Day 10: If You Want to Love Your Life, You’ll Have to Trust
“By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is a gift of God, not a result of works, so on one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) I used to read this verse as a description of avoiding hell by believing in the right doctrines. I don’t anymore. The salvation Paul is…
Day 9: Focus on Love, Not Understanding.
Last week I said God’s love was especially close to us in suffering. I’ll bet you have experienced this. Last night, I was feeling the weight of all the uncertainty of our future. Julie and I have chosen a path that is neither normal nor safe. At times it’s exhilarating. Other times, it’s terrifying. The…
Day 8: Why to Love Your Life Even When It Stinks
You can love your life even when it stinks because God is at work for good in it. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) What is the point of life? Comfort? Security?…
Day 7: Love Never Fails
How long would I wait for a wayward child? Would there ever come a day when I would shut the door forever? Impossible. If I, a reflection of God’s love, could never stop loving my children, how could God, the source of love, do less? Jesus’ warnings of judgment are warnings of the pain of…
Day 6: Love Does Not Discriminate
Love that is partial is not love. Just as light and darkness do not mix, love and hate do not mix. If there is the tiniest speck of rejection in God, then God is not love. If God hates a single atom, then God is not love. There is no hate in love. God loves…
Day 5: Love Is Especially Close in Suffering
I have about a million questions for God. Why cancer? Why tsunamis? Why poverty? Why politicians? Why no-see-ums? Why… If God is all loving and God is all good, how can there be evil? I don’t get it. One thing I know: God is working in all things. You are not on our own in…