There is an original holiness implanted in all that God has made.
When we live in God’s way and love in God’s way, we nurture that holy nature and
our lives blossom and bear the holy fruit of self-control, gentleness, faithfulness,
generosity, and kindness.

That holy fruit is also patience, peace, and joy…
So be filled with passionate patience,
unswervingly pursuing justice in every part of life,
for all of life is a gift from God,
and no part of life is apart from God.

Above all, that holy fruit is love…
Jesus taught, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
You can’t love others if you don’t love yourself,
and you can’t know how to love yourself without learning love from others.
God loves you, and there is no better teacher or greater example.
True freedom is only found in the mutuality of love.
Be free: go love.

Rev. Ivan Newton Herman, Iglesia Presbiteriana de Carmichael, Carmichael, CA