Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

Police suspect two Muslim militants are responsible for the recent murder of a Christian man in Punjab province, Pakistan. In early November, 22-year-old Latif Masih was granted bail after five months of imprisonment for "blasphemy" for allegedly burning pages of the Qur'an. His release came after the complainant in the case told the court he was not certain Latif was guilty. On November 18, two men arrived at the home of Latif and his mother, Rubina Bibi, and asked if he would accompany them. When Latif and the men were a few yards from the house, they shot Latif five times. The men then fled by motorbike. Police were watching the scene from the street but did nothing to stop the assailants. Latif's brother, Junaid Masih, claims that the two attackers were associates of a Muslim man who had filed the blasphemy charge against Latif -- a charge that Junaid claims was part of the Muslim man's plan to take over Latif's motorbike shop.

Pray that God will grant Latif's loved ones the light of His love in the darkness of grief.

Pray that Christ's Body in Pakistan will continue to be a bold testimony of His love and grace.

Ask God to help Christians in Pakistan to respond in a Christ-like manner to injustice and oppression.

This week we are looking at love.  Not the passionate love  (Eros) of Valentines Day (which may or may not be a "Hallmark" holiday).  We are not going to be looking at Philia or friendship/brotherly love.  Although this is the type of love I have for all of you.  We are not going to be looking at love of family or our parents (Storge).  However, this is almost the type of love that Christmas represents.   We are going to be looking at Agape.  The love that God has for each of us.  The charitable, selfless, alturistic, unconditional kind of love.  The true love that only God has as He is perfect. 

He doesn't have any motives for loving us, He loves each of us just because.  One of my favourite lines in a movies is "No, I like you very much. Just as you are." (from Bridget Jones' Diary).  Not thinner, smarter, holier, happier, ...., God loves you "Just as you are."  He wouldn't have you any other way.   In fact, God loves us just the way we are so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son on our behalf to save us.  I know this isn't something we think about during the Christmas season, but think, that little baby in the manger died for each of us.  That is the ultimate sacrificial love that only God can give.  This kind of love amazes me.

I know I've shared this song on my blog before, but I had to share it with you today.  It isn't really isn't a Christmas song, but I think it's totally relevant with the Advent theme of Love. 

Whisper in my ear
Tell me one more time
the words i long to hear
that i, i am forgiven

hold me in your arms
draw me next to you
safely by your side
i know i am forgiven

and i will never truly know
just why you love me lord
i am so broken and so desperate
still you love me more
lord, i love your amazing love

there's a beauty in the way
you cherish and embrace me
in all my brokeness i know
i am forgiven

and i will never truly know
just why you love me lord
i am so broken and so desperate
still you love me more
lord, i love your amazing love

and i lift my hands
in worship at your throne
and i raise my heart
so thankful lord for what you've done