This past holiday season television shows and commercials, once again, brought to my mind human action and Christian inaction. This particular issue glares brighter under the lights of the holiday season likely because goodwill is brokered so openly.
I watched two television series do their Christmas shows, a situation comedy and FBI/pathologist series. Both had many individuals with varied religious/non-religious beliefs. Each person showcased their opinion about the holiday and how they would, or would not, be celebrating. Although the overarching theme was traditional Christmas pageantry the story lines and dialogue were almost the opposite.
When it comes to the selling of ‘gift giving’ and goodwill holiday commercials can be the most disturbing. In particular, there was a gift card advertisement that leads toward an selfless, philanthropic outcome. Flashes of people exhorting us to “give”, give without boundaries, give unselfishly and the last “give style” with the plug to purchase gift cards that can be spent anywhere in the mall. Jewelry commercials tend to paint females as mercenary, diamond mongers who will not be satisfied if her gift does not come from a renowned jeweler.
It would be easy to sit in disgust of the worldly ways of the media and shake our heads in shame at what evil is being fed to us and our children through the television. Instead, I have to wonder why the Christian community has lost so much. The easy answer is to blame “them” . . . who is anyone but “us”.
Western Europe, once a cornerstone of Christianity, has been closing churches and declining in membership.
The United States appears to be following hard on their heels, but why? What are we doing, or not doing, that diminishs the kingdom?
In Rome during the persecution Aristides, an official, wrote to explain how difficult it was to punish people who acted in the way of the Christians. These Christians were known by their actions. They were easily identified because they “acted” so completely different than the surrounding culture and community. They were known because they showed love, kindness, patience, the fruits of the spirit, when all others were not. They were acting in a way that brought people to them. People who wanted to know what they had and how they, too, could participate.
Can you identify a fellow Christian by their actions? Do Christians act any differently than the surrounding crowd? Is there such a display of the fruits of the spirit that you can be identified as a follower of Christ? What difference does it make what the media displays if we do not act differently?
From the hymn “They’ll Know We are Christians” the verse says "they’ll know we are Christians by our. . .” what? How do they know you are a Christian? Is it our fault that Christianity is diminishing? Is it due to our own apathy and lack of commitment to the kingdom? Do we provide examples that draw others to Christ; live in such joy that people want to know what we know? What are you known for?
The blame cannot be placed on media or other religious/non-religious groups alone. Be angry at our tepid community of faith. Do your part. Display the fruits of the spirit, live a life of joy in Christ, act like the child of God you are called to be and the rest of world will want to follow.
Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Short Story Contest Honorable Mention
In September of 2009 I entered a short story contest with Athanatos Publishing. Winners were announced today and I received an Honorable Mention! An affirmation is a wonderful thing.
Shattered Neon
Contest Winners
Shattered Neon
Contest Winners
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Useless Thoughts
“Useless thoughts spoil all. Mischief begins here.” Brother Lawrence.
Brother Lawrence was a 17th century monk who followed a path that allowed him to continually walk with God. He shared his wisdom in four conversations and fifteen letters under the title The Practice of the Presence of God. Robin Khoury recently took the writings of Brother Lawrence and wrote a Christian children’s book called The Grumpy Monk.
There are many treasures in his discourse but the first that caught my eye was his statement that “useless thoughts spoil all. Mischief begins here.” On my personal journey with God I have had to practice ‘not mulling’ over things. When a situation would disturb me I could spend great amounts of time with useless thoughts mulling over unlikely scenarios.
God brought this unfortunate practice to my attention so I could discontinue it. Brother Lawrence is right; ‘mulling time’ is wasted time and where it is allowed mischief can begin. Rarely did the conversations I spent so much time practicing come to pass, more often, the situation changed and all I had thought to say no longer applied. Rarely were my thoughts kind and loving but instead negative and angry.
Brother Lawrence’s method of change worked for him worked for me and will work for you. “Reject useless thoughts quickly and return to our communion with God.” Keeping God present with us is a discipline that takes a diligence of mind and spirit. When useless thoughts invade call God in. I have spent afternoons throwing useless thoughts aside and calling on God, over and over, until the practice of calling on God is my habit.
