As we look at the beauty of the gospel, we become truly awestruck by the goodness and copiousness of God’s heart. We come to realize that He is Love, and nothing less. 

We begin to notice that so many things that once seemed vital, even urgent, become small in the light of Love.  The knowledge of good and evil gives way to a higher life and a higher cause. 

Let’s talk about that poor, misunderstood word in the Christian language: obedience.  It somehow carries a connotation of drudgery and sacrifice, when in fact, it’s not a sacrificial act at all.  The Bible even shows the difference between the two, stating that, “Obedience is better that sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).

When I grew up I (Judi) was told that God loved me. But it didn’t mean much to me because I didn’t really believe it.

Too many bad things had happened to me. Too many mean people. Too many mistakes others had made. Too many mistakes I had made. Too many problems in front of me.

“Who is my neighbor?” the lawyer asked Jesus.

He wasn’t asking out of humble sincerity, wanting to learn. The bible says he was trying to test Jesus and justify himself.  Jesus responded with the parable of the Good Samaritan. 

Forgiveness is the anecdote to a wounded soul. But how do we get there when we are so hurt? The way of the world is to shame those who wound us, to try to get “justice”, thinking it will validate the harm we’ve been put through, but this is only a mirage. Man’s justice and condemnation never bring true healing or life. It simply digs us deeper into the pit of wounding. 

When I (Judi) was a little girl, I sucked my finger. Not my thumb, but my forefinger. It was my preferred, go-to self-soothing practice. 

My mother tried everything to get me to stop sucking my finger. She reprimanded me, she said it made me look like a baby, she applied very yucky, bitter-tasting liquid to deter me, she explained to me why it wasn’t good for me to continue sucking my finger as it could interfere with my speech development, cause orthodontic issues, and even lead to me being made fun of/bullied by my peers. All to no avail. I was entering the fourth grade still sucking my finger. 

My first sermon was titled “Love is Perfection”.  Forty years later, that is still my message. There is just nothing better. I have been blessed to spend my life telling good news about the heart and power of God. I’ve seen it heal and encourage countless souls.

I was twelve years old, pitching in a Little League game that wasn’t going well.  I felt that the umpire was calling a bad game.  I thought I was throwing strikes. He would call them a ball.

I was a kid who was easily frustrated and angered, kind of a hothead.  I’m sure that my attitude was sometimes embarrassing to the adults in the bleachers, as well as my coach, who understandably, probably didn’t like me much.

Something wonderful is happening in many hearts today.  I’ve wanted to see it for years.  We are truly taking on our Father’s heart.  We are learning His ways, and we are starting to act and think in accordance with His nature. 

God is Love.

Recently in a bible study, Judi was talking about how the diet culture is wrought with failures, how diets are based on pure will power.  If it fails, the blame falls all on the person desperately trying to live up the standard of the program.  Any success is not sustained, because the body simply can’t operate correctly with those restrictions.

Recently a man approached me on my way into Walgreens. He appeared to be someone who was asking for money. Many times I will stop and give money if I have it, but that day, I was in a hurry and knew I didn’t have any cash on me. I ignored him and kept walking towards the store. Then I heard him. He asked forcefully, “Do you see me?” His question and his tone made me stop in my tracks. I thought about what it must feel like to be in his shoes.  I remembered living on the streets myself when I was a teenager.  

 “Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And call out to her, that her warfare has ended, That her guilt has been removed…” – Isaiah 40:2

I have good news!  We are not on the verge of losing godliness in this world.  We are not losing a war to the forces of darkness.  Darkness is not overtaking the earth, nor will it ever.

Think about what "eternal life" means.  To think of it makes your brain widen it's scope in a huge way.  We begin to conceive of something so big that we can't see the beginning or end of it.  Something this big must be superior to anything that is limited to a temporary existence.

If I told you that I was sending a package to you.  You would not jump in your car and drive to my house in order to get it.  All you would need to do is to stay home and receive it.  

The beauty and power of being in Christ, is that we initiate none of the goodness that has come to us.  It’s all given, or sent by God.  We simply receive.

Because of Jesus, I know my Father.
Because of Jesus, my life is full.
Because of Jesus, I know what real Love feels like.
Because of Jesus, I never feel condemned.
Because of Jesus, I’m good enough, just as I am.

A lot of people have been dealing with some stressful situations over the past few years. Loved ones have died or suffered greatly due to a pandemic that was unimaginable three years ago. Jobs and education have been disrupted. Families have been separated by distance. Many have become offended over disagreements about policies concerning the economy, government leadership, and other things.

I remember feeling awfully disrespected in a group gathering once.  It seemed that someone decided that I was not as important as another in the group, so I was persuaded to give up my very comfortable room and take the worst facilities available.

Before I knew God, I experienced a lot of hard and bad things.  Those things affected me in ways that made me angry, bitter, and more selfish.

After I came to know God, I experienced a lot of hard and bad things.  Those things did not cause me to become angry, bitter, or more selfish.  Instead, I have continued on an upward trajectory of love, peace, and joy.

The moon’s main purpose is simply to light the night.  We know that it does not generate its own light, but it simply reflects the light of the sun.  It’s really the same relationship that we have with our Father.  He supplies the light to us, we reflect it to the earth.  This is how we rule or shine, in the darkness.

We’re in a time where there is much concern about what is happening in our world. There is also continued concern and sometimes fear regarding our health, our freedoms, and our own county.  This is in addition to each person’s individual trials concerning their relationships, money, insecurities, and so on.