Love Everyone

Hey Team! Here we are again. It’s the 18th, and it’s a Wednesday workshop. I’ve got some things I want to say, but first, I want to congratulate all of you.

We had our Christmas party in Longview last week, and today, we have our Christmas party here in Portland. We’re going to be giving away the raffles. Some of you are going to have golden tickets. It’s going to be pretty exciting! We’re super happy and motivated for you to be able to pick a prize. No matter what, we’re going to have food, fun, and an awesome time. I’m looking forward to spending that time with you all.

I’ve got my two little boys behind me in the picture. We went to Eagle Crest, and they have this penguin. It was cute seeing them there, having fun with that and seeing all the Christmas lights. But again, this season is about celebration, love, and having fun.

William Shakespeare said, “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” William Shakespeare—and I think Jesus said it even better: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

A lot of what Christmas is about is just that.

God loved us so much that He sent His only Son here to Earth. As Jesus grew up, a young ruler came to Him. Those of you that have read the scriptures know the story. The ruler asked, “What do I need to do?” Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. And the second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law is wrapped up in those two things.”

Love everybody. I know that’s hard for us as humans. That’s why Jesus was so amazing in that way. Loving others is a great command. Even William Shakespeare recognized it and wrote some pretty great stuff too.

Trusting everybody is tough, and probably shouldn’t be done because some people are out to harm you. But that doesn’t change the fact that you can love them anyway.

In the end, just don’t do anything wrong to anybody else. Love everybody.

As we get ready, I can smell the food cooking right now. It’s going to be exciting. I’m looking forward to sitting down with the rest of you in a few hours and having a good meal.

Again, God bless you. Love everybody, don’t do any wrong to anybody, and have a wonderful Christmas. I’ll see you next week for sure on Christmas Day. I’ll be wearing maybe a little bit of a different shirt, celebrating and excited. You’ll see me again on Christmas, wishing you a Merry Christmas.

In advance, I want to say thank you to everybody who’s going to be working on Christmas Day. The sacrifices you’re making—holding off on eating turkey, ham, or whatever it is you personally do, eating early or eating late, and taking care of our community’s needs—my hat’s off to you. God bless you for that sacrifice. We love you.

Have a blessed and wonderful rest of this week. I’ll see you next week. Be valuable. Nothing less will do.

All right, guys, talk to you soon!