I would like to tell you that once you are quick to identify ‘useless thoughts’ the practice of mulling them over is conquered but like all habits this will take continuous practice. Your achievement is that mulling time becomes less and less and you find yourself in the presence of God more and more.
Romans 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. NIV
Brother Lawrence was a 17th century monk who followed a path that allowed him to continually walk with God. He shared his wisdom in four conversations and fifteen letters under the title The Practice of the Presence of God. Robin Khoury recently took the writings of Brother Lawrence and wrote a Christian children’s book called The Grumpy Monk.
There are many treasures in his discourse but the first that caught my eye was his statement that “useless thoughts spoil all. Mischief begins here.” On my personal journey with God I have had to practice ‘not mulling’ over things. When a situation would disturb me I could spend great amounts of time with useless thoughts mulling over unlikely scenarios.
God brought this unfortunate practice to my attention so I could discontinue it. Brother Lawrence is right; ‘mulling time’ is wasted time and where it is allowed mischief can begin. Rarely did the conversations I spent so much time practicing come to pass, more often, the situation changed and all I had thought to say no longer applied. Rarely were my thoughts kind and loving but instead negative and angry.
Brother Lawrence’s method of change worked for him worked for me and will work for you. “Reject useless thoughts quickly and return to our communion with God.” Keeping God present with us is a discipline that takes a diligence of mind and spirit. When useless thoughts invade call God in. I have spent afternoons throwing useless thoughts aside and calling on God, over and over, until the practice of calling on God is my habit.
I would like to tell you that once you are quick to identify ‘useless thoughts’ the practice of mulling them over is conquered but like all habits this will take continuous practice. Your achievement is that mulling time becomes less and less and you find yourself in the presence of God more and more.
Romans 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. NIV
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Treasures of the Heart
My son, L., is at the end of his junior year in high school. We have been discussing college prospects and gathering the information we’ll need for the endless application process. I was filling out a form that asked for his awards and achievements.
Back when L. was in kindergarten, his teacher was in this same college process with her daughter and shared a wonderful bit of wisdom. She said to start now keeping a log of the things your child does in school. Keep the log updated and in a place easy to retrieve because she had been going through boxes of past school items digging up all the awards and achievements. I took this advice to heart and began that journal. I had this same journal open in front of me listing out the required items.
My husband, D., was busy in the same room and I was sharing what I was writing. The next question was to share an anecdote about our child. I turned to another section in the journal as I also had listed things that happened to L., or things he said that I wanted to remember. I began reading many entries aloud to my husband and we marveled and wept at the swiftness of time and the things forgotten.
D. indicated my journal and said, “That holds the treasures of your heart.” He was referring to Luke 2:51, “51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” NIV
I thought that was an appropriate description of my journal. The back was a useful tool of yearly achievements and awards but the front held entries of moments from L.’s youth that I wanted to remember and treasure.
This is the first entry dated New Year’s Eve 2003:
Sitting around the table with Grandpa and Grandma, Mom and Dad and L. Five glasses of sparkling grape juice had been poured and the concept of toasting the New Year explained. We started with Grandma and went around the table leaving L. for last so he could get examples. Grandma toasted us being together, Dad health and family, Mom health and family, Grandpa 1999 (he was confused). L. thought for a moment and then asked if he could use 2001. We explained toasting the New Year but he could reference 2001. L.’s toast was “May all those people who had family die in the 9/11 have good years from now on.” Apparently, L. understood toasting better than we thought.
Do you have a place to put the treasures of your heart?
Back when L. was in kindergarten, his teacher was in this same college process with her daughter and shared a wonderful bit of wisdom. She said to start now keeping a log of the things your child does in school. Keep the log updated and in a place easy to retrieve because she had been going through boxes of past school items digging up all the awards and achievements. I took this advice to heart and began that journal. I had this same journal open in front of me listing out the required items.
My husband, D., was busy in the same room and I was sharing what I was writing. The next question was to share an anecdote about our child. I turned to another section in the journal as I also had listed things that happened to L., or things he said that I wanted to remember. I began reading many entries aloud to my husband and we marveled and wept at the swiftness of time and the things forgotten.
