The Way of Love
If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love...
Love is patient and kind.
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
It does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable,
It keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice
But rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up,
Never loses faith,
Is always hopeful,
Endures through every circumstance,
Love will last forever!
~1 Corinthians 13~
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
It does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable,
It keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice
But rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up,
Never loses faith,
Is always hopeful,
Endures through every circumstance,
Love will last forever!
~1 Corinthians 13~
On this Thankful Thursday I want to thank God for the “Love of God” that was the power that bound us together tonight at church. We locked hands all across the sanctuary as we prayed. Some of us wept, some lifted up hands to heaven, others poured out their hearts to God, and others bowed down and gave praise. Our Pastor’s son (who is the Youth Pastor) lost his precious 27-year-old wife after a year long battle with cancer. They had only been married for three years. Another Pastor from across town shut down his services to come and be with us, just to show (along with his whole congregation) how much they loved us. He shared a message that when faith has come to an end, and hope is shattered; the Love of God still stands strong...
I am so thankful for the beautiful Body of Christ. And for knowing that when one member suffers we all suffer, and bear one another’s burdens. It is this great Love that God has placed in our hearts for one another that carries us through the most difficult days. His love will never fail.
I am so thankful for the beautiful Body of Christ. And for knowing that when one member suffers we all suffer, and bear one another’s burdens. It is this great Love that God has placed in our hearts for one another that carries us through the most difficult days. His love will never fail.
If you would like to read what other thankful hearts are saying today please go stop Iris' Sting My Heart today.
~Happy Valentine's Day~
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34 comments:
Such a precious thankful post, thanks for sharing. Happy valentines day.
Paul's discourse on love is the greatest. It is a wonderful Bible passage.
When I read your blog, I can sense God's presence in your writing. I can picture Him sitting next to you, guiding your fingers on the keyboard.
Happy Valentine's Day
It sounds like you have a really neat church filled with believers. It's so wonderful that another church came to support you all. Even in the midst of such sadness, you can find things to be thankful for.
Thanks for sharing Susan such a love passage from the Bible. Happy Valentines Day. hugs...
i'm actually in tears. this has moved me especially the first quote from the bible.
thank you for inspiring me.
i'm glad i have found inspiring and grateful people
Morning Sniffles
Good Morning Susan,
"HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY & THANKFUL THURSDAY"~!!!! "THANK YOU" for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit. You are always Welcome at my place anytime. I enjoyed reading your TT post. It is so true about GOD'S LOVE for us. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.
Hugs,
Karen H.
thank you for sharing a lovely passage from the Bible . . . happy valentine's day
Susan,
THAT must have been amazing to witness....I love Paul's words on LOVE...they bring tears EACH time I read them...it's LOVE...ALL ABOUT LOVE...
You blessed me with this post....again....ever tire of hearing me say that:)
it was simply beautiful!!
hugs,
lori
Wonderful post, Susan! God's love is so awesome and extravagant! Thanks for sharing. Happy Valentine's Day!
Perfect for Valentine's. These verses are few of my favorites. Happy Valentine's day!
Thanks Susan, I am glad to be back! I added you to my favorites, too!! Have a great day!
What a GREAT Thankful Thursday post.
Have a wonderful, Valentine's Day.
Beautiful thankful post on this Valentines Day... yes how thankful I am too for the love of God! His love makes life worth living... Happy Valentines day to you and your family!
This was a very powerful post. It gave me goosebumps. It sounds like you are in a wonderful church! I love that portion of ! Corinthians as well. The minister who married us preached a sermon on that at our wedding...I was planning on just having him read the verses but he ended up preaching! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I am glad to "know" you. Happy Valentine's Day!
Truly a description of love, both in the Scripture and story of your church and community. I ache for the suffering, but rejoice that there is a place we can look forward to filled with eternal healing.
Happy Valentine's Day!
You have a very nice blog. I loved your TT post! You have a great way with words. Loved the Bible verses. Happy Valentine's Day! God Bless~
Oh, my goodness, Susan.May the Lord be with your Pastor's family and with your church family. What a precious time you all must have had together. Thanks for sharing the best kind of love this Valentine's Day.
Thank you for your moving and powerful post. It was what I needed.
Kathy b
Wow Susan. What a family of believers - joined together and united by love. Such a great example for us all. Praying for your pastor's son. I can't imagine the pain.
Love how the love of God can penetrate through the pain of death and loss. Glad to know you are standing on the strength of God's love.
Hugs, my friend. God loves you.
How beautifully said!
God's love is the most perfect and pure of all :)
You are obviously part of a very special church. I feel terrible for the young man who lost his wife, but it is good to know he has the loving support of so many.
thanks for sharing. happy valentines day! =D
What a beautiful post of how the church can be the church! My heart goes out to all of you, especially this young mand and his family!
This kind of tragedy can only be overcome by the hope and comfort of God and his people. I'm so heartened to read how your church is supporting this young pastor in his loss. Some of the days to come will seem very long...
I never grow tired of hearing I Cor. 13, do you? I could read this passage over and over. Sometimes I replace "love" with "Jesus"... Jesus is patient and kind. Jesus is not jealous or boastful or proud...
Hugs,
e-Mom
OH how precious. I can't imagine what your pastor's son is going through.
I always love your posts Susan, you do nothing put push me closer to the love of my life...Jesus Christ my Saviour.
Love you, my sister in Christ,
Lelia
Hi Susan,
Thank you for stopping by my blog and thank you for the birthday wish. And, yes, Lelia is a doll! She encouraged me to keep writing on here and I've met some amazing women.
I am so sorry about your pastor's son and daughter-in-law. You are right, thank God for the body of Christ and our Lord Jesus who will see them through.
You have a beautiful family. I only have one son....I don't know how you could afford to feed five! :)
Aren't boys wonderful though. My son is precious.
I'll be checking in on your blog again very soon.
Thanks again!
Valerie
Susan,
Awesome post as always. I wish I could have been there as you all prayed. What a moment before the throne that would have been.
Love you, Lynn
Hi, Susan. I have followed your blogging for a year or more now -- starting with Jordan's Caringbridge site that I found from another child's site I was following at the time.
I have never ceased to be blessed by something you have written each time I visit.
After reading your post tonight, I felt I needed to come out of lurkdom and tell that I could so feel God's presence as I read. Being a part of church that comes together as you describe is so very special! I am thankful God has blessed you and your family with these people.
What a very special post and what an awesome church family. I am praying for your pastor's son - it is always so hard to lose the ones we love.
I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day with the ones you love! And I hope you are feeling better soon!
Love & FROG,
Heather
What a powerful expression of love from a pastor to shut down his service to be with your congregation in a time like this. I am so sorry that your youth pastor lost his wife at such a young age...
Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart despite the loss in your church family.
Blessings to you and yours.
Psalm 27 (New Living Translation)
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord
the thing I seek most
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.
7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, Come and talk with me.
And my heart responds, Lord, I am coming.
9 Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.
11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
12 Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Hello, My Precious Friend! I wanted to stop by and say hello. I was reading through some Psalms earlier and ran across this one. It's one of my absolute FAVORITES! YOU are an EXCELLENT example of one who has placed her trust in GOD. You are ALWAYS giving GLORY to HIM and are PRAISING HIS NAME in EVERY situation! I'm SO THANKFUL to have a Titus 2 woman like you in my life.
I LOVE & MISS YOU BUNCHES!!!
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