For God So Loved The World

John 3:16.


It's the most well known and most quoted verse in the Bible and, according to good old Wikipedia, it has been called 'the Gospel in a nutshell.'  


Pastors preach sermons on it.

Kids learn to recite it in Sunday School, AWANA and Vacation Bible School.


The trendy fashion store, Forever 21, has it printed on the bottom of their bags.

Now, how cool is THIS??

People have written songs, books and Bible studies about it. 


Concert merchandise tables sell apparel, jewelry and key chains proclaiming it.

Fans at sports events hold up signs displaying it.

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow even referenced it beneath his eyes during the 2009 BCS Championship game.

Wow! Now THAT'S pretty extreme, don't you think?

But that love -- God's Love -- for us is even more extreme.  So much more than we can even fathom.


And yet, for all the times we've heard it/memorized it/recited it/shared it, we could very easily gloss right over the extreme, intense and awesome love of God that this 26 word sentence declares.  


But let's not do that.  Ever.


'For God so loved the world, that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

It's so beautiful in its simplicity.


It's breathtaking in its awesome truth.


Yesterday, I came across this video put out by Focus On The Family and was so touched and delighted by it, I just had to share it here.


And yup -- I'm in total agreement with the little girl at the end of it, who breathlessly speaks one single word:


"Wow!"

Restless Child

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' ~ Jesus


I cannot sleep,
My mind and heart are racing;
My body cannot rest.

The accusing voice asks -
"When did you become who you are today...
Someone other than who you were meant to be?"

I cover my ears,
And close my eyes;
But there is no peace for me...

A mocking voice shouts -
"You are worthless!
You are nothing!
You are rejected!
You do not matter!
You are invisible!"

Out of the room I run,
Down the stairs and
Out the door,
Into the cool, night air;
And under the moon and stars
I cry.....

But the still, small voice whispers -
"You are precious and honored in My sight.
You are Mine.
You are loved.
You are the apple of My eye.
NO ONE can take you from My hand,
On which your name is engraved."

My Father's voice comforts,
And resonates in my soul;
It is His lullaby
To His weary, burdened,
Restless child.