D. indicated my journal and said, “That holds the treasures of your heart.” He was referring to Luke 2:51, “51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” NIV
I thought that was an appropriate description of my journal. The back was a useful tool of yearly achievements and awards but the front held entries of moments from L.’s youth that I wanted to remember and treasure.
This is the first entry dated New Year’s Eve 2003:
Sitting around the table with Grandpa and Grandma, Mom and Dad and L. Five glasses of sparkling grape juice had been poured and the concept of toasting the New Year explained. We started with Grandma and went around the table leaving L. for last so he could get examples. Grandma toasted us being together, Dad health and family, Mom health and family, Grandpa 1999 (he was confused). L. thought for a moment and then asked if he could use 2001. We explained toasting the New Year but he could reference 2001. L.’s toast was “May all those people who had family die in the 9/11 have good years from now on.” Apparently, L. understood toasting better than we thought.
Do you have a place to put the treasures of your heart?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
"The End," she wrote.
1:38pm this afternoon I typed "The End" for the novel The Boulangerie. It was in chapter 13. I posted chapter 11 yesterday therefore for those who have been traveling with me in two weeks you'll have the end.
There is a novel contest that I will send this manuscript in to. It is the same group that has my short story, "Shattered Neon". The deadline is in September, between now and then I'll print off the manuscript and do another full edit and reformat. When that is complete I'll post the whole manuscript as one link and put it out for any who are interested.
There is a completed first draft manuscript (untitled) that tells the story of Sarah and Jared as the romance with Toby and his father as the villian. I'm contemplating whether that should come out, be revised, reworked and offered up. Once The Boulangerie is submitted it will get some serious consideration.
The next story is already percolating in my mind. Anyone who would like to offer up what that might be, after reading chapter 13, add a comment to this post. Those who are right I'll send you a free copy of The Boulangerie if/when it gets published.
The method of posting a chapter per week has been very beneficial for keeping up the pace and getting work done. I appreciate all who have been here cheering me on and invite you to join me when we start the next one. Write on!
There is a novel contest that I will send this manuscript in to. It is the same group that has my short story, "Shattered Neon". The deadline is in September, between now and then I'll print off the manuscript and do another full edit and reformat. When that is complete I'll post the whole manuscript as one link and put it out for any who are interested.
There is a completed first draft manuscript (untitled) that tells the story of Sarah and Jared as the romance with Toby and his father as the villian. I'm contemplating whether that should come out, be revised, reworked and offered up. Once The Boulangerie is submitted it will get some serious consideration.
The next story is already percolating in my mind. Anyone who would like to offer up what that might be, after reading chapter 13, add a comment to this post. Those who are right I'll send you a free copy of The Boulangerie if/when it gets published.
The method of posting a chapter per week has been very beneficial for keeping up the pace and getting work done. I appreciate all who have been here cheering me on and invite you to join me when we start the next one. Write on!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Resolute New Year
These past weeks I have been working diligently on The Boulangerie and keeping up with posting a chapter each week. The climax is coming together and “The End” is expected to arrive in/around chapter 12.
In the meantime I wanted to break in and share a few thoughts and accomplishments.
At the first of the year this blog changed in focus from one of mentoring for my son and college friends to one of spiritual inspiration and growth at any age.
Within that perspective this blog is also used as a platform for my inspirational fiction in progress. Under Interesting Topics are several blogs that follow that topic.
At this time there is another platform that will get an audience. Last fall my husband’s workplace began a wellness program of which we have been a part. In January we were encouraged to/and joined Weight Watcher’s. As of this writing the three of us (my husband, son and I) have lost a total of 80 lbs. The number of blogs dedicated to weight loss is indicative of the interest in this topic. For those who share my other passions of spiritual growth and reading/writing fiction I want to share my discoveries of good health. To that end note the blogs in the gallery which have to do with recipes for healthy, tasty eating.
In a time when health care MUST be our responsibility I encourage you to take control and live your life to the healthiest. I welcome your comments, struggles and success stories.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV
In the meantime I wanted to break in and share a few thoughts and accomplishments.
At the first of the year this blog changed in focus from one of mentoring for my son and college friends to one of spiritual inspiration and growth at any age.
Within that perspective this blog is also used as a platform for my inspirational fiction in progress. Under Interesting Topics are several blogs that follow that topic.
