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Every once in a while, a good friend says something so matter-of-factly that it’s like a knock-out punch that you couldn’t see coming.

“If you don’t have anything worth dying for, you don’t have anything worth living for,” Jeff said.

I wanted to retort, but I just laid on the canvas. How dare he challenge my senses with…the truth?

I never had to face the draft or war or anything that could compromise my life.

Even in paintball, I found myself cleverly dodging the firing, hiding and hoping to protect my life. It doesn’t work. Eventually, you get dragged into a war.

After I got married, I found myself imagining that I would absolutely step between my wife and kids and take a bullet before I’d allow anything to happen to them.

That’s what it takes. When love takes over a life (whether married or not), any thought about self seems like a distant second place.

And love is always under fire.

And that’s when you begin to understand martyrs, social trailblazers, military personnel, the police and first-responders… and Jesus.

PORTAL TO HEAVEN: Love is already dead when it comes to self.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 KJV