Mark

The Greatest Commandment
28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
29"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
32"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.
33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

I like this idea, that loving others and loving God is so important. I am sad to admit that I have not always done this, and that I still struggle with it.

Corinthians

Thanksgiving

I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge-- because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

"God is Faithful" is such a simple statement, yet one filled with hope for me. I struggle each and every day with sin, with pain, with the things that life brings us. I err, I fail, I fall, yet He is faithful to me? Hmmmm.

I was walking last night to get an ice cream, and saw the most magnificent display of clouds, sunlight and a rainbow arching over my village here in Western NY. For a moment I had to just stop and admire the glory and beauty of the world around me, and I was touched with an inner sense of peace and serenity.

I will confess that I look forward to Tony's return, I miss the spiritual guidance, the insight he brings to all this. He wears his faith like a comfortable shirt, my faith still needs some tailoring!

Enter Holy Spirit...show me the path to faith, I cry out for the love of Jesus in my heart as a man who has not eaten for days would crave food. Enter Holy Spirit, lead me to a greater likeness to Jesus Christ, make me a servant of His people. Enter Holy Spirit, lead me to redemption from sin, cleanse my soul and my mind.