Good morning! For those of you who I have not had the chance to meet yet, my name is Addison Andrix. I am the new Coordinator for Confirmation, Hight School, and Youth Adult Ministry at Bethany. I am currently finishing my final semester at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and can’t wait to meet you all in person this May!
This fall I had the opportunity to share a message about unconditional love. Specifically, “Loving people you don’t like.” I fully believe this is how Jesus expects us to live our life and we can transform the world if we start living this way, by loving ALL our neighbors.
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” - 1 John 4:11-12
It is made clear right here, “If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” God shows us love by providing us with unconditional love and unconditional grace. What a gift it is to get the opportunity to share that grace with the whole world.
Author Bob Goff breaks down what loving our neighbor means in his book Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a world full of Setbacks and Difficult People. He writes, “I think Jesus meant something different when he said [loving your] enemies. He meant we should love the people we don’t understand. The ones we disagree with, the ones who are flat wrong about more than a couple of things.” This can be difficult at first; you may feel tired from the extra energy it took to give that coworker, friend, or even family member's attention that we sometimes avoid. However, once this is a part of your everyday life you will have a new weight lifted from your shoulders.
Goff recommends showing love to difficult people for 30 seconds at a time. Once you get to 29 seconds, start the clock over. You now have changed your entire life, and those around you by showing love and grace just 30 seconds at a time.
I challenge you, as you go through your day, love the people you don’t agree with or understand just as you love those around you. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you, 30 seconds at a time.
God’s love,
Addison Andrix
This fall I had the opportunity to share a message about unconditional love. Specifically, “Loving people you don’t like.” I fully believe this is how Jesus expects us to live our life and we can transform the world if we start living this way, by loving ALL our neighbors.
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” - 1 John 4:11-12
It is made clear right here, “If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” God shows us love by providing us with unconditional love and unconditional grace. What a gift it is to get the opportunity to share that grace with the whole world.
Author Bob Goff breaks down what loving our neighbor means in his book Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a world full of Setbacks and Difficult People. He writes, “I think Jesus meant something different when he said [loving your] enemies. He meant we should love the people we don’t understand. The ones we disagree with, the ones who are flat wrong about more than a couple of things.” This can be difficult at first; you may feel tired from the extra energy it took to give that coworker, friend, or even family member's attention that we sometimes avoid. However, once this is a part of your everyday life you will have a new weight lifted from your shoulders.
Goff recommends showing love to difficult people for 30 seconds at a time. Once you get to 29 seconds, start the clock over. You now have changed your entire life, and those around you by showing love and grace just 30 seconds at a time.
I challenge you, as you go through your day, love the people you don’t agree with or understand just as you love those around you. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you, 30 seconds at a time.
God’s love,
Addison Andrix
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2026
January
365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - St. Ignatius ExamenHymn Reflection - God of Love, O King of PeaceThe Book of Deuteronomy - Establishing CommunityThe Epiphany of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Isaiah 58The Unexpected Ways of God: Mistakes Epiphany Rising Stars - Guidance365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Lectio DivinaEpiphany Rising Stars - InspirationThe Book of Joshua - God Keeps the PromiseThe Baptism of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Jeremiah 29:7The Unexpected Ways of God: Prayer365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Centering PrayerThe Book of Judges - Abundant MercyRated PG: Thoughts on Matthew 5New Beginnings365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Prayer JournalingEpiphany Rising Stars - ChangesEpiphany Rising Stars - Knowledge of LoveEpiphany Rising Stars - SeasonsEpiphany Rising Stars - AweThe Book of Ruth - Challenging our AssumptionsStewardship SermonUnconditional LoveThe Unexpected Ways of God: Feast
2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...God, I wonder aboutThe Book of Hebrews - The Grand Story of SalvationBlessed Jesus, help me to let go ofHoly Jesus, we pray for your church
April
Preserving Lord, save me fromAwesome God, I am amazed byThe Joy of LentThe Book of 2nd Samuel - God's Redemptive PowerCompassionate God, I Weep ForThe Book of Acts - Being the ChurchPalm Sunday Spoken WordGenerous God, open my eyes to see...God, I needCursing the Fig Tree Spoken WordMaundy Thursday Spoken WordGood Friday Spoken WordThe Book of 1st Kings - Wisdom and DivisionHoly Saturday Spoken WordSing - Practice ResurrectionClean - Practice ResurrectionDo a Good Deed - Practice ResurrectionGrieve - Practice ResurrectionGive Thanks - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of Romans - The Saving Work of GodLive BoldlyPlant - Practice ResurrectionForgive Yourself - Practice ResurrectionCare for a friend - Practice Resurrection
May
Enjoy a Good Meal - Practice ResurrectionListen to Music - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Kings - Hope in ExileWorship - Practice ResurrectionAppreciate Art - Practice ResurrectionLaughter HelpsDrink Water - Practice ResurrectionWatch a Sunset - Practice ResurrectionStretch - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Corinthians - Hope in the TurmoilThe Lord is My ShepherdBreathe - Practice ResurrectionRead - Practice ResurrectionCreate - Practice ResurrectionWalk or Run - Practice Resurrection
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