Courage. Sympathy. Love.

A little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all.

-C. S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis

Courage. Sympathy, Love.

I ran across this C.S. Lewis quote not long ago and it started me thinking.

In a way, the first phrase reminds me of the Malcolm Gladwell book "Blink," which I recommend. There's such a thing as too much information in decision-making.

The second phrase is like the Cowardly Lion in the "Wizard of Oz." What made him move was his sympathy with other characters, not, as he says he lacks, courage.

And that "tincture" of the love of God? The good news is that this tincture - and so much more - is given to everyone.

What do you rely on? Maybe you should rely on this rescuer

I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me.

-Psalm 13:5

We all need a rescuer, sooner or later.

When did you need one? Or are you waiting your turn?

Stroke survivors know what it's like to need a rescuer: Keeping you alive. Helping your initial recovery. Providing physical, speech and/or occupational therapy. Rescuers all.

God is the chief rescuer. When it comes down to it, when all rescue resources are exhausted, God is there to get us through. His constant love endures.

Easter is coming soon - on this Sunday, most Christians celebrate Christ's resurrection, the victory over even death. With strength like that, with constant love, we have our rescuer.

'May your love and faithfulness always protect me'

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

-Psalm 40:11

Ever at a loss for words? When trouble strikes? When someone is ill? What do you say? What do you pray for?

I struggle with this. Then, if I'm thinking clearly, I remember words like those from these verses, carrying a simple but powerful message. God loves you. God is faithful to you. God is here for your protection.

Does that mean Christians are to expect an easy life in this world with no challenges or suffering? No.

God's protection can be big-picture protection. When all earthly efforts fail, God is holding you in his protection. In love. Faithfully.

Today, let's pray that no matter what, recognize and feel God's love, faithfulness and protection.

'He cares for you'

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

-1 Peter 5:7

Lately, I've had to work on getting rid of my own anxiety.

A sore (before and after surgery) knee that is mending. Some unexplained muscle pain (or at least, appears to be muscle pain) working around from my back to side to front. Work. Pesky rain gutters. Uncooperative printer.

And so on...

Then, I read the words in 1 Peter. I'm not in control. God is, and he cares for me. Those last four words are my favorite words of this line of text. God - in all of his might, the size of his universe(s), his enduring strength - cares for me.

And God cares for all. Loves us all. Cares for and loves you.

'His love endures forever'

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

-Psalm 106:1

Here's the last of a three-part set of postings drawn from Bible verses. The last one told us that nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Today's verse reminds us that love - the love that cannot be separated - endures. Endures through all trials, big or small. Forever.

Trials confront us all  - you, me, everybody.Those trials testing of your faith produce perseverance. And those trials cannot separate us from God's love. And "his love endures forever."

'The love of God'

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:38-39

Last Thursday's posting was about life's trials - big and small - that can produce perseverance in faith.

Today, I re-read these verses from Paul's letter to the Romans and saw they fit that message, too. Trials are in the present and test us for the future. But despite these trials, they cannot separate us from God's love.

The trial I wrote about last week - harassment and tomato-throwing - is small compared to the trial of stroke recovery. But God's love is large - bigger than any trial, love that cannot be separated from you.

You might have seen these words on this blog before, but they're so worth repeating.

Separate us? Never

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:38-39

After a stroke, it's easy to feel separated. In my own experience, with a difficulty to read and speak, I spent time seemingly apart - even in a crowded place.

Paul's words serve as a reminder that despite what life throws at any of us, we can't be separated from God. His love is always with you.

Does that mean that post-stroke life is rosy and always ideal, always easy? Certainly not. Life will not stop giving out  challenges on a daily basis, large and small. But through at all, no matter the outcome on this life and on this earth, that love abides. Always.

God's love: Open for all

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:38-39

Responding to a Stroke of Faith posting on Christmas Eve, an intelligent blogger commented that a particular medication does not work with complete effectiveness for every person.

My response included the phrase that "the results are very much case by case." That's true for any medication you can buy, use or receive. People are unique, so results are case by case.

