Creating, collecting, and sharing thoughts and ideas. And learning along the way.
Faith of a Friend: An Excellent Sunday Sermon
Because-I-Can and Why-Ever-Not Biryani: That’s Why!
Reflecting on Life with a Latte
The Moment You Succumb in the Mall
“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”
It’s a strange thing, this love. I truly cannot comprehend it at times. It is definitely a supernatural thing because human beings cannot love like this. We even have trouble understanding it. But we sure can recognize it when we see it because it is so unreal. And yet, even such recognition is not in full but in part because it is so enormous and all-encompassing to the point of overwhelming us. How can God love me like this? Why would he choose to? I don’t know. But I accept it with a grateful heart. Do you?
“By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. “They looked all over and couldn’t find him because God had taken him.” We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken “he pleased God.” It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.”
This is a most mysterious account – the idea that this man Enoch disappeared into thin air and “skipped death completely.” I do not understand it, but find the notion terribly intriguing. I doubt that I would please God in the way that Enoch did, but that should not prevent me from continuing to try… What about you?
Neat: How I Like My Burger, i.e., Bunless
While You’re Waiting…
