The Love Juice

We got on the subject of living in moderation the other night and got on the subject of things we could over-do.

Of course the obvious ones popped up first like work or the converse (not work). We also agreed that extreme things that are normally positive could be hindersome - for example reading your bible to the extreme could also be a 'bad' thing, because burying your face in 'the book' may prevent us from experiencing the life the book instructs us to live.

But there is that one thing that no matter how extreme it is, you can never have (or give) enough of it. That something is built into each and every one of us. And to have it in full measure is a thing unattained by all of us - a thing called love.

What does the word bring to mind? A sense of peace? Does it bring you to a place of sanctuary, of rest?

Just imagine if you approached every situation in love? Every challenge in love? Every person in love?

Okay so the first thing you think is "I'd look a little strange." But really, approach life with an honest sense of love. Now love does not mean I spend my life getting trampled on by others and smile all the while. Love can mean passionately standing up for those who cannot stand for themselves or even fighting for the sake of righteousness - the love of freedom (even as those soldiers reading this today have loved you and me and this country enough to lay down their lives to protect it). You see love is so much more than hugs, kisses and smiles.

It is an honor and a duty but even more than that, the entire law and prophets of Judeo-Christian philosophy hinges upon this one word. While many may not abide in or even subscribe to biblical teaching, take a moment to reflect on the following observation.

According to funtrivia.com there are 774,746 words in the bible. If you were to take all these words and put them into a blender, the juice you would get would be one big refreshing glass of love.

Jesus was once asked what is the greatest commandment and this was his answer:

'"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV).

Jesus was saying that you can sum all of faith, all of reason, all of life in one little word - love. So if you really want to know what the scriptures teach, it teaches to love, to love the way Jesus did, sacrificially. To love so much that you are willing to give up everything (even life) for it. To love others when they are unlovable and to love God even when life doesn't go as planned.

What area of love are you holding out on? Where are you protecting yourself to guardedly to love?

So I challenge you to delay not another moment - Start today, release the grip, and begin your walk of love - the future you will be thanking the former you for getting up and beginning to mobilize your heart and mind to the highest call of mankind.

Nate

Gremlins

I was an hour deep into watching Gremlins on G4 last night (for the first time in 20 years) and something caught my attention in one of the scenes. The scene was with one of the characters (an older man) comfortably watching his tv while sitting on his old and worn recliner. And for a moment I thought about how he had probably devoted most of his non-work life to that recliner, sitting in front of that tv.

I then got up (off my recliner), found the remote, turned off the receiver and the satellite box. Within a moment, my two-year-old son Abram was standing in front of the TV pressing off the power button as a single solitary affirmation - "Thanks Dad." I spent the next hour having a tea party, playing baww (ball), and participating in a tickle contest.

The lesson I learned is that I sometimes have to break the routine, to surrender one aspect of my life to gain another. I will always have the memory with my son from last night and when I am in my final moments (and it will come in a breath), I will remember that sweet little giggle and be glad I surrendered that time.

What is pulling you to surrender? What is just around the corner patiently waiting for your time, talents, and treasures?

Whatever it is, get it - the future you will be glad you did.