I read a passage in "The Message", a paraphrased version of the Scriptures by Eugene Peterson, that just exploded in my heart.  I thought that instead of writing something myself I would simply share this passage of Scripture as rendered by Peterson.  It's a familiar scripture for many of us, but I believe Peterson brings out a depth and freshness that will make it "new" to all of us.  In this passage, Jesus is speaking ... ... ... 

Luke recorded, in Luke 2:19, "but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought of them often." Given Mary's situation, it must have been difficult for her to keep the right things in her heart. The Scriptures don't tell us, but history would indicate that Mary was only a teenager when she gave birth to Jesus. She didn't choose to go through this. She was chosen. Joseph almost left her when he heard her story. She was sent away to stay with a cousin during her pregnancy.

Recently we had an amazing night of Dangerous Questions.  The questions were real.  The discussion was open and deep.  We were able to hear God's message to us through the process.  As a result, I had two friends come to me at separate times and basically ask the same question.  "If you believe in God, and in Jesus as His Son, if you live your life to please Him, and accept His sacrifice for your sins, if you believe and live the Christian life as best as you can, do have to love God in order to be accepted in heaven?"

At first glance, you may think this question trivial.  Far from it.  My friends were asking because there was something deep within them that said that if they had to be honest with themselves, they didn't love God like they love other people or other things.  This is really a very deep and courageous question.  It is one each of us should ask ourselves.  "Do I love God like I love my kids, my spouse, my friends?  Can I say that I love God more than anything else in my life?  And if not, then should I be concern?"

I was reading a book not too long ago, and the authors stated in their introduction that they knew that they were very critical in many of their statements, but they asked the readers to overlook the exact words and tone and believe that fundamentally, in their hearts, they thought highly of and loved the people they were being critical of. At first glance, this seems OK. You know, "I may not be using the right words or tones, and it may seem I'm angry, but really I'm not. I really love you." But at a second glance, it doesn't make sense at all. If your words and tone aren't representing your heart, then why are you using them? Often we don't want people to judge us by what we do, but by what we intended or what we say we believe.