some Talk Topics:

1.  How to get close to your Teen

2.  Teens How to get Close to your Parents!
3.  How to Build your Self Confidence
4.  Want your kids to learn?  Use Marketing!
5.  Teens, Beautiful and Brave

6.  Teen is not a dirty word

7.  Hey kids save yourselves

8.  What is Love, a Christian answer!

9.  Forgiveness - Let go of that weight!

10. Breakup?  What now...

11. Lonely?  You are not alone

12. Any Topics from this blog or the Princess in Overalls Book

Special Talk:  Previously successfully given to BCHLC   

Five Pillars of Success in Homeschooling –  I think these are the non-negotiable must haves for a homeschooling mom to be successful.

1. Prayer– Without a relationship with God and His grace in our lives there is no success. It’s all about making time for God not finding time!
2. Encouragement – Why we need each other, it’s all about giving and receiving. The gift of each other and the power of friendship.
3. Time Alone – Have some fun recharge your batteries, it’s all about taking a break doing something completely unrelated – something that renews your energy!
4. Health – Diet and exercise can change everything! For me it was Trim and Healthy Mama/ skiing and scuba diving! How eating right and the right physical activity can change your life!
5. Forgiveness – Ourselves, our husbands, the kids (our own and others’), and each other!  God makes every day a new beginning!

Workshops:

1. Praying with your kids
2. Homeschooling: Let's get started
3. Encouragement for the Tired Mama

4. Encouragement for the Tired Teen
5. Self Confidence Talk for Kids

6.  Any of the Topics in this blog

7.  Forgiveness - let go of that weight!

                                  

Pictures

Do You Hunger?: Only God Can Satisfy

Ask:  Why am I so sad?

Today, more than ever people feel empty and alone. Why? How can this be?  We are all connected by social media, then, why are we still unsatisfied? Many relationships are superficial and empty, and everybody is just too busy.   So many of us are self involved and selfish, and at the end of the day there is nothing but emptiness. Do you feel that way?

There is a better way to live. 

We need to pray, so that God will teach us to hunger and thirst for what truly matters. To be made eager, on fire, and aching for that which will bring us peace and heal our hearts.  Our hunger can be satisfied; but we need to be willing to give ourselves completely, and to trust. In our quest for righteousness and for truth, only God can satisfy us. We can not grow tired of seeking what is "good and right", but we need to remember that it needs to be "good and right " by God’s standards. 

In choosing a different path, in choosing to live a different kind of life, we walk away from what the world claims is right,.  If we seek we will find.  And once we find we can never look back.  When we decide to no longer do our own will, when we decide to open our heats to God, our loving Father, He comes and he makes us brand new.  We find our path.  We find healing.  We find what is true and right. Not what today's world excuses as right, but true righteousness.  And our life is made brand new.

As we are transformed by God's love and we start walking down a different path,  sometimes we will make people uncomfortable,  sometimes we will not be so popular. This is because what it is to be like Christ, stands in stark contrast of those who are modelling other things. Some people might criticize us and say that we are too scrupulous, obsessed about the little things – but we need to know why we do things and walk in confidence.

Scrupulosity is when we do something for the sake of itself, or for our own ego. Righteousness, on the other hand, is for the sake of loving God. So the key is to be honest and know why we do things. When we know in our hearts that we do things for the love of God; it is then that we can be brave and firm in our way of being, not wavering. 

It is a grace to speak freely in defence of truth, and in defence of what is right. It is a grace to be ready to fight for the good of others no matter who they are, or where they are. If everything we do, we do out of love of God then we will have peace.  

A peace that surpasses all understanding, because God will be guarding our hearts and minds.   And then, what other people think will become inconsequential. 

The gift of Peace then - will be the natural result of the way we live.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they shall be satisfied. "



UA-51497455-1

Chairlift Rescue at Grouse Mountain : Holding on to Hope

Chairlift Rescue

Soon I will write up a post on my experience this day!  But for now I just want to write a small paragraph.  Just when the situation seemed hopeless, God inspired amazing people to turn it around.  He used five teens, from which at least three are loving faithful Christians, and two adults to completely change the ending to this story.  These five teens are an inspiration, their families chose homeschooling for them - and clearly it has paid off.  The five of them were  instruments in God's hands that amazing day!

God tenderly directed every person to help.  He also gave amazing fortitude to the father who held on to his child for so long.  Although it was terrifying for me, and at times I felt helpless, I prayed.    In my heart I knew I needed to document this amazing situation, people needed to see.  And the response has been amazing, people are being inspired and touched by God all over the world because of this video.  I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to "be God's hands and eyes" on this day.  Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit!

Feel free to ask me any questions you might have...

