If you're interested in the list of "19 ways God

loves you in Jesus," you can find it at

http://pdavebrooks.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/ways-god-loves-you-in-jesus/

-------------- As many of you already know, Clorrisa is pregnant

again. Baby #6 is on the way. As a result, Clorrisa is very sick.

She has a home nurse and frequent IV fluids. A nurse comes and puts

the IV in her arm. But it's my job to hook up the machine,

administer the fluids, and try to take care of some of the many

tasks Clorrisa normally works so hard to complete. As I pick up

these extra responsibilities, there are two ways I could look at

them. First, I could do the tasks with a joyful attitude of love. I

could remember everything that my wife is doing for me, and I could

be grateful and loving in how I now help her. Or, secondly, I could

do the tasks begrudgingly. I could go through the motions --

accomplishing these extra tasks with a resentful spirit. This

Sunday, we are continuing our series in the Post-Exilic Prophets by

jumping to the book of Malachi. As I prepare for this series, its

strikes me that our relationship with God is very similar to my

relationship with my wife. We can love God with our whole heart. Or

we can just go through the motions. Both ways often result in the

same outward activity, but they can be driven by vastly different

motivations. This Sunday, we're going to ask a simple question:

"How has God loved you?" In answering that question, we'll find the

right motivation to keep us from "going through the motions." I

can't wait to see you then! P.Dave