Tag Archives: Love

Message In A Minute: Love Is…

You’ve probably heard a certain piece of scripture quoted at every wedding you’ve ever attended. Or you might be very familiar with it from your upbringing or personal study.

I would imagine there are very few people who have never encountered this selection of scripture.

I Corinthians 13:4-8

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails…

If you are someone who was raised in a Christian home and/or went to church most of your life. You probably had someone challenge you to insert your name in the place of “love” in these verses. It’s a sobering exercise.

Let’s try it…

Tom is patient?

Tom is kind?

Tom doesn’t envy?

Tom doesn’t boast?

Tom is not proud?

Tom does not dishonor others?

Tom is not self-seeking?

Tom is not easily angered?

Tom keeps no record of wrongs?

Tom does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth?

Tom always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres?

Tom never fails?

Ok, I was laughing from the start.

I fall short in every single statement in one way or another. So do you. You can try your name there, you can try Mother Theresa’s name there, or anybody you know. We don’t measure up…that is what grace is for, but that is not my point.

I had a thought, what if I inserted the word “God” in these verses?

Would He stand up to His own standard?

After all according to scripture (1st John 4:7) “God is Love”.

And we are told “perfect love casts out fear” (1st John 4:18).

So let’s try it…

God is patient?

God is kind?

God doesn’t envy?

God doesn’t boast?

God is not proud?

God does not dishonor others?

God is not self-seeking?

God is not easily angered?

God keeps no record of wrongs?

God does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth?

God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres?

God never fails?

If any of that makes you uneasy, maybe it’s because you haven’t seen God for who He really is. God is better than what most of us have been told.

He’s not a tyrant who can’t wait to punish.

He isn’t a cosmic police officer who has a list of your offences.

He is not a far off weird old man who doesn’t care about you.

He is not a rich uncle who will send blessings only when you do the right thing.

He is a loving father, patiently waiting for you to acknowledge your need for Him.

Don’t allow misconceptions or experiences to keep you from finding out how much you are loved. Ask God to reveal Himself to you, and don’t be surprised when He lives up to those famous words from scripture.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: Love His People

A few years ago, I was walking in a small town passing out information about a church outreach event. 

This little boy on a scooter started following me. He asked me tons of questions and he needed details on everything. He was hilarious, energetic, and curious. From talking with him, it seemed like he lived with extended family and was not sure where his parents were living. Though he knew they were living separate from each other.

I think he just wanted somebody to listen to him.

He is the reason a local church exists.

Not for big buildings, 
impressive entertainment,
and doctrinal arguments 
But,
for small boys from broken homes, 
little girls with broken hearts, 
and adults with broken dreams.

Only God can put them all back together.

Grace is greater than all circumstances, but grace needs willing vessels to reach hearts. If you are part of a local church, make sure you participate in outreach activities as often as they are offered.

If you aren’t part of a local church, I encourage you to find one that focuses on helping the community it is in.

If you aren’t a Christian, thank you for even reading this in the first place, and I encourage you to investigate Christianity with an open mind.

And for me and my fellow Christians, we have no excuse for neglecting to impact the lives around us.

We are the church, forget the steeple, go into the world and love His people.

-Tom Wise

Poetry: Holding On/Letting Go

Years roll by with lessons learned,

The script plays out with experience earned.

Memories dazzle like gifts we hold,

Illuminating minds as scenes unfold.

Time won’t yield for any tears,

Pulling us through all faith and fears.

Looking back on what has been,

Proves to be the greatest sin.

Finding one who redeems the time,

Makes the past and present rhyme.

Life is who you love, not who you know.

Life is holding on, life is letting go.

-Tom Wise

Poetry: It Is Finished

Knees will bow and tongues confess,
Doctrines fall and arguments rest,
Souls redeemed and emptiness filled,
Death overcome and fears are stilled.

End of ages, hope remains,
Grace removes bitter stains,
All that’s vile, now is cured,
Doubts fade, mercy endured.

Hearts cry out an eternal song,
One is worthy and all belong,
No shame, no tears on any face,
Perfect love, amazing grace.

Hope was dead until resurrection,
Ransomed to loves pure reflection,
Grace healed what sin diminished,
The most powerful words ever spoken
“it is finished”.

-Tom Wise

DATE NIGHT | FALLING IN LOVE

Photo by Jasmine Waheed on Unsplash

We hope that you are enjoying this new series.  Our goal is to help you create good communication about things that matter.  Feel free contact us with any feedback.

We want to remind you, there isn’t anything magical about the questions that we will offer each week.  The real magic happens when two people take the time to invest in one another.  Whether you use these questions or some discussion starters of your own, we hope that you will once again find the wonder of getting to know each other and as God uses these conversations to shape your future together.

Conversation Starters

Valentine’s Day was yesterday, so let’s have a discussion this week about love and romance. Continue reading →