I recently discovered that I had begun to believe in a sort of trinity. For a girl who cut her teeth on "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism," Acts 2:38 and Deuteronomy 6:4, this was a difficult conclusion to draw!
First in line was the God would would forgive sinners for any and everything. He was powerful and loving, the personification of a merciful father, the epitome of forgiveness, the man who wasn't afraid of getting dirt on his hands from digging sinners out of the mud.
Next came the God Who could forgive my brothers and sisters in Christ even when they fell and landed smack dab on the less-than-pretty parts of their anatomy. He was a loving Father, waiting with outstretched arms and perhaps a few short lectures.
Last came the God Who could forgive me. He was stern. His face was disappointed. His love was meted out stingily. His expectations of me were low, and his arms were crossed, wondering when I'd fall again, uncertain if I deserved to be forgiven.
Then I fell. The mire surrounded me, threatening to overwhelm me. I bowed my head and cried out tearfully, almost fearfully, to the God with crossed arms and limited love. He refused to answer. I deferred to the God of my friends, hoping that perhaps I could endure the lecture and be restored. He did not come.
In desperation, I appealed to the God of the sinner. He heard me. He lifted my face and wiped the muddy tears. It was in that moment that I realized that the same God who lifts the sinner restores the fallen. He forgives His children with the same forgiveness that He forgives the worst of the sinners. He is the same God. I receive the same love when I bow my head before that same God whose arms are open to me.
Thank you, Jesus for Your unconditional love. You are perfect. Help me to strive for maturity in You while always remembering that You are always with me, ready to pick me up and help keep me going in the right direction if I fall. You are indeed the "Lifter of my head."
I love you, Jesus.
Yes, I still believe in "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" but now I know assuredly that there is only "...One God and FATHER OF ALL." I am His child. He has opened His arms to me, and I'm ready for my Abba's hug.
-Elona
Wow! Beautiful!! Very uplifting and encouraging Elona! Excellent! :great:
Thank you. 'twas heartfelt indeed.
exactly.
Amen sister!! You just keep preaching it!!! YOu never know when something that you write on God place for Jesus Can Effect someones lifE!! Keep it real!!!
Wow. That was very thought-provoking.
ST
That was awesome.
Holding my place so I can read this after work.
I am so glad there is Church tonight.... YAY
:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:
:crockett:
WOW! Very good and though provoking indeed.
Quote from: almondjoy on June 07, 2008, 10:46:49 PM
WOW! Very good and though provoking indeed.
**HUGS** AJ
:)
**HUGS** AJ, too
**HUGS** Eric cuz it 'pears that he's lurking in my thread
/me hugs elona tight, and then tighter, and then tighter even still...
i miss you gal...
**HUGS** sunlight just cuz
I miss you, too, but I don't think the high has worn off enough for me to insert a sadbounce yet. I'm still going through pictures and gathering memories and such. :grin: Maybe I'll sadbounce later.
Here...Ill do it for you.
:sadbounce:
**HUGS** the :sadbounce: ing MelMel
Quote from: RainbowJingles on June 10, 2008, 07:32:47 AM
**HUGS** AJ, too
**HUGS** Eric cuz it 'pears that he's lurking in my thread
*grin*
Quote from: EricShane on June 12, 2008, 06:32:08 AM
Quote from: RainbowJingles on June 10, 2008, 07:32:47 AM
**HUGS** AJ, too
**HUGS** Eric cuz it 'pears that he's lurking in my thread
*grin*
**double grin** :coollook: :highfive:
***triple grin***
***triple HUGS***
LOL
Bump.....As someone was looking for this, decided to bring it to everyone's attention.
Quote from: nwlife on January 11, 2009, 07:43:30 AM
Bump.....As someone was looking for this, decided to bring it to everyone's attention.
Thank you, because I missed it before and it was well worth the time to read and digest it.
Thank you, gentlemen.
:thumbsup2: :great: :thumbsup2: :great: :thumbsup2:
Wow.
Taco, did God tell you to bump this thread?
Regardless, thanks. I needed to read this again.
:beret:
Quote from: SippinTea on May 04, 2010, 03:56:29 PM
Wow.
Taco, did God tell you to bump this thread?
Regardless, thanks. I needed to read this again.
:beret:
:grin: :grin:
same here... Rereads are great at times... and sometimes timely.
**HUGS** Chel and Ruby and Jason
Twice (cuz there are 6 people in the group hug)
:grouphug: