It is beautiful in theory. It is even more beautiful when acted out. Longsuffering. Forgiveness. Patience. Encouragement. Support. All these things come to mind when I think of what unconditional love looks like. Most of all, I see the image of Jesus with the prostitute in my mind. She had done wrong in the eyes of God and man, deserving of punishment, fearful of the reactions of man and what does Jesus do? He loves her, forgives her and restores something within her that no one but her can see. We're called to be like that with one another? Why? Because we are called to be like Christ.
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When there must be a distinct barrier between good, bad, right, wrong, accepted, and rejected; what type of line is best? I was recently asked the question, “if you had a deadline that was supposed to be met by someone else, but they called and said that life, work, and stress had put them behind – they need extra time: Would you allow them the time?”
There was so much more I wanted to write in my last post, but I chose to leave it the way it was and come back to add a part 2 after I got my thoughts for the rest in order. I am thankful for our hard times. I truly am. They have produced a faith that I never thought I would have and they have brought about the most glorious times we can remember. They have taught me how to praise, how to trust and most of all, how to obey the leading of God in our life.
The sun graciously lit the earth, while the air stirred the cold. A clear winter day offered just the right opportunity to get some brush and debris cleared up. As I worked to create the pile that would soon be reduced to ash, my mind meandered through aisles of history. Just think, a man has done this very type of work since the beginning of the age. God said that a man should: walk with Him, Love Him, Love people, and work/maintain the earth.
I remember one of our first winters in our newly purchased home. I awoke freezing cold and hearing trees explode and fall all around my house. What on EARTH is going on? An ice storm. It was a particularly nasty storm; we had received a few inches of snow and then that snow turned to ice, and a layer of ice 2-3 inches thick was deposited on top of the snow. The result: 70 foot tall pine trees snapping under the weight of the snow and ice taking out power lines, blocking roads and leaving us stranded with no power, no water, no food...we were hopelessly helpless.
When God first gave me this word I thought if I ever shared it that it would be perfect for my married girl friends. This came about at a terribly difficult season in my marriage...one that I'm thankful to be on the other side of now. It seemed like I was walking through junk every direction I turned and every attack just added more weight and obscured my vision more and more. I was looking at my husband with eyes filtered by the struggles we faced. I was fighting with him, not fighting for him....
These are some thoughts I originally wrote down back in June of 2009. God laid it on my heart yesterday so I went searching for it to post it here. We are created by Him and will forever be His.
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AuthorsThoughts and ideas inspired by the Holy Spirit, delivered to you courtesy of Chris or Michelle Cooper. We hope you enjoy our posts and would love to hear your feedback! Archives
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