I remember being a new Christian and realizing it wasn’t a good idea for me to read the Bible because the more I read what God expects from me, the more I JUDGED OTHERS who WHERE NOT what my wonderful self was doing!

In other words, instead of showing them God’s love and letting the Holy Spirit help them to re-imagine what life would be like free from guilt, shame and fear and walk! I judged them for their actions born out of those things.  Instead of allowing my life to speak of God Love and Grace. The very love and grace that changed my life.  I should have been telling how I discovered that God wanted to bond with me like a good parent and child bond. That God shows up all the time but we struggle to see or believe that to be true.

Instead I urged them to become a believer and behave.  Back then it meant don’t drink, don’t dance, don’t swear don’t (add your own)….etc.. ” HOW IN THE WORLD IS THAT GOOD NEWS.

I thought I was supposed to SCARE THE HELL out of people so they would go to Heaven! Over time I began to realize Jesus invited us to be ambassadors of LOVE! A GOD KIND OF LOVE That reshapes ones understanding that they are God’s beloved. This LOVE once understood, beckons us to tell others of this great and wonderful reality: God does not see us as we are but as we shall be! Jesus’ invitation to believe in Him in John 3:16-17. is clear in these words. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

I believe multitudes in our  world are  completely unaware of the depths and riches of Jesus’ Life Death and Resurrection.   When I discovered my full worth, that my identity is completely realized in all that Jesus showed us and did.  I can’t really can’t  stop talking about Jesus and  living my life as an Ambassador of God’s Love.   I keep falling in Love with God over and over again. year after year because God (Jesus) keeps giving me more and more glimpses of who I am and who He is.  I know in my heart of hearts that Jesus is alive!  I tell you this from experience.  I can assure you , when you  discover your beloved-ness, and believe it to be true you will not be the same because you will bond with God more and more and more, day after day year , year after Year!  Your life will change and people will notice and ask questions because God has given them glimpses too!  some will make fun of you, but others will be drawn to the light that has sparked in you by the Holy Spirit!

Jesus didn’t come to condemn us but to demonstrate the kind of Love that shines when innocence is condemned to death. How foolish we are to offer check lists of good behaviors and call that worshiping God. INSTEAD OF BEING THE FINGER POINTING BEHAVIOR POLICE: WE ARE TO EXTEND OUR HAND OF COMPASSION AS AMBASSADORS OF GOD’S LOVE.

Want to learn more Join us Sunday’s at 10 AM Phoenix Rising UCC                                            The Riverwalk 354 Merrimack Street Lawrence MA 01843 Building 1 Door C third floor follow signs to church hall.