“This,” the boy replied holding up the book on his lap , “It’s more than just a good book.”

The young boy is, Henry, a main character from the new, popular television series Once Upon a Time. The book he was referring to was a large book of fairy tales that the series is based on.

I read a lot books, and people sometimes ask me if what I’m reading is good. Usually it is, but not always.

Henry’s response got me to thinking about what I would say if a stranger asked me the same question if they noticed me reading the Bible.

I’ve often heard people refer to the Bible as the “good book,” but after hearing Henry’s response, I would prefer to use his line—“It’s more than just a good book”. But then I would hope to add:

“Actually, it’s really not a book, but a library of books that tell an epic story of God’s love, that if you let it in, it will change your life forever.”

I could say more, but hopefully a short, thoughtful response would stir up enough curiosity in the person to look into reading the Bible for him or herself.

If you only had a sentence or two, what might you tell a stranger if they asked you the same question?

Frank Graeff experienced just that as a pastor who went through some ve­ry dif­fi­cult tri­als.  Graeff was wrestling through a time of profound de­spond­en­cy, doubt and phys­ic­al pain. When he turned to God’s Word, 1 Peter 5:7 was the text that caught his eye and touched his heart: “casting all your anxieties on him (God), because he cares for you.”

Peter’s words provided a level of com­fort and encouragement that–while not relieving his pain–bolstered his heart with the tender reassurance of God’s loving care: “He cares for you.” Af­ter med­i­ta­ting on that truth, Graeff was inspired to write the lyri­cs to a song that reverberated from a grateful heart that knew what it meant to struggle with despair:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth and song
As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain:
O yes, He cares I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares

Does Jesus care when my way is dark With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades, Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed To resist some temptation strong
When for my deep grief I find no relief Tho my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye To the dearest on earth to me
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks Is it aught to Him? does He see?

So, if you have ever wondered like most of us have as to whether or not Jesus cares about the struggles and pain you are currently facing that seem insurmountable, Frank’s answer is a resounding “Yes!” And I agree.

If you have a story of pain and struggle where you’ve experience the restoration of the God who cares, please feel free to share your story to encourage others along the path that they are not alone and can make it too.

No matter how sick or unruly, a devoted staff of trainers, veterinarians, and volunteers take in abandoned and damaged dogs with the goal of transforming each one into loving pets. Many of the canines who end up at the shelter exhibit unwanted or aggressive behavior because they are wounded and scared. The folks at Dogtown believe a dog whose has not experienced good things in life can be turned around for a greater good.

Wouldn’t it be great if our churches and Christian communities were more like Dogtown? Instead of shooting our wounded, the community of faith is meant to be like “no kill shelters” where scared, damaged, and messed up people can come and find God’s love and the hope for wholeness and purpose. Now that’s the gospel!

When the religious leaders of His day (who acted as if they were better than everyone else) bad mouthed Jesus for hanging out with sinners, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do” (Matthew 9:11, 13). His statement was bold and to the point. It reflected his primary mission to heal the brokenhearted and set the captives free (Luke 4:18-19).

Though Jesus wasn’t light on moral failure (John 8:11), he didn’t try to fix people before getting them into the Kingdom. He met people where they were with the intention of graciously speaking truth that can transform people lives.

When people are struggling with a personal issue, one of the best places to be is among God’s people (at least that is how Jesus meant it to be).

What I discovered was that ranchers obtain permits to ship their cattle to these rich grasslands where they spend the summer grazing on the grasses. What I found amazing is that they pack on an average of 3-4 pounds per day just from eating grass. After three months of feasting on the country’s richest grasses–and gaining about 300 pounds–they are rounded up and sorted out as to whose cattle belongs to whom. How do they know whose is whose? By the brands they wear.

Brands are those identifying marks that are burned into the hide of a steer to identify them as the property of a particular ranch. Brands are not just the folklore of T.V. westerns and movies. They are functional labels that grew out of the cattle industry. But cattle aren’t the only things that get “branded.”

That spiked my curiosity. So, I did some checking about branding (on the internet, of course).

In Michigan (where I live) we have a thriving vineyard industry, and what I discovered is that some vineyards use branding irons to burn their label into their wine barrels. Again, the purpose is to mark them with a distinguishing label so that they are not mistaken for the vintage wine of a different year or vineyard. It’s all about labeling and becoming recognized by your label.

Now you don’t have to live in cattle or wine country to be familiar with labels. Check the back of your jeans. I bet you know whose brand you’re wearing. Check your shirt or blouse, jacket,  or cologne.  And what about that favorite pair of sneakers? I just bet that there is a company logo embroidered or molded into the sole or side of that shoe. Oh, yea, and that well worn-in ball hat most likely sports a favorite “branding mark” of a team, a truck, a race car number, a gun manufacturer, or some sporting goods company.

And what about that vehicle you drive? That little molded piece of plastic or metal that is affixed to the hood is . . . you guessed it . . . a brand. And they all mean something, don’t they? You know what company built it; whether it’s an American , European, or Asian make. You also know something about the quality of the product and expense just by the “brand.”

Brands are identifying marks. So what mark identifies you?

Jesus, in one of His last conversations with his twelve disciples, made a statement about His “brand” of follower in John 13:34-35:  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” According to Jesus, the identifying mark of a Christian is the quality of our love for each other. If we love well, we reflect whose we are. If we don’t love well, then we don’t wear His label, and others see us just like one of the herd.

If what sets a Christian apart is the way he or she relates to others–loving or not–the question is: Whose label do you wear? Better still, but far more frightening to ask is: Whose label would others say you wear? Now don’t ask if you don’t really want to know. But if you dare to ask, listen well.

Love is the “brand” of a true Jesus follower. What’s your “brand?”

But little Elena would not be denied.

Wise beyond her years, she continued to communicate and express her love for her family through writing notes.

Sadly, cancer took little Elena less than a year after she was diagnosed. Before she died, however, she apparently began to hide literally hundreds of little love notes and drawings throughout the house for her family to find after she was gone. Her parents would go on to intermittently find them in places like briefcases, among Christmas decorations, and tucked between the pages of old coloring books.

This amazing little girl’s thoughtful little notes remind me of the Bible. God has left us with sixty-six letters—love notes from our Heavenly Father that ultimately tell us the story of His wild and unwavering love for those who bear His image.

Check em out. Spend some time reading them through.

Understanding and receiving God’s love into your life will change you forever.