Monday, July 20, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tough Love? - 1 Corinthians 13:6
February holds the holiday of Valentine's Day, and I thought that a blog on love might be appropriate for this month. God is love- His Son, His justice, everything about God is love.
1 Corinthians 13 is sometimes called the love chapter, "Love is patient, love is kind..." Some of us have read it or heard it many times, so what's new about it?
One day this month, I was reading from a pocket New Testament, and this verse nestled in the chapter jumped out at me: "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." 1 Corinthians 13:6. Wow, I thought, what a verse! It seemed to fly up at me because of the life experience that I've had with my family (as if that's much). Many times in our life, especially Mom and Dad, have heard the comment, or variations of, "If you really loved me, you would accept the way I am." Hmmm... nicely twisted words. Not much room around that. I bet those of you who are reading this blog have also heard those words. So, to love that person, we need to accept and condone their ungodly lifestyle, or their active, rebellious sin? That is the way many people want to be "loved." Love me, but leave my life to myself.
This is where 1 Cor. 13:6 in the "love" chapter comes into play. Tough love? I know the first question that comes to my mind is (applying this verse), I've got to reject, or leave alone, the one I love? This question has bugged our family for years. Is that the way a Christian should act? Shouldn't we be the extension of Christ's love, grace, and forgiveness? Are you just twisting this verse to fit your conclusion on the situation? For one thing, I don't think I will ever know the answer to the hurt so many of us experience, or think we may be handing out to the one we love. What those who are on the opposite side of this love don't realize is that tough love hurts the lover as much or more than the receiver of tough love.
This is what I've come down to on this "love," whether it be right or wrong, I will continue to muse, observe, and ponder. Love that person, don't love the sin; accept that person, don't accept that sin. It is so hard to separate the sin from the sinner sometimes. (Don't read this wrong, we are all sinners.) Our family has had to operate in this way for some time with our daughter and sister. It has lead to prolonged periods of limited communication. We still love our sister very much, but we don't love or accept her lifestyle. It is so hard. We often wonder whether we are right or wrong. This may not be where you are at in your faith life, and we still go back and forth on the issue. But this I do know: God's standard stands. Even more so, God's Love and Grace stands, Jesus. Without Him none of us would stand. He experienced some tough love too, wouldn't you say?
Joy in the Journey,
Ben
"May my words be taken in the Light of His Word." BG
1 Corinthians 13 is sometimes called the love chapter, "Love is patient, love is kind..." Some of us have read it or heard it many times, so what's new about it?
One day this month, I was reading from a pocket New Testament, and this verse nestled in the chapter jumped out at me: "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." 1 Corinthians 13:6. Wow, I thought, what a verse! It seemed to fly up at me because of the life experience that I've had with my family (as if that's much). Many times in our life, especially Mom and Dad, have heard the comment, or variations of, "If you really loved me, you would accept the way I am." Hmmm... nicely twisted words. Not much room around that. I bet those of you who are reading this blog have also heard those words. So, to love that person, we need to accept and condone their ungodly lifestyle, or their active, rebellious sin? That is the way many people want to be "loved." Love me, but leave my life to myself.
This is where 1 Cor. 13:6 in the "love" chapter comes into play. Tough love? I know the first question that comes to my mind is (applying this verse), I've got to reject, or leave alone, the one I love? This question has bugged our family for years. Is that the way a Christian should act? Shouldn't we be the extension of Christ's love, grace, and forgiveness? Are you just twisting this verse to fit your conclusion on the situation? For one thing, I don't think I will ever know the answer to the hurt so many of us experience, or think we may be handing out to the one we love. What those who are on the opposite side of this love don't realize is that tough love hurts the lover as much or more than the receiver of tough love.
This is what I've come down to on this "love," whether it be right or wrong, I will continue to muse, observe, and ponder. Love that person, don't love the sin; accept that person, don't accept that sin. It is so hard to separate the sin from the sinner sometimes. (Don't read this wrong, we are all sinners.) Our family has had to operate in this way for some time with our daughter and sister. It has lead to prolonged periods of limited communication. We still love our sister very much, but we don't love or accept her lifestyle. It is so hard. We often wonder whether we are right or wrong. This may not be where you are at in your faith life, and we still go back and forth on the issue. But this I do know: God's standard stands. Even more so, God's Love and Grace stands, Jesus. Without Him none of us would stand. He experienced some tough love too, wouldn't you say?
