February 2025 - Living on a Love Journey

Love. I just spent five days getting a lot of love from my Florida grandchildren. (And their parents) So many hugs. I colored at least eight horses from the Horse Coloring Book. We did Wordle and Spelling Bee together, then explored the farm together. I listened to bedtime stories. Giving and receiving love. (Pictures below)

I’ve also been learning a lot about love from a video series by my friend John Ortberg on the Sermon on the Mount, where we hear Jesus’ early comments on many topics, including how we should live and love. I have appreciated these many helpful words from John in Insurmountable:

Watch Insurmountable Video Series

We also get some clarity on what real love looks like from Jesus’ time with His disciples right before His crucifixion. He points repeatedly to the heart: 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

So my prayer is that throughout this “love month” I will seek to love others—all others—as Jesus loved in His time on earth, and still does—through us.

Books for Your Love Journey

Here are a couple of books to help you on your loving pursuit of a heart like Jesus:

Life Changing Love: Moving God’s Love from Your Head to Your Heart

by John Ortberg

John’s great storytelling and deep scriptural understanding will move you deeper into the love of God.

Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ

by Dallas Willard

This book is profound and deep, but oh so helpful!

Collegiate Day of Prayer

You are invited to stand in prayer for every campus in the world. Join campus ministries around the globe LIVE for the Collegiate Day of Prayer 2025! https://collegiatedayofprayer.org/

Cru, InterVarsity, Navigators, and many other ministries working on collegiate campuses have joined together in this effort on our knees. Join us in adopting a campus (or several) to pray for. Let's unite in prayer for revival and spiritual awakening on every college campus around the world!

New Staff Orientation

Every year Cru has training and orientation for new people joining our ministry. In the past Steve and I presented messages and shared about our history and different ministries. About 5 years ago our presentation was recorded, and that video is now shown to new staff.

I have the privilege of sharing some personal reflections on life on staff and introducing the video, which I did the past week. I always love to be with new staff. Enjoy these words from Steve (and me):

Updates on My Blog and My Podcast

My Kindling blog has been around for years, but I have posted only periodically in recent years. I am hoping to refresh that, including a special post from Steve each month. I have so many wonderful articles he has written. I started with this one: Cultivating a Humble Heart.

Cultivating a Humble Heart—A Word from Steve

My When You Love a Prodigal podcast completes four years this week. It will continue, but just twice a month. I will still share lessons I have learned, plus some interviews with people who have much to offer. Here’s the latest:

Also listen on: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Youtube, RSS

Finding Rest

For many years I have been a member of Redbud Writers Guild—a wonderful fellowship of Christians writers—fledgling and seasoned. We have a regular publication—The Hyphen—which members write for. Last month’s posts focused on the slowing down of January. I shared on Finding Rest, something I’ve been in need of.

Read Finding Rest by Judy Douglass