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TOPEKA, KANSAS
CONNECTING to CHRIST, to CHURCH, to COMMUNITY
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A Message from the Pastor
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The Topeka Passion Play
LOVE IS WHO?
“[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.” Romans 12: 9
 
 February is well known for being the month of love. Valentines, chocolates, candied hearts, and so forth now line the shelves of what used to be giant bows, Christmas wreathes, and all that glitters.
 
 Valentines have never defined love for me. Remember those harsh days in grade school where you waited on that fateful day to see how many or how few “sanctified” valentine cards you got in that homemade cardboard box from your so called friends? You were judged by the vast amounts of cards gathered, and that in turn showed the world (at least the 4th grade) how much you were loved.
  
 I think pastors struggle with those same types of systems. We assume that the love given is measured by how well we preach, keep finances above the national debt, and how many babies we can kiss on the way to the hospital. We wait fatefully for the "sanctified" to somehow give approval for that love.
  
 I like the Scripture in Romans that addresses this concept better than grade school or even my own. Your love is measured by your actions of sincerity - not only how you love, but who you love. Do you love the person who drives you absolutely insane at the family Christmas gathering? How about the nutso guy at work that everyone tries to avoid?  Or the crazy lady at church in which your conversation lasts about two seconds in order to run the other direction for coffee as your excuse? Or the smelly person at the grocery store purchasing dog food, knowing he probably has no dog at home? I am glad Jesus loved the unlovable with sincerity. Because, you see, that includes me -- and by the way, you!
 
  Godly love loves the gossiper who just "loves" to rip people apart so they can feel good about their own misery. Godly love loves the person who always has a "pickled" look of disgust, an angry grin, and a lost look in their eye.  God loves us. That's all of us.
 
 This Valentine's Day I want to challenge you to love the unlovable. Look for them. Kill (not literally) them with kindness. Surround them with the sincerity of good and the Godly. Then you will not have to worry about pats on the back, blessings from the Pope, or a fistful of candied hearts (although I can be bribed with chocolate), but with the heart like Christ.
  
“And may the Lord make you to increase and
excel and overflow in love for one another and for all people, just as
we also do for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3: 12
 
Pastor Steve L. Vaughn
 
Message from the Pastor
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Fairlawn Church of the Nazarene | 730 Fairlawn Road | Topeka, KS 66606 | 785.272.6322

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