...Because He first loved us.

I have seen the many faces of fear and of pain
I have watched the tears fall plenty from heartache and strain
So if life’s journey has you weary and afraid
There’s rest in the shadow of his wing.

I have walked through the valleys
the mountains and plains
I have held the hand of freedom that washes all my stains
If you feel weight of many trials ad burdens of this world
There’s freedom in the shelter of the Lord.

I have seen the healing hand of God
Reaching out and mending broken hearts
So taste and see the fullness of his peace
And hold on to what’s being held out
The healing hand of God.

I have touched the scars upon his hands to see if they were real
He has walked the road before me; He knows just how I feel
When you feel that there’s not anyone who understands your pain
Just remember all of Jesus’ suffering.

Cast all your cares on Him for he cares for you
He’s near to the broken and confused
By his stripes our spirit is renewed
So enter in the joy prepared for you...

I have seen the healing hand of God
Reaching out and mending broken hearts
So taste and see the fullness of his peace
And hold on to what’s being held out
The healing hand of God.

--Jeremy Camp

From God, to His Children

O my child, give Me your heart, for out of it are the issues of life. For I say to you, My hand is on you, and I will keep you in all places wherever you go. Yes, I am your God, and I am your Father, and I will care for you and provide for you according to all that you need. Yes, and I will be at your side, ready to help you whenever you will call on Me.

I am not unmindful of any of your needs, and My concern is for you. You do not need to carry your own load, for I will be happy to help you carry it and to also bear you up as well. You do not walk alone or meet any situation alone, for I am with you, and I will give you wisdom and I will give you strength, and My blessing will be on you. Only keep your heart set on Me, and your affection on things above; for I cannot bless you unless you ask Me, and I cannot answer if you do not call, and I cannot come to you except you come to Me.

Do not wait to feel more worthy, for no man is worthy of My blessings. My grace bypasses all your shortcomings that you hate, and I give to My children because they ask of Me and because I love them, and I do not love one more than another. I give most liberally to those who ask the most of Me. For I love to have you depend on Me. This is why the Spirit within you cries 'Abba-Father'.

As your Father I anticipate your dependence on Me. You may, by maturity outgrow your dependence on human parentage, but as My child, you will never "outgrow" your spiritual sonship, nor will I ever cast you out on your own resources, even when you will yourself come into this position of father in human relationship. You will then appreciate even more fully My feelings toward you. For you will know by your own human experience the love of a father, and the desire o care for and provide, and you will know more fully how much I love you, and how ready I am to help you, and how available I am to counsel with you and give you My support.
Heaven's resources are at your command, and you need never to want, so long as I am your Shepherd. Think not in your heart that since I know all about you, you need not tell Me. It is true that I know, but you need to tell Me so that in the telling, you may experience the release of an open heart, and the fellowship of a Friend.

Fir as you open your heart to Me, I will come to you. As you speak to Me, I will speak to you. As you reveal yourself to Me, I will reveal Myself to you. This is a law of life. There must be action to bring reaction. There must be a question to bring an answer. There must be an expression of love and confidence on the part of one person to arouse a corresponding response in another person.

Never presume upon My presence. Never assume that knowing your need, I will automatically supply. Ask, and it will be given. Call on Me, and I will answer you. Tell Me that you love Me, and I will make your heart to know in a very real way My love for you and My nearness, and you will never feel alone.

Aliveness is addictive

"Why choose God's dangerous journey into grace? In a word, the reason is life. God invites us into pain because loving always costs us pain. He offers us danger, because fighting evil is never safe. He promises us persecution because God's people -- including His beloved Son -- have always been misunderstood and opposed. Resting in Jesus is infinitely harder than accomplishing our own agendas. Trusting grace feels more demeaning than earning our Salvation. Coming alive to hope is more painful and cruel than being dead to our emotions. But it is life. And once we've tasted being alive, we can't go back to being dead. Aliveness in God is addictive." --Nancy Groom