The most basic way we show our love for someone is to give them our attention.
The most basic way we give our attention is to listen to them earnestly.
To love our enemies, then, is to listen with a heart to understand—not merely to find flaws for which to attack.
Miracle in Costco:
Judgemental lady: Ugh. Are you buying FORMULA so you can drink all that WINE?
*Looks at crying twins, stacks of groceries, and sleep deprived tearful wife*
Me: I...
Random stranger: *to me* I got this, bro. *To her* Go fuck yourself.
#faithrestored
If you can still weep with someone crushed of spirit, if you can still laugh with someone whose dream came true, if you can still pray in the bleakest darkness & take one next step in the light, if you still believe Jesus speaks & lean your ear to the page to listen, Satan lost.
Life is brutal.
And beautiful.
And harsh.
And holy.
Jesus is at all times good. He is at all times life, truth, love, light.
He is the way and the way-maker.
He is at all times near, especially to the brokenhearted.
He is joy in tribulation.
He is Immanuel.
He is God with us.
When I’m struggling to forgive someone - and it’s not as seldom as I wish it were, as mean as this world is - if I’ll ask God to give me compassion for the person who wronged me, it amazes me 1) how He goes about it & 2) how effectively it unlocks forgiveness. No lie. Every time.
Jesus loved me knowing I’ve rebelled against the love of God.
Jesus paid the penalty for sin, so I wouldn’t have to.
Jesus rose from the dead because I couldn’t.
Jesus advocates before the Father on my behalf.
Jesus goes to make a place for me, so I will have eternal place.
A friendly cyberawareness reminder that this Royal Wedding 'Royal Name' meme thing is quite literally asking for the most commonly selected online access/recovery Security Questions.
DON'T FALL FOR IT.