Laurie Hopkins

Unity is not just people coming together physically in a space and doing similar things. 
Unity involves being like minded, having a love for one another, being in one accord, not doing anything out of selfish ambition or conceit, but truly looking out for the interests of others.
In other words, loving one another more than we love ourselves and allowing that to influence every decision we make.
Do we truly long for unity in the Body of Christ?
 Do we understand the power that resides in true unity?
 Do we understand that power there is in abandoning ourselves to the pursuit of serving others? 
Do we understand the blessing that comes when we open ourselves up to those around us and truly love them as Christ loves them? 

When we began to walk intentionally in this, with the guidance and direction of the Lord, we will see true unity and the amazing power of Christ at work in our lives and in the lives around us.

Unity is not just people coming together physically in a space and doing similar things. 
Unity involves being like minded, having a love for one another, being in one accord, not doing anything out of selfish ambition or conceit, but truly looking out for the interests of others.
In other words, loving one another more than we love ourselves and allowing that to influence every decision we make.
Do we truly long for unity in the Body of Christ?
 Do we understand the power that resides in true unity?
 Do we understand that power there is in abandoning ourselves to the pursuit of serving others? 
Do we understand the blessing that comes when we open ourselves up to those around us and truly love them as Christ loves them? 

When we began to walk intentionally in this, with the guidance and direction of the Lord, we will see true unity and the amazing power of Christ at work in our lives and in the lives around us.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers out there: the biological fathers, the step fathers, the spiritual fathers, the mentors. 
To grow physically, emotionally and spiritually in a healthy manner we need strong, loving, mature and compassionate fathers. 
Fathers that love us, encourage us, chastise us and guide and direct us. 
We also have these most important characteristics in our Heavenly Father. 
John says in excitement and awe, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” 
And if we are called children of God, then we have a right and the blessing to call Him Father. 
What a privilege indeed.