Confession of Love

Crowded restaurants . . . cards serious, cheesy, risqué - gigantic and small . . . chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate in stores, on television, in magazines . . . teddy bears dressed in shiny Elvis attire . . . heart antlers . . . gifts galore - jewelry, perfume, lingerie . . .

Yes, love is in the air!  Can't you just hear Barry White?

How did I spend my Valentine's week? 

• In Gatlinburg with my mom, dad, sister, and hubby to celebrate my mom and hubby's birthdays
• Riding on beautiful snow covered mountain roads
• In a chalet napping, putting together a puzzle, watching old movies, laughing and reminiscing
• In a casino losing $20 to a one-armed bandit
• In an outlet mall shopping, finding that one buried treasure I had looked for so long
• Getting a free extra day at the chalet
• Watching my 63-year-old husband snowtube for the first time.  He did really well on the slopes but busted on the escalator going up there.  I have never laughed so much in my entire life.

It was a great week. 

Saturday, Lanny and I ate at Cracker Barrel, bought groceries, and exchanged cards.  Then I went to Vineyard Recovery Church.  Candles lit the room, and heart boxes filled with M & M's surprised us all.  We sang about God's love for us and our love for Him, and even sang a spontaneous song.  Michael taught about God's love, and Barry ended the evening.  Ministry time followed, and as usual Holy Spirit showed up and people were moved by His love. Afterwards, our "core" group met and loved on each other.

Yes, Love was in the air.

This morning, I revisited Amy Carmichael's Gold Cord and just happened to land on more love.
Amy went to South India in 1895 and remained there without break until she entered "into Life" in January 1951.  I discovered her writings in Jim Eliott's journal.  She started an orphanage and school there in India that rescued thousands of children many of whom were destined to be temple prostitutes.  The last few years of her life, she did the work from a bed of pain.  She wasn't just a great woman who did a great work; she was an extraordinary woman who did an extraordinary work because of an extraordinary God.  Below is the fellowship's "Confession of Love."  Those who wanted to work there signed this confession.  It became their covenant with each other and with God.

 

Confession of Love

• My Vow:  Whatsoever Thou sayest unto me, by Thy grace I will do it.
• My Constraint:  Thy love, O Christ, my Lord.
• My Confidence:  Thou art able to keep that which I have committed unto Thee.
• My Joy:  To do Thy will, O Lord.
• My Discipline:  That which I would not choose, but which Thy love appoints.
• My Prayer:  Conform my will to Thine.
• My Motto:  Love to live; live to love.
• My Portion:  The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance.

Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee more faithfully;

to give and not to count the cost;

to fight and not to heed the wounds;

to toil and not to seek for rest;

to labour and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will, O Lord.

                                                                                                                                 March 18, 1916

O Lord, bathe us is this kind of love toward You and toward others.  Love like this moves mountains and humbles nations and brings freedom and restoration to all.