Welcome March 3rd, 2020
My friends, I learned something new today and want to share it with you. I love learning new things! There’s a part of me that is somewhat embarrassed to admit I had not noticed or learned this previously since I have been involved in church my entire life. It is also satisfying that I can be humbled to accept and learn new things. As I was reading Rev. Sam McGlothlin’s words today, she pointed out that Jesus had added a word to a similar and familiar verse in the Old Testament. It’s one word but a very important word. Below is one verse from the Old Testament written by Moses in Deuteronomy and three similar verses from the New Testament written by Matthew, Mark and Luke.
Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 6:5, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
Jesus said these words in Matthew 22:37, “He (Jesus) said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
Jesus said these words in Luke 10:27, “He (Jesus) answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus said these words in Mark 12:29-30, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
Were you able to see the difference in the verses in the New Testament compared to the one verse in the Old Testament?
Jesus added the word “MIND.” This makes me think that Jesus wanted us to pay close attention to our minds, especially what we fill it with. In the world today our minds are constantly being bombarded with stuff! It seems everything is vying to get us to notice them. We can rarely escape its power, it’s on TV, radio, the internet, billboards, bumper stickers, pamphlets, junk emails, regular emails, all sources of social media and even snail mail. Lent is a perfect time to take some time for quiet reflection on the things we allow to permeate into our minds and into our thoughts.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word Mind as:
• the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons
The mind is very powerful and we should take careful steps to ensure we are feeding it in the healthiest of ways.
Rev. Sam McGlothlin offers this suggestion, for 24 hours fast from the devices in your life that distract you from loving God with all your MIND. Recover what you keep missing.
I decided about 5 years ago, maybe longer to give my prized 42” TV away! I felt like I was spending entirely too much of my time watching shows that I had taped/DVR’d. I still like TV and I have a few shows I watch online. I have an iPad mini and an iPhone that I watch things on. During Advent and now during Lent my TV show viewing is minimal and it’s so rewarding to spending time reading and learning. I have also intentionally been more social and interactive within my church and socializing with friends. These steps are helping me to grow into the person God created me to be.
Friends, I’m so very thankful for your support and spending some of your time in this space. Blessings to you! 🙏🏻🌻
ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below.
~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte
References:
HOPE SEEKER 
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