trial of faith

"Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character must be proven trustworthy in our own minds."
Oswald Chambers

Christian Love

Well, as you can see I'm still on this thing with love. So many times we hear from people who don't want to become Christians because of how Christians act. Now I want to tell them to quit looking at us and instead for them to look at Christ. But we told that others will know we are followers of Christ because of our love. So, I think about do I show others, including my family, the love of Christ?
In todays Meadville Tribune there is an article about a young man who was suspended from college because of being an actor in gay porn movies. The college, Grove City, is a Christian college and those who attend there know that. So, I agree that some action needs to be taken. I just pray for the people involved. That they will show true Christian love in there disciplinary action.
As for showing love to others, I truly believe that it's the only way others will want to know Jesus. They aren't going to find Him attractive because we go to church, or read our bibles. And it truly saddens me when my own human-ness (did I spell that right?) gets in the way.

Love

Why is it easier to show love to outsiders than it seems to be to show it to your own family? I care about the customers that I see at our bank and it's not hard to be kind to them. But when I get home it's like the mean part of me comes out. And it concerns me because I love my family deeply, much more than I love my customers or any others outside of my home. So, I've been thinking about what love actually is.
I Corinthians 13 says love is patient, kind, not envious, not proud or boastful. It isn't rude or self-seeking, it's not easily angered...... The part of this section of scripture that hit me today was, it keeps no record of wrong. How many times in an argument does something from the past get brought up? And in comparison to my meager attempt at love, Christ's love has TOTALLY wiped out my past. He simply doesn't even remember it. Jesus will never say to me, "Yes, but you did this and this and this. What an awesome thing!!! Christ love is so perfect. I want to love my family, as well as others, with this kind of love
So, as I continue to grow in Christ, I pray that His love will become perfect in me. And that I can love with that love.
Jesus, I truly praise and thank You that You have wiped my past away and remember that you no longer remember my sins. Thank You Jesus!!!!!

God's lovingkindness

Lovingkindness. This word kind of jumped out at me this morning as I was reading Psalms 40. Do I know what it is? Can I give it a definition? Sometimes I think I've been a Christian for so long that I take these truths for granted.
So, to my few readers (and thank you for reading this meager blog) would you please share with me your definition of God's lovingkindness.
Thanks