Daughter, you are precious

Attended a seminar by Chris Hayward on 13 Mar.

Below is a summary:

Why we feel far away from God?
- sin
- neglect
- cares of life
- our own earthly father

Experience with earthly father
- absent (not close to him, could be physically present but always busy with own matters) 
- uncaring/ungiving (don't feel important, couldn't feel care)
- demanding ( has expectations for you to succeed)
- discouraging
- critical (doing things to get approval, but still don't get)
- comparing (why can't you be like so-and-so?)
- abusive (emotional: hold back love, don't say or do things that show love/ verbal: cutting remarks, makes you feel small)

Our heavenly father (cf. Luke 15:11 - , parable of the prodigal son)
- reasoning and releasing
- watchful and waiting
- enthusiastic to see you ( when you draw close, he runs to you)
- honoring (part of the family, willing to throw party)
- restoring
- physically and verbally affectionate
- unconditional love ( heavenly father will not violate our wills)

When God forgives, He forgets.

God loves us the way we are. There is nothing He won't do for you.
It is not based on performance because we are His children and He loves us with an everlasting love.

Have to ask ourselves - "It's all about me. When is it about the Lord?"