At this time there is another platform that will get an audience. Last fall my husband’s workplace began a wellness program of which we have been a part. In January we were encouraged to/and joined Weight Watcher’s. As of this writing the three of us (my husband, son and I) have lost a total of 80 lbs. The number of blogs dedicated to weight loss is indicative of the interest in this topic. For those who share my other passions of spiritual growth and reading/writing fiction I want to share my discoveries of good health. To that end note the blogs in the gallery which have to do with recipes for healthy, tasty eating.
In a time when health care MUST be our responsibility I encourage you to take control and live your life to the healthiest. I welcome your comments, struggles and success stories.
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Lost Commandment: Have We Missed What Jesus Really Wants? by Dave Greber
My 'Parable of the Two Salads' was my moment of revelation, much like Dave Greber here. God decides the timing of when what gets revealed to whom. If your heart is searching this may be your time of revelation.
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Dave Greber is an attorney in private practice. As a leader in his community, he has been interviewed by television, radio, and newspaper reporters and has served on the boards of several community organizations. Dave and his wife, Lynne, cofounded Live Faith Ministries, an organization teaching Christians how to experience the amazing joy of Christ.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (June 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825429358
ISBN-13: 978-0825429354
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
The Lost Commandment: Have We Missed What Jesus Really Wants?
Kregel Publications (June 3, 2009)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dave Greber is an attorney in private practice. As a leader in his community, he has been interviewed by television, radio, and newspaper reporters and has served on the boards of several community organizations. Dave and his wife, Lynne, cofounded Live Faith Ministries, an organization teaching Christians how to experience the amazing joy of Christ.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (June 3, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825429358
ISBN-13: 978-0825429354
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Introduction
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” That’s what my pastor preached, quoting the Golden Rule from Luke 6:31. It was an ordinary Sunday, and I settled in for a good sermon on a very familiar theme. As I listened, I looked through the four Gospels to read what Jesus said about love.
And then my eyes landed on twenty words that changed my life: Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
I’d been a Christian for twenty-five years. How could I have missed this commandment? But when I talked to my Christian friends about it, they too seemed to have missed it. Every person I asked about Jesus’ new commandment answered me with a blank stare.
No problem, I thought. Somewhere there must be shelves of books about the new commandment. After all, it was among Jesus’ last words at the Last Supper. He even repeated it (John 15:12, 17). And it’s been two thousand years since the new commandment was given. It’s not so new anymore.
So I went looking. I asked my most devout Christian friends whether they knew of any books on the new commandment. I went to Christian bookstores. I searched the Internet. I went to a seminary library. I found almost nothing—and nothing at all of book-length—on what I now consider to be the “Lost Commandment.”
I continued to study John 13–16. As I did—as I realized the significance of the Lost Commandment and in particular the surprising link between obedience to the Lost Commandment and joy—my life changed. Jesus said, in effect, “Do you want me to take joy in you? Do you want to experience complete joy? Then do this: love others as I have loved you!” (John 15:10–12, author’s paraphrase).
Practicing obedience to the Lost Commandment brings our faith alive—a faith that results in an amazing, joy-filled life. We discover God’s purpose for our lives. We experience Jesus’ presence and become more like him as we love others the way he loves us. The Lost Commandment also changes our prayer lives. It enables us to better understand God’s will on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis. Our relationships improve as we love others the way Jesus loves us. And those who don’t know Jesus sense his presence in our lives and want to know more about him. No other verse—including the Golden Rule—better summarizes how God expects Christians to treat other people.
Jesus wants us to experience the complete joy of knowing his will. He doesn’t want us to live our lives wondering, “What would Jesus do?” Instead, he wants us to know the answer to “What did Jesus do?” And then he wants us to do likewise in the power of the Holy Spirit.
This book is a practical guide to loving others in obedience to the Lost Commandment. Two premises guide the way this book is organized and written. The first is that we must focus on the Lost Commandment itself in order to follow it. Jesus said that our obedience to this commandment brings joy to him and complete joy to us. And in chapter 1, I describe some of the ways we experience this joy, which thrives even in the midst of pain and adversity.
