Well, I’m off again to the upper Midwest. I’ll be in the Chicago area and then into Wisconsin over the next few days meeting with two communities of believers I’ve never met before. I always look forward to seeing what God might be doing in such locales. There’s an anticipation in my heart about what might be ahead this weekend.
I am also reading through George W. Bush’s Decision Points these days. As many of you know the Bush presidency was one of the greatest disappointments in political affairs. He came into office talking about being a uniter and not a divider, and then had one of the most divisive administrations of my lifetime, just like the president before him. But I always want to hear a man’s story from his side of things, and not just as he was filtered through the media. The book had been interesting, though I am sad at many of the decisions he ended up making.
I did like this quote when talking about his growing up in the love of his parents:
“When you know you have unconditional love, there is no point in rebellion and no need to fear failure.”
While I don’t use the term “unconditional love” myself (because I don’t think there is any such thing as conditional love), I understand what people mean by it. To be truly loved just for who we are is the place where transformation begins. Real love disarms the need for rebellion, because it doesn’t seek to control. And real love is not based on performance so you don’t need to fear failure.
Imagine if all God’s people knew that reality about his love! There’s no need to seek your own way, when you realize how loved you are. And you don’t have to be afraid of making decisions because he is going to love you through your failures. And there is no mistake you can make that is so big that Jesus can’t be in it with you to redeem it for his purpose.
I honestly believe this is the kind of freedom Galatians 5 is talking about. It isn’t the freedom to indulge my flesh, but the joy of living in the reality of his love and that alone will disarm all the lies and appetites of the flesh…
That’s a wonderful quote from an unexpected source! And I loved your thoughts, Wayne. Not sure what you mean when you say that you don’t think there is such a thing as “conditional love.” We’re so used to hearing the term “unconditional love” when referring to God’s love for us and ours towards others. Can you unwrap your thoughts a bit more on this?
Conditional love isn’t love. Oxymoron.. True love is only unconditional. Just my thoughts. I was not surprised that Bush would say this quote. His parents were very loving and supportive to him throughout his life, along with his wife. No need for rebellion and no need for fear makes sense. Di
Dave, when i read it my thought was that if it’s conditional, can it really be love? Unconditional being the nature of real love.
Wayne, thanks for quote and your comments below it. This is exactly where God has led me and what i now live by with His constant help. Thank you for expressing it so simply and so well.
Wish i could come & visit with you here in Wisconsin, but i am way up north from where you will be….all God’s best for your trip.
Does it include connect the dot pictures?
That’s a wonderful quote from an unexpected source! And I loved your thoughts, Wayne. Not sure what you mean when you say that you don’t think there is such a thing as “conditional love.” We’re so used to hearing the term “unconditional love” when referring to God’s love for us and ours towards others. Can you unwrap your thoughts a bit more on this?
Conditional love isn’t love. Oxymoron.. True love is only unconditional. Just my thoughts. I was not surprised that Bush would say this quote. His parents were very loving and supportive to him throughout his life, along with his wife. No need for rebellion and no need for fear makes sense. Di
Dave, when i read it my thought was that if it’s conditional, can it really be love? Unconditional being the nature of real love.
Wayne, thanks for quote and your comments below it. This is exactly where God has led me and what i now live by with His constant help. Thank you for expressing it so simply and so well.
Wish i could come & visit with you here in Wisconsin, but i am way up north from where you will be….all God’s best for your trip.
Does it include connect the dot pictures?
Your articles resonate healing and sanity to me. Thanks Wayne.
Your articles resonate healing and sanity to me. Thanks Wayne.
Wayne
You should stay away from political punditry. I appreciate your heart so often on most things, but I remembered your glee after voting for President Obama and how I was shaking my head in disbelief at your shortsightedness. Did you really think he would take us out of this divisivness?
Keep up the great work showing the Father to folks!
Wayne
Pat said it well. If your intent was to keep people from putting you on a pedestal which I have invariably done, this remark about the Bush years will certainly give people on the right a moment of consterrnation. On a positive side, I introduced your book “He Loves Me” to our “church” men’s group, which we are using as a study and the feedback has been great. There may still be hope in the traditional setting of Church at least for a few.
Wayne
You should stay away from political punditry. I appreciate your heart so often on most things, but I remembered your glee after voting for President Obama and how I was shaking my head in disbelief at your shortsightedness. Did you really think he would take us out of this divisivness?
Keep up the great work showing the Father to folks!
Wayne
Pat said it well. If your intent was to keep people from putting you on a pedestal which I have invariably done, this remark about the Bush years will certainly give people on the right a moment of consterrnation. On a positive side, I introduced your book “He Loves Me” to our “church” men’s group, which we are using as a study and the feedback has been great. There may still be hope in the traditional setting of Church at least for a few.
Pat and Vic, thanks for your concern. Actually I think the vast majority of people who read my stuff realize that fellowship and respect is not dependent on holding the same political views or perceptions. My political views are far more nuanced that you regard them, but brothers and sisters can still see this stuff differently and love and respect each other. Those who appreciate AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS I think get that, which is why I’d prefer to be real wtih folks in my writing than simply avoid offending anyone by pandering to them by staying only to safe topics that I know other people will enjoy. I’m sharing a journey here, not trying to be a cheerleader! 😉
I am glad your vision of the church is so much better then your political vision . If you were disappointed in Bush, I can’t imagine your disappointment in your choice for president in the last election.
Pat and Vic, thanks for your concern. Actually I think the vast majority of people who read my stuff realize that fellowship and respect is not dependent on holding the same political views or perceptions. My political views are far more nuanced that you regard them, but brothers and sisters can still see this stuff differently and love and respect each other. Those who appreciate AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS I think get that, which is why I’d prefer to be real wtih folks in my writing than simply avoid offending anyone by pandering to them by staying only to safe topics that I know other people will enjoy. I’m sharing a journey here, not trying to be a cheerleader! 😉
I am glad your vision of the church is so much better then your political vision . If you were disappointed in Bush, I can’t imagine your disappointment in your choice for president in the last election.
Wayne; Perhaps my remark about putting you on a pedestal was more nuanced than you think also. For the last five years I have loved and respected you and your writings, so much so that I have to be careful that I don’t become a “groupie” (thus putting you on a pedestal which I’m sure you don’t want). These comments have nothing to do with not apppreciating AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS. Being candid is a two way street in sharing a journey, besides, read the rest of these comments. Do they show a disrespect.
Wayne; Perhaps my remark about putting you on a pedestal was more nuanced than you think also. For the last five years I have loved and respected you and your writings, so much so that I have to be careful that I don’t become a “groupie” (thus putting you on a pedestal which I’m sure you don’t want). These comments have nothing to do with not apppreciating AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS. Being candid is a two way street in sharing a journey, besides, read the rest of these comments. Do they show a disrespect.
Real Love And Freedom…
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Real Love And Freedom…
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