Love God Love One Another

Darkness has its moments: dark rooms, dark emotions, dark times. But darkness can be overcome! A candle, a flashlight, a beam of light from your phone will cast out darkness from physical spaces. But what brings light to worries, fears, desires—expectations you can't meet right now (yours or someone else's)? Jesus was sent into the world to be the remedy for dark conditions. Jesus said "I am the light of the world" and I am the brightness you especially need today. #IAMTheLight #messiahyl

Baaaa Baaaa. We are more like sheep than you might think: 1) we are followers, 2) we remember faces, 3) we find safety in numbers, 4) we rarely walk in a straight line, and 5) we have trouble finding a half-open gate without help. “COVID-19 time” is a good time to listen to your Shepherd, Jesus, when he calls… #IAMTheGate #messiahyl

Is Easter only a promise for an eternal future in heaven? A risen Jesus is the basis for all Christian hope because it means God can do anything. All authority in heaven and on earth was given to Jesus. His parting words were a commission with a promise. "Go and make disciples...and I will be with you ALWAYS!" Our mood, approval, security, and sufficiency doesn't depend on us; we serve a BIG God and we don't need to fix things on our own. He is Risen! Now what? Remember, I am with you always! #ChooseHope #ConnectToJoy That's what! #messiahyl

Things don’t always go as planned. For sure, this Easter is unlike any other. More broadly, the life you’re living may not be the life you planned. Every life story begins dark, but there is a turnaround moment for each of us. There is more to life than we experience today. God is ever strong, wise, and loving. God did something eternally significant for you. We don’t have to settle because: Hope has a name—that name is Jesus! #Easter2020 #HopeHasAName #messiahyl

This may be the Lentiest Lent we have ever Lented; we have given up more than we ever planned this year. Yet, it may also become the most Holy Week we have ever experienced. As Jesus entered Jerusalem prophetically, the "whole city was in turmoil"...oddly, this is not much different than our lives right now. "Hosanna!...save us we beseech you, Son of David, our King." When you've got more than you can handle, God will help you handle it. Cast your cares on Jesus. #Hosanna #messiahyl

Miracles were performed by Jesus so that we might come to believe in him. The record of many wondrous signs in the Bible are both subjective and objective evidence of God’s power. Miracles fulfilled prophesy and created physical evidence for those seeing them, then…and us, today, reading about them. Miracles today, perhaps not flashy or immediate, are the gift of God’s presence in every darkness. God has shown over and over that dark moments precede light and new life. #MiraclesInDarkTimes #messiahyl

Even though we're physically apart, we continue to worship together...and God is with us in this moment. What is the good coming out of these challenging times? Could it be teachable moments, time with family, time to remember what we are grateful for? We have accessibility to suffering that leads us to a place of deeper love for one another and wholehearted trust in God. #NeverApart #messiahyl

From the perspective of God's grace, tools to move from fear to joy. #FearToJoy #messiahyl

Jesus came to the world to model justice and servanthood. This might seem distant and unrelated as the world's people quarantine to slow a pandemic spread of the Covid-19 virus. However, we can turn fear to joy, and anxiousness to confidence under God's grace—using that gift to calm our restless heart and then, in turn, radiate hope and joy to others. I am not just a me, I am a we. I am not just an individual, I am a community. #FearToJoy #messiahyl

The quaint Christmas story has some unlikely tragedy. After Herod heard from the Magi there was a new born King, the response was evil retaliation (genocide, anguish, exile)—causing a season of refugee migration for Jesus. Against all odds, young Jesus was guided through the expatriation experience. Not unlike the current world's turmoil, God then, and God still, provides refuge and hope. Empowered by God's love, we extend love to our refugee neighbor. #refugeeme #messiahyl

Should we pray to the baby Jesus, to the bearded Jesus, or to the risen Jesus? The answer is, "Well, yes." It is all these forms of Jesus that bring meaning and substance for our faith—in our various states of need and "messupidness." From the cradle to the cross, the Messiah was foretold and fulfilled many prophesies that were against all odds...but he certainly was born, lived, died, and rose (all of this) for us. #CradleToCross #messiahyl

What are the odds of your winning the lottery, getting struck by lightning, or being bitten by a shark? All are very remote! And yet the odds of one person fulfilling every prophecy told in advance, are even greater than those aforementioned odds combined! At the end of your life, in retrospect, it will be clear a curated journey transpired....and the 1:1 odds of it all having been divinely known by God. Let's look at what it takes to be with a God that satisfies promises and prophesies against all odds. #luckybeyonddoubt #againstallodds #messiahyl

Is there a litmus test to being a Christian? How much must we do to be a "good Christian"? The answer is we probably need to do less and follow Jesus more. We are not saved by our actions...yet, our attitudes and behaviors bear witness to our relationship to Jesus. We are created in this image: a God of love. God alone has taken the action to restore the divide between us. What God created, God loves. What God loves, God loves forever. #pastdo:justbe #bearwitness #messiahyl

WHO are you? Who ARE you? Who are YOU? It's not just what you do, what you love, or the context of your interpersonal relationships. What defined who we are is understanding our God-given purpose...a community of salt and light; salt to give flavor and light to reflect God's love. #WhoAreYou #SaltLightLoving #messiahyl

When times are turbulent and faithfulness is a stretch, God speaks to us...oh, my people what have I done for you? May I remind you, I sent you kindness! In the midst of challenging weeks, we hang on these words of God. My eyes are on you...you are loved! In response, what does the Lord ask of us, mere mortals: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God! #DoJustice #LoveKindness #WalkHumbly #messiahyl

Moving from comfort to trust is the starting point of faith. Like a hermit crab we need to be open to growing out of our comfortable shell. What are the ways we can embracing a better and more holistic life? Consider the healthy habits of accounting, budget, saving, contentment, and generosity...each based on living under God's overflowing love. #livegenerously #messiahyl

How can you serve well if your own care is neglected? Everyone needs assistance, but some self-love and self-care is also required. Life is a maintenance endeavor and spiritual, mental, and physical fitness are a part of it. We are created in God's image and having a heart for God includes loving the body he has given you...in whatever form and stage of life you inhabit it. Could you improve in a small way to enhance your appreciation for your self? #selfcare #messiahyl

Does doubt have a place in faith? Perhaps surprisingly, Yes! Unanswered questions in our circumstances are opportunity to seek answers and embrace mystery larger than ourselves. Fear and doubt are part of our life, but no our foundation. The opposite side of the same coin is courage and faith. Jesus came to earth to show and say, "I love you...fear not!" #DoNotBeAfraid #messiahyl

When we love someone, the best thing we can offer is our presence. How can we love if we are not actually present? Unplug from devices and be present by listening and talking with others. #PrioritizePresence #messiahyl

On the cusp of a new year...and at the doorway of a brand new decade, what is your outlook? Do you need a "do over"? a mulligan perhaps? God's grace provides a fresh start opportunity for you! Lament your losses, but lift your eyes to look at the future with God's 20:20 vision. You belong to him! #HappyNewYear #messiahyl