God wants us to have a wholehearted commitment to Him. That's not because He is controlling or selfish. It's because He is all knowing and all loving, and wants what is best for us. We all have a sin nature, but when we accept His gift of salvation, purchased for us when Jesus paid the debt for our sin, we are forgiven and become new creatures. God's Spirit indwells us. Does that mean we become unthinking robots who obey Him completely? No. We are still in earthly, sinful bodies. We are saved once, but we make a commitment each moment to be fully committed to Him. It's not always easy. It's a journey. The more we resolve to be fully committed to Him, the more we see Him for Who He Is. The more we recognize that He is beyond description, the more we want to yield to His work in our lives. Through study of the scriptures, fellowship with other believers, Biblical teaching, life experiences, even trials and tribulations, He works in us to make us more like Him. The fruit of His Spirit becomes more evident in us and through us as a testimony to others who need His forgiveness. We experience joy, peace, comfort, strength, love, encouragement, protection, faith in ever increasing measure as we allow Him to work in us. Join us as we explore scripture, share experiences, and grow in our wholehearted relationship with Him. Whole-Hearted: Living a Life Devoted to God is an exceptional read that is full of vulnerability and a desire to show God's love to people. The stories are wonderful and give us insight to how we relate to the scriptures in such a different world than the Old Testament times or the 1st Century church, but the author always allows scripture to define scripture. She does not change the meaning of scripture to our current times but treats scripture respectfully as God intended it to be. She also uses the whole counsel of scripture - Old and New Testaments - and in doing so we see Christ revealed from Genesis to Revelation. Whole-Hearted: Living a Life Devoted to God implores us to self-examination that should lead us to know if we truly have a whole-hearted relationship with God and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. - Belinda Contreras Pastor's Wife, First Baptist Church, Gahanna, Ohio