How Close is God? by Jenna Vick Silliman

As a child I thought of God as seated on His golden throne far, far away in Heaven somewhere. He sat there like Abraham Lincoln in His giant monument in Washington D.C., far removed from my childhood in Redwood City, California.

I came to know the Lord Jesus and His awesome love when I was 16. I invited Him to take up residence in my heart. At first He was a good friend, then a best friend, then family, and now the love of my life. He is closer than a brother and closer than my husband.

In Ephesians 3:17–19, the apostle Paul prays for the people of God: “…That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend…the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

The Bible says: “In Him we live and move and have our being.” (See Acts 17:28.) The Lord spoke this to me through that verse: "In Me you live and move and have your being. But this is also true: In YOU I live and move and have MY being as well. We are ONE Spirit. When you walk into a room, I walk into that room, too; within you. You cannot mark where My Spirit ends and your spirit begins. That is why you are seated with Me on My Throne in Heaven and walking on the earth at the same time. Where I AM you are, and where you are, I AM. "

The Lord wants us to know His love for us and for us to love Him in return. Jesus said, “Abide in Me.” (See John 15.) Abide means dwell or live. He wants us to live with Him and be in an intimate, love relationship with Him 24/7. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (See James 4:8.)

How close is God? As close as our heartbeat!

A sermon can contain many messages...by Tony C

I've been very fortunate to have had several great pastors in my lifetime. I've written about two of them before here on Kingdom Bloggers. This week, we will each be sharing a favorite sermon from a past service. A message that stuck in the wheel well, so to speak, and provoked deeper thought or study after hearing it.


On September 30 of this year, my friend Derek preached his last sermon as my pastor. I knew it was coming. I had prayed for him diligently as he prepared for the transition. He was on a path he felt God put before him, and I tried my hardest to submit to God's will...even though I really, really didn't like what was about to happen.

For his last sermon, my friend and pastor went back to the very outline he had preached ten years earlier as his first sermon where I attend church. He had preceded my coming to the church as the new pastor just months before I started attending.

He was coming to shepherd. I was coming to rejoin the flock I had been lost from for many years.

As I write this, I know in my heart God knew I needed a man like Derek in my life. Someone who would challenge me spiritually in an encouraging manner. His words on September 30 still echo through me today.

But, not because of the message he preached from II Kings 6 on the faithfulness of God. While it was a great message, it was his words before he preached the message that resonated with me deeply. He told the congregation before his very first message at our church that he called his dad from his office to ask him to pray. Derek was nervous and needed the reassurance only a parent can often give. He also shared he had done the same thing that very morning before coming from his office to the church for services.

As Derek spoke about his father, about his parents, and what they meant to his life, I knew with a strong conviction that I longed to be that kind of father for my own daughters. Not just the spiritual example I'm charged to be by God's word, but to also really be there for them whenever I'm needed and for whatever I'm needed for at the moment.

Life makes such a vow or commitment often more difficult than it sounds. My expectations may sometimes conflict with a path one, maybe all,  of them may chose. Their decisions may lead me to believe my head might actually explode from frustration. My heart may get broken again and again with disappointment.

Yet, through it all,  I need to be there for each one of them...when they need me...to reflect the very same reassurance I get from my Abba Father. To demonstrate that their father loves them unconditionally and completely with a love only surpassed by their Heavenly Father. I will not leave them. I can never forsake them.

Thanks for the enduring lesson my dear friend. Thanks to your dad Mike too for being that light of love.

The Extravagant Love of God by Jenna Vick Silliman

This summer when I was in Germany I had a dream one of the first nights I was there. I don’t dream very often, so when I do I pay attention. In my dream Papa God was running towards me with His arms outstretched to greet me. He wore a long coat of many colors, like Joseph, with a rainbow of colors, glistening and gorgeous. As He wrapped His arms around me, the long, colorful robe came onto me. I admired the length of it on myself and smiled at Papa—still wearing the robe Himself. Then He lovingly placed some leather sandals on my feet, a thick wreath of colorful flowers on my head, and a red ribbon sash over one shoulder, like I had won a beauty pageant. He took an opal ring off His finger and put it on mine, with the biggest, most beautiful opal, full of fire and sparkle. I felt overcome by Papa’s love for me to give me such gifts. He kissed me on the head and said, “My child, I will give you everything you need, when you need it.”

