Mark 12:28-31

One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

Loving God includes loving Him with our minds. I had the joy of loving God with my mind by going through Bible Training Center for Leaders, a course for women at Denton Bible Church. This intensive two year program covers Old and New Testament Survey, Bible Doctrine, Servant Leadership, and four other areas of study.  

I stopped going to my second year classes in early March in order to take care of Steve. The BTCL graduation was scheduled for May 11, and we didn’t know if Steve would live long enough to go to the graduation. That’s when we saw the second part of Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor as yourself” in action.  

On March 23, Janis Saville, Sarah Pogue, Nan Anderson, my shepherds Verna and Gayle, and the rest of the second year BTCL leaders held a graduation ceremony for me at our home so that Steve could be part of it. Our pastor, Tommy Nelson gave a message and elder Jim Roberts also participated. The BTCL leaders brought food, flowers, decorations…and my diploma. Our son and some friends were there to help celebrate. What a joyous time! Every person who came sacrificed their time to make this a special occasion, and Steve and I appreciated all the effort it took to pull this off.

BTCL is another of those “families” at Denton Bible Church. Spending two years together studying the Bible with like-minded women forges bonds of love. I will always treasure my time at BTCL and marvel at the commitment of the leaders who invest in women year in and year out. 

And guess what? Steve felt well enough to attend part of the graduation held at church on May 11. He saw me get my diploma (again J) and was able to stay for about 15 minutes of the reception. 

God filled our hearts to overflowing with the love demonstrated by Tommy, Jim and the BTCL community “loving their neighbor as themselves.” Our desire is to spread that love to all we come in contact with.