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 (NASB)
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! –Romans 11:33 (NASB)
We’ve all been there. “Why is this happening to me?” “Why now?” “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
God doesn’t always let us in on the “whys” — and He doesn’t really owe us the answers (see Job 38-42 for more on this). Still, every so often, I believe He enjoys letting us in on His ways. Yesterday was one of those days for my family.
It’s been a rough year, but I was just thinking to myself how nice it is to know that I’m loved, by God and by family and friends. If you’re reading this, tell someone you love how you feel. Maybe it’s a friend or a family member who you just don’t say it to — maybe they know already. Say it anyway. There’s no better feeling in the world than to know you’re loved.
I can’t get over this site I heard about on WAY-FM this morning. It’s called “I am second” and is at http://iamsecond.com. It’s got video testimonies from people from all walks of life, including some celebrities like Stephen Baldwin, Jason Castro (former contestant on American Idol), and Brian Welch (former member of the band, Korn).
From what I can tell, it looks like it was done by a church or churches in Texas, and it was executed with a level of excellence I’ve never seen when it comes to a web-based ministry. This is something I honestly wish I’d thought of. It starts with a list of video testimonies you can scroll through, or you can just click on the random one that is displayed front and center when you visit, and once the testimony is over, you can see other testimonies with a similar theme, or proceed to a basic Q&A about the Christian life, with such questions as “Does God care about me?”, “Aren’t there many ways to Heaven?”, “Why does God allow bad stuff to happen?” — it provides answers to some of the tough questions someone contemplating a Christian faith might ask.
Then, to top it all off, and this is what sort of blew my mind, it provides a link to contact someone, then and there, via e-mail, phone, or live chat. According to the site it is staffed 24/7. This is the sort of thing companies do to provide tech support after you buy a computer (though even that usually isn’t 24/7), not the sort of thing we Christians do to advance the kingdom. But why don’t we? This is just awesome. Like I said, I wish I’d thought of it, but I’m honestly just thankful someone did.
This song has really been an inspiration to me lately. It helps remind me just how big God is, and how He doesn’t need my help to accomplish His will. He’s fully capable of doing that on His own. All he requires of me is a willing heart to obey and follow where He leads me. Not because He needs me, but because I need Him. Continue reading ‘You are God Alone’ »
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
[. . .]
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I just heard this song last night at church — maybe it’s just the point I’m at in life right now, but I found it incredibly moving, so I thought I’d share.