No, I'm not dead - not technically

Not much going on here recently, but I wrote a little devotional for our weekly church e-mail newsletter. And I'm prompted to post it here. It's not profound, just true. Maybe someone randomly passing by will read it and find it helpful:

In preparation for this, I realized there’s tons of things I could write about – from the second successful Wall Build this year at Liberty 10 days ago to the Fall Season of Adult Discipleship where people are digging into their faith – knowing & engaging God and the world – and so many things in between. But instead of focusing on the great things being done – this week I want to share with you one simple thought, from three wildly different sources. First, from the famous theologian, pastor, author Henri Nouwen:

Knowing God’s heart means consistently, radically, and very concretely to announce and reveal that God is love and only love, and that every time fear, isolation, or despair begin to invade the human soul this is not something that comes from God. This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without any conditions or limits. (Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus)

Second, from singer/songwriter and worship leader Matt Redman:

This is how we know, This is how we know what love is
Just one look at Your cross
And this is where we see, This is where we see how love works
For You surrendered Your all
And this is how we know, That You have loved us first
This is where we chose, To love You in return
For You so loved the world, That You gave Your only Son
Love amazing, so divine, We will love You in return
For this life that You give, For this death that You have died
Love amazing, so divine, We will love You in reply, Lord
(Redman, This is How we know)

And third, from God himself:

“Pssst! I Love YOU!”
(Bible – esp John 3:16; 17:22-24, Romans 5:5-8; 8:35-39, Colossians 3:12-14)

If everything else goes by the wayside this week – if nothing is crossed off your “to do” list, you disappoint people all around you and you feel physically ill – just remember those three words from God...