Another chance for true love

Another chance for true love. Fifth in a series on the love of God.

He has been a very handsome man—nice hair, great facial structure, pleasant smile, and a nice way about him. “Terry” has become one of the faithful in our new Long Beach Sanctuary community. He is a study in contrast—homeless, but usually wearing a
sharp sports coat, and almost always, a dirty face. Recently,
we prayed that he would be able to successfully attend his daughter’s
wedding; you see, it was sticky because Terry is very confused in his
thinking. I wouldn’t propose to name his ‘issue’, but poor guy, he is just really delusional about the reality around him. But he is ours—we accept him, listen to him, and love him at the Sanctuary.

I haven’t discussed the Sanctuary community (my new endeavor with the street people of Long Beach) too much yet, because it is just taking
shape.

I was surprised to find that it would be quite different from the large weekly prayer meeting I had held at the Friends church, which was an always-changing transient group of people. There seems to be consistency and staying power in the band of brothers that gathers at our little Sanctuary. Friendships are forming, and trust is building. Besides praying for one another and for the dark city of Long Beach, we are working through a life-changing little book* that is helping us to see that

>through the love and work of God to save and cleanse us, we can move into wholeness and maturity, but it must also be

>with the benefit of being part of a loving, vital community.

Community.

Segue to this morning, when I got together with some of my sisters from Women of Passion in San Clemente, to spend some time playing games. Playing games? Who plays games, during the day, stone cold sober, laughing and engaging in clever repartee? I’ll tell you who--women who love each other . . . who are part of a weekly Bible study group,
who have learned to dig into God’s Word, seeking to understand it and
apply it, pray for one another, and support each other through life’s
joys and heartaches. We have come to love one another. See,

God’s love is felt,

God’s love flourishes when people seek him,

choose to follow and love him,

and then come together to do it in community!

I mean, really . . . I have been leading women’s groups for 15 years now. So many times I have been asked by men—‘what do you talk about’? They always assume that wives will be talking smack about their husbands . . . they will be gossiping . . . Why? It is not common for groups of women to love each other well—without complaining, comparison, judgment, cattiness or gossip . . . it is the love of the Lord that enables women to love well. It is called c-o-m-m-u-n-i-t-y. The world knows nothing of it, though we all need it . . . we all crave it. We used to have it in family, but all of that has changed.

Friends, God always works and moves among people who come together in his name. It is a promise: when two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst. Community.

When Jesus began his earthly ministry, he chose twelve. He poured himself into that community of twelve. And when he departed, his main men did what he told them to do—they stayed together, praying and waiting, after he ascended into Heaven. Then the Holy Spirit
came and did a work in that community . . . and because of the early
church—because of that community--the gospel spread throughout Asia,
Europe and beyond. Community matters. God does his work in community. God still does his work through community. God pours out his love in community; people feel God’s love through the members of the community.

Isolation is not the idea of the Holy Spirit. Actually, it is the dark side that gets folks separated from their pack—it is the evil one that makes them feel that they are all alone, and that no one
thinks and feels like they do!

‘Want to feel God’s love? Have you lost your way on your own? Latch onto a group who loves God, and wants to be loved by God. These are the ones who carry on his name, these are the ones on whom his favor rests. O yes, dear ones, God loves you, and you should know and experience that from among his children. There is another chance for true love, and that is the experience that comes from being a part of a community that loves from the heart that Jesus
has given them . . . that is the love of God spread among his children. Find such a community, and become a part of it, for this is true love.

If you are reading this, you are part of a worldwide community, seeking after the heart of God. If you are compelled, respond, reply . . . so that your words may be passed on to another. If not, pray for your fellow believers, won’t you? For in community, we have a great chance for love.

Christine

podcast:

* The Life Model: Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You