Greatness

I think we are all born with a desire for greatness.  That's why kids emulate superheroes, princesses, rock stars, or pro athletes.  There's a seed in us desiring to achieve, to attain, to burst into greatness.  Amazingly, I was thinking on this as I was going to bed last night.  And I'm not sure what happened...but it was something of the Spirit.  Truth washed over me and I lay there crying.  It was a beautiful moment.

Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified) says this, "For we are God's own handiwork, recreated in Christ Jesus that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live).

God does have a destiny for us.  It was planned long before we were born.  Think about Joseph in the Bible.  God told him early in his life through dreams that he would be in authority and his brothers would bow down to him.  David was anointed king many years before he ever became king.  Both of these men had an inkling of their destiny early on.  They were bound for greatness.   But I don't think the greatness was in their positions of authority.  And I don't think they thought that either.  Their greatness was in the process.  Their greatness was in the breaking and remaking of their lives.  And their greatness was in relationships.

God did fulfill what he promised to both men.  Joseph's brothers did bow before him--he was in great authority.  David became king.  But what is the highlight of their stories?  The highlight of Joseph's story is in the restoration of his relationships with his brothers.  The highlight of David's story was his relationship with God--a man after God's own heart.

We may never do great things--at least in the way we've imagined.  But let me ask you--how's the process been?  Has there been a breaking and remaking going on in your life?  Is God restoring relationship or are you building relationship with God?  If the answer is yes to those questions, then you're on the path to greatness.

As that truth washed over me last night, I could do nothing but weep.  God doesn't count greatness as we count greatness.  But He's already planned great destiny for each of us.

Blindspots

Blindspots. We all have them.  We look in the mirror and think we're seeing clearly.  When there's clearly a truck coming--which we can't see without help.  It takes a wide angle mirror or turning around to actually see what is there in truth.

Truth.  We all need it.  I can remember a time in my early 20's when I thought I was always right.  God quickly dispelled that nonsense by giving me a clear and true picture of myself in a dream.  (Wow!  If it hadn't been from God, I would have called it a nightmare.)  But even though I know  that I'm not always right, I can still have an over-inflated view of myself and my position on issues.  I'm learning to approach differences with others with a few questions of myself.  Like...

• What is truth?
• Why do I feel so strongly about this issue?
• Is this issue more important than this relationship?
• Do I press this point because it is truth?
• Am I God's spokesman in this situation...or do I just want to be right?
• Am I extending grace?

God doesn't need me.  Thankfully, He allows me to be a part of His plan at times.  And even though I have a strong sense of justice, right & wrong, and truth...I know it's not enough.  Paul instructed us to grow up, become mature.  And part of that maturity involves speaking the truth in love.  Truth without love is harsh.  Love without truth is weak.  The perfect combination we should all seek is truth in love.

"Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."

Ephesians 4:14-16

A Psalm 23 Prayer for Groom Tonight

Father,
Thank you that you are the Good Shepherd in Groom tonight.  Thank you for loving your sheep, knowing them deeply and personally, and for guarding them.  Thank you that as we sleep tonight, you are laying across the threshold watching diligently and keeping the enemy away.  Thank you for providing for the needs of those you love...the food we need, the refreshment, the rest.  I'm trusting you to give sweet sleep to those who haven't been able to sleep because of tragedy in their lives.  I'm asking you to refresh and restore those who are mourning. Lead us right into the paths of righteousness for your glory, your honor, your good plan.  God, there are those who have walked into that deep cavernous valley of the shadow of death.  It's long, dark, overwhelming and frightening.  It's so easy to feel alone.  Please make your presence known and very real and dispel the darkness and the fear.  Remind us that it's just a shadow...that there's light and life on the other side!  And help us to see you standing there with your staff and your rod---ready to help pick us up or to fight off any enemy who would dare attack us.  Your very presence brings peace, life and light.  Thank you for that.  Thank you that you let our enemy know how loved and special we are.  You adore us and throw us a party--all while that enemy is watching!  And you laugh in your delight of us!  Thank you for your anointing--the holy oil flowing over our heads to bless us because you favor us.  Please fill our hearts as full.  Even (or because) of these hard things, let us know of your delight, your blessing, your nearness, your life.  I know you are with us each hard step.  Your goodness, your mercy follow us...you keep your hand of blessing on us.  Be our dwelling place.  Let us carry your presence everywhere we go.  Let us find our home in you.  Comfort us.  Bless us with peace tonight.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

