Comments on: Love? http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/ confessions of a follower of Jesus Christ struggling to recover from legalism Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:26:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Dozer http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1350 Dozer Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:41:59 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1350 You do not know how much I need that today. I laughed with my brother for a while this morning. Do you know anything of the movie "The Anchorman" with Will Farrell? In one scene he's trying to impress this lady. As she walks by the office, he's pumping iron, and says, 'Just working my guns baby.' Today... I've been to the "gun show." One threatening situation grunts while 'power flexing' it's muscles at me showing how big and bad it's 'guns' are. Another is all oiled up and doing it's best to look like The Incredible Hulk, all angry faced and mean. It's like I have been at a spiritual Mr. Universe Competition, where all these powers are wanting to look all bad. Off to the side, Jesus and I are doing our best 'Hans and Franz' laughing it up! <i>But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7,8&9 NIV</i> You do not know how much I need that today.

I laughed with my brother for a while this morning.

Do you know anything of the movie “The Anchorman” with Will Farrell? In one scene he’s trying to impress this lady. As she walks by the office, he’s pumping iron, and says, ‘Just working my guns baby.’

Today… I’ve been to the “gun show.”

One threatening situation grunts while ‘power flexing’ it’s muscles at me showing how big and bad it’s ‘guns’ are. Another is all oiled up and doing it’s best to look like The Incredible Hulk, all angry faced and mean. It’s like I have been at a spiritual Mr. Universe Competition, where all these powers are wanting to look all bad.

Off to the side, Jesus and I are doing our best ‘Hans and Franz’ laughing it up!

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7,8&9 NIV

]]> By: kevin bussey http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1344 kevin bussey Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:12:15 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1344 Thanks Andrew, I just prayed for you. Thanks Andrew,

I just prayed for you.

]]> By: Dozer http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1347 Dozer Fri, 06 Apr 2007 19:59:35 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1347 Kevin, You are a brother who "gets it." John Shore, I'd love to spend a day or two with you just talking. Lately I've been enduring some pain in my life. God is so faithful. In Christ, Andrew \o/ Titus 2:13 Kevin,
You are a brother who “gets it.”

John Shore,
I’d love to spend a day or two with you just talking. Lately I’ve been enduring some pain in my life. God is so faithful.

In Christ,
Andrew \o/
Titus 2:13

]]> By: retroman http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1337 retroman Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:35:10 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1337 I think one of these days your journey from "Pharisee" to "friend of sinners" will mightily advance God's kingdom out there in Charlotte. Your heart is completely changing, dude! I'm really encouraged by your posture - expect something great on Sunday! <a href="http://www.christiansbehaving.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">CBB</a> I think one of these days your journey from “Pharisee” to “friend of sinners” will mightily advance God’s kingdom out there in Charlotte. Your heart is completely changing, dude! I’m really encouraged by your posture - expect something great on Sunday! CBB

]]> By: Paul Burleson http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1338 Paul Burleson Fri, 06 Apr 2007 10:39:18 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1338 Kevin, I am not familiar with John Shore or his book. But after reading his comments to your post I am sure going to get familiar with both. I am familiar with you and that fact is one of the joys of my life. Keep sharing. You are doing us all more good than you will ever know. Kevin,

I am not familiar with John Shore or his book. But after reading his comments to your post I am sure going to get familiar with both.

I am familiar with you and that fact is one of the joys of my life. Keep sharing. You are doing us all more good than you will ever know.

]]> By: Monk-in-Training http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1342 Monk-in-Training Fri, 06 Apr 2007 07:31:18 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1342 Kevin, I just got back from my time at the Vigil. I wanted you to know that I lit a candle and prayed for you. God knows your heart, He will fill your spirit with what ever you may lack to reach others for Him. God bless and keep you. Br. T Kevin,
I just got back from my time at the Vigil. I wanted you to know that I lit a candle and prayed for you. God knows your heart, He will fill your spirit with what ever you may lack to reach others for Him. God bless and keep you.

Br. T

]]> By: kevin bussey http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1352 kevin bussey Fri, 06 Apr 2007 03:37:40 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1352 Phil and MIT, Thanks for your kind words. John, I look forward to your review. David, Thanks for stopping by. Do you still live in the Charlotte area? Thanks for your kind words. Phil and MIT,

Thanks for your kind words.

John,

I look forward to your review.

David,

Thanks for stopping by. Do you still live in the Charlotte area? Thanks for your kind words.

]]> By: Anna Beth http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1339 Anna Beth Fri, 06 Apr 2007 01:40:15 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1339 Amen to that last statement, David! Amen to that last statement, David!

