The bible, from Genesis to Revelation is about relationships, God’s relationship with humanity, and humanity's relationship with God. Foundational to embracing, maintaining, and sustaining this relationship is Love.

Living love, Habakkuk confirms: “God, the Lord, is my strength.” (Habakkuk 3:19). As followers of “The Way,” Jesus teaches us an unconditional, no-strings-attached, self-giving love; it's an Agape Love, through which we find God is our strength.

Proverbs teaches, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgression.” (Proverbs 10:12) Paul reminds us, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7). Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment, that you Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34-35) Love is what we are created in; Love is how we partner with God to bring God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Chuck Swindoll in Wisdom for the Way reminds us of “The ABCs of Love:”

“I Accept you as you are; I Believe you are valuable; I Care when you hurt; I Desire only what is best for you; I Erase all offenses. ... There is nothing shallow about authentic love. Nor is it a magic wand we whip out and wave over a problem with a whoosh, hoping all pain will go away. Real love has staying power. ... It refuses to look for ways to run away. ... While the world around us gives the opposite counsel, love stands firm.” (p.19)

This is the everlasting love of God that we are loved with and the way of love we are called to live. I look forward to seeing you in church as we embrace God’s everlasting love, and proclaim with Habakkuk: “God, the Lord, is my strength.” Invite a friend, relative, acquaintance, or neighbor to join you.

Through Christ,



Pastor Doug