A One Word Legacy

We had a tragedy in Groom, TX today.  A 14-year-old young man died.  I didn't know Blake Weinheimer...but I'll never forget the one word legacy he's left behind. Blake was a journalist for The Times of the Tiger and this year they took up the challenge from Mike Ashcroft of myoneword.org and chose one word to live by.  Blake chose the word "purpose."  This is what he said:

Purpose 

By Blake Weinheimer 

My word is purpose because I want everything I do this year to have a purpose. And, I want it to be a good purpose, not a bad one. I want to make sure that there’s a reason for everything I do, say and think. If there’s not a good reason for something, then why should I do it? Purpose is the word that I would like to live by for 2014. 

Honestly, I'd never heard of the "my one word" challenge.  But it's affected me.  What word would I choose?  What legacy do I want to pass on?  I believe Blake chose a good word to live by...and one for which he'll long be remembered.  And I believe his friends will take up this legacy and prize it.

Please pray for Blake's family and friends.  Our community is in shock and deep mourning.

Friends

Ronnie & Janet Thorne with their granddaughter

Tonight, we ran into some great friends in Amarillo.  We went to the same church as young married couples...and began having babies at the same time.  How I wish I could put my hands on my old photo albums.  I have some great photos of the Thorne's back in the day!  We were together all the time.  And we were only together about 5 minutes tonight, hugging and talking as fast as we could!  We haven't seen them in ages, but it's like we'd just been together last week. Andy & I talked about it on our way home--they're the kind of friends you pick up right where you left off.

Back in those days, we had a great group of friends--we were together all the time.  We'd have a game night at least once a month (and usually more often!) and the guys would play Rail Baron for hours while we girls would sit and talk and watch our kids.  We'd do potlucks about once a week.  And if there was a snow day, we'd manage to get to one of our houses and spend the day together.  What sweet times!  And that's the way strong bonds are made.

It made me think of my kids--they have some great friends like this.  How I pray that for all of you.    It takes time.  It takes energy.  It takes effort.  But it doesn't have to cost a lot.  It just takes a little initiative and not being afraid to invite others into your world.  It doesn't even have to be an immaculate world.  My friends have seen me and my house at my worst.  

I have a little sign in my house that says this:  "To have a friend, you must be a friend."  I encourage you to open yourself and your home to others.  I'll bet they're needing a friend as much as you are.  It will enrich your lives and give you a treasure for a lifetime--friends.

*This is also why I love Facebook--being able to keep up with friends I don't get to see often.  We already knew so much going on in each other's lives when we saw the Thorne's tonight!!

What Would You Do?

What would you do if you had a vision like Ezekiel had?  Ezekiel had never seen anything fly through the sky except a bird.  But he saw wheels with eyes flying.  He saw the likeness of four men with straight legs and feet like calves, each had four faces--each different--and each likeness had four wings.  He saw above that a lining like ice and above that a throne like sapphire.  A man was on the throne and it was as if fire was radiating out of him with a glory above him like a rainbow.  What would you do if you saw something you'd never seen before?  Imagine being at a loss for words to describe something flying if you'd never seen an airplane or spaceship.  

Ezekiel was supernaturally transported back to his people to deliver a message from God.  When he got there, he sat among them for seven days--at a loss for words over what he'd just seen.  I imagine he was a little traumatized.  God had told him to not fear the people or fear their faces (don't we get intimidated when someone looks at us angrily or with contempt--and tend to back off?)  The message was hard...and God had already told Ezekiel they wouldn't repent.  What would you do?

We are told in Acts 2:17, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels] and your young men shall see visions (divinely granted appearances), and your old men shall dream [divinely suggested] dreams."

What would you do if you were given a vision or a dream?  Would you be willing to share it to whom God directed you?  It all sounds amazing to give a word to people until we realize it may be to angry people who may want to kill us.  We want to be a people "for such a time as this," like Esther, until we realize she was fighting for her life in the modern-day country of Iran, among a people who hated her people.