]]> By: David Goggin http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1340 David Goggin Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:35:44 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1340 I entered the blog world about a year ago as a "reader". I feel like I have a whole new family. You are one of my family. I am 62 and old enough to be your Father, but even though we have never met I love you like a brother. I know you because you have been "real" in your writings. I have been drawn to you partially because I served on staff at Mulberry for 10 years during the 70's and early 80's. We tried so very hard to be authentic followers of Christ and to lead the church to be "real". I want you to know that I am moved by this post. I am broken hearted that two bloggers have dropped out. These are special people that have a spot in God's heart. And if in God's heart.....my heart. I am praying that God will give us another chance. Not with just these two, but with countless others that we have failed to love appropriatley. It's Friday....But Sunday is coming! David Goggin I entered the blog world about a year ago as a “reader”. I feel like I have a whole new family. You are one of my family. I am 62 and old enough to be your Father, but even though we have never met I love you like a brother.
I know you because you have been “real” in your writings. I have been drawn
to you partially because I served on staff at Mulberry for 10 years during the
70’s and early 80’s. We tried so very hard to be authentic followers of Christ and to lead the church to be “real”.
I want you to know that I am moved by this post. I am broken hearted that
two bloggers have dropped out. These are special people that have a spot
in God’s heart. And if in God’s heart…..my heart. I am praying that God will
give us another chance. Not with just these two, but with countless others
that we have failed to love appropriatley. It’s Friday….But Sunday is coming!
David Goggin

]]> By: John Stickley http://kevinbussey.com/2007/04/05/love/#comment-1341 John Stickley Thu, 05 Apr 2007 23:18:30 +0000 http://kevinbussey.com/?p=282#comment-1341 Kevin... I'm reading John's book as well, and found myself touched pretty deeply by that chapter too. If we're all honest with ourselves, we all want to be able to give and receive love, yet we've all been wounded at some point and now find ourselves either incapable (or maybe simply unwilling) to love as God intended for us to. "Survival Mode", as John describes in his book, is where most of us prefer to live, even if our scars are relatively insignificant. Sadly, we stay in our safe, sheltered place... afraid to be vulnerable... afraid to open our hearts and really love... and really live. What's worse? We do this not just in relation to other people, but even to God, who loves us perfectly... even when we have the knowledge that He'll never lead us astray by anything He asks... even though we know that everything He desires for us is good... even when we know that we'll experience the fullness of His love in following. It's crazy... we remain paralyzed by fear in spite of everything we know... we find ourselves unwilling to love and trust Him to the extent necessary to follow. We're cracked pots, without a doubt. Easter makes it hit home even harder. To reflect on the fact that God loved me enough to give His son for me... that Jesus loved me enough to willingly bear the burden of the cross... that He allowed Himself to be rejected, beaten, suffer, bleed, be cursed and spit upon... and die... for me. And to see myself... how horrible, how disgusting, how unworthy I am to receive that kind of love... and to think about how poorly I return it? It's pretty close to unbearable to think about. Praise God that we don't have to be worthy to receive His love, and that He specializes in doing amazing things using broken people! John... Again, thanks for writing this book. As I shared with you yesterday, I've loved every bit of it. Kevin…

I’m reading John’s book as well, and found myself touched pretty deeply by that chapter too. If we’re all honest with ourselves, we all want to be able to give and receive love, yet we’ve all been wounded at some point and now find ourselves either incapable (or maybe simply unwilling) to love as God intended for us to. “Survival Mode”, as John describes in his book, is where most of us prefer to live, even if our scars are relatively insignificant. Sadly, we stay in our safe, sheltered place… afraid to be vulnerable… afraid to open our hearts and really love… and really live.

What’s worse? We do this not just in relation to other people, but even to God, who loves us perfectly… even when we have the knowledge that He’ll never lead us astray by anything He asks… even though we know that everything He desires for us is good… even when we know that we’ll experience the fullness of His love in following. It’s crazy… we remain paralyzed by fear in spite of everything we know… we find ourselves unwilling to love and trust Him to the extent necessary to follow.

We’re cracked pots, without a doubt.

Easter makes it hit home even harder. To reflect on the fact that God loved me enough to give His son for me… that Jesus loved me enough to willingly bear the burden of the cross… that He allowed Himself to be rejected, beaten, suffer, bleed, be cursed and spit upon… and die… for me. And to see myself… how horrible, how disgusting, how unworthy I am to receive that kind of love… and to think about how poorly I return it? It’s pretty close to unbearable to think about.

Praise God that we don’t have to be worthy to receive His love, and that He specializes in doing amazing things using broken people!

John…

Again, thanks for writing this book. As I shared with you yesterday, I’ve loved every bit of it.

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