The Creed

At my church, The Church at Chapel Hill, our pastor is teaching a series called, 'The Creed.' My husband, who has a Catholic background, immediately recognized it as The Apostle's Creed... and knew it by heart!

Here it is:

"We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered at the hands of men, was crucified, dead, and buried. On the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit;
the redeemed church;
the fellowship of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting."

You know what I like about this? It lays it out... it tells you no if-ands-or-buts... this is what I believe. Here is heart of the matter... the meat of the meal... it's all here in a nutshell. You wanna know about me? What I believe? Who I believe in and why? Here you go! Here is what I place value in, who I put my faith.

Pastor has be diving into certain areas about this too. Last week's was Acceptance. He talked about busted relationships. Well, it's no secret I've had a few in the last couple of years. You know the old saying, "He read my mail?" Meaning, it seemed he was speaking directly to what I had recently gone through? Well, I felt like he didn't just read my mail... I felt like he hacked into all of my personal accounts!!!!
He said, "Acceptance with conditions, ALWAYS created insecure relationships."
Man... talk about a challenge that can sometimes go against the grain of what you feel. To extend a hand even if it means there is a possibility that your hand could get bitten.

But, honestly, how can I do any less??? Where in the heck would I be if God gave up on me when I turned by back on Him.

So I am striving to be an unconditional friend. To be there, even if an offense is present. To love without limits. I'll keep trying... I'll keep loving.