We're also told that in the last days, Christians will be hated among all nations.  If we're going to be given dreams and visions in the last days...and be hated by all nations in the last days...I think we better be praying.  Ezekiel couldn't do his job without being filled with the Spirit...and neither can we.

What would you do?

My Worst Nightmare

I had a friend send me a video to watch tonight.  Thanks, Jerry Hamlin--I'll have bad dreams tonight!  It's absolutely my worst nightmare.

You see....my dad took us on a great vacation every summer.  Something I'm truly thankful for.  We took some wonderful trips!  He'd sometimes work 3-4 jobs just to save money so he could take us all over the United States to see our country.  Of course, mom was just as much a part as she budgeted that money and took care of us kids while he worked.   It really started when we'd drive to Red River and take that Old Red River Road that was a windy, steep, narrow road.  I can remember us having to hug the rock side of the road to let someone pass...or backing up to a place so someone could go around us.  It terrified me.  But the crisis trip was when we took a bus ride up Pike's Peak.  (At least, that's where I think it was!)  I was fine and having a good time and fully confident in our bus driver.  Until I moved to the very back seat....and the driver had to back the bus up to make a turn...and until my end of the bus was hanging over the mountain!!!
I screamed, "STOP!!!!!" 

And he did.  And he picked up his tour bus microphone and said, "Thank you."  And the whole bus laughed.  I was so terrified I didn't have time to be humiliated.  And I was just thankful he stopped!!

This video reminds me of those drives.



I remember one trip with Andy in the mountains when I made him stop and let me walk.  I truly don't like mountain roads.

God's Patterns

God gave us many patterns to follow.  Not rules...but patterns.  And I've been learning there are many.  For instance, the tabernacle.

The tabernacle is a pattern of many things, I'm sure, but it's a pattern for worship.  We enter God's outer court with thanksgiving and praise. 

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!"  

Psalm 100:4  

We don't even enter the gates without thanksgiving and His outer court without praise.  I think this is why the enemy has made praise music such a huge issue in the church!!   Praise is the pattern to enter His presence....in worship and prayer.

Another pattern is the wine and bread in communion.

There's been a huge trend in the modern church to present any kind of bread for communion.  The pattern is unleavened bread.  Why is that so important?  Because it represents Christ.  And leavening represents sin.  If you present yeast bread, you're saying in effect that Christ had sin.  It's a misrepresentation of who Christ is.  We need to give a true representation of Christ when we have communion.  I love the matzah bread because it has stripes and is pierced--like Christ's body was when he was sacrificed as a pure offering for our sin.

I'm sure there are many more patterns.  Patterns are given so we can model ourselves after God's way of doing things.

Battling the Bad Guys

I took Ryan & Addie to the Groom Cross today.  Honestly, I'd just gotten my camera out again and wanted to play with settings, lighting, etc.  We went through the stations of the cross.  Something started happening at the first station.  They became very protective of Jesus and were fighting each bad person.  At first, it was quite comical, but then I realized God is raising up warriors in this next generation and they're taking it quite seriously.  The photos are out of order, but I think you'll get the idea.  They especially wanted me to get a close-up of the(aborted) baby in Jesus' hand and the wound on Jesus' side.

Pray for Lindsey

David & Lindsey

My daughter-in-law, Lindsey, has had some challenges lately.  You can read her blog here if you want to hear the details (and it's actually covered in three posts--just click on the blog title and you'll find the other two parts.).  But basically, after months and months of physical problems, Lindsey had her hair tested for metal toxicity in her body and found she had a heavy copper toxicity and heavy metal poisoning.  So she's taking supplements to rid her body of the toxicity but is fighting extreme tiredness and insomnia among other symptoms.  This is all in addition to trying to sell a house so they can purchase their dream farm--which only adds to the stress.  She also homeschools the kids.

We went over tonight to celebrate Ryan's 10th birthday and brought the kids home with us so that Lindsey could begin her healing process.  Hopefully, she'll be able to get lots of sleep for a few days and find her way to healing.  We know that prayer is the key.  Would you please pray that Lindsey is healed?  Would you pray that the supplements she's taking will help?  And would you pray that she gets lots and lots of rest while we have the kids?

