The Bible uses the phrase "God is love" (1 John 4), and Christians do believe that this is true. However, if you go to a Christian church you are more likely to hear what God doesn't love about us, or what we need to do in order to live up to God's standards, then you are to hear how much God loves us. My friend Graham pointed this out to me the other day and it struck me. If we look in the Bible we find a lot about what we need to do in order to become better people. If we go to church and hear only about what we need to do in order to become better people, are we missing something? Maybe we are. The problem with only hearing this is that it can lead to legalism and/or guilt. I think what we could be missing is the basis for all the morals and behaviors that are spoken of in the Bible. The basis is his love. I believe that God has made a way for us to be imperfect and still have a relationship with him. I believe that we can not do ANYTHING that can separate us from his love...but, God loves us so much that he wants what is best for us, he knows that living with good morals and with correct behavior will actually make our life better. Maybe it isn't about living to please him, maybe it all goes back to how much he loves us and wants the best for us.
I have been absent from posting for a few weeks mostly for one reason. I broke my hand. I know, I know it is possible to type with one hand...but I found it incredibly frustrating to do so, I can't stand hunting and pecking! Especially with my left hand. How did I injure my hand? I am glad you asked, since I have only told the story about 1000 times in the last two weeks, so you are lucky number 1001. I was in Pinawa at some natural waterslides close to the old Pinawa Dam(n!). I was there with a bunch of youth leaders as part of a leadership retreat that we were doing. We were having a great time going down the rapids on the (relatively?!) smooth rocks for about 45 minutes. My friend Jason and I decided that it would be a great idea to go down on a tube, together. My friend Matt held the tube for us as we got on and released us down the rapids (I mention names here because there is a pending lawsuit, and I am still not sure who is at fault...Jason for rolling off the tube ...
Comments
"the shack" and it brought me to that place even more.