Love Without End

It's been a long time since I've posted on blogspot. I think it's time that I start again. I like this site.

There has been a lot that's happened in my life recently, especially with my relationship with God. I feel like i've grown alot in the past month or two. Go Figure. I'm reading my bible more...Go ME!!

So anyway, back to the subject at hand. I've been listening to this song called You've been a friend by Israel and New Breed for the past day and 1/2. The lyrics are as follows:

Thank you for all you've done through your Son thank you for all you do you've brought me through when I look around and see where I've been you've been a friend

Glory honor exaltation power blessing worship love without end you've been a friend wo wo wo wo wo wo wo there's not a friend like you wo wo wo wo wo wo

For protecting me when I could not see thank you for hiding me under the shadow of your wings when I look around and see you again you've been a friend

Glory honor exaltation power blessing worship love without end you've been a friend wo wo wo wo wo wo wo there's not a friend like you wo wo wo wo wo wo

Oh, oh what a friend I have in you

Love without end, love without end, love without end: You've been a friend.

If you've read through all the lyrics, you'e probably discovered that this song is the inspiration for the name of today's blog. I stopped for a second to think about the concept of unconditionarlly eternal love. It brings me back to Roman 8:35 where we are reminded that, first, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ and that we are more than conquerors through him. More importantly, I love the fact that this song highlights a relationship with God. I believe that everyone can and should have a relationship with God (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 7:21-23). I began to consider what does it mean to have a friendship with God. The best example I can give is, perhaps, the most cliché, son father relationship.

For contextual purposes, I'm going to describe my idealistic version of a father-son relationship. I imagine that a father love his son, plays with his son, teachers his son, and disciplines his son - one big molding process. I imagine a father playing baseball, or some sport, with his son early on saturdays (as mine use to do). He does this because it's a perfect way to bond with his child while engaging in some activity, in a sense its something they can mutually appreciate. Similarly a father takes time to find out how his son's day has done, congratulates him for accomplishments, picks him up when he falls, rebuffs him for his flaws, and comforts him when he's distraught. A father talks to his son everyday, and his son speaks back. Occasionally they get angry with one another, but eventually they solve the issue. The father genearlly has directions/advice for his son, and the son obeys. Through all of this, the son loves and admires the son. Afterall, a dad is irreplacable, right?

I see God as a father figure. We share, conceptaully, many of these things. As I begin to think about a father, I started to see the concept of true love. Reguardless of what that child does, or says a father still loves his son unconditionally. I'm challenging myself to show love without end for as many people as possible this week. It's the only way to be a true fiend.