Category Archives: SPIRITUAL INTEREST

LOVE REVOLUTION: Rediscovering the Lost Command of Jesus by Gaylord Enns (Xulon Press, 2005, 2011 Revised)

This is just one of those books! I’ve read it. Reread it.  Given away copies to my pastor, worship leader, family and friends. I’ve mentioned it when I speak, referenced it in my writings, and referred to it in casual conversations. This book’s message resonates with me. Gaylord Enns has started a movement toward the center. The message of this book cuts through the layers of separation found in religion and meets on one uniting truth. The words are for the Church found in Christ’s words to all who put their faith in Christ. We are to love one another. Profound. “A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34,35)  When love comes first, walls come down. The strength and validity of Christ’s command comes to Pastor Enns rather late in his pastoral ministry. He is in his prime, a well-known and respected minister in the Chico area, a loving mentor of Christian people. A personal crisis stops him in his tracks. The year is 2001, it is in the early hours on a Sunday morning before a day of scheduled preaching. But it soon becomes the day he can’t preach, is unable to preach.  Depression hit hard. Then cancer. Time away from ministry. Soul searching. A personal longing begins to gnaw at him. He wants to hear his father say the words, “I love you.” Enns’ interesting and amazing journey leads us to the words, “This is my command: Love each other.” He is startled as he contemplates these words. Why is this command is so little emphasized, ignored, almost brushed aside? A quest is undertaken. He searches for the command’s historical church context from deep in the archives. Little is found. He knows he is on to something. He writes Love Revolution and begins to share with local church leaders. The book’s message of love multiplies. Sessions are held in local churches to bring Christian people together. They are uniting in love. It is a beautiful movement of God. I know this because I attended some of these sessions to fellowship with my sisters and brothers in the faith, people I didn’t know prior to the meetings. . .   In 2008, a friend gave me this book. Its words are timely for there is much truth written in its pages. I highly recommend Love Revolution.

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Encouragement During the Down Times

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I was in the midst of sorrowing, my heart unhappy and sad. An unusual occurrence made the day brighter. I share it with you. From 2008.

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A dried out baby rose in a clear vase sits with several companion blooms in a dark corner. For close to a month they sat on my kitchen counter until I relegated them to the top shelf of a bookcase out of sight. They signified a memory meaningful only to me and were losing some of their beauty.  Once in awhile, I would look at the tiny blossoms, fragile petals in variegated pink hues, the last bouquet from a friend whom had been dear to me.

A glance would transport me back to better days when life seemed to have more promise, more joy.

Over the course of the ensuing months, on occasion I would look at the roses to see if there were any changes or if they should be cast in the awaiting waste basket.  They remained the same, still-life, heads down.  I couldn’t bring myself to toss them out.  I missed my friend, a sliver of sorrow would clutch my heart, and I wished life had given a different outcome.

Then one day as I finished having a lengthy time alone with God and was getting ready to go on with my day, a heaviness in my heart making the day seem dark, when something arrested my attention.  A small whisper came to me, entering into my thoughts, “Go look at the flowers.”  I gathered myself from the place where I sat and entered the room.  The dried roses were there, the same as always.  Nothing had changed.  I walked closer to them, carefully removing the vase off the high shelf as I looked intently at the dried petals.

I noticed some dust particles and a few miniscule webs crisscrossing their delicate heads.

The whisper spoke again and said, “See the one that’s not drooping down?  Look at it.”  Sure enough, there was one rose in the center of the bouquet with its dried blossom looking out and slightly up.  The other roses were drooping in quiet deadness.  “Its name is Hope.”  The thought quickly framed itself in my mind, and I focused on that one uplifted bloom reaching high to elevate its head.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I gently replaced the vase.  “Flowers having names?” the question floated through my thoughts.  “Do you think the Creator names His creations?” I mused to myself as I returned to my tasks.  My spirits lifted, and I felt lighter.  I was encouraged by a dried up little flower that had the good fortune to be named, Hope. Its message became mine. There is always hope. 

Throughout the day I thought about hope, hope during those times when we are in need, and hope when all is right in our lives.

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Today I needed its strength, its reminder.  My eyes searched for it, rested a moment, to see its little face looking up. Reassured, I went on with my day, a small element of peace settling my feelings of discomfort. Yes, it offers me a small blessing in the complicated thoughts of my day.  I am thankful for my little gift, my encourager that helps me refocus when hard moments come my way. I still have my vase of blooms, one move and six years later.

Hope is a sweet blessing who never loses her hope.