Blessings to you, loved ones.  It’s a beautiful spring day.  A mockingbird has been singing off and on most of the day in our back yard.  I am often in wonder at the beauty and complexity of God’s creation.  It is a gift from our loving Father.

As I contemplate God’s love, I am reminded of something that Jesus said, recorded in John 13:34.  “”A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”  This verse, along with 35, has been one of my favorites for most of my life, but it was only a few years ago that I really noticed the first part.

Jesus called it a new commandment.  What was new about it?  The Mosaic law said that we should love our neighbor as ourselves, and that had been around for thousands of years.  Jesus even said that it summed up everything else that the law and the prophets had to say.  But do you see the difference?  The law said that we should love others as we love ourselves, but Jesus said that we are to love each other as He loved us!  Jesus has just raised the bar.  How did He love?  He loved with His life!  In verse 35, he says that this kind of love identifies us to the world as His disciples.

What does this mean for us?  How should it affect the way we treat each other?  What sacrifices might it require of us?  What would you do for your own family?  WE are all in His family.  I feel the responsibility of that, but I also feel the joy.  As part of the body of Christ, you and I are surrounded by love.  Receive it, and give it away.  The more you give, the more you have!

I hope you will be able to join us.  April 4 will be Resurrection Sunday.  We will share a meal after the service.  A sign-up sheet for side dishes will be available this Sunday.  I’m delighted that the church wanted to do this.

We were missing a few last week.  Cindy was suffering side-effects from the vaccine, Edith was not well, and Kimi had fallen and hurt her leg.  Cathy asked that we pray for Carlton, Ruth’s nephew in Louisiana. Quoting in part, “He had back surgery on March 15 and he is still in the hospital. He can’t get out of bed at all. His mind has literally slipped away & he doesn’t know his children. The children think he has given up. Please pray for God’s hands to touch him & let him know he isn’t done with him yet.”  Keep encouraging each other and praying for each other.

See you Sunday.

Love y’all!

Larry