And would you pray their house sells quickly?

There are lots of needs...but we have a big God!  Thanks for praying!!

The Loves of my life

Andy

Matt

Caitlin & Alexis

Jay, Amy, Isaac, Josiah, Olivia & Hadassah

David, Lindsey, Ryan & Addie

Zach, Shanna, Dax & Gus

I am BLESSED this Valentine's Day.

Oh...and Ember

Valentines, Marriage...and Reality

Andy came home for lunch today and we had an interesting conversation.  He told me he was wanting to have a marriage conference in our church at some point and was talking about who he'd like to have lead the conference.  We discussed that for a while.

Then I just point blank asked him, "Who do you know who has a great marriage?"  We just kind of looked at each other for awhile.

I mean...we know lots of people with good marriages.  We know even more people who tolerate one another really well.  But we went even further and defined a great marriage to be a couple who really ENJOYS one another.  Who is that?

And we realized we could count those people on two fingers.

I think we could all work on improving our relationships.  Let's let this Valentine's Day be a jump-start for our relationships.  Let's learn how to really and truly enjoy one another.  I think God would delight in this prayer:

Father, 
Would you bring a deep and abiding love into our marriage?  Would you teach me how to treat my spouse?  Would you train me to be selfless and think more of my spouse's needs than my own?  I want to learn how to ENJOY my spouse.  I want to learn what brings delight to their heart and their lives.  I want our needs to be met in You so that when we meet one another's needs, it just icing on the cake!  Fulfill us in You and teach us to love like You love.  Let us be a reflection of You.  And let our marriage be a marriage that others see as a GREAT marriage!
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Candlelight Dinner in Prison

Imagine being in prison and being offered fine clothing and a candlelight dinner with all of your favorite foods.  Just think about that for a minute.  Would you feel better about your circumstances?

Jehoiachin had been carried away captive from Judah to Babylon and put in prison.  But the Babylonian king brought him up out of prison, gave him a seat above the other kings in prison, gave him fine clothing, allowed him to dine at the king's table, and gave him an allowance the rest of his life.  (You can find all of this in Jeremiah 52:31-34.)

I've read of people in concentration camps during WWII who were given privileges during their internment.  It did relieve the strain of prison life.  So I'm sure Jehoiachin was appeased in much the same way.  But no matter what...you're still in prison.

As I read this portion of scripture years ago, this story leaped off the pages and reminded me of my own life.  I was in a prison of fear and the enemy was offering me position, clothes, food--and even an allowance--to stay there.

But one day, I had a vision.  I was sitting in a prison cell with unlocked shackles on my hands and legs and the prison door was wide open.  All I had to do was get up and walk out!  When Jesus died on the cross, those prison doors were opened.  The curse was broken.  And once I accepted Christ as my savior, that finished work was mine.  But I had to appropriate it.  I could spiritually possess freedom...but I had to physically, emotionally, and mentally choose to step out of that prison cell.

Are you in a prison?  The enemy would want you to think there's no way out.  He's offering you the world to stay right where you are.  You can accept his pittance...or you can choose to step out and receive the inheritance that is rightfully yours.  You may be in a prison of fear (like I was), anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, lust....or any number of things.  But there is a way out.  Knowing the truth sets you free.  God is offering you abundant life and He's already bought your freedom.  Believe it today and step out of that prison!

You can have a candlelight dinner in prison...but you're still in captivity.

One More Time....

The contest is almost over!!  And even though I hate bugging my friends, I had this thought last night:  "You know, if all of my Facebook friends voted ONE TIME, Zach & Shanna would have this contest won!!"  If you remember, they've had 2 little boys under three-years-old sick for about 2 months.  I went to babysit for a couple of days this past weekend so they could get away and hopefully sleep and get well themselves.  I'd really like for them to win this contest and have this $1000 prize package for a date night for Valentine's.  I'd even babysit again!  (Twist my arm!!)

