Gospel that Saves, or Judgement that Condemns?

It's been said that whenever a tele-preacher/ministry would fall hard, it made headline news for weeks. However, when a celebrity would fall, no one would really bat their eye then. Why is this so? I have to wonder, is it because what’s often give from the pulpit is judgmental and condescending? Could the world be finally getting a chance to say “aha”? For so many years “the people” have been told to not do this or that, and that God would punish them if they did do this or that, now the shoe is on the other foot so to speak? Really, who could blame them? Finally, the one doing the judging is finally being judged. 

Is the message being preached from the pulpit the Gospel that Saves? Or is it the Judgement that Condemns? One is good news, the other is not. What are we hearing?

The 100 year plan, we've not.

Dear God,
I guess today hit me square in the face with the reality that we are not on the 100 year plan. Not only that, but not everyone will remain who they are, or at least our vision of who they were.

Lord, it hurts so much, I can't stop crying. I know it's silly. There's quite a bit of guilt I'm heaping on myself, and I know that's just as silly. Of course, You know more about this situation than I do.

Love is....

.....Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in truth. So goes the opening statement of today's sermon. Today's sermon was almost used to create an anxious mindset within myself.

Love, Love, Christians this is your call!

... so goes the song from my childhood. Sounds nice. I have to admit, it's amazing how God works this out.
You see, a few months ago, I'd asked God to help me love. I want to love others the way He loves others, or at least be a willing vessel to have His love flow through me onto others. Every since I've prayed that, it seems God has brought situations (people) to me, that I knew  I could never love in my own strength. He's also opened my eyes to my own heart attitude as I go about my day.

In His time

 Oh yeah, definitely in His time. I have to give God credit here---He knows just when to do something, whether we ask or not.

This past couple of weeks, there's been a weary mist that had settled over my heart. Taking a good look around at work, it was easy to get discouraged. Someone has broken the children. Sure, it's simply the first couple of weeks of school, but I don't recall the children coming to me as broken as they have this year. Not just me, but teachers across the nation have noticed a certain 'something' behind the eyes of the children. I wondered what on earth could I do to fix these broken souls? Was I really going to be able to teach them reading, writing, and 'rithmetic? Hard to focus when their tummy is growling. Hard to concentrate when you're wondering if your dad is going to be home that afternoon, and if he is, will he be in a good mood--or worse?