Union

I have been reading a book by one of my favorite authors, Brennan Manning. He is one of the few writers of Christian literature that dares to be honest. We as Christians have become a people that take the words "JUST FINE" to a whole new level. We hide our hurts and "issues" away in the effort to protect ourselves from ridicule from fellow believers. When I was at First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs, we had this I.T. guy named Jeff. It became a joke with us that when I had a problem with my computer I would call him and say, "Jeff! I have issues." I was walking through Macy's one day and saw a shirt that read, "I have issues." I took a picture of the shirt and when I had a problem with my computer, I would text Jeff the picture.

We all have issues. We all struggle with one thing or another, and for most of us that "another" is "another(s)".

The furious longing of our Abba Father; the relentless tenderness of Jesus; the gospel that transcends our deepest hurts and issues screams to us and says, "I love you unconditionally. I long for you. I want to be in union with you." In John 17:22-23, Jesus asked the Father to perfect us in unity and to make us one as He and His Father are One. In Galatians 2:20 Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God." Union with the Lord...intimacy, letting go to the point that He so moves "into" our lives that we are one with Him as He is with the Father.

Think about it!

Love you,

pb