You Are My Life

 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 (KJV)

 

What does it mean to lay down one’s life for one’s friends?  How does Jesus demonstrate this “greatest love”?  Who do you believe loves you in this way?  Who do you love in this way?  How do you want to grow in order to love in the greatest way love can be?

 

The following story is a true story by Viraj Bhandare found athttp://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/stories.cgi?record=131

There was a boy in India who was sent by his parents to a boarding school. Before being sent away this boy was the brightest student in his class. He was at the top in every competition. He was a champion. 

But the boy changed after leaving home and attending the boarding school. His grades started dropping. He hated being in a group. He was lonely all the time. And there were especially dark times when he felt like committing suicide. All of this because he felt worthless and that no one loved him.



His parents started worrying about the boy. But even they did not know what was wrong with him. So his dad decided to travel to the boarding school and talk with him.



They sat on the bank of the lake near the school. The father started asking him casual questions about his classes, teachers and sports. After some time his dad said, 'Do you know son, why I am here today?" 

The boy answered back, "to check my grades?" 

"No, no" his dad replied, "I am here to tell you that you are the most important person for me. I want to see you happy. I don't care about grades. I care about you. I care about your happiness. YOU ARE MY LIFE." 

These words caused the boy's eyes to fill with tears. He hugged his dad. They didn't say anything to each other for a long time.



Now the boy had everything he wanted. He knew there was someone on this earth who cared for him deeply. He meant the world to someone. And today this young man is in college at the top of his class and no one has ever seen him sad! 



Thanks a lot dad. YOU ARE MY LIFE.

 

Laying down your life for your friends is as simple as letting a friend, a family member, any loved one at all know that he/she is your life!  Open your heart to the Spirit’s presence that surrounds you and listen.  Can you hear Jesus softy whispering in your ear, “You are my life.”  He has saved your life with his love; imagine how many people you might save with yours!

With hope and joy,

Garrett

Thanksgiving & Making Peace

"So when you offer your gift to God at the altar, and you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there at the altar. Go and make peace with that person, and then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24 (NCV)

 

Who has something against you?  Who do you have something against?  Have you tried to make peace with that person?  Why would Jesus say we must make peace before we can offer our gifts to God?  What does peace look like?  Is peace a gift to God?

 

The following story came from an unknown author in an e-mail to me:

I grew up in the '50s with very practical parents.  A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it.  My father was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a housedress, lawn mower in one hand, dishtowel in the other.  It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.  But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away... never to return.  So, while we have it... it's best we love it... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken... and heal it when it's sick.  This is true for marriage... and old cars... and children with bad report cards... and dogs with bad hips... and aging parents... and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

 

We make peace because our brothers and sisters are worth it!  Our friends and family will not last forever, so it’s best to make peace quick.  God will always be there to give our gifts too, so He wants a different gift first.  The gift of knowing His children are at peace with one another!  This Thanksgiving we must not offer our thanks to God before we have made peace with those who have something against us!

Our "Yes" Face

He said: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my Savior.  My God is my rock.  I can run to him for safety.  He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender and my place of safety.  The Lord saves me from those who want to harm me.” – 2 Samuel 22:2-3 (NCV)

 

How is God your rock?  Do you run to God for safety?  How have you witnessed God saving you from those who would do you harm?  What is life like when you rely on God in this way? 

 

The following story was told by Chuck Swindoll:

During Thomas Jefferson's presidency he and a group of travelers were crossing a river that had overflowed its banks. Each man crossed on horseback fighting for his life. A lone traveler watched the group traverse the treacherous river and then asked President Jefferson to take him across. The president agreed without hesitation, the man climbed on, and the two made it safely to the other side of the river where somebody asked him: "Why did you select the President to ask this favor?" The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the President of the United States who had carried him safely across. "All I know," he said, "is that on some of your faces was written the answer 'No' and on some of them was the answer 'Yes.' His was a 'Yes' face."

 

Those who know that God is their rock always have a “Yes” face!  Life throws many things our way.  When bad things happen some react with fear, and others know that they can run to God for safety, for He is their Savior.  When we know God in this way others will say of us,  “All I know is that on your face is written the answer ‘Yes.’”

With hope and joy,

Garrett

Being Interviewed by FOX

Dear all,

I was interviewed by the local FOX News station about the problems of sexual addiction.  Not my best hair day however.

http://www.wfxl.com/news/video.aspx?id=219793