All you have to do is go here.  Click on "Zach & Shanna Dietz" and it will take you to the page where this photo is posted.  You can log in with your Facebook ID. (This is a local Amarillo TV station.  Totally secure!)  Under the photo, you will see "VOTE."  Click on vote and you've voted!!  The contest is over in two days!!

Thanks, friends, for helping two young adults who need some encouragement!

Heaven

This is probably a poor analogy, but tonight as I was on Facebook, I thought, "This is what heaven is going to be like!"  As friends were commenting on a post I made, a wave of homesickness overcame me.  I miss some of my friends and would love to sit down over a cup of coffee and catch up!!  I have friends on FB from 50 years ago--and family that's known me all my life.  Some of my friends I don't see very often, but love them to death.  Some of my friends are new friends.   I'm so glad I moved to Groom--or I wouldn't have gotten to know them til heaven!

Don't you think heaven is going to be amazing?  I know the most important thing we'll do is worship our Creator.  But we're also going to be able to talk about what God has done in our lives.  I believe we'll be learning from one another as well as from God.  I believe we'll get to hear one another's stories.  Honestly, I don't think I can even imagine the greatness of heaven!

I'm just glad I got a little foretaste tonight.

Color in Winter

Photo courtesy of LaDonna Jennings

I love winter.  I'm sorry if you don't, and yet live in the same town as me.  When I hear weather reports with snow in the forecast, I begin praying and asking God to dump it here!  The colder the weather, the more energized I am!  My perfect winter day would include me sitting in a clean house by a picture window in a comfy chair while wrapped up in something warm and soft in front of a fire in the fireplace, thick snow coming down like huge feathers, reading a good book, smelling a delicious candle, drinking my favorite flavored coffee and crunching on something chocolate.  (Too detailed?  And I know it doesn't sound like I'm very energized in this scenario--except the clean house bit!)  I know many don't like winter...and I understand why.  My dad was a letter carrier and he hated delivering mail in the cold.  And I have a friend who suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)--or a lack of sunlight--which brings about severe depression.  I know mommies dread having kids shut inside with no deliverance in sight.  So I understand why others don't appreciate the dark days, the cold, and the snow.

But even if you don't love the dark days, the cold, and the snow, don't you love looking outside and seeing a dot of color God has placed in the midst of the bleakness?  It gives hope.  Hope that in our darkest hour, God will take care of us.  This beautiful bird has done nothing.  It hasn't planted crops, it hasn't gathered food into a barn...but God feeds it.  God has promised the same for you and me.  Whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual provision...He has it.  And it's more than enough.  You don't have to work for it...you just have to open yourself to the One who owns it all.

If you're walking through a winter not determined by a season, but by circumstances out of your control, God wants you to know He's enough.  He is all you need.  I'm praying you see a dot of color in your winter soon--to fill your heart with hope.

Prayer Warriors Wanted

I know prayer works.  I've seen God do amazing things.  I've seen a young girl healed of seizures.  I've seen God provide thousands of dollars.  I've seen a prodigal come home.  I've seen a man healed of drug addiction.  I've seen marriages restored.  I've seen God provide a pathway of healing.  I've seen all of these things...and so many more!

The needs seem to be growing, don't they?  And I'm not sure the number of prayer warriors is growing in proportion to the need or at the same rate.

About 23 years ago, a group of us were faced with needs and challenges and we wanted to get together and pray.  Actually, we had no clue what we were doing.  So we decided to get together and learn how to pray.  We came humbly before God and just admitted we didn't know how to pray.  We asked Him to teach us and we were open-minded and open-hearted.  Andy usually led us in a time of praise before we'd begin praying.  We'd pray..and we'd listen.  We desperately wanted to agree with God.  And we desperately wanted to see Him work in our lives.  And He did.

We saw a young girl healed of seizures during those days.  We saw God provide thousands of dollars...you get the picture.  We prayed and He moved.  And it's made me a believer that prayer works.  Did God ever tell us no?  Of course!  He's a good, protective parent and He knows better than we do what is best for us.

