How to love- when the feeling isn't there

“But love, in the Christian sense, does not mean an emotion. It is a state not of the feelings but of the will; the state of the will which we have naturally about ourselves, and must learn to have about other people.” – C.S. Lewis

The quote above is from C.S. Lewis’s book, Mere Christianity. (affiliate link) The command from Jesus to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31) is clear, leaving no room for argument. It’s a basic tenant of Christianity. Even people outside the faith know about this rule…and yes, they’re watching, to see how we do (or do not) follow through on it. It sounds simple, but what does it really mean to love your neighbor as yourself?

faith, graceDawn KlingeJuly 19, 2015love, God's love, perfect love

Dear Loved One, (how Jesus endured his pain)

Dear Loved One,

It breaks my heart to see you suffering. I want to offer you comfort and I feel helpless. I’ve tried to make you happy. I can tell you that I love you and offer you kind words. I can buy you flowers and trinkets. I can send you funny pictures that I think will make you laugh. I can take you out for a cup of coffee and listen if you want to talk. These are all good things, and I’m happy to do them. I won’t stop. But I’m learning something. I might be able to bring a smile to your day and offer you a momentary amount of happiness, but I can’t take away your pain.

trustDawn KlingeMarch 25, 2015perfect love, wisdom, God's love, God is sovereign, God's purpose, gospel, Jesus, pain, trust

God is Trustworthy Because He is Perfect in Love

As I said earlier, I don't have a hard time believing in the sovereignty of God, or in his wisdom, but in his love? That one has been a little harder. I know what I'm like. I know my weaknesses. I know I'm not deserving. That's probably why trust is a big thing for me and why I'm writing a book about it. Because like I've said, if God was only sovereign and wise, but not loving, I would still be full of fear, not trusting. The good news is this....