I have called you friend

This is my commandment
that you love one another
as I have loved you.

No greater love has one than this
than to lay down one's life
for one's friends.

And I have called you friend.



Hear the Easter Reflections set at http://soundcloud.com/james-hilden-minton/sets/easter-reflection/

The Tree Becoming

Spirituality is the seed of religion, religion is the tree of spirituality. Have you fallen from the tree? Good. You are the seed. Now send down roots deep into the earth made rich by fallen leaves. Reach toward the sky with new leaves and realize that you are the tree becoming.

Why are you afraid?

Why are you afraid? And why do doubts arise?
Look at my hands and feet, and see that it is I.
Touch me and see; for a ghost has not flesh and bone.
Touch me and see that it is I.



This song is part of a larger set of reflections on Easter, http://soundcloud.com/james-hilden-minton/sets/easter-reflection/.

More songs available at http://soundcloud.com/james-hilden-minton

I am the Good Shepherd

I am the Good Shepherd, I know my own.
I am the Good Shepherd, and my own know me.
I lay down my life for the sheep.

Based on John 10:14-15 for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

Loving God

"Love the Lord your God and keep his requirement, his decrees, his laws and his commandment always." Duet. 11:1

Guilt and fear are secondary motivations for keeping the commandments. Love is primary and most faithful. Jesus speaking as prophet said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

Often we want to love God on our own terms and not follow the commandments. This is like a husband who would buy his wife flowers instead of picking up his socks or washing some dishes. This is actually a kind of self-love, not loving regard for his spouse. It would be better first to help with the the house and later to buy some flowers.

Another husband may have it the other way around. He might help out of a sense of duty, but feel or express no affection for his wife. Toward God, this is a loveless legalism. A joyful sense of duty, nonetheless, can be an expression of faithful love.

It matters the motive from which our living arise. Do we use faith as a cover for a lack of faithfulness? Have we lost our first love fulling obligations and expectations without joy or affection?

Let love be the basis and fulfillment of both faithful action and loving devotion.