From: Marya Pennings <mapennings@msn.com>
To: Jewel Kamphuis <gods_jewel@juno.com>; Erin Seaverson <erinrockwell@yahoo.com>; Sarah Bergren <sarahmaybergren@yahoo.com>; Michelle Bouma <beautyfromashes.mbouma@gmail.com>; Kristina Kuebler <skuebler@mei.net>; Rachel Erny <rme619-jewelry@yahoo.com>; Kristy Link <kristylink@att.net>; timtiffany Lanier <tntlanier3@yahoo.com>; Debbie Stanley <lcbiblecamp@cs.com>; Elaine Lemmer <eplemmer@yahoo.com>; Mom Lemmer <mflipflops@comcast.net>
Sent: Thu, February 11, 2010 3:21:32 PM
Subject: Calvary Love
Keeping in mind that we love imperfectly and that true love is supernatural....here's a word I heard this morning that inspired me and made me consider some things. Pass it on if it inspired you. Its take from "revive our hearts" broadcast from today, thurs feb11th.
Amy Carmichael, who we've quoted a number of times through this series, was really an ordinary woman who had an extraordinary love for people. One of my favorite pieces by Amy Carmichael is a piece called If. It's a little book that was written when a problem was brought to her about one of her fellow workers. I would just like to quote a portion of what she wrote. It speaks about how Calvary love is really the measure for our love. She said,
If I can easily discuss the shortcomings and the sins of any;
If I can speak in a casual way even of a child's misdoings,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another;
If I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word,
Think an unkind thought without grief and shame,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If in dealing with one who does not respond,
I weary of the strain and slip from under the burden,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I'm afraid to speak the truth lest I lose affection,
Or lest the one concerned should say, "You do not understand,"
Or because I fear to lose my reputation for kindness;
If I put my own good name before the other's highest good,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I hold onto choices of any kind, just because they are my choice;
If I give any room to my private likes and dislikes,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I do not give a friend "the benefit of the doubt,"
But put the worst construction instead of the best
on what is said or done,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I take offense easily;
If I am content to continue in a cool unfriendliness,
though friendship be possible,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If a sudden jar or jolt can cause me to speak an impatient,
unloving word,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I feel bitterly toward those who condemn me,
as it seems to me, unjustly,
Forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I say, "Yes, I forgive, but I cannot forget,"
as though the God, who twice a day washes all the sands
on all the shores of all the world,
could not wash such memories from my mind,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If monotony tries me,
If stupid people fret me and little ruffles set me on edge;
If I make much of the trifles of life,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I am inconsiderate about the comfort of others, or their feelings, or even of their little weaknesses;
If I'm careless about their little hurts and miss opportunities
to smooth their way;
If I make the sweet running of household wheels more difficult
to accomplish,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If interruptions annoy me, and private cares make me impatient;
If I shadow the souls about me because I myself am shadowed,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If something I'm asked to do for another feels burdensome;
If, yielding to an inward unwillingness, I avoid doing it,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the praise of man elates me and his blame depresses me;
If I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself;
If I love to be loved more than to love,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If the burden my Lord asks me to bear be not the burden
of my heart's choice,
And I fret inwardly and do not welcome His will,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
If I covet anyplace on earth but the dust at the foot of the cross,
Then I know nothing of Calvary love.
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.
