tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2926999581435924232.post-83365467491049610622009-04-21T11:15:00.004-05:002009-04-21T12:11:09.027-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CW2rj24Jets/Se39_QOrcaI/AAAAAAAAALI/F5LvU5u-gJA/s1600-h/Junk+Pic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 141px; height: 94px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CW2rj24Jets/Se39_QOrcaI/AAAAAAAAALI/F5LvU5u-gJA/s400/Junk+Pic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327193197379285410" /></a>Yesterday was a great day...first full day (or almost) off &amp; totally disconnected...with my wife. We spent most of the day...sorting through junk!  Yep, my honey-do list had multiplied and there was no more putting it off!  Spring cleaning, going through STUFF that has accumulated in every corner, drawer, GARAGE (let's not talk @ that)...it is amazing how <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">STUFF HAPPENS</span></span>, multiplies, and CROWDS/OVERWHELMS...<div><br /></div><div>While thinking through the message from Sunday...and trying to LIVE IT OUT on Monday...I got a GREAT visual!  All of the things we attempt to do--for our families, job, relationships, God, etc.--can become so consuming...multiply...crowd...overwhelm...so that we're EXTREMELY BUSY, but not happy...or making a difference...or enjoying (in-joy) life!  <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Resisting, no fighting against, complexity and embracing, no guarding, simplicity is a never-ending fight!</span></span>  <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">What REALLY MATTERS?</span></span>  </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What really matters is loving others, as Christ loves us.  </span></span></span>Doing everything out of His INFINITE love--not our own FINITE ability.  It was Jesus' unique and only command that He personally OWNED (Jn. 13:34-35) and THE DISTINGUISHING MARK of a follower of Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">So, how's your LOVE meter? </span></span>Are you doing, going, speaking, acting, working, out of God's limitless reservoir of love?  Or, are you existing, relating, functioning out of duty, personal strength, and have-to?  Don't underestimate the obvious...people can tell...my wife can tell...my kids can tell...my friends, co-workers, family...all can tell.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Today, let's forget EVERYTHING and FOCUS on ONE THING:  </span>To love, genuinely, each person we encounter...to respond, act, speak, initiate...ALL OF IT...from Jesus' vantage point....out of His view of--and love for--those around us.   Talk about a revolution?</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2926999581435924232-8336546749104961062?l=www.deamonscapin.com' alt='' /></div>Deamon Scapinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13497595661844727598noreply@blogger.com1