“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way; God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. …. We love because he first loved us. … By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.” 1 John 4:7-10, 19, 5:2

I am a very “Lenten” person. The season of Lent resonates with me as I believe every moment of every day is an opportunity to assess where I stand with God. Where, in the journey of “going on to perfection” - sanctification am I? Advent, this season where we remember and celebrate the birth of Messiah and anticipate Christ’s return is a terrific time to assess my relationship with God. (Good time for those of you who read these daily postings to do so as well) Where am I on God’s love scale? Do I give more than I expect? A childish, worldly example: If I still prepared a list for Santa would it be full of things I want for myself or for others? Things I want others to give me or is it a list of that which I desire to give others? What would God say about my list? How would others, if called to testify about my list, say based on my actions? Friends, let us love one another as freely as God loves each of us. Give love away as freely as it is given to us; be guilty of loving as God loves. I confess I have a long way to go, please forgive me. Let us be known as children of God. Hope, peace, joy and love mark this season. Let us all hope for, find peace in and establish joy from God’s love.