Dear Friends,

One of the ways to maximize the joy of your connection with God is by developing and enjoying your love for Him.  Here are some suggestions from the “how to” department for growing your love and experience with God. 

Love is all about the enjoyment of the virtue of someone or something else--what they or it has done for you, the qualities in them you admire, or their amazing power.  Let me tell you some ways of expressing my love for God that have worked for me.  I’d love to hear from you if you have ways that have worked for you I have not mentioned.  Email me at .

Worship is a great place to start.  I have certain pieces of music that remind me of the magnificence, greatness, power, tenderness, mercy and grace of God.  I play them regularly.  The Messiah is one of them, but there are many others.  I would encourage you to have music that you can use for worship available.  When you’re in the car, instead of listening to a radio program of little benefit, put the music in your CD player or iPod and feel the joy of the Lord.   When you are in church make sure you participate willingly and well.  Don’t just stand to your feet and think, “Oh, do we have to stand up again?”  Jump to your feet (not literally please) as if you are saluting a high ranking officer.  Don’t just mumble the words, but sing with as much gusto as you can as you sing to the Lord.

Another wonderful way to experience your love for God is through writing.  When you have your devotion, instead of just reading the Bible and praying through your prayer list, take a piece of paper and write at the top:  “God, I love You more than ever because…”  Then begin to write without thinking about it too much.  Just let the words flow from the deepest recesses of your mind and write out everything that comes to your attention about why you love the Lord.  Make sure to include not only what He’s done for you but also His attributes, power, grace, love, mercy and perfection.  Write about how you see and experience them. 

Yet another way to experience your love for God is through praise.  This is different from writing in a journal.  Praise involves speaking out loud.  I suppose technically you could praise Him in your heart without saying any words, but the power of praise is mostly in the verbal expression.  Once you have finished writing in your journal, go someplace where no one can hear you, raise your hands toward the Lord, look up toward heaven and begin to say to Him what you’ve written in your journal.  Say it with enthusiasm and joy.  If the tears flow, that’s wonderful. 

I hope this helps in recognizing, appreciating and affirming your connection to God and enjoying that connection.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a message from God on my heart.

Your Pastor,