Unconditional - Then and Now

Some years ago, at our first connect group meeting, we were given paper plates. One one side, we were asked to one thing we were before we knew Jesus. It was easy for me to write. I always felt this way as a child, and well into my teenage and young adult years.....

I had always felt that others were preferred instead of me. The sense of rejection was high and stayed with me even when I accomplished many things, and had much praise. When others were promoted, I took it personally that I wasnt. When others were blessed, I found it hard to rejoice for them. This lie of the enemy, that I was of little worth, that I was never good enoughm influenced many of my relationships and affected many of the things I did. My identity in Christ was stolen... 

That is, until the truth of what Christ has done for me, and how much He loves me began to dawn in me. My Hubby, with his patient and unconditional love, epitomised God's agape love for me. Who else would die for me even when I was so very unworthy? Thankfulness continues to flow as this truth sets me free....  

Indeed, that night, at the group meeting, when asked to write on the reverse of the plate what Jesus had done for me, I could thankfully and truthfully scribe this!

What joy when I wrote those two words down! I felt another level of freedom as I pressed the crayon down harder. Such love! Such liberty!

Ephesians 2:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

And that truth applies till today. Praise God! 

Not to Take Forgranted

Yesterday towards the end of the sermon, I slipped my hand into Hubby's hand.

This is not an unusual thing - holding hands, I mean. But this time, it was slightly different.

The preacher had shared from his heart from Mark 10. His topic was Jesus" Sex, Money and Power." He covered the latter two swiftly and easily. Then he tackled the first one - a difficult topic - on marriage, divorce and re-marriage. It was done very well. (You'd have to get the CD to fully appreciate it. If you want it, let me know and I'll see what can be done)

Listening to the message, I felt very thankful for the twenty-six and more years that Hubby and I have had together. In this day and age, where so many marriages have been broken, ours is fast becoming a minority.

So I slipped my hand into his, and as he grabbed mine back, we signaled our love and commitment towards one another, intent on not taking it or one another forgranted.

Speak the Truth in Love

This Valentine, speak the truth in love.

Especially to the ones you love.

But as you speak, use words that are meaningful to the listener. (See PersonalityDiscovery for some tips)

And as you speak, be authentic yourself too.

The ABC's of being a Christian include being

Authentic - being who we are for others to see.

Broken - knowing that without Him we are truly nothing.

Courageous - dare to be who He wants us to be

Have a great day.