The Neuroscience of Relational Restoration
We often think of “loving our enemies” or “denying ourselves” as heroic acts of willpower, as if we’re supposed to grit our teeth and force ourselves to be kind while our inner selves scream in protest.
Love
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Christ – The Great Undoing
By allowing the powers to do their absolute worst to Him—to persecute, torture, and kill Him—and then rising again, He exposed them as being powerless. “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Col 2:15)
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Loving Our Creator
The truth is, opportunities to show love to the Creator of the universe are woven into every aspect of existence. We express it through our love for our fellow beings, our care for the animals and the planet, our deep-rooted gratitude, the daily practice of the fruits of the Spirit, and our gentle surrender to divine transformation.
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Care for Creation
In the pristine garden of Eden, God placed humanity, not as conquerors or exploiters, but as stewards, entrusted with the responsibility to work it and take care of it (Gen 2:15). This mandate, issued at the dawn of creation, reminds us that our relationship with the Earth is not one of exploitation but of partnership. We are called to cultivate and nurture, to protect and preserve the delicate balance of life that God has woven into the fabric of the planet.
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Extending Love to Animals
How do we more fully live out the kingdom of God here and now? Many of us long for a world without suffering, where creation lives in harmony. While we may not be able to change everything at once, we can begin embodying kingdom values in our daily lives, including in our diet and view of other species.
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Loving Those Around You
Our families are the closest neighbors we have, and the interactions we share within our homes form the foundation of our ability to extend love, justice, and restoration into the wider world. Loving your family members can sometimes be uniquely challenging. The very intimacy that makes family so special can also make us more prone to wounding one another.
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Starting with Self-Love
If my self-worth hinges on getting good grades, being a “good” person, or excelling in every task, what happens when I fall short? When I make a mistake, fail at a task, or simply don’t feel “special” on a given day? This performance-driven mindset is a recipe for self-condemnation.
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Eyes to See: Gaining Empathy
Perceiving the kingdom of God is a combination of the Holy Spirit revealing its mysteries and an individual’s willingness to see and hear with spiritual eyes and ears. Our spirit and our minds are interconnected.
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Character of God Faith Fruits of the Spirit Generosity Gentleness Joy Kindness Love Patience Peace Righteousness Self-Control Transformation
Bearing Fruit—Living in the Spirit
As we actively cultivate the fruits of the Spirit, we find ourselves increasingly capable of a deeper, more meaningful love for God and others, a love that transforms our lives and relationships.
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What is Righteousness?
In its original meaning, righteousness meant a right relationship with the covenant of God that led to loving others as oneself and doing good in order to lead others into the same right relationship with God.