The Lost Commandment is different from the Golden Rule. That’s why Jesus called it “new.” No doubt, the world would be a much better place if everyone did follow the Golden Rule. But true as this statement is, it misses the point: Jesus commanded us to go into the world teaching others everything that he had commanded us (Matt. 28:20). In chapter 2, then, I explain how the Golden Rule is different from the Lost Commandment, and why I believe Jesus intended to replace the Golden Rule with the Lost Commandment.
The second premise of this book is that everything that Jesus has done for humankind throughout history, as revealed in the Bible or experienced in our individual lives, is both an expression of his love for us and an example of how we are expected to love others. Therefore, to obey the Lost Commandment, we have to become students of Jesus’ love for us so that we can better love others in this same way. Part of what brings us joy as we obey the Lost Commandment is, in fact, having a better understanding of the depth and breadth of Christ’s love for us.
Whether you agree with the first premise of this book or not, the second premise stands on its own. It is not controversial, and represents the majority of the teaching of this book (chapters 1, and 3 through 18). As followers of Jesus, we are called to demonstrate his presence in our lives by the way that we love others (John 13:35). His life is our life example (John 13:15; 1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Tim. 1:16; 1 Peter 2:21).
As we study Jesus’ love for us, particularly as revealed in the New Testament, we discover that it has six major elements that follow a logical sequence and yield practical principles for our lives with God and others. Parts 2 through 7 of this book express these elements as themes.
To follow Jesus, we must have a close, personal relationship with God, whose love for us can heal the pain in our lives, as we follow in Jesus’ loving footsteps (part 2).
Our relationship with God requires us to accept Christ’s mission to transform our lives, and to bring others into a close, personal relationship with God. We do our part primarily by paying Jesus’ love forward to others with the help of the Holy Spirit (part 3).
Our mission, like Christ’s, is an expression of humility toward God and others (part 4).
As we follow Jesus’ example, our humble dependence on God enables us to tap into God’s power through obedience to his commands, the most important of which is to love others as Jesus has loved us. The Holy Spirit gives us the power and understanding that we need to obey God as we speak with God, study his Word, and learn from others who follow Jesus (part 5).
Our humble obedience to Christ leads us to forgive and serve others. God’s forgiveness (part 6) makes it possible for us to become reconciled to him. He commands us to forgive others as he has forgiven us, and he empowers us to reconcile with them. He also helps us to act as peacemakers who help others find peace with each other.
As Christ lived his life on earth in service to us (part 7), so he calls us to serve others as though we were serving Jesus himself. We are called to give time and money to those most in need, according to the priorities God gives to each of us.
This book provides more, though, than an overview and a framework for understanding Jesus’ love. It also contains insights and illustrations that demonstrate how to allow Jesus’ love to flow to others through our lives. Whether you don’t know Jesus, you’ve just met him, or you’ve known him for years, this book will help you experience the complete joy that comes from loving others as he has loved us.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will use this book to help you find the only love that brings complete joy, and that leads not merely to life but to abundant life.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” That’s what my pastor preached, quoting the Golden Rule from Luke 6:31. It was an ordinary Sunday, and I settled in for a good sermon on a very familiar theme. As I listened, I looked through the four Gospels to read what Jesus said about love.
And then my eyes landed on twenty words that changed my life: Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).
I’d been a Christian for twenty-five years. How could I have missed this commandment? But when I talked to my Christian friends about it, they too seemed to have missed it. Every person I asked about Jesus’ new commandment answered me with a blank stare.
No problem, I thought. Somewhere there must be shelves of books about the new commandment. After all, it was among Jesus’ last words at the Last Supper. He even repeated it (John 15:12, 17). And it’s been two thousand years since the new commandment was given. It’s not so new anymore.
So I went looking. I asked my most devout Christian friends whether they knew of any books on the new commandment. I went to Christian bookstores. I searched the Internet. I went to a seminary library. I found almost nothing—and nothing at all of book-length—on what I now consider to be the “Lost Commandment.”
I continued to study John 13–16. As I did—as I realized the significance of the Lost Commandment and in particular the surprising link between obedience to the Lost Commandment and joy—my life changed. Jesus said, in effect, “Do you want me to take joy in you? Do you want to experience complete joy? Then do this: love others as I have loved you!” (John 15:10–12, author’s paraphrase).
