Copacetic

... charming, delightful & peachy keen

  • 29th February
    2012
  • 29
Post

I believe that shame produces nothing, creates nothing, and leads to nothing. However, when someone loses hope and some crazy second chance person comes into their life, things start to change. The best thing we can do when someone fails is to run to him or her and infuse so much hope, to a ridiculous level, to the point that he or she can see a sunlit future again.

God hasn’t called us to “repeat the obvious,” that people have sinned (…pretty sure they know it), but to show them a bright future which they never dreamed possible.

Best blog post I’ve read in ages. 

(Source: matthewbarnett.com)

  • 19th May
    2011
  • 19
  • 19th May
    2011
  • 19
  • 10th May
    2011
  • 10
Post
I’m learning that you can’t microwave spiritual formation. We want the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness to be evident tomorrow. But I think there is a reason that Jesus likens our spiritual growth to trees (Jesus said, ‘I am the vine and you are the branches’). Because it’s a process and sometimes a slow one.

A quote from Pastor Pete Wilson’s blog Without Wax, yesterday’s post. I’ve been marinating in this since last night when i read it. This phrase grabbed me: “you can’t microwave spiritual formation.”

Like a lot of Christians, i beat up on myself pretty good when i mess up, especially when i’ve made the same mistake over & over & over again. It’s a defeating feeling that leads you nowhere good. And it’s antithetical to what God’s word teaches us about growth in Him. What a relief it is to know others struggle with the same issues i struggle with, even Pastors. More importantly, what a blessing it is to learn once again that growth is a process and that God loves me despite my failures & colossal imperfections.

  • 23rd December
    2010
  • 23
Post

Come Home

I’ve been reading several different Advent devotionals this Christmas season, but one in particular from Pastor Rick Warren (of Saddleback Church & Purpose Driven Life fame) really stuck with me. It’s just a powerful, simple & beautiful message of love that i pray is a blessing to all who read it.

Come Home to God’s Love and Forgiveness 
 by Rick Warren

Nothing in all creation is able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.Romans 8:39 (NIV)

“Christmas proves that God loves you!”

Did you know that your heavenly Father wants you to come home this Christmas? It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done or how long you’ve done it.  God says, “I want you to come home to My love and My forgiveness.” That’s what Christmas is all about.

What would keep you from doing that?  What would keep you from coming home to God’s love and forgiveness? The fear of rejection. 

You may think, “God wouldn’t want me now. I’m too far away from God. I’ve been away too long. I’ve done too many things He probably wouldn’t approve of.” 

If that’s what you think, you’re dead wrong! Romans 8:39 (NIV) says, ”Nothing in all creation is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.” God doesn’t care who you are or what you’ve done or how long you’ve done it. He still loves you and wants to forgive you. 

But how do you know God loves you? Christmas proves it. God came to earth in a human form - Jesus Christ - to show that he loves you and wants to forgive you.  The Bible says, ”God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we can have eternal life through Him. This is real love. He sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:9-10 NLT).

Here’s how you know that Scripture is true: Jesus didn’t stay in a little cradle in the manger. He grew up. He went from the cradle to the cross.

On the cross with His arms outstretched He said, in essence,“I’d rather die than live without you.”  That’s how much God loves you. Christ left His home in heaven and came to earth to show His love for you and to pay for your sins so that you could be forgiven and come home to Him. 

That’s real love. That’s the reason for Christmas.

Wishing everyone the joy & love that only comes from Christ and may you all have a very Merry Christmas, from my family to yours!