Carolina Prada Akoglu

Conversion: The Littlest Giant Part 1

                                       

I am writing to share with you the story of “The Littlest giant. Are you wondering what this must be?  Well, read on! And if you can find the patience and time to read the whole thing, I think you will not be disappointed.  You will find out this is a true story of how God is lovingly touching and changing people’s lives today, just as he always has, and always will.   

“The Littlest Giant”

“The littlest giant” was born in a country were the religion has been Islam (Muslim) for hundreds of years.  He grew up listening to the call to prayer from the mosques around the city five times a day and hearing about fasting for Ramadan and about the prophet Mohamed. Yes indeed he grew up in a country were Jesus was hardly known, in fact he had never heard of Jesus as a savior. His family and friends were mostly Muslim: his grandmother a devoted Muslim was faithful to prayer five times a day. His mother is a modern and open minded Muslim woman who is not afraid to search for God wherever He may be.   And his father had a new age tendency and did not want to categorize himself into any religion, rather he simply believed in one all powerful God.

. 

“The littlest giant” grew up without knowing Jesus and like his father he did not chose any particular religion – he simply believed in GOD.  He did not know it yet, but Jesus had his name written in the palm of His hand.  Jesus knew him since he was in his mothers womb and he had great plans for him. 

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.  No one can take them out of my hand.  My father who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.  The father and I are one.”  Jesus in John 10 (27-30)

“Everything that the father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me...”Jesus in John 6 (37)

At the right time Jesus would call “the littlest giant” to follow Him. Like the Bible says: when Jesus, the good shepherd, calls his sheep all His sheep recognize His voice. Each sheep may be called at a different time, but when they hear His voice they recognize their shepherd and happily come to Him. All are called by the gentile voice of Jesus, even those in other herds will come to Him.

“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me…”Jesus in John 10(14)

“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.” John 10(16)

Jesus started calling “the littlest giant” more or less when “the littlest giant” was 21 years old. As “the littlest giant” heard His voice he started drawing close to him Him.  Yes little by little coming closer to Jesus, attracted slowly, like a little bunny to a carrot in someone’s hand - cautious, gently and slowly but without being able to resist.

“And this is the will of the one who sent me that I should not lose anything of what He gave me, but that I should raise it in the last day.  For this is the will of my Father that everyone who sees the son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.” Jesus in John (39-40)

 Each time, “the littlest giant” heard Jesus's voice more clearly, calling him louder.  As the years went by “the littlest giant” started to seek Him and know Him better and better.  At first as he drew closer, a thousand questions inundated his mind.  As time went on, he became a bit confused.   But slowly as the years went by, he allowed himself to be taken by the hand and directed by the delicate words of the Lord. Yes he surrendered to the gentle guidance of Jesus. “The littlest giant” now deeply believed in His word, but he was not yet able to call himself a Christian. He was hesitant to categorize himself into a specific religion.  He was afraid of opening up to his family and friends publicly acknowledging that he loved Jesus Christ.  Would they get angry?  Would he lose his friends?  Would he be made fun of?  

         But the voice of Jesus called louder and more intensely,  the “littlest giant” asked Jesus to guide him from within. Yes, instead of trying to find Jesus through his own effort, he decided to invite Jesus to come live in his heart so that Jesus would guide him from the depths of his heart, from the deepest part of his being.  Jesus always comes when we invite Him – always – without exception.  The “littlest giant” could feel His presence now, he felt His peace inside his own heart.  His love surrounded him, he felt a joy that only Jesus can give. 

“Whoever believes in me, as scripture says:

‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him’ Jesus in John 7 (38)

And so his faith began to grow.  Now, all the questions he had, did not need an answer any more.  Some of them were answered by Jesus, others he just set aside.  It was no longer necessary for him to find all the answers.  No because he felt peace, now he could feel His presence, and His presence satisfied the hunger and the thirst he had felt before.  “The littlest giant” could no longer hold back the desire he had to share the gift Jesus is.  To  share the joy He brings into our life when we welcome Him into our heart and get to know Him.

“Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.  But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly father.” 

Jesus in Matthew 10 (32)

“The littlest Giant” understood that there was no sense in having Jesus in his life if he was not going to share such happiness. Therefore the overpowering desire to share with everyone continued to grow within him, he was simply not able to contain it.  In spite of the fear that he had initially felt about telling his Muslim family and friends, “the littlest giant” shared with everyone that he could the great blessing that that it is to get to know and to get filled with the love of Jesus.  Some people criticized him, others failed to understand him, but he felt from the deepest place in his heart, that he had done what Jesus wanted him to do.  He had recognized and acknowledged his love for Jesus without fearing the consequences.  His love for Jesus had become so big, that it was impossible to contain it,  impossible not to share the good news.

 “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather 
of power and love and self-control.” Paul in 2 Tim 1 (7)

Stay tuned tomorrow I post "The Littlest Giant"  Part 2