Journal entry for February 28, 2026

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16

Whoever lives in love lives in God... That seems like such a deep statement. It signifies that love is not just an action, but a "state of being" where a person's character is shaped by Divine presence.

I think "state of being" is pretty accurate. For the Greek uses a word which means to "stay in". Oh to understand the depth of Divine love. To understand the love that is as broad as the east is from the west and just as deep. And to remain in that love.

Father I began yesterday with such great passion and desire to go through my day with an awareness of Your very real presence. As all too often happens, I failed miserably. Just as an oak tree remains in an acorn until all of the conditions are just right for that acorn to split open and reveal there is a tree within. So it seems there are acorns hidden within me that just the right circumstances break open, and reveal not Divine presence, but ugly fleshly nature. It's so disappoints me Lord.

I listen to an old sermon of Tim Keller's last night, and he did a wonderful job of explaining what it is to be a Christian. Being a Christian is to realize that we are relying on the love You have for us. And that being in Christ we are in You, and You and us. It doesn't mean we don't have those little acorns lying within that certain circumstances will reveal. But rather it's an understanding, that we don't come to you without being called. It has nothing to do with our worth or our ability to live up to certain standards...

Oh to comprehend Your love and what it is to abide in Your love and for Your love to abide in us. I can come into Your presence now and forever more based on who I am in Christ and for no other reason. With all of my imperfections I've been called into the family of God. Oh may I abide in Your love today and thereby be abiding in You. In Jesus name. AMEN.