Joy in the Journey,
Ben
"May my words be taken in the Light of His Word." BG
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Though our Christmas wishes are a bit late, we still say from our home to yours: Merry Christmas!
2008 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" Philippians 3:20
As Christmas 2008 approaches, we lift our eyes upward toward heaven, gazing into the darkened night sky, remembering the simple story of the first Christmas long ago. We also wonder, watch, and wait, as did the people of old, for the Messiah to come...again. The comforting words of an old carol ring so true, "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, good-will to men." Yes, God lives! Yes, His promises still remain true. So please join with us as we celebrate Jesus' first coming and look forward with eager anticipation for His second coming!
FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORIES
Ben interviewed everyone about their favorite Christmas. Some know the meaning of brevity in their answers, while others' memories had to be edited for length.
Ben interviewed everyone about their favorite Christmas. Some know the meaning of brevity in their answers, while others' memories had to be edited for length.
CALEB: "I remember the year before last year." (Ben: "Why?") "Because I do."
JAYME: "Last year (2007), because it was only a year ago."
SAM: "Last year (2007), because we got a bunch of Thomas the Tank engine stuff."
LEESHA: "The Christmas of 1999, all of us kids were assigned (at random) to buy another sibling gifts. I truly enjoyed being able to be a giver, and not totally a getter. My assigned person was Whitney. I bought her a Beanie Baby dog and a book. The funny thing I remember was Dad putting a weight in the package, making it heavier than it really was. Whitney had no clue what she was getting!"
TAYLOR: "I remember the Christmas of 1998 because I received an ugly Ken doll for my doll collection-how traumatic! (Ben: "Want to share another Christmas?") That wasn't good enough? All right. It was the first Christmas in our travel trailer. We were in California and I was convinced we weren't going to receive any Christmas presents (how much stuff can you stuff in a 33-foot travel trailer?). A few days before Christmas, we were shopping at a store and I saw a movie I really wanted. Since I was sure we weren't getting any gifts, I begged for the video-something I rarely do (trust me!). Mom eventually bought it, and I admit I felt guilty afterwards for begging. Christmas Eve morning came and the dinette of our trailer was covered with Christmas gifts. What a surprise"
Ben: "I remember the Christmas of 2001. We discovered on the floor of our living room, a pile of toys, socks, coloring books, and the like. My first thought was Mom and Dad had bought the toys for poor kids and were going to give them away. I was a little envious because I saw a Lego set which had taken my fancy. But when Dad and Mom woke up and were questioned, they said the toys were for us. When Dad finished his work before the weekend, he discovered in the back of his car a plastic garbage bag filled with the toys. Apparently a man from Dad's work had bought the toys for us because he was concerned for us kids; Dad's hours had been cut (he was a small aircraft mechanic and the aircraft industry was affected by the 911 attacks). It almost brings me to tears...all I can think of is that man's generosity and my unworthiness. On top of the gifts given by the man, we were blessed with presents from Dad and Mom. God did not only bless us with His mercy, the forgiveness of sins though Jesus Christ, but also with His grace and every blessing that comes from above."
Kris: "I remember a Christmas around the age of sixteen, my mom and dad bought me a classical guitar. I was totally shocked!! I have always wondered how they picked it out. I also remember my mom receiving a huge ice-fishing spear. I think she was totally shocked!"
Dave: "Every dad has a stay up late in the night story...We still lived in Blaine, MN when I found myself staying up into the wee hours of the morning assembling a rocking horse, just like the ones Kris and I remembered when growing up - springs and all. The smiles of the kids the next morning and the many pretend miles traveled on it made it all worth while."
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The Garms Family
Friday, November 14, 2008
Great Adventure's New Blog
Hello Friends!
Welcome to Great Adventure Gospel Band's new blog. Here you can find current information about the Garms family and their ministry, candid stories and pictures, and thought-provoking articles. Please come often to better know Great Adventure!
Feel to free to leave a comment on any blog; your comments are always welcome!
Blessings and Joy in the Journey!
The Garms Family
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