Sincere love

I have a sticky note in my Bible that’s been there several years…it’s survived the test of time, and I’m glad. It’s affixed on the page adjacent to Romans 12 and it’s entitled very simply “Sincere Love.”
As I look at this as a “note to self” what I see are reminders of the life God invites me to fulfill everyday.
It’s a compilation of the many ways sincere love is expressed – and all of the words come from Romans 12: 9-18. The passage is full of invitation and affirmation: cling to good, be devoted to one another, honor one another above yourselves, keep your spiritual zeal, serve the Lord, be joyful in hope, be patient in affliction, be faithful in prayer, share with others in need, practice hospitality, bless those who persecute you, rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn, live in harmony, don’t be proud or conceited, and live at peace with everyone.
These are simple but powerful words of invitation…oh to love others like this. But, I’m also impressed by how endearing these are for my own soul…oh to be loved like this.
As you and I go about our days in this coming week, let me encourage you to ponder these words, make them your prayer, and practice showing sincerity of love to all who cross your path. In doing so you will reflect the sincere love that God has for you, his dearly and sincerely beloved child…for indeed you ARE loved like this!

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Steve Macchia

Founder & President

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he has been the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP).  He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.

My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.

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Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty & Emmaus Faculty

Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.

Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.

God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.

Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.