Practicing obedience to the Lost Commandment brings our faith alive—a faith that results in an amazing, joy-filled life. We discover God’s purpose for our lives. We experience Jesus’ presence and become more like him as we love others the way he loves us. The Lost Commandment also changes our prayer lives. It enables us to better understand God’s will on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis. Our relationships improve as we love others the way Jesus loves us. And those who don’t know Jesus sense his presence in our lives and want to know more about him. No other verse—including the Golden Rule—better summarizes how God expects Christians to treat other people.
Jesus wants us to experience the complete joy of knowing his will. He doesn’t want us to live our lives wondering, “What would Jesus do?” Instead, he wants us to know the answer to “What did Jesus do?” And then he wants us to do likewise in the power of the Holy Spirit.
This book is a practical guide to loving others in obedience to the Lost Commandment. Two premises guide the way this book is organized and written. The first is that we must focus on the Lost Commandment itself in order to follow it. Jesus said that our obedience to this commandment brings joy to him and complete joy to us. And in chapter 1, I describe some of the ways we experience this joy, which thrives even in the midst of pain and adversity.
The Lost Commandment is different from the Golden Rule. That’s why Jesus called it “new.” No doubt, the world would be a much better place if everyone did follow the Golden Rule. But true as this statement is, it misses the point: Jesus commanded us to go into the world teaching others everything that he had commanded us (Matt. 28:20). In chapter 2, then, I explain how the Golden Rule is different from the Lost Commandment, and why I believe Jesus intended to replace the Golden Rule with the Lost Commandment.
The second premise of this book is that everything that Jesus has done for humankind throughout history, as revealed in the Bible or experienced in our individual lives, is both an expression of his love for us and an example of how we are expected to love others. Therefore, to obey the Lost Commandment, we have to become students of Jesus’ love for us so that we can better love others in this same way. Part of what brings us joy as we obey the Lost Commandment is, in fact, having a better understanding of the depth and breadth of Christ’s love for us.
Whether you agree with the first premise of this book or not, the second premise stands on its own. It is not controversial, and represents the majority of the teaching of this book (chapters 1, and 3 through 18). As followers of Jesus, we are called to demonstrate his presence in our lives by the way that we love others (John 13:35). His life is our life example (John 13:15; 1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Tim. 1:16; 1 Peter 2:21).
As we study Jesus’ love for us, particularly as revealed in the New Testament, we discover that it has six major elements that follow a logical sequence and yield practical principles for our lives with God and others. Parts 2 through 7 of this book express these elements as themes.
To follow Jesus, we must have a close, personal relationship with God, whose love for us can heal the pain in our lives, as we follow in Jesus’ loving footsteps (part 2).
Our relationship with God requires us to accept Christ’s mission to transform our lives, and to bring others into a close, personal relationship with God. We do our part primarily by paying Jesus’ love forward to others with the help of the Holy Spirit (part 3).
Our mission, like Christ’s, is an expression of humility toward God and others (part 4).
As we follow Jesus’ example, our humble dependence on God enables us to tap into God’s power through obedience to his commands, the most important of which is to love others as Jesus has loved us. The Holy Spirit gives us the power and understanding that we need to obey God as we speak with God, study his Word, and learn from others who follow Jesus (part 5).
Our humble obedience to Christ leads us to forgive and serve others. God’s forgiveness (part 6) makes it possible for us to become reconciled to him. He commands us to forgive others as he has forgiven us, and he empowers us to reconcile with them. He also helps us to act as peacemakers who help others find peace with each other.
As Christ lived his life on earth in service to us (part 7), so he calls us to serve others as though we were serving Jesus himself. We are called to give time and money to those most in need, according to the priorities God gives to each of us.
This book provides more, though, than an overview and a framework for understanding Jesus’ love. It also contains insights and illustrations that demonstrate how to allow Jesus’ love to flow to others through our lives. Whether you don’t know Jesus, you’ve just met him, or you’ve known him for years, this book will help you experience the complete joy that comes from loving others as he has loved us.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will use this book to help you find the only love that brings complete joy, and that leads not merely to life but to abundant life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)