Some time ago, I learned
one of those camp songs that went something like this . . . “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone
who loves is born of God and knows God.
But the one who does not love, does not know God for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.”
1
John 4:7 & 8
It was one of those
songs where the words and the melody stay with you. So now many years later, I always remember 1st
John 4:7-8. I suppose you could say, the
words and that song have in some way, impacted or shaped my life. But even more important than the words and
the melody is the message of God’s great love revealed to us in the person of
Jesus. He is the clearest expression of just
how much God cares.
In this month of
February, when everyone seems to focus on Valentine’s Day and making the effort
to send a card or valentine, let us not forget the message of God’s love letter
to us, sent in person.
In keeping
with that theme, Cathy and I have been thinking about the upcoming season of
Lent / Easter. We have been remembering
how many of you said that last year’s Lenten series was deeply meaningful to
you. It was for us too. It was awesome to hear your many stories of
hope. So in keeping with that idea of
faith stories shared during our Lenten season, 2011 will be titled . . . “Shaped by Love”.
Our focus
verses will be 1 John 4:7-8 and we intend to lift up various themes and
reflections of how God intends for our lives to be shaped by love. We hope to have individuals share some
stories that reflect this reality and the impact of being shaped by love. I am sure that many of you have stories of
how the love of God, or the love of your family, even the love of a teacher or a
coach or a friend has impacted your life.
I hope you will take time to remember some of those stories, but even
more important is to remember the people who are part of them. They are reflections of what connects us to
God and to one another. There are so
many facets to be explored and opened up.
We hope you will want to experience each step of the Lenten journey with
us. Even though Lent doesn’t begin this
year until March 9th, I want you to mark your calendars early and
plan to be part of our Lenten journey.