Comments on: Feb. 24: Unexplainable love

By: Elizabeth S.O.

Elizabeth S.O. — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:07:50 +0000

@Ella – I’m sorry to hear about your loss. I will keep you and Brad (6) in my prayers. I have never met either of you, but I believe that we are all part of one spiritual community, and that we belong to each other.

By: Shirley Hsu

Shirley Hsu — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:17:08 +0000

Thank you, Karina! I would just like to offer a prayer and a word of encouragement to Brad (6 above): keep on keeping on with putting your trust in God!

By: Agnes

Agnes — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:47:32 +0000

The image of the Spirit descending like a dove and God”s affirming message of “You are my Son, the Beloved are beautiful comforting and inspiring images which are then followed by the harsher image of the “Spirit immediately” driving Jesus into the wilderness. This morning I reflected on the many times in my life that I been totally at peace, feeling the presence of the spirit and hearing the affirming message of God ,“You are my child with you I am well pleased.” And then I have immediately been driven into the wilderness of chaos, of a hurting world and unexpected challenges. And I ask myself, does following the way of Jesus mean learning to love the dance between contentment in feeling the presence of the Spirit and God and struggling in the wilderness?

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:54:26 +0000

My mother was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 1993 and endured 12 surgeries over the following 8 years until her death in 2001. Toward the end of her life she made a statement that has stuck with me to this day. I was riding the elevator with her after the doctor informed her that the cancer had returned and was now in her lungs too. We were the only two in the elevator and she looked at me and said, “Brad, where do you go when what’s killing you is living inside of you?”
My mother’s question would return to me three years later when I was in my second treatment for alcoholism and was told that what I have is a primary, progressive, and incurable brain disorder.
It’s in my brain? Yes.
I have it even when I’m not drinking? Yes.
There’s no cure for it? No.
That’s not good news. No it isn’t. .
I don’t feel safe. You shouldn’t , you aren’t
“Where do you go when what’s killing you lives inside you?”
Lent is God answering my mother’s question by saying, “Exactly, you’re dying, life is not safe, neither is faith in me, it’s not about safety. That’s what tonight is about for me. That’s why I like the season of Lent so much. It begins with ashes, it confirms my diagnosis, that I am mortal, that what’s killing me (whether alcoholism or sin or my fallen nature or life itself) is living inside of me.
Lent is Jesus calling me to follow him into the desert, away from safety and into uncertainty, away from myself and into him, away from my fear of death and into a greater mystery; the wilderness life which is faith in him.

By: Mervyn Carapiet

Mervyn Carapiet — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:40:42 +0000

Well put, Karina. The only power I know God to have is the power of his faithful love that creates and sanctifies. May this love be upon you and me.
Mervyn Carapiet

By: Ruth

Ruth — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:22:07 +0000

You chose two very special signs of God’s love to his son, and as you said, we, too, can experience God’s love and peace in whatever life brings. It is indeed Good News. Thanks for sharing.

By: Ella

Ella — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:50:04 +0000

“This is an unexplainable love, a powerful love. This love can be beaten down, yet it still rises and wins the day. This love is the greatest force in the world, yet it does not threaten, break apart or destroy. This force brings us together and heals us.”
Your words are so wise and comforting for me this morning as I continue to mourn and grieve the death of my beloved husband and best friend. Thanks for sharing your gifts.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:32:22 +0000

Exactly what I need to be reminded of – God’s never ending love – and that I am God’s beloved child, in whom He is well pleased.

By: Sandy Stuckey

Sandy Stuckey — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:23:07 +0000

Thanks for shaing God’s word of love Karina. It was great to wake up and read the devotional written by someone I know!! May God’s love and peace be yours today!