Unconditional Love

I lived a life of conditional love for years.

The person who was supposed to love me, didn't.

I lived in fear that something I did would make him not love me.

Found out later he never did love me anyway.

What a relief!

It wasn't me!

It was him.

I lived a life of unconditional love for years.

The Person who was supposed to love me, did.

I lived in assurance that nothing I did would make Him not love me.

Found out later He loves me more than I realized.

What a peace!

It isn't me.

It is Him!

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 

“I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

 

Jeremiah 31:3

 



                                                                                    

LIFE!

Oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, & ponds.

Mountains, hills, deserts, plains, & valleys

Birds, bees, butterflies, & bugs.

Dogs, cats, rabbits, & mice.

Elephants, zebras, & monkeys.

Lions, tigers, & bears.

Horses, cows, & mules.

Sheep, lambs, & goats

Crocs, gators, turtles, & frogs.

Whales, sharks, dolphins, & goldfish.

Roses, lilies, petunias, & dandelions.

Trees, bushes, wildflowers, & weeds.

Hurricanes, tornadoes, wind, & breezes.

Snow, hail, sleet & rain.

Sunlight, moonlight, starlight, & darkness.

Dusk, dawn, midnight, & noon.

Man, woman, boy, girl.

Father, mother, son, daughter.

Grandfather, grandmother.

Uncle, aunt.

Husband, wife.

Brother, sister.

Friend

Acquaintance.

Creation.

Created.

CREATOR!

Psalm 148

 

Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven,

praise him from the mountaintops;

Praise him, all you his angels,

praise him, all you his warriors,

Praise him, sun and moon,

praise him, you morning stars;

Praise him, high heaven,

praise him, heavenly rain clouds;

Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—

he spoke the word, and there they were!

6 He set them in place

from all time to eternity;

He gave his orders,

and that's it!

7-12 Praise God from earth,

you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and ice,

hurricanes obeying his orders;

Mountains and all hills,

apple orchards and cedar forests;

Wild beasts and herds of cattle,

snakes, and birds in flight;

Earth's kings and all races,

leaders and important people,

Robust men and women in their prime,

and yes, graybeards and little children.

13-14 Let them praise the name of God—

it's the only Name worth praising.

His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;

he's built a monument—his very own people!

Praise from all who love God!

Israel's children, intimate friends of God.

Hallelujah!

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

MUSINGS

Jesus is on my mind.

I think I too often take Him for granted.

My life has really been so easy when compared
to other Christians around the world.

I don't have to fear being tortured or killed for my beliefs.

The early Christians counted it gain to suffer for Christ.

Why do I whine so much about so many inconsequestial things?

I'm learning to be thankful for my pain.

My arthritis and fibromyalgia have slowed me down.

I spend more time with God now.

I worry less about what others think about me 

and more about what God thinks about me.

God loves me!

Jesus loves me!

What else matters?

When I make a mistake,

I've learned to accept it.

Not let it define who I am.

I made a mistake.

This too shall pass.

God is love!

God is peace!

God is joy!

God is forgiveness!

God is God!

I am not.

Aren't you glad!

BEING BOTHERED

 

The other day I was feeling sorry for myself.  

The morning had been very busy with many people needing me.

The phone didn't stop ringing, people were coming into the office, 

and I had several things I needed to complete for the pastors.

I took a break to catch my breath. 

While away from my office I said,

"Lord, I'm so tired of people bothering me!

I just want to be left alone."

God is truly a compassionate, caring, & loving Father.

But He is also a Father of truth who will discipline His child.

He will rebuke us when we need it.

And I needed it.

I heard:

"Now you know how I could feel.

What do you think I deal with all the time?

Most prayers are 'I need' or 'I want' or 'help me'.

Praises and thank You's are not offered to Me as often.

Yet I always here and I never turn away My children"

"Think about My Son.

When He was with mankind on earth,

people wanted healing or blessings.

Time alone with Me was rare for Him.

Yet, He did not complain.

He just loved people."

 

"That's what I want you to do, Ginny.

Just love people!"

What would Jesus do?

When Jesus heard it, 

He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. 

But when the multitudes heard it, 

they followed Him on foot from the cities. 

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; 

and He was moved with compassion for them, 

and healed their sick.

Matthew 14: 13-14