the Ultimate Command: Relearning the Principles of Loving God, Others and Yourself: 2nd Edition.

Why do our marriages fail?

Why do we feel like failures as parents when our children disobey or turn away from us?

Why do so many people look at Christians as hypocrites?

In this ruthless world in which we live, fighting for time, money, and jobs, we leave little room for the very purpose of living - love.

The Ultimate Command illustrates what it means to be a Christian, how to love God, how to love others, and how to love ourselves. From a biblical perspective, author Thomas Bates examines the concept of loving God and those around us. Jesus said all the law and the prophets rested upon the greatest commandment. We must learn to value love over any other aspect of our relationships. Our priorities must shift; our lives must be restructured around this simple but pervasive command.

From loving our spouse and our children, our co-workers and our neighbors, those who are unkind and those whom we need to lovingly confront, The Ultimate Command spans every relationship to teach us how to love.

Thomas Bates has worked a variety of jobs, including math teacher, youth pastor, and marriage and family counselor. He has been published online through www.examiner.com. Tommy and his family actively participate in autism research to raise awareness for the disorder, and have been featured in reports on autism on CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, and state news outlets. He resides with his wife of 23 years and their four children in central Alabama.