Looking at the setting or rising of the sun is always very meaningful to me because it marks the beginning or the end of a new day. 

​Today is recognized as Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season for many Christian believers.  It is a time set aside for self reflection and acknowledgement of the journey of Jesus the Christ, our Savior, Emmanuel, God with us.
 
This Lenten season of 2021 should be an even more compelling time to reflect.   There are many connections one can make between the current journey the world is in the midst of and the journey Christ had during the time of His recorded ministry with His creation on earth.
 
I have decided to begin my Lenten journey by engaging in yes, repentance, prayerfully acknowledging my faults and authentically asking for forgiveness. Personal communication with God through worship (individual and corporate), reading scripture, fasting and prayer, reading reflective text, reflection, meditation on scripture, acknowledging revelation and most of all, looking and listening, being sensitive to and responding to others and the world around me.  These are some tools I plan to engage to deepen my relationship with God, make improvements on myself and therefore improve my relationship with others.    
 
Communion and The First Lord’s Supper
In Matthew Chapter 26 v26, one of the Synoptic Gospels in the Bible, the plot to kill Jesus is recorded.  At the time of the plot, Jesus established a new covenant during the Passover meal with His disciples.  His body and blood was now to be represented by bread and fruit of the vine blessed during this Passover meal.
 
The significance of the purpose of Christ is embodied in this covenant.  Jesus came to make a way of salvation, paying the penalty once and for all for all humankind.  In addition, the Lord demonstrated dominion over 'death', the key to death was snatched back and we all have the choice to access the promise of abundant and also eternal life.
 
I am so grateful that after establishing this covenant, Jesus and the disciples sang psalms and then went out to the Mount of Olives.  The Mount of Olives, a place where the flesh and spirit of our Jesus struggled.  Yet, Jesus was focused on His purpose, He pushed forward to the Cross and fulfilled the awesome and awful plan for our redemption. 
 
As some of us choose to strengthen our faith during this season, I pray that we find quality time, make time, set aside time for our communication and communion with our Creator, God.  This God took the time to commune with us in the person of Jesus the Christ.

God is Love
 
 
Love is meaningfully defined in scripture by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 v1-v13
 
 
“...Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails…”  1 Corinthian v4-v8.
 
 
Scripture, The Holy Bible, was originally written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic language.  Deeper meaning of scripture translated to English is, therefore, gained when we research the meaning of text in the original Hebrew and Greek language.
 
I thank God for the different components of LOVE the Lord provides to us.  Insight is revealed when we explore the deeper meaning of this powerful and almost inexhaustible word.
 
 
 
 
AHAVA
Ahava. Love in Hebrew.  Love defined in Hebrew encompasses many dimensions. Included is Love as an action and feeling from and for God.  Love promotes ahava for others that we want for ourselves.
 
Ahavah A WORD STUDY.
Resource provided by pursuegod.org.
https://www.pursuegod.org/hebrew-word-study-love/
 
 
 
Love in Greek language (Wikipedia.org)Storge – empathy bond
Storge (storgē, Greek: στοργή) is liking someone through the fondness of familiarity, family members or people who relate in familiar ways that have otherwise found themselves bonded by chance. An example is the natural love and affection of a parent for their child.
 
Philia – friend bond
Philia, Greek: φιλία) is the love between friends as close as siblings in strength and duration. The friendship is the strong bond existing between people who share common values, interests or activities.
 
Eros – romantic love
Eros (erōs, Greek: ἔρως) ...sense of "being in love" or "loving" someone.
 
 
Agape – unconditional "God" love
Charity (agápē, Greek: ἀγάπη) is the love that exists regardless of changing circumstances.
 
 
Agape Love
The fourth type of love, Agape, is the highest level of love.  Selfless love.  This is the type of Love that God demonstrated in the person of Jesus the Christ.  God with us.  Emmanuel.  All of us have been offered this love.
 
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”   John 3 v16.
 
Let’s celebrate Love, therefore, knowing that God has provided many ways for us to experience genuine love.  Let us celebrate knowing that God is Love.