The Chance for Real Love

“’For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.” John 3:16-17

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (full, perfect and complete payment) for our sins. – We love because He first loved us.” I John 4:10, 19

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“Can I be loved by creatures whom I have not programmed to adore Me forever? Can love arise out of freedom? What if I create being in My own image as a Creator, beings who are free? But if I introduce freedom into this universe, I take the risk of introducing Evil into it as well, for if they are free, then they are free to deviate from My will.

“What if out of every occasion of evil, I respond with an unimaginable good, a good that overwhelms Evil by springing out of the very attempts of evil to deny the Good. What if I join with them in the world of limitation and form, the world of suffering and Evil? (by Loren Eisley in The Star Thrower) *

God knew the struggle that would result with freedom, but He risked it because He would rather do that than live without YOU...that is how great His love is for YOU and He longs for your love in return.

Take care to understand His Word. Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New Request: Casey, for support through some very difficult life changes; Sue, recovered from cancer, now battling with a rare & related condition (paraneoplastic syndrome). Earl, with cancer, needs bone marrow & for Lyle who may be a match. Adrian for loss of a special friend.

Praise: Leslie has completed her chemo and no signs of cancer remain. Thanks to all who prayed faithfully. Freddy came home to see his mom! David (great health now!); Nancy (with head trauma) has passed 6 month mark and doing well. The other Nancy continues her battle with Ovarian Cancer

Thanksgiving for: Reg, Carla and Paul.

Continue to pray for: Tim & Barb (need work & encouragement as they wait); Deb, special friend with multiple Myeloma, Isaias (family safety & his mission work in Philippines); Adrian with significant life changes. God’s grace on USA. Wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, David, Poetry and Gary. Rape victim, hit & run victim; Michael (his mum grows more frail); Randy (unexpected changes in his life). For Kevin (wisdom with his son).

*Disappointment With God, by Philip Yancey