Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.

It's amazing to me that God my father, has plucked me out of my own destruction and into a life of mercy, joy and contentment. That he loved me so much, that he saved me and allowed me to serve him. I love how when we follow his law--instead of feeling like we are bound by rules that we are free. Here lately, my compassion has grown so much that my heart is breaking for this world. All of the pain, all the suffering, all of the human hurt just breaks my heart. I cry for those on the streets addicted to drugs, for those women using their bodies to live, for those behind the beautiful homes and nice cars who are broken inside, for marriages that are failing... But what if we could reach out and one by one heal the hurting, mend the marraiges, lift up the falling, and restore our Father's kingdom? What if we did follow his word--and went out and shared the good news of his salvation? What if instead of looking at whats best for "me" we truely lived to serve others? What if it didn't matter if we got the credit or not? What if we didnt look at our own interest but those of Jesus Christ? I believe the world would be different...

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord!

Esther