Category: reflections

A few thoughts on the 4th of July

My friend Angus Mathie over in Scotland sent me a question a few weeks back…

I am preaching at a local church, coincidentally, on the fourth of July. I have been reading from a photograph of the Declaration of Independence. I realize that I am asking a lot but is it possible to inform me what this Day means to you as a US citizen and how does the average person celebrate the Day?

I do not want to put you to a lot of trouble but I am really interested in your point of view. Please don’t be concerned about my reaction to anything you would say as I don’t cherish Britain’s colonial past at all.
With love, Angus.

Thought I’d share my thoughts here as well…
Continue reading A few thoughts on the 4th of July

Where love is — fear won’t tread

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I’ve been thinking a good deal about love and fear lately.

A couple thoughts that got things flowing in my mind…

Where love is fear won’t tread

– David Barnes

Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear?

– Bono

The idea brings up a lot of questions rolling around in my head. And hopefully some answers as well.

What is it that I fear?

My greatest fear is claustrophobia, but I also fear something happening to Laurie, the babies or my family. Occasionally I can be overcome with a fear of heights.

Can these be overcome by love?

I believe so. When I have someone who loves me and assures me that they’re their by my side — my fear will dissipate and I’ll be comforted by my loved one.

What about other fears?

Fear of threat from enemies, fear of strangers, fear of the unknown, fear of immigrants and the Taliban?

How about gays, democrats and Obama?

I truly believe love can drown out those fears as well.

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.

1 John 4:16-21

So what’s the take home?

Should we fear anything?

Imagine if we experienced this kind of love everyday — perfect love.

Would you fear anything?

And once we’ve experienced this kind of perfect love — imagine if we shared it with the world around us.

Imagine if we loved in such a way that our spouses lived without fear… That our best friends lived without fear… That our neighbors lived without fear… And that our enemies lived without fear.

What would that do to your marriage, your neighborhood, your world?

Amazing!

We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us.

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear.

Wear sunscreen

Sometimes you just need a reminder of what matters in life.

Love this video version of the song “Wear Sunscreen” — a 10 year tribute to the song by Ki’une on PickupDance.

Like the song suggests (and some friends have recently commented) I’m still waiting to find out what I’ll do with my life. Here’s to hoping I’ll be one of those “most interesting 40 year olds” in 9 years or so.