Some years back, my daughter Karen decided she really wanted a dog. Like REALLY wanted a dog, so she started praying and scanning the want ads. Russ wasn’t quite so sure as his experience with pet dogs hadn’t always been the best. Eventually Karen found a promising ad, so we all hopped in the car to visit a family wanting to give away their dog because of a new baby.
Maisie wasn’t much to look at when we met her. She was covered with dirt from living in a dusty backyard. But the first moment she looked at us with those infinitely deep brown eyes filled with affection and acceptance, we knew she was ours. Even Russ was amazed, she liked him! After we brought her home and cleaned her up, we discovered a beautiful sable and white silky soft fur coat, funky “yoda” ears and soft, fluffy white paws. And those eyes that never stopped smiling.
Unconditional Love Feels Like Something
From then on, everyone who met Maisie encountered a dog that communicated, head to toe, that she loved them and was happy to see them. Even the mailman! We had a neighbor who had never liked dogs yet found her irresistible, and was constantly sneaking her food, much to our chagrin. When people came for ministry, particularly during a tender moment, Maisie would snuggle up as close as she could to provide comfort. Her presence oozed “I want to be with you, feel with you and breathe your air!”.
Learning to Receive
The day eventually came when Maisie’s health was failing so much we had to make the heart-wrenching decision to let her go. I had never known how painful it could be to lose a pet. She had taught me so much, and ministered to my heart a level of unconditional love I did not recognize fully until it was time to say good-bye. I weep even today as I’m thinking of her; how easy it was to feel safe and completely myself with her, hugging her and feeling her delight in being so close. I am amazed that God would use a family pet in such a way to help my heart heal; I appreciate now, as never before, how legitimately important a pet can be to a person.
Needing to Learn is Normal
Like many of you, I didn’t experience this kind of love growing up. My parents hadn’t either. The practical needs of my physical body were addressed, but rarely did I feel enjoyed or valued at home. I tried to keep myself scarce and out of the way so I wouldn’t cause any problems. It has been a process over decades to learn that someone might actually enjoy my presence and look forward to seeing me. It started with marrying into the Fochler clan, where I began to let down my guard and be seen and known. Russ and his sisters have helped me learn how to engage in true fellowship, communicating with and not just talking over one another. And I am ever grateful for how much they have taught me about love.
We are on this Journey Together
Like my beloved Maisie, I am learning to enjoy and value each one who comes my way, no longer feeling so threatened by misunderstandings and differing perspectives. Receiving God’s tender love, with yielded heart, then allowing His river to pour through me to others is vulnerable and unpredictable yet so much more fulfilling than the relative safety of emotional isolation. This love of Jesus Christ is much bigger and ever-available than we can comprehend; and it’s ours for the asking. Don’t give up on yourself; we’ve all had a lot to learn on this journey. Our God’s great joy is in helping us learn the profound power of genuine love while we are still living on earth; He is the best teacher and most faithful friend we could ever ask for!
With much love and appreciation for you;
Susan
Friday, May 30, 2014
Friday, May 23, 2014
Love Looks Like Something by Brent Lokker
One of the amazing privileges I’ve had is to go out with other believers to the streets of San Francisco late at night to bring a warm meal and a kind word of God’s love and acceptance to the homeless who are huddled in doorways or along back alleys. One particularly impactful experience for me occurred on my very first venture out. Feeling somewhat unsure of ourselves, our group approached several homeless men who were sheltered in the entryway of a store long after closing time, the smell of urine lingering. The men were jovial with us, clinging to their alcoholic beverages of choice concealed in crinkled-up brown paper bags. We handed out prepared meals to the grateful men. While pouring out a cup of hot coffee to an outstretched trembling hand, I was suddenly drawn to the side, where another of their group was lying flat on the ground, intoxicated beyond the ability to sit up or stand with his friends.
I approached him, knelt down to be close to his face, and asked, “Do you want something to eat?” His closed eyes flickered open for a moment, attempting to focus on the face of this unfamiliar voice that was addressing him. Without uttering a word, his eyes closed again and he retreated to his inebriated, semi-conscious state. Undeterred and filled with an inexpressible compassion for this young man, I leaned in closer and said in a soft and warm tone, “You have a Father in heaven who loves you with all His heart.”
