Messengers of Love

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Sometimes, it seems God asks the nearly impossible; His standards being so high that the average week kneed, belly aching, fearful person could never obtain ... defeating ourselves even before we've begun. Perhaps we don't listen carefully to what He said.

Jesus didn't say we had to "give up" our lives, like victims with a gun pointing to our head. It's rare that anyone actually faces a life or death situation to protect a friend (aside from war).

What Jesus actually did mean was to lay our life down willfully, dying to self to meet a greater need - which only counts when done in love.

When a phone call comes at 2:00 a.m. where the distraught seeking counseling, put aside your need of rest.

When you have in mind a shopping spree except you see another without shoes, consider their need first.

When you've planned a getaway weekend but your friend has emergency surgery, a house full of children, and no one to care for them - put off your plans.

When someone's house burns down and they've no place to go, lay down your inconvenience to offer temporary shelter.

When you're hungry after a worship service but the church bus breaks down (leaving children no way home), put your need on hold.

When someone you love needs your love, lay down your life. Love them as Jesus has loved you (vs. 12). And, even when they're not your best friend, Jesus is.

We don't have to meet every need in the universe, just the ones Jesus asks of us (vs. 14). We can all do those. Once we discover how wonderful it is to be messengers of love, we're eager to serve God more, Ac. 20:35.

© by Joyce C. Lock
http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.

In addition to being a published author and poet, Joyce C. Lock created the religion column, "Christianity Made Simple" for Peru Daily Tribune, continues to write inspirational articles for area newspapers, and shares further in online and e-mail ministries.

Written by: Joyce C. Lock

Questions, Questions and More Questions

by Pat Stevens


After you have had a few dates with someone and you think it might be going somewhere, you begin to ask more serious questions about their childhood, family, job etc.


Eventually the relationship might progress to where the really tough questions must be asked. Like "have you ever slept with someone without using a condom" or "how much debt do you have"? There is no easy way to bring up these questions.

Recently, I received a copy of Michael Webb's newest book, 1000 Questions for Couples: What you absolutely must know about the person you are with. This book is going to make those difficult questions much easier to ask.

The questions start off easy like "Has anyone dear to you died? How did you handle it" and "About what things are you most selfish." They slowly progress (just like your relationship should) until you get to those questions that you simply can't avoid if you are going to commit your life to living with someone. There are questions on drug addictions, abuse, child rearing, finances and lots of questions about sex. And because these questions are coming from a book, you don't feel like "you" are asking them.

A special bonus that I really liked was the option to get 3-5 of the book's questions emailed to me each day. That way I could forward the questions on to my beloved and we could each read over them and forward the answers to each other that night. I can see where this would be very valuable for those in long distance relationships.


While there are a lot of questions in this book that are crucial for couples in the dating stage, the majority of the questions are useful for people who are already married. If you value your relationship, I urge you to ask these 1000 Questions for Couples. read more  


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