I LOVE YOU, TOO!

This one I can’t say was my revelation but it was too good not to share! Beth Moore, who I have learned to respect over the past few years gets the credit for this one. She shared during one of her studies that during one of her prayer times she received the following revelation from God. God told her that instead of saying “I love You” to Him, she should start the practice of saying “I love You, too”. Now let that sink in for a minute…

The God of the Universe has just asked you and me via Beth Moore to declare our love to Him…but not first…but in response! Now the implication is clear…if God is telling us to add the word “too” to the end of our expression of love, then that means He must have said it first. WOW! We love Him because He first loved us…we did not choose Him, but He chose us! You can’t get more Biblical than that! Besides…is that not the Gospel in a nutshell. GOD has told the world He loves them…more accurately shown the world He loves them through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son and all He is asking in return is “I love You, too”.
Now granted…it takes more than words…we must love with our actions, but isn’t it mind-blowing that GOD has truly sent out a love letter to each of us in this world – past, present and future – and our response to that love letter is the focal point of His heart?!

Besides that – doesn’t the pure, unadulterated love of the Holy One do wonders for our self esteem? IF He counts us worthy to pay the highest price – then how different should we view ourselves. We are not only fearfully and wonderfully made…we are wonderfully LOVED. So you…the unlovable one…the judgemental one…the hyprocritical one…the immature one…YOU ARE LOVED!!! Chew on that…and my prayer for us as we go forward in this incredible journey of life is that we will, with EVERYTHING that we are be able to say to GOD in truth…I LOVE YOU, TOO…

The Cellar

     On Easter, I found myself at the break of dawn at the Indian Orthodox Church.  From the moment I got there, I found myself wondering what I was doing there...I teach Sunday School there, but there wasn't going to be any Sunday School that day because of the Easter service.  As I walked in procession - three times around the inside of the church, I really started regretting the fact that I was there.  Then, four hours into the service, I heard a story that rocked my world and moved me to tears...ugly cry tears!
     It was about "the Cellar".  A famous author went into his family's cellar when he was very young, only to be trapped inside.  For some reason the lock on the door broke and he couldn't get out.  Now there were no lights...pitch black darkness...at once the boy began to scream in hopes that he would be heard.  For awhile there was no one to come to his rescue.  He described it as being the scariest moment of his childhood.  Then, the voice of his father came piercing through the darkness.  He reassured him that everything was going to be ok.  He told him that a locksmith was on the way to get him out, but that he wouldn't leave him alone in the darkness.  The author described this as the happiest moment in his childhood.  Although the darkness remained, because he heard his father's voice...and they continued in conversation until the locksmith came, he had no reason to fear...he just enjoyed his father's presence...
    I was balling...but I didn't care...reason being...I have been in the cellar.  DARKNESS all around...no help in sight...and screaming from the inside out for anyone to come help me...for my heavenly Father to come help me.  And although it was silent for what seems like a looooong time...my Father came at just the right time.  And even though I doubted Him...He came.  He reassured me that though the darkness may not be lifted...He would never leave me nor forsake me.  He reassured me that soon the lock would be fixed and the light would come rushing in.  My Savior, Jesus, would rescue me from this world and take me to be with Him.  And now, I have hope again - PRAISE JESUS.  Now I enjoy the fellowship of my God, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.  THERE IS NO GREATER THING!!  So what was my darkest moments, has brought me to an intimacy and trust of my God, that no matter what...I know He will never let me down...

Psalm 116

 ¹ I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
   he heard my cry for mercy.
² Because he turned his ear to me,
   I will call on him as long as I live.

I will call on Him as long as I live...He is our only hope in a dark, dark world...listen for His voice, and just enjoy His presence till He returns or calls you home...

Resurrection Day!

Well...here goes another attempt at sharing the story that God has been writing in and through my life over the past 31 years...am I old now?!  Anyway, I digress...Jesus has been so faifthul and even though I have gone through the "dark night of the soul", he has shown me unending love and amazing grace!  So I must share...kinda like Jeremiah...the word is pushing to get from the inside out! 
So what should I write about...well today is officially Easter in my little piece of heaven and earth, so why not reflect on the Resurrection?!  Went to Christ Fellowship (church in Palm Beach Gardens) and was overtaken by God's love and the testimony of His people.  They managed to incorporate several people's testimony into the service and I couldn't help but rejoice that the same God that saved them has saved me...and you by the way! 
His invitation stands to the whole world, but we must respond...and respond is what I have done...am doing...and will do as the story of my life unfolds.  Faithless...yet He is faithful.  And "Love so amazing, so divine...demands my soul, my life, my all!!"