McLean Over the past few weeks, it has been difficult to watch television without hearing about the impact of hurricanes on our neighbors on the Gulf Coast. In the midst of all the destruction and loss have been stories of neighbors helping neighbors. During times of crisis such as these, it is incredible to see the way people demonstrate love for their neighbors by coming together to help each other.

Yet, we do not have to look hundreds of miles away to see this kind of love demonstrated.

The Sept. 10, 2008 edition of the Carroll County Comet describes how the kindergartners in Sherri Cripe's class showed how they loved their neighbors by raising funds to rebuild the recently burned canal boat. In a similar way, during the flooding this past winter we saw Carroll County and our entire area demonstrate their love for one another by providing food, clothing, shelter and support to our neighbors in their time of need.

Each and every time people show their love for one another in this way, they are fulfilling the command that Jesus gave to his disciples shortly before his death when he said, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." (John 13:34 NRSV)

Jesus was calling his disciples, and each of us, to love each other and to help those in need just as he did throughout his life. This call for love is not just for times of disaster or destruction, but this call is also for each day of our lives.

Imagine how much we can help our neighbors throughout Carroll County and beyond, if we strive to meet the needs of others instead of coveting our own desires. This week let each of us strive to fulfill this new call in our daily lives focusing on how we can love our neighbor instead of how we can fulfill our own desires.

Bill McLean is pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Delphi.