Welcome to the ULC Minister's Network

Pastor Charles Stilwell ULCM

Sapphries

  • The Fondling Of Heaven

    Tuesday, November 14, 2017

    When I was little, grown-ups in my family were always patting or rubbing my head. My parents explained that it was an expression of love. They were touching me because their hearts were filled with love toward me. A word used to describe God is ‘rachamim’, meaning ‘mercies’. It comes from a root that means “to fondle,” or “gently touch” someone you love. Just as the adults felt towards me when I was a child, so God loves you. Just as your heart overflows with compassion and sympathy towards the needy, so God’s heart overflows with compassion for you. Too often our ideas about God’s mercy are more of a legal concept than of the heart. But now you know how He feels towards you. His heart overflows with deep compassion when He thinks about you. He wants to touch you in your spirit and heart with His tender love and affection. He wants to put His arms around you and hold you tight. God doesn’t just let you in the door of the kingdom, He loves you from His heart with rachamim; with deep compassions and tender fondlings.
    From Message #329 - The Blessings of the Merciful

    Scripture: Luke 1:78–79

    TODAY'S MISSION - Run into His arms of mercy today and receive the tender fondling of God’s love.

    Rabbi Jonathan Cahn