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“One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him:

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‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus replied,‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. 

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When Jesus is asked by a scribe to name the greatest commandment he quotes the heart of Jewish law which forms the “Shema Yisrael” prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4 prayed by the faithful Jew every morning and evening:

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Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 

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If you’re like me there are a dozen and more things pressing for centre space in your life.

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While some of these things are unhealthy compulsions and temptations, other pressures are good things and valid responsibilities.

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But when we make these important things (eg. family and work responsibilities) the one central thing, we suffer stress and even life’s pleasures become a burden.

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A healthy and happy person is one who keeps first things first. Once again, lest we forget:

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Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

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Cafe Gatherings Take an initiative – send me your first name with a cafe location, date and time, turn up and with whoever else turns up chat about your experience of Christ in your life. Write FFF on a serviette and place in the centre of the table so others can find you. Send your initiative to john@fff.org.nz

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Monday 16 March 2026 10.00am Moko Cafe, Bush Inn Centre Waimairi Road Upper Riccarton Christchurch

Trish

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.Thursday 19 March 2026 10.00am Stumble Inn, 200 Mangorei Road, New Plymouth

Joan

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