Papa God placed a colorful wreath of flowers on my head.

When I awoke I still felt God’s loving presence, sweet and thick around me. I quickly wrote down every detail of the dream and thought about the verse, “God gives to His beloved in sleep.” On the flight to Germany I had read “Dream Language” a book by James Goll  about how God gives His people revelation and encounters with Him, even in our sleep, and we should be ready and even expecting to receive—and ready to write them down so we don’t forget them. In his book he cites the many stories in the Bible of God giving revelations to people in their dreams. After I wrote down my dream, I prayed and asked Papa to give me the full meaning of it.

A few days later, on August 31, 2012, I was privileged to attend a Global Legacy Conference put on by Bethel Church of Redding, California and hosted in Germany by the Duisburg Church of Christ (or as they say in Germany: Cristus-Gemeinde Duisburg) and translated by Pastor Martin Spreer. The speaker was Paul Manwaring from Bethel. I bought Paul’s newest book (It is excellent!) “What on Earth is Glory?” and asked him to sign it inside. As I greeted him I said, “I’m from Washington State—here in Germany for two weeks.” He laughed and said, “Wow! You traveled a long way to come and hear me speak!” Hahaha!

Paul spoke on the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. He said this is one of the most important texts of the whole Bible and the story should be renamed, “The Extravagant Father.” I did not put it together until he said it—this is my dream! I was like the son returning home AND the older son too. These verses have become the some of the most precious Bible verses to me because I came to realize My Papa loves me like that—with an extravagant love! Tears dropped on the pages of my Amplified Bible as the verses spoke straight to me.

Papa says…

“You are always with Me and all that is Mine is yours. You are My heir, My darling child. I have given you My robe of righteousness and you are perfectly sinless to Me and oh SO beautiful! I give you freedom from the law of sin and death to enjoy My love and abundant life now and forever. It is time to make merry, play music, dance, revel and be happy and rejoice in all I give to you! I love you dearly, My child.”

The Cords of Human Kindness

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. ” Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend.

For the past few weeks, Kingdom Bloggers has been reviewing the gifts of the Spirit, according to Paul’s list in Galatians 5:22. Paul is distinguishing the authenticity of those who claim to be followers of Christ--those who truly have the power of the Holy Spirit should be exhibiting fruits like love, peace, patience and kindness. Earlier in his letter to the Galatians, Paul instructed these believers to “love your neighbors as yourself” (the Great Commandment, Matt. 22:37-39).

This week, we examine kindness. In the Greek, the transliteration of the word used for kindness is “chrestotes,” which means goodness, kindness, mercy: what is right. Kindness is always the “right thing.” The quote from Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend is, I think, an apt description of kindness--an effort to lighten the burdens of others.

Sometimes, that kind of effort means giving a smile and forbearance when a sharp word might be deserved; giving up a restful afternoon to instead help a friend in need; biting your tongue instead of criticizing. There are countless ways to show kindness. How often do we instead display the opposite?

“Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” Job 6:14

I have a friend with an amazing capacity for kindness toward animals--she foster-parents dogs that most of us would consider dangerous: pit bulls. The incidence of dangerous pit bulls, however, has more to do with the individual owner than inherent traits in the dog, and with breeders who deliberately try to create a more aggressive animal.  

What about people? Studies have shown that effects of abuse against children is cumulative--these precious ones experience more depression, mental health problems, suicide attempts, physical and emotional symptoms, and engage in more high-risk behaviors. 

“You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.” Job 10:12

Kindness (goodness, love and mercy) from adults toward children goes a long way in producing a stable, contented society. Just as cruelty to animals produces aggressive, defensive behaviors in them, so may cruelty and neglect produce children of its own kind.

I have some distinct memories from childhood of kindnesses shown: a relative praying over my injured hand, an aunt who loved to hang out with us, my grandmother slipping me some money to buy something I wanted, a teacher encouraging me in my creativity, my mom talking to me on the phone every day after school from work. Kindness builds cumulatively.

