Confessions*

 

1) Though I'm not at all what I'd like to be, 

 I hope you'll understand. . .  

My thoughts and deeds aren't "good as gold":  

They're more like worthless sand. 

 2) So far as east is from the west,  

So far my sin's removed.**  

Embraced by Jesus's perfect grace, 

I know I'm always loved.  

3) My love for God is really true, 

My faith in Him sincere:

Now I reach to others, too,  

4) To show I really care.  

So after a trying day of work,  

When stress just runs away, 

I hope you realize I know inside 

It's still a lovely day! 

 

---Marie Byars, 1986; Ft. Stewart, GA 

 

 *"Confessions" of both sin & faith **Psalm 103:12

sketch accompanying original version in my journal

The "Nature" of Love

[Agapge]* Love is patient and is kind;
Love does not envy;
Love does not boast and is not vain;
It down not behave rudely nor seek its own way;
It is not provoked and does not think evil;
It does not rejoice in wrong-doing but rejoices in the truth.

[Love] bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. . .
And now these three things remain:
Faith, Hope, and Love;
But the greatest of these is Love.
St. Paul, I Corinthians 13: 3-8; 13

* "Agape" is a special type of undeserved Love. God shows it perfectly; we cannot, which is why we are all sinners.
"Happy Valentine's Day!!"