Love God Love One Another

The old testament prophet, Jeremiah, delivered a message to God's people. He painted a picture of the kind of community God wanted Israel (and us) to be: people who act with justice and righteousness and who deliver the alien, orphan, and widow from the hand of the oppressor. #DoRight #LoveOneAnother #messiahyl

What is love and what does love have to do with faith? Jesus gave himself for us, in love...and over time we become more Chrstlike, in love. Loving another is a marker and reflection of our faith—bringing glory to God. No one is too far, too evil, too lost to be saved by God. #LoveOneAnother #messiahyl

Participating in something greater than yourself has the potential and the power to change you. Such is the process of faith formation. God's great love transforms us from death to life. God's favor alters our outlook...it changes our reality and the potential to shape our conduct. Authenticity to be more like Jesus is a true enabler. #GodsHandiwork #Relationship #messiahyl

Have you ever had good intentions but fell short of completion? There is one thing that moves us from intention to intentionality: commitment...and commitment drives conduct. Jesus faced and overcame death to demonstrate his commitment to each of us. From a grateful heart, we can commit to move from I should, I want, I need, I will for him and others. #commitment #intentionality #messiahyl

Does music trigger a memory, a transcendence, a closeness to God? Hearing God's voice in music is a thin space between physical and spiritual worlds. It allows us to meet Jesus with lower barriers...connecting us emotionally to spiritual presence and energizing our faith formation. #SingOn #MusicOfFaith #messiahyl

The Christian life is not a focus on following rules and staying on the right side of the line. How we choose to live is a reflection of our gratitude for being made right with God...because of the faithfulness of Jesus. Faith makes us a new person—alive to our identity within Jesus' story. #ParadigmShift #AliveInChrist #messiahyl

Being in Christ is more than a membership...it's a death experience. Jesus reconciled the world by loving us to death. Meeting Jesus is a born again experience that changes us. It is a happy exchange "I'm not what I am going to be, but I am not what I used to be." We become God's ambassadors—to love one another. #BeingPartOfTheStory #InChrist #messiahyl

Faith doesn't just come from within, it is an act of will. Faith is possible as a response to God and what God has done and seeing that God is faithful. Nothing is so difficult that God can't see it through. #WhatIsFaith #NotTrustInGod #TrustGod #messiahyl

Have you ever expected God to show up in a situation...and he doesn't? The protection we seek sometimes doesn't manifest itself...either as we want it or when we think we need it. For our benefit, God's big picture and the timing of all things is orchestrated above us. Turn to God—wait, watch, and be amazed—as God unfolds what is ultimately for our good. #WhenGodDoesnt #messiahyl

God is at work in the world...not just a spirit in the sky. Nothing happens in ministry without the Holy Spirit; but what does the Holy Spirit actually do? When we are open to the presence of the Spirit in our lives, the Spirit will work to bring us to faith and show us that the one we need the most is Jesus. #HolySpirit #ShowMeJesus #WithMyBootsOn #messiahyl

As a whole, we do not get to control what happens to us. Much of life is outside our control. The human experience is about choosing how to respond to what happens...to choose what is right in the moment-—there is a time and season for everything under heaven. God is at work in the world. #DoGood #LoveOthers #TurnTurnTurn #ItsNotTooLate #messiahyl

Brotherhood and unity is not only a good idea for a better world, it is the founding plan for God's people. Loving God and loving one another sum up all the instructions from Jesus and God's old testament prophets. Unconditional love doesn't require emotional pre-context. Just do it. #GetTogether #Love(verb) #messiahyl

Jesus is the light of the world and the living Word of God. Jesus illuminates the path of our journey in life. As Bob begins his sabbatical, possible election to Pacifica Bishop, and hike on the Camino de Santiago, he encourages everyone to make their life's pilgrimage with the one who said, "I am the Way!" #walkinginthelight #buencamino #messiahyl

Most of us are wayward children at some point—to a parent and to God. How do we find peace in times of feeling lost or when living a charade? Like mother bird, God's wings are a safe refuge under which we can return. #wayward #yetloved #moms #messiahyl

Unity, as sung about in One Love, is instruction for life. There's one question to ask: "Is there a place for the hopeless sinner?" YES! Grace brings us an awareness that God so loved us that we might love one another. #OneLove #TheGospelRocks #messiahyl

Like the Rolling Stones, if you "can't get no satisfaction"...it's probable you're relying on the wrong source. Money, fame, popularity, and fickle people will all disappoint. Only Jesus can truly fill your heart with joy and satisfaction. #meaningless #vanity #TheGospelRocks #messiahyl

Easter is not a metaphor for change and renewal, it is the essence of new life! We are not finding God, controlling God, or inviting God into our life...God finds us! Jesus' love was demonstrated as He lived, died, and rose for your new life. #YOLO #ToNewLife #BRBJesus #Easter #messiahyl

The amazing hands of Jesus calmed the unridden colt, served the hurting, restored the lost, and bore the sins of our great disobedience. Picture Jesus' hands and remember what they have done for you. Now look closely at your hands—and strive to do likewise. #HisHands #ReachingOut #MeAndYou #messiahyl

Small contributions and minor parts can make the most significant difference in many situations. Two minor players in the Bible, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, prepared the way for Jesus' resurrection. Their simple devotion, timely awareness, and helpful actions were globally and timelessly impactful to the world. The opportunities for us are likewise. #DoSmallThings #WithGreatLove #messiahyl

What team are you on? Are you playing for the name on the front of the jersey—or the name on the back? The body of Christ is the living expression of Jesus in the world. The heart of our mission is to be that body together...and your unique gifts matter. Increase the strength of your link to the body and increase your joy. #Inclusive #YourGiftsMatter #messiahyl