Later, during Christmas Eve church services, I thought about that phrase in a different context: Unlike medications, God's love is NOT a case-by-case basis. As Paul wrote, God's love is for all and cannot be undone. Cannot be removed from us.

In this world, so much of life is case-by-case. God's love is not one of these. His love is offered to us all.

'His love endures forever'

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever. ...

Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.

-Psalm 136:1,26 

 Who doesn't need love?

It's the human condition. We want love. We desire it. We need it. There's a human tendency to take it for granted when things are good. But, say, when those of us have struggled with stroke recovery or other challenges, we recognize our hunger for love.

And we are loved. Take in the words in the Psalm - God's love endures forever. Past human struggles. Forever.

'God works for the good'

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

-Romans 8:28

"In all things" that Paul mentions can encompass a lot. It's a huge test of faith and to take that to mean "all things," even the those that seem bad.

For stroke survivors and their loved ones, it's often hard to see the good. Which brings up some lessons learned in 1 Kings and 2 Kings in the Old Testament. I've been listening to some of the Old Testament books while running in the last few weeks.


In these books, time and time again, those who love God seem surrounded with hopelessness. But God never abandons those who love him, even those, like all of us, who were far from perfect. When things go bad, remember, even those can turn to good with God. Love him and trust him.

(Image from flickr, posted by catiedid)

'Your love ... endures forever'

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.

-Psalm 138:8

God's purpose for you doesn't require perfection. God's purpose for you doesn't require superhuman skills. God's purpose for you requires only acceptance - leave the rest to God.

You are works in God's hands, and you are held with that promise.

(Image from www.heartlight.com)

'Joyful ... patient ... faithful'

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

-Romans 12:9-12

"Be joyful in hope ... ."

Paul went through some dreadful, awful, torturous experiences during his ministry. But again and again, he wrote about hope.

I can't imagine the life Paul had - he turned turned from society's "in" crowd and took the path of the often persecuted. Perfect? No. But that was not required for Paul and it's certainly not required for Christ followers.

So when human afflictions seem overwhelming, I hope you can find comfort in Paul's writings. He, too, was afflicted but found peace.

This world can be tough - but not tough enough

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:38-39

No separation. Nothing "in all creation" can separate us from the love of God.

Consider illness. Consider suffering. Consider post-stroke trials and tribulations, for the survivors, for the caregivers, for the loved ones. This is not to make light of those conditions - instead, it is a message for the ultimate hope for those suffering.

None of these conditions, as Paul reminds us, "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Comforting love. Unconditional love. All-encompassing love.

Amen to that, and thank God.

'The earth is full of his unfailing love'

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

-Psalm 33:4-5

"The earth is full of his unfailing love."

Consider those words. The world is full of money - and people try to grab all they can. The world is full of power - and we often see the consequences of a grab of power. The world is full of temporary treasures, objects people seek, pleasures people idolize.

All are fleeting. All will fail and fall away.

So what remains? His unfailing love. Take refuge in his eternal love.

'I will sing of your strength'

From Korea 2006

But I will sing of your strength,
in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble.

-Psalm 59:16

These days, it seems, we are "in times of trouble."

But consider the words above.

Even in our weakest times, God's strength is behind us. When we struggle with our own problems, we can find comfort in God's love.

God is, indeed, our fortress. In that, hope is available to us all. And for that, thank the Lord.

Bearing with one another in love

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

-Ephesians 4:2

I pity the people who consciously decide to avoid going to church. Have heard all the excuses and, in years past, have used a few.

But to the bottom line, as a stroke survivor: When I needed fellow Christians, they carried me with love through recovery and beyond.

Church is not the most important thing in the world, by any means - God is the ultimate importance. But a good church is a conduit to a better relationship with God. If you haven't found a church home, find the one that helps you build that relationship. In the final analysis, that relationship is what life is about, the reason you - all of us - exist.

In the right place, churchgoers learn from each other and lean on each other. Together, they explore deeper and deeper into faith. They find answers and push into even more complicated questions. Without a support system, we only play in the shallow pools of faith. With fellow believers we can love and trust, we can explore the depths of faith and understanding.

From Korea 2006