Erling Thu

Category: Love

  • A loving and loyal servant

    In his letter to the Romans the apostle Paul is introducing himself as a loving and loyal servant of the Anointed One, Jesus (Rom 1,1 TPL). When I read what Paul was writing about himself, his words struck me. What a sound self-image. What a wonderful self-esteem. What a bold statement about himself: I am a loving and loyal servant!

    First of all he wants to tell that he is a servant of the Anointed One, Jesus the Messiah. He had been called and chosen by Jesus Christ to be a servant. He was set apart with a mission. As a servant he was a sent one, an apostle. His mission was to reveal the wonderful news of the Kingdom of God. He was to bring people out of darkness and ignorance into the light and understanding of the Good News of what God had done through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That was his mission to bring insight to people, to help them grasp the eternal plan and purpose of Christ. He was never disobedient to this heavenly vision. He was a servant of Jesus Christ his entire life. The heavenly vision made him a servant. 

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  • Facing setbacks

    To be somebody is to face setbacks in faith, hope and love

    to be able to see them as the Selah of the Lord

    – times for listening to His voice

    – times for rest in His presence

    – times for being refreshed in His purpose for my life

    To be somebody is not to close your eyes to dark reality

    or to run away from difficulties and trials,

    but to face all the realities of life

    with faith in God, hope in God alone,

    and  love Him who is in control and showering His love on us

    in all circumstances at all times.

  • Being remembered

    To be somebody is being remembered

    On a very ordinary birthday,

    By wife, children and grandchildren,

    By family and friends,

    By people near and far away,

    Through e-cards, phone calls and text messages.

    Being remembered on a birthday,

    Is a token of love and appreciation,

    Making you feel you are somebody.

    But really, it is the person who remembers another person

    And care enough to express his or her love

    Who is somebody!

    To be somebody is to forget about oneself

    To remember our neighbour

    And think about our other people’s need

  • Praying for friends

    To be somebody is to pray for your friends

    when pain in your body keeps you awake

    and don’t allow you to sleep

    but your care, concern and love are overcoming the pain

    and causing you to pray with such fervour and zeal

    that you transcend the aching body.

    When you are able to forget your own pain

    because you care for your friends

    and must lift them up to the Throne of Grace

    you show yourselves to be A Great Somebody

    able to deny your own needs to meet those of others!

  • Valueing relationships

    To be somebody is to value relationships

    above politically correct opinions

    or orthodox teology and right confession of belief

    Living in a good relationship

    with my Creator and my fellow man

    make me a human person

    Political opinions or religious theories

    have a tendency to make me a political animal or a religious beast

    Being a friend is more important

    than having the best argument

    When you care for people

    by showing love through acts of mercy

    you far exceed the greatest philosopher

    in his clever definition of love

    When you live in proper relationships

    you are really somebody

    even though you can't explain love

  • Seeing people through eyes of grace

    To be somebody is looking for grace

    And not be blinded by needs or shortcomings

    It is to see God at work in people

    Rejoicing in the small beginnings

    Marvelling at the faith of the trembling steps into new grounds

    Appreciating the budding potential

    – in people longing, dreaming and believing

    When you can flow with the grace of God

    In whatever measure you find it in people

    You will be able to help them grow

    Bringing out the best in them

    Stirring them to aspire for more

    Provoking them to love and good works

    You are somebody when you see people

    Through the eyes of grace

    Then you enable them to see themselves

    Through the eyes of hope and faith

    Ignoring the failures and dreaming of new adventures

    As they rejoice in the incredible wealth of grace and kindness

    Shown to them by God and their fellow man

  • Connecting people

    To be somebody is being in the business
    Of connecting people and
    Allowing yourself to be connected to people
    – Constantly reaching out to others
    – Constantly breaking down barriers
    – Constantly jumping over walls
    – Constantly removing borders
    Receiving and giving spiritual insight
    Leaving comments and responding to e-mails
    Talking on the phone and sending SMS messages
    Touching, hugging and kissing
    As you generously encourage others
    Blessing them with your big smile
    Accepting them for what they are
    Receiving them into your heart
    Lifting them up to God in prayer
    Allowing God to speak to you
    Through those who are different from you

    Great people have the capacity
    Of being joined in heart with a diversity of people
    Each time they enter a covenant relationship
    By the uniting Spirit of God
    Their capacity for connecting with others is being enlarged

  • Being married

    To be somebody is to be married
    Because marriage is a risky enterprise
    To marry is to dare to commit yourself
    – to another person for life just because of love
    To marry is to renounce a life of sovereign decision making
    And to embrace the views and opinions of another person
    Before any decisions are made – together!
    To marry is to dare to open up your life
    And fully share it with the one you love!

    To be somebody is to stay married
    In spite of differences and conflicting interests
    In the faithfulness and loyalty of love
    You will find strength and wisdom
    To overcome the biggest obstacles
    And fight through the battles to win the war of Love
    By laying down your life
    To make your marriage partner happy

    To be somebody is being married
    And enjoy every minute
    As you find your way – together