Thanks for visiting my new website. This is my first blog entry making it somewhat momentous for me.
I thought I’d begin with a topic that gives me the excuse of introducing you to my family. My wife, Nichole and I just celebrated our 19th anniversary. Through adoption, we’ve brought five wonderful children into our home. The oldest is 14 and the youngest just turned 5. You can learn out more about my clan by clicking on the “adoption” page link above. I’ll also be providing more details about these fast-growing kids in future blogs.
Now that you’ve been introduced, let’s get to our topic for today.
It All Boils Down to Love
The Gospels record how Jesus summarized the Jewish law into two points. First, as God’s children we are to love Him with our whole heart, our whole mind, and our whole being. Equally important, He said we should love our neighbor as ourselves. But the question arises, “If we are to love God with our whole heart, how then are we able to love our neighbors with great passion at the same time?
We see from Jesus’s teaching that our God-given ability to love isn’t a single arrow to be shot at one target. In fact, God’s given you an exceedingly large number of arrows so that your love can be directed to a host of targets. It’s not only possible, but God designed you so that your heart would be fully given to many. You’re able to do this because loving someone with your whole heart simply means you do it without reservation.
Each of us holds many positions in life: spouse, parent, child, friend, sibling, coworker, classmate, etc. Therefore, loving people fully doesn’t look the same with each person. For example, I don’t exercise my love for Nichole in the same way I do my children. This doesn’t mean, however, that my love for anyone in my family is lesser or contrary to the other.
Falling Short
Unfortunately, you and I must concede that neither of us are perfect lovers. We all “fall short” as the Scriptures say. Although some may be better than others, none of us love God or each other as well as we should. Who can say they give their all for the benefit of others while offering complete forgiveness when they’re disappointed? Only one Lover does all that!
Loving us in ways our minds can’t comprehend, God is the greatest lover. He loves perfectly. By creating us in His image, we’re made to be great lovers too. But unlike God, you and I need help. And one of the ways God tries to stimulate our hearts in the right direction is by providing us an abundance of worthy targets.
Fantastic first post! Loving Him and loving others, that is truly what it’s all about.
Many blessings on your new venture, Michael. I’ve enjoyed following you on Twitter, and I now look forward to reading what you share on the blog. Keep it up!
Welcome to the blogging world Michael! I have always been interested in adoption, and it seems like you are a professional. I found your story very interesting when I saw your twitter page. I would love to publish your story on The Daily Mustard. Would you be interested in doing a guest post?
-April
I have to congratulate you in your ministry of blogging. I have followed you on twitter for some time and have been inspired from your comments. The blog is awesome, and I look forward to reading. May God Bless and inspire you, as He blesses and inspires us through you. Thanks for listening to Him! Jeff
I love the analogy compared to the body of Christ. I thank God for your personal testimony. It is truly the modern day Saul/Paul coversion. Thank you for your presence in the kingdom and continuing to let the world know that there is a God, and He is real!
Hi Michael, I’ve never met you but for some reason (and this might sound strange) I feel proud of you! Is that alright? Thank you for stepping out even if you felt vulnerable. Your obedience will mean that God is able to carry out His plans in ways you cannot imagine. Stay faithful, even if you feel discouraged, or where you’re not sure people are actually reading. As long as you write according to His leading, God will lead the right person, at the right time, to find the words He had prepared through you to make a difference. You are His writing instrument!
Melissa
It was suggested by the blogger, Chief of the least that I ask a former atheist what prompted the change. Although I have read your ‘about’ page this reveals little .
How did you come to believing the bible, the claim that the character of Jesus is/was god?
As a lawyer surely you checked all the data thoroughly?
Considering the available information I am curious as to how you reached the decision that Christianity was a viable better option to atheism.
As it stands, the bible is neither a factual historical record, and based on available evidence, neither is the Jesus in the bible a real historical person.
As a staunch atheist myself, and having no desire whatsoever to change, I am fascinated to hear exactly what it was that made you change?
I look forward to your reply.
Regards,
Arkenaten
Please Michael! Please continue your blog! Especially for all the athiests out there. They need to know “why” you converted and what it was that made you change. Great post!! Come on over and visit my blog. http://www.widowspursuits.blogspot.com (It’s about how I pursued God’s plan for my life when I became a widow) Cindy Adams
Wow. I needed this today. Thank you!
Congratulations on the website, you testimony is beautiful and opening up your walk and growth in jesus through your blogs will be inspiring to us all!! Thank you.
It is a delight to see how God did a “180″ with your life – from athiesm to Christ follower. As a mental health professional who works with a plethora of attorneys (who run the gamut of spiritual beliefs), it is refreshing to see someone who is pursuing our God unashamedly – blessings!