I wondered if my words were registering with this man in his present condition, but I continued. “God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s with you all the time and He is always for you.” Still no response or acknowledgement of my affirming words. Yet somehow I knew that my voice of hope was not falling on deaf ears. “He’s so proud to call you His son,” I told him. In that instant a tear welled up in his eyes and rolled down his cheek. He opened his eyes again, this time with more clarity, and looked directly into my eyes with an expression of shame mixed with hope.
I could almost hear his thoughts pleading, Could this possibly be true?
Peering into his precious soul through the gateway of his eyes, I reiterated the truth of the Father’s acceptance and approval. He never actually spoke a word to me, but his eyes communicated his sincere gratitude, and there was a glimmer of hope that had not been present before. I prayed a blessing of peace over his heart before our team continued on in our journey to encounter others who needed food for their stomachs and hope for their souls. I will probably never know on this side of heaven what impact those words of the Father’s love and acceptance had on that young man, but I know they weren’t wasted.
Love is never wasted, because love always wins!
Our Papa of love says:
I approached him, knelt down to be close to his face, and asked, “Do you want something to eat?” His closed eyes flickered open for a moment, attempting to focus on the face of this unfamiliar voice that was addressing him. Without uttering a word, his eyes closed again and he retreated to his inebriated, semi-conscious state. Undeterred and filled with an inexpressible compassion for this young man, I leaned in closer and said in a soft and warm tone, “You have a Father in heaven who loves you with all His heart.”
I wondered if my words were registering with this man in his present condition, but I continued. “God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s with you all the time and He is always for you.” Still no response or acknowledgement of my affirming words. Yet somehow I knew that my voice of hope was not falling on deaf ears. “He’s so proud to call you His son,” I told him. In that instant a tear welled up in his eyes and rolled down his cheek. He opened his eyes again, this time with more clarity, and looked directly into my eyes with an expression of shame mixed with hope.
I could almost hear his thoughts pleading, Could this possibly be true?
Peering into his precious soul through the gateway of his eyes, I reiterated the truth of the Father’s acceptance and approval. He never actually spoke a word to me, but his eyes communicated his sincere gratitude, and there was a glimmer of hope that had not been present before. I prayed a blessing of peace over his heart before our team continued on in our journey to encounter others who needed food for their stomachs and hope for their souls. I will probably never know on this side of heaven what impact those words of the Father’s love and acceptance had on that young man, but I know they weren’t wasted.
Love is never wasted, because love always wins!
Our Papa of love says:
Rain and snow fall from the sky. But they don’t return without watering the earth that produces seeds to plant and grain to eat.That’s how it is with my words. They don’t return to me without doing everything I send them to do. (Isaiah 55:10–11 CEV)
Every person on the planet is hungry for love. Who can you love today?
This is an excerpt from Brent Lokker's book, Daddy, You Love Me: Living in the Approval of Your Heavenly Father(www.DaddyYouLoveMe.com)
Every person on the planet is hungry for love. Who can you love today?
This is an excerpt from Brent Lokker's book, Daddy, You Love Me: Living in the Approval of Your Heavenly Father(www.DaddyYouLoveMe.com)
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Born to be Loved! By Brent Lokker
Last weekend I had the extreme joy of performing my nephew’s wedding in Idaho. While there, I was able to go golfing with my brothers. On one particular hole, I was feeling the wind in my face and simultaneously feeling a great love for myself and I said out loud to no one in particular,
“I love me when I love me!”
It was a carefree, joy-filled moment that I instantly began to ponder. It’s almost as if the Lord was saying, “I don’t want you to miss the significance of this moment. Capture this more and more because I want you to live in this reality.”
We all know that we are supposed to love ourselves and love others (Jesus did say, “Love your neighbor as yourself” in Mark 12:31), but when we actually do feel love for our own selves, something changes. We’re able to enjoy ourselves and enjoy the life we have instead of being saddled with discouragement.
