Love, Love Love!

Once Jesus was asked a question that many of us want to know..."Which is the first commandment of all?" 29 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' F61 There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12
Most of us grew up in a "religious" life that showed us a more liturgical side to faith. People tried to teach us how to pray, what to wear, what we could and could not do...it was all part of learning the discipline. There were readings, and prayers and times to kneel and times to bow, times to sprinkle and times to dunk...it goes on and on! Most of the things we learned were probably the ideas and thoughts of those that taught us. I talk to people everyday whose only church experience is what they grew up in rather than what they grew in to.
When asked what was most important, the Lord said to love God, love your neighbor and love yourself! Love, love, love! All you need is love! Sorry Beatles, Jesus said it first...hope he is getting the royalties!
Love brings everything together. Love is part of the relationship and not religion we enjoy as believers. I encourage you today to explore for yourself what YOU believe. Why do you worship the way you do? Why are you going to your church? When people ask you about your faith, do you describe yourself as part of a denomination or as a devoted follower of Christ?
Love the Lord with all that is in you. Love your neighbors as you love yourself! That pretty much sums it up!