Tag God

The Depth of Divine Love

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

The love of God is a force beyond human comprehension. It stretches beyond the highest heavens, deeper than the ocean’s abyss, wider than the horizon we can see. It is limitless, boundless, and eternal. Robert Lowry’s hymn “The Love of God” reminds us that even if the sky were a scroll and the seas filled with ink, we could never fully capture the vastness of God’s love. This truth should stir us—not to despair at our inability to grasp it, but to rejoice in the endless grace that surrounds us.

Such love is not passive or distant. It is a love that pursues, restores, and redeems. From the pages of Scripture to the evidence in our daily lives, God’s love is active, reaching into our brokenness and lifting us up. Consider how this love transformed lives throughout history—how it turned sorrow into joy, fear into peace, and separation into reconciliation. This is the love that Christ demonstrated on the cross, the love that holds us even when we falter.

Yet, we often struggle to accept such profound love. We question whether we are worthy, whether we have done enough, whether our past mistakes disqualify us. But God’s love is not measured by our actions; it is given freely, with no conditions, no limits.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

When we allow ourselves to embrace it, we find rest, purpose, and the assurance that His love is forever.

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky.”

This vivid depiction reminds us that God’s love is beyond human comprehension. It overflows, unable to be contained or fully expressed in words

The Ever-Flowing Stream: A Reflection on God’s Goodness and Mercy

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

In the journey of life, we often find ourselves weary, longing for refreshment—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Yet, in these moments of exhaustion, we are reminded of God’s unwavering goodness and mercy, a source of renewal that never runs dry.

Isaiah 58:11 beautifully captures this promise:

“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

These words paint a vivid picture of God’s care and provision. An ever-flowing stream is not stagnant nor dependent on external circumstances—it keeps moving, keeps refreshing, and keeps supplying life to everything it touches. This is how God sustains us, offering His mercy and grace freely, ensuring that we never have to navigate life alone.

God’s Mercy Never Runs Dry

Just as water revives a parched land, God’s mercy revives our souls. Even when we fall short, even when we feel drained by the trials of life, His love remains steadfast. Through every hardship, He is there—pouring out peace, strength, and wisdom, guiding us step by step.

Finding Refreshment in His Presence

Like a traveler coming upon a fresh spring in the desert, we are invited to drink deeply of God’s goodness. We find this spiritual nourishment through prayer, through His Word, and through daily moments of surrender. When we immerse ourselves in Him, we are renewed, strengthened, and transformed.

Living as an Overflowing Spring

The beauty of God’s mercy doesn’t end with us—it flows outward. Just as He refreshes us, He calls us to be a blessing to others. When we extend kindness, share encouragement, and love unconditionally, we become vessels of His ever-flowing goodness, carrying His refreshment into a thirsty world.

Conclusion

No matter how dry or weary life feels, God’s goodness and mercy remain constant. His stream of love never ceases, His grace never runs out, and His presence never abandons us. May we trust in His provision, knowing that He is the wellspring of life, offering peace and renewal in every season.

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THE TRUE GPS

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

The True GPS

George was given an old GPS device from his uncle. Though it was several years old and had not been updated, George trusted it completely. After all, it had guided his uncle through countless road trips in the past. Surely it could do the same for him. His uncle raved of the GPS’s excellent guidance through the years.

One sunny morning, George set off on a long journey to a city he’d never visited before. He punched in his destination with confidence, listening to the GPS’s calm voice directing him through winding roads and unfamiliar turns. However, as the hours passed, George noticed peculiarities. He was driving on new highways that the GPS insisted were not there, and at times it led him to dead ends in the middle of nowhere. George followed the instructions faithfully, convinced that the GPS would lead him to his destination eventually.

By nightfall, George found himself hopelessly lost, miles away from where he needed to be. The outdated GPS had failed him. Exhausted and frustrated, he stopped at a small diner and asked a local for directions. With the help of someone who knew the area well, George finally reached his destination.

The Lesson

Like George and his GPS, we often place our trust in outdated guidance—whether it’s old habits, worldly systems, or even our own limited understanding. But these “maps” can fail us when faced with life’s uncertainties and complexities. The only guide who never fails is Jesus. His wisdom and direction are always current, always reliable, and always leading us exactly where we need to be.

Jesus promises to be our guide better than any GPS, no matter how advanced. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Unlike George’s GPS, His guidance doesn’t rely on faulty information; it is perfect, true, and eternal. When we trust in Him, we will never be lost.

Moral of the Story

Worldly wisdom and guidance may fail us, leading to confusion and frustration. But Jesus Christ is not merely a guide—He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He is our North Star, steadfast and unchanging, always pointing us to the path of eternal life. When we place our trust fully in Him, we will never be lost, for He alone knows the way to the Father and walks it with us. He is God’s Positioning System which will always put you in the right position. You can trust Him!

This has been a View From the Nest

Allen Frederick

A CALL TO THE WANDERER

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins,[a] if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[b] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[c] 22 But the father said to his servants,[d] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

A CALL TO RETURN

When the sheep strays, the shepherd does not rest until its voice fills the fold. When the coin hides beneath the dust, the woman’s lamp burns until its shine is restored. When the son wanders in rebellion and ruin, the Father’s gaze remains fixed on the horizon, eager for his return.

In Jesus’ parables, we glimpse heaven’s relentless pursuit of what seems irretrievably lost. Whether we are the wandering sheep, the misplaced coin, or the prodigal child, the message is the same: God’s love meets us not at the gates of perfection but amidst the ruins of our despair.

In His kingdom, the finding of the lost is a cause for celebration, for restoration is not begrudging—it is joyous. And just as the parables teach, we are invited to take part in the divine celebration, sharing His grace with others who feel they, too, have wandered too far. Come running to His open arms He will not turn you aside if you seek Him with a true heart longing for a return home.

This has been a view from the nest
Allen Frederick aka Eaglewings

I Surrender All: A Devotional for Easter

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

The words of the hymn I Surrender All resonate deeply with the journey of faith. Written in 1896 by Judson W. Van DeVenter, this hymn emerged from a pivotal moment in his life. Van DeVenter, an accomplished artist, found himself torn between pursuing a career in the arts or stepping into full-time ministry. After wrestling with God’s call, he finally surrendered, choosing to dedicate his life entirely to serving Christ. This heartfelt act of yielding birthed one of the most beloved hymns in Christian worship—a timeless reminder of what it means to fully trust and submit to God.

As we approach the heart of the Easter season, I Surrender All takes on an even deeper meaning. It reminds us of the ultimate act of surrender—Jesus Christ offering Himself on the cross for the redemption of humanity. The Son of God gave everything, holding nothing back, for the sake of love. His sacrifice invites us to examine our own lives and to ask: what might God be calling us to surrender in this season?

Surrender is not an easy concept. It challenges our desire for control, tests our faith, and often stretches us in uncomfortable ways. For some, surrender might mean letting go of fear or anxiety, trusting God to provide and guide. For others, it could involve reconciling broken relationships, relinquishing bitterness or pride, and choosing humility and love. Perhaps God is asking you to trust Him with your future, your career, or a dream you’ve been holding tightly to.

Easter is a time of reflection, renewal, and hope. Just as the empty tomb represents victory and new life, surrendering our hearts to God leads to transformation and peace. When we let go of our own plans and fully trust in Him, we find that His ways are higher, and His plans are greater than anything we could imagine.

Closing Prayer

Lord, as we reflect on the profound sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, may we open our hearts to fully surrender to You. Teach us to trust You with our fears, dreams, and burdens, knowing that in You, we find true peace and joy. Transform our hearts this Easter season and help us walk in the light of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.