Clearly the million dollar question here is, “How can I have this kind of love for myself?”
To get the answer, look no further than to Jesus (now that makes sense!) who said,
“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
“As I have loved you…”
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross proves once and for all that you are worthy of being loved! Jesus says to you, “I choose to love you because you’re altogether loveable! I’m the one who decides your worth because I made you. And I say you are worth being loved. It’s settled forever. I love you!”
You might be thinking, “But I feel like I’m failing in life—I have so far to go.”
Yes, it’s true that you have a journey ahead of you still, but look behind you and see how far you’ve already come!
It’s one thing to intellectually agree with what I am saying, but it’s an entirely different matter to put it into action. I urge you—no, I challenge you—to go look in a mirror right now, staring directly into your own eyes, and tell yourself, “I love you!”
Now try it again like you mean it—with more feeling and being gentle and kind to yourself.
How did that feel? For most people, it almost feels wrong. That’s a clue we aren’t used to loving ourselves and we're still doubting our worth the way Jesus sees us. Agree with His assessment that you are loveable and look in the mirror one more time.
“I love you!”
By the way, don’t be afraid that this will lead to being prideful. Think about it—people who are arrogant and conceited actually don’t love themselves enough and so they have a need to tear others down to try and make themselves feel better. People who genuinely love themselves because they experience the love of the Father are humble—they know where the love is coming from!
Now here’s the amazing part: when you actually love yourself, others around you will feel loved as well because it’s oozing right out of you! Really! Classmates, co-workers and, yes, even family members will want to be around you more as you love yourself more.
I am declaring over you today a heightened awareness of the Father's love that is cascading over you at every moment! You were born to be loved and you are designed to freely give what you have freely received!
“I love me when I love me!”
It was a carefree, joy-filled moment that I instantly began to ponder. It’s almost as if the Lord was saying, “I don’t want you to miss the significance of this moment. Capture this more and more because I want you to live in this reality.”
We all know that we are supposed to love ourselves and love others (Jesus did say, “Love your neighbor as yourself” in Mark 12:31), but when we actually do feel love for our own selves, something changes. We’re able to enjoy ourselves and enjoy the life we have instead of being saddled with discouragement.
Clearly the million dollar question here is, “How can I have this kind of love for myself?”
To get the answer, look no further than to Jesus (now that makes sense!) who said,
“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
“As I have loved you…”
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross proves once and for all that you are worthy of being loved! Jesus says to you, “I choose to love you because you’re altogether loveable! I’m the one who decides your worth because I made you. And I say you are worth being loved. It’s settled forever. I love you!”
You might be thinking, “But I feel like I’m failing in life—I have so far to go.”
Yes, it’s true that you have a journey ahead of you still, but look behind you and see how far you’ve already come!
It’s one thing to intellectually agree with what I am saying, but it’s an entirely different matter to put it into action. I urge you—no, I challenge you—to go look in a mirror right now, staring directly into your own eyes, and tell yourself, “I love you!”
Now try it again like you mean it—with more feeling and being gentle and kind to yourself.
How did that feel? For most people, it almost feels wrong. That’s a clue we aren’t used to loving ourselves and we're still doubting our worth the way Jesus sees us. Agree with His assessment that you are loveable and look in the mirror one more time.
“I love you!”
By the way, don’t be afraid that this will lead to being prideful. Think about it—people who are arrogant and conceited actually don’t love themselves enough and so they have a need to tear others down to try and make themselves feel better. People who genuinely love themselves because they experience the love of the Father are humble—they know where the love is coming from!
Now here’s the amazing part: when you actually love yourself, others around you will feel loved as well because it’s oozing right out of you! Really! Classmates, co-workers and, yes, even family members will want to be around you more as you love yourself more.
I am declaring over you today a heightened awareness of the Father's love that is cascading over you at every moment! You were born to be loved and you are designed to freely give what you have freely received!