Kindness is not necessarily “niceness.” Sometimes the kindest thing is to be lovingly honest or direct, even when doing so may mean incurring the anger or wrath of the other person. God does that with us--it is His kindness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). He truthfully reveals to us our faults and failures, yet at that very same moment, tells us of His great love for us.

I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. Hosea 11:4

Love by Amanda Elder Silvers

"Love is a many splendored thing."  No other feeling or emotion can so thoroughly engulf one's soul that we are able to be transported to another planet through the euphoria of it or slammed down into the darkest pits of despair because of the heartbreak of it.  As a woman I love "love".  I appreciate the importance of it.  I enjoy both the giving and receiving of it.  I have seen firsthand the healing powers it possesses and I've seen the wreckage and the harsh aftermath of love gone bad or taken for granted. 

If you were asked to define the word "love" what would you say?  I could post a dictionary definition of the word, but I'd like for you to really take a second and think.  I love ice cream.  I love my children.  Is it the same?.... hardly.  Love can wear any number of faces and it can been seen through any number of actions.  First love.  Love lost.  The power of love.  The gift of love.  True love.  Eternal love.  I'm not sure there really is a right answer.  I believe that if we are blessed enough in our lives to have love then we base our definition upon our personal experience with it.

 In high school if asked to define "love" my answer would have most definitely been directed toward some boy who made my palms sweaty and heart race.  Books, music, and television all convince us that we are on a quest to find "perfect love".  <I've become a little hostile to the media because of this insinuation> In college my opinion was probably much the same.  Into adulthood however, after my children were born, my answer would become much different.  Enter unconditional love.  What an amazing thing to experience.  Before I even met these two little beings I loved them and would have given my life for them.  As a pregnant woman you eat healthy, you live healthy, and you're much more aware of your daily actions knowing now that everything you do won't just affect you, but this precious little being you have inside. Once I had the pleasure of meeting them I knew in an instant that the love I felt for them would never fade.  There is nothing either of those cute, loud, rambunctious little young'uns could ever do to diminish even 1% of the love I feel for them.  If anything it increases daily.

I like to think this is just a very small-scale version of the love God has for us, His children.  He was and is the supreme example of unconditional love.  While we were yet sinners, He loved us and gave His Son to die on a cross that we could have the opportunity for an eternal life spent with Him in Heaven.  THAT'S the most amazing love.  His love is the truest love and the one we should most desire.  The beauty is that we don't even have to do anything to deserve it.  He loves us even before we are born.  His love never fails. 

Psalm 136

Praise the Lord! He is good.
God’s love never fails.
² Praise the God of all gods.
God’s love never fails.
³ Praise the Lord of lords.
God’s love never fails.

⁴ Only God works great miracles.^[a]
God’s love never fails.
⁵ With wisdom he made the sky.
God’s love never fails.
⁶ The Lord stretched the earth
over the ocean.
God’s love never fails.
⁷ He made the bright lights
in the sky.
God’s love never fails.
⁸ He lets the sun rule each day.
God’s love never fails.
⁹ He lets the moon and the stars
rule each night.
God’s love never fails.

¹⁰ God struck down the first-born
in every Egyptian family.
God’s love never fails.
¹¹ He rescued Israel from Egypt.
God’s love never fails.
¹² God used his great strength
and his powerful arm.
God’s love never fails.
¹³ He split the Red Sea^[b] apart.
God’s love never fails.

¹⁴ The Lord brought Israel safely
through the sea.
God’s love never fails.
¹⁵ He destroyed the Egyptian king
and his army there.
God’s love never fails.
¹⁶ The Lord led his people
through the desert.
God’s love never fails.

¹⁷ Our God defeated mighty kings.
God’s love never fails.
¹⁸ And he killed famous kings.
God’s love never fails.
¹⁹ One of them was Sihon,
king of the Amorites.
God’s love never fails.
²⁰ Another was King Og of Bashan.
God’s love never fails.
²¹ God took away their land.
God’s love never fails.
²² He gave their land to Israel,
the people who serve him.
God’s love never fails.

²³ God saw the trouble we were in.
God’s love never fails.
²⁴ He rescued us from our enemies.
God’s love never fails.
²⁵ He gives food to all who live.
God’s love never fails.

²⁶ Praise God in heaven!
God’s love never fails.

(Source: Biblegateway.com)