... with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 As I look at these commandments, I actually see not two, but three of them – and in a very specific order … 1. Love God 2. Love yourself 3. Love your neighbor Why is this? Because each one enables the next. I cannot love my neighbor as

... and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 What are the crosses of our lives? All those things, people, and circumstances that are difficult for us – illness, loss, unloving people, challenging projects, times with too much to do, times when we aren’t appreciated… So many crosses big and small. Jesus encourages us to do the hard thing, not run from it. Do what we know is right, no matter the consequence. To deny ourselves is to not put our needs first, but

... for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 Can God use a lost cell phone to show us his love? You be the judge. As I arrived at my church to begin the first of three spiritual direction sessions, I realized I couldn’t find my cell phone. My mind immediately went to reviewing my day and the last time I remembered using it – at Costco to check my shopping list. Did I leave it there? Had it fallen out of my purse? Was it between the se