If you don't know how to pray, just start.  Hopefully, you can find someone with the same heart with whom you can pray. Read God's Word out loud to Him.  Praise Him!  Ask Him to do those things He's done before.  Believe.  And keep asking.  I'd also encourage you to journal or at least have a prayer journal.  Keep track of those things you ask of God...and how He answers.  Seek Him with all of your heart.  Come simply...and ask your Daddy to show Himself strong.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him."
II Chronicles 16:9

"For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them]."
I Peter 3:12

Cutest Couple Contest

Yesterday, Shanna was having a bad day.  Both boys (almost 3 and 1 1/2) were sick AGAIN--coughing and runny noses and possibly an ear infection.  She was sick AGAIN and Zach has been sick for TWO WEEKS!  They were exhausted and sick and tired of being sick.

I prayed with her and then I asked God for a way to encourage them.  And almost immediately, I saw that KVII was having a Cutest Couple Contest with prizes from Amarillo merchants for a $1000 Date Night Package.  Woo-Hoo!  So...I submitted the photo above.  Don't you love it???

The deal is....whoever gets the most "likes" will win.  Would you please go and vote for these two?  Just click here and then click on "Zach & Shanna Dietz" and it will take you to the site to vote for them.  You can vote every day through February 12th.

Please pray God heals this family quickly.  (I also want to thank one of my friends who had pizza delivered to their house last night.  What a good friend!)  Thanks!

Encouragement Challenge

I have an encouragement challenge.  Find one person a day for the next 7 days and encourage them.  Let's see what God does!  I encourage you to encourage!! 

Love Covers

Love Covering

It's interesting when God starts speaking to me about a subject...I just can't get off of it.  I've been meditating all week on the story that was brought to my mind about playing piano at Pampa's Spring Festival.  (Click here to read.)  I've just kept thinking about the church...WE, the Church.

Just like I was "covered" in my piano playing by those more experienced, why do we not cover those in the church who are less experienced?  I guess I'm thinking mostly about young pastors and those young adults who rise up as leaders.  Instead of encouraging them and covering them (especially their mistakes), we tend to shoot them down and discourage them--even to the point of getting rid of them.

How many young pastors or youth pastors and especially worship pastors (since this is still a huge battle in the church) get discouraged and leave the ministry?  One survey I read said 80% of seminary students who enter the ministry will not be in the ministry within five years.  WHAT???  (The rest of that survey is too disheartening to read, but read if you must!)

What if....

• We prayed for our pastors?
• We chose a young pastor we know to put on our daily prayer list?
• We encouraged those in the ministry?
• We covered them when they messed up?  
• We loved them in spite of their failures?
• We chose not to assert "being right" on non-essential issues in our church?
• We spoke the truth in love on essential issues in our church?
• We came alongside our pastors and helped them...instead of sitting in the pew judging them?
• We got a whole new vision of the struggles and burdens they carried?
• We sent notes regularly to our pastors?
• We didn't gossip about our pastors?
• We didn't sow discord in our church?
• We stood up for our pastors?
• We taught others to cover our pastors with love?
• We became a Barnabas--a constant encourager?

I don't want you to think I'm just talking about pastors.  I've seen many young adults step up to the plate to lead in the church and get shot down by other church members.  They become easy targets as they step up to lead.  Most get discouraged and quit.  Many leave the church altogether.  Ask yourself:  Am I loving and encouraging our leaders?  Or am I part of the problem?  And:  Do I need to ask forgiveness of anyone who's tried to lead?

Think about it.  Do we really need to be "right" all the time?  Are those issues more important than people's lives and their future in our churches?  Have we become Pharisees, trying to be the plumb line and measuring everything that's done?   In my experience, most church fights aren't over the truth of God's Word.  They're over preferences, tradition--"the way we've always done things," or church operation.  Which is worse?  Our leaders' failures...or our pride?

God's called us to something higher...something better.  And Jesus is our example.  We're to love.  We're to disciple.  When Jesus' disciples messed up (think of Peter denying Him), did he wash his hands of them?  Did he accuse them and toss them out?  Did he fire them?  No!  He lovingly brought them back.  He taught them truth.  He loved them.  He brought them along.   

I'm becoming very passionate about this...and I think it's because I'm seeing so many bleeding wounded all around me.  

"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]."  

I Peter 4:8