The Greatest of these is Love

While living with the Petries in Belgium, one of the things that the Lord really hammered into both Katina and me was His intense, unending, and unconditional love. Most weeks, Rebecca took us through the book of Ephesians, and I believe this (especially chapter 1) is what initially began God's constant reminder of His love for me (us) throughout our time there. I came to think and have to remind myself over and over again, I'm here because He loves me...I'm going through __ because He loves me...

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whome He called He also justfied, and those whom He justified He also glorified."

                                                                                              Romans 8:28-30

Because He loves me, He grants everything in my life, in order that I may be "conformed to the image of His Son". I was reminded of this while I was reading A Basket of Summer Fruit, by Susannah Spurgeon. In Chapter 5 she bases her writing on Deuteronomy 23:5 which says,

"The Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing unto you, because the Lord your God loved you."  

Susannah says of God's love, "It completely solves all doubts, it wipes away all tears, it is a remedy for every fear, a refuge from every distress! No sweeter assurance could fill my trembling heart with joy, no softer resting-place could be found for a weary, heavy-laden sinner."

Susannah quoting "a present day writer": The grace of God is the unhindered, wondrous, boundless love of His heart, poured out upon His people in a countless variety of ways, without stint or measure-not according to our deserving, but according to His infinite heart of love! This I cannot understand-so unfathomable are its heights and depths! God's love is infinitely tender, and self-sacrificing, and devoted, and patient, and eager to lavish its best of gifts and blessings upon the objects of His love..." 

She then quotes Ephesians 3:17-19 and pens a personal prayer to the Lord that His "gracious Spirit may strengthen the eyes of my mind-that I may see something more of the glory and beauty of Your rich grace, and that He may enable the hands of my faith to cling tenaciously to the everlasting consolation which lies in the fact of Your eternal, unchanging, and covenant love in Christ Jesus! When, in response to the skeptical suggestions of my own evil heart, or the malicious insinuations of the enemy of souls, I can confidently say, "All this is because the Lord loved me"..."

One of her quotes led me to search for a hymn-book that her husband put together for his church. It's online for reading and free download here. As I read through some of the endless gems in this hymn-book compiled in 1866 (Read the Preface written by Spurgeon. You won't be sorry.) I came across two that I'd like to share, regarding the love of God and our abiding in Him.

Desiring to Abide with Jesus

Oh, let my Jesus teach me how
I may in Him abide;
From wandering save my foolish heart,
And keep it near Thy side.

Thy side is all the tower I have
To screen me from my foes,
And in that side a fountain is,
Which healeth human woes.

Put round my heart Thy cord of love,
It hath a kindly sway,
But bind me fast, and draw me still,
Still nearer every day.

John Berridge, 1785

It's his love and kindness that draws us and keeps us.

My Heart is Fixed

Now I have found the ground, wherein
Sure my soul's anchor may remain:
The wounds of Jesus for my sin
Before the world's foundation slain;
Whose mercy shall unshaken stay,
When heaven and earth are fled away.

Oh love! bottomless abyss!
My sins are swallowed up in thee;
Cover'd is my unrighteousness,
Nor spot of guilt remains on me.
While Jesus blood, through earth and skies,
Mercy, free, boundless mercy cries!

With faith I plunge me in this sea;
Here is my hope, my joy, my rest!
Hither, when hell assails, I flee,
I look into my Savior's breast;
Away, sad doubt, and anxious fear!
Mercy is all that's written there.

Though waves and storms go o'er my head,
Though strength, and health, and friends 
be gone,
Though joys be withered all, and dead,
Though every comfort be withdrawn;
On this my stedfast soul relies,
Father, Thy mercy never dies.

Fix'd on this ground will I remain,
Though my heart fail, and flesh decay;
This anchor shall my soul sustain,
When earth's foundations melt away;
Mercy's full power I then shall prove
Loved with an everlasting love.

John Andrew Rothe, 1728
Translated by John Wesley, 1740


We've been home for almost two months now and the temptation to forget this truth is gargantuan. We've both 'suffered' some reverse culture shock and have had to remind ourselves of God's goodness to us here in New Mexico. :) Mom's commented on a "restlessness" that she's noticed in both of us. I think both of us have a longing for something more and wonder what's next. There has been so much change within the past 5 months... but really, nothing's changed. The love of our faithful, ever-present God is still the same. He's still in control of our lives, our journey, and our destination. What's available to us in the way of living soaked in His Word and prayer and seeking Him in our weakness is still there, it's just there in a different way, that we must adjust to. He's given us all that we need for life and godliness.

I must say a great big thank you to those of you who've read Katina's and my blog and prayed for us while we were in Belgium. It was such a blessing to see our posts being read. Please do pray for us as we are now back home that we would seek His face. Pray that we would be so soaked and acquainted with His Word. Also, do pray that He would guide our steps.

I still have 500ish pictures to edit and arrange, so stay tuned for several blog posts with pictures from our last couple weeks in Belgium, and our time in Ireland and England. I can't wait to share them with you!

May we all remember and reflect on the scandalous love of our Father this week!