Friday, May 2, 2014
In the Midst of Uncertainties It's Time to Soar! by By Misha Quezada Blazing Fire Intern
It's been a crazy month. The days seem to fly by faster and faster as the days turn into weeks, which quickly transforms into months. My life is starting to feel like a whirlwind and I'm fighting hard from being swept up in it. I've been using different healthier coping techniques to stay grounded, and I definitely notice the difference as the usual cycle was skipped over, and I've continued to mostly remain leveled. I feel the beating of my heart as I write this. The thoughts try to swirl but I take in a deep breath and let it out. It's amazing how much a moment can make a difference, how one thought released can change it all. I reflect on this past year, and I don't know how I ended up here. How did I come to this moment? I see regrets and triumphs, warnings and success. This isn't where I expected to be, but I feel a sense of relief.
I'm not always good with change. Time is ticking behind every door as I wait to see if it will all explode. Seasons have come and gone, but ahead all I see is twists and turns, each filled with new life and hope, but cautions of misstep. I can't fight for life to remain the same anymore. I realize that I need the change and that power comes in movement. It's weird to be in a state of knowing, but to feel fear creeping in. I don't know what to expect if I move forward. Do I risk letting it all go and turning the corner? There's so much promise in the future, the chance of goals and dreams becoming a reality, but I'm afraid that it could all lead to disappointment. What if I fall backward, no longer able to catch myself? What if I'm not ready to fly?
There's something special in knowing you’re loved. It's what people live for, hope for, die for. I want to love people well. I want to look someone in the eyes, but speak to their spirit the tenderness of love. It breaks my heart to see people who have never felt accepted, never been told they are beautiful. I want to be the one to set them free, but I keep finding it all to be a trap. How do you let someone see reality without being pulled into their world? How do you let people go who want to pull you in instead of stepping out into the light? What if they choose to remain behind the looking glass?
Love is all around. I find it in the peaceful breeze, in the delight of the sun’s rays, in the smile of another's face, the laugh of a baby, the warmth of a hug. The precious moments you have to grasp onto and cherish when all else seems to disappear. There's peace out there if you're just willing to lift your gaze and see the promise that lies ahead. To realize that it's you who holds onto the chains, and that they can't overcome you without your permission. It's about realizing when to let go and to trust the one who sees the truth in it all to take care of the rest.
Our past doesn't have to haunt us. It can become a foothold, a building block of how far you've come and the stepping stone for which you leap from. It's time for new heights. It's time to soar.
I'm not always good with change. Time is ticking behind every door as I wait to see if it will all explode. Seasons have come and gone, but ahead all I see is twists and turns, each filled with new life and hope, but cautions of misstep. I can't fight for life to remain the same anymore. I realize that I need the change and that power comes in movement. It's weird to be in a state of knowing, but to feel fear creeping in. I don't know what to expect if I move forward. Do I risk letting it all go and turning the corner? There's so much promise in the future, the chance of goals and dreams becoming a reality, but I'm afraid that it could all lead to disappointment. What if I fall backward, no longer able to catch myself? What if I'm not ready to fly?
There's something special in knowing you’re loved. It's what people live for, hope for, die for. I want to love people well. I want to look someone in the eyes, but speak to their spirit the tenderness of love. It breaks my heart to see people who have never felt accepted, never been told they are beautiful. I want to be the one to set them free, but I keep finding it all to be a trap. How do you let someone see reality without being pulled into their world? How do you let people go who want to pull you in instead of stepping out into the light? What if they choose to remain behind the looking glass?
Love is all around. I find it in the peaceful breeze, in the delight of the sun’s rays, in the smile of another's face, the laugh of a baby, the warmth of a hug. The precious moments you have to grasp onto and cherish when all else seems to disappear. There's peace out there if you're just willing to lift your gaze and see the promise that lies ahead. To realize that it's you who holds onto the chains, and that they can't overcome you without your permission. It's about realizing when to let go and to trust the one who sees the truth in it all to take care of the rest.
Our past doesn't have to haunt us. It can become a foothold, a building block of how far you've come and the stepping stone for which you leap from. It's time for new heights. It's time to soar.
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