Love Who as Much as Myself?

I’ve often wondered how I would react after asking Jesus the question “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matt. 22:36). When Jesus was asked this question by the Pharisees, he responds by stating, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”. At this point I would most likely say or think something to the effect of “No problem God, you are a rather easy deity to love”. God has blessed my life and continues to every day. Jesus doesn’t end his answer there. He follows up the greatest commandment with the second greatest, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39). Even though it is Jesus saying this, I can see myself responding in the way I did as a child when told to wash the dishes. I would make a pouting face and articulate the statement “Awww… Do I have to?” in a terribly whiny voice. My neighbors honk their horns at me when I take too long to accelerate at a green light. My neighbors try to sell me things I don’t need. My neighbors dress trashy, insult my appearance, and criticize my choices. They spend their lives taking advantage of and hurting others. How do I love people like this?
First of all, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). We aren’t always the best neighbors ourselves. It occasionally seems easier for those who have given their lives to God to find fault in those who haven’t. It is often difficult for those of us who call ourselves Christians to see others through the eyes of God. Each blemish and imperfection is often magnified when we examine our neighbors. Our subjects of conversation turn from the greatness of God and His creation to long, detailed discussions regarding the specks we see in the eyes of our neighbors. We even turn on our brothers and sisters in Christ, creating fuel for our own egos. We must genuinely consider whether or not we love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves.

Take Care of Your Garden

It is most likely evident to everyone that passing my house that my wife and I have little experience in the areas of gardening and landscaping. After several years of living in college dormitories and an apartment, we find ourselves at a loss when it comes to gardening knowledge, equipment, and time. Thanks to some wonderful volunteers from the congregation, we will soon be getting things on track. I hope to chronicle this venture on the World Wide Web, so that everyone can see our progress and discover a few pieces of helpful advice along the way.
Our lives can be compared to a garden. They require a large amount of effort and time in order to reach their true potential. A couple dry weeks and a few pesky weeds can do tremendous damage to a garden. Time away from God and the church coupled with the influence of the world can destroy our lives. Just as a garden contains flowers, grass, and other plants, so do our lives contain work, relationships, and other necessary parts. If we fail in one of these components, we are left with blemishes that affect our overall success. In a garden and in life, God provides the means to repair these difficulties and mistakes.
Gardens, trees, and crops are commonly used in the Bible. In John 15:1-8, Jesus states that He is the vine and we are the branches. Isaiah 58:11 says that we are “watered garden”, having our “souls satisfied in drought” by the Lord. God is the water that gives life to the garden that is our lives. Jesus then becomes the roots, the example through which we live. One thing I do know about gardening is that it is not too difficult to tell what is a weed and what is a flower. When we live apart from Christ, it is not too difficult to see the direction in which our lives are headed. In God, through Christ we become the people that God intended us to be, finding true success.