Last Sunday I began a 9-week series on The Beatitudes, which are found in Matthew 5: 1-12.  Nine weeks is a long time to spend on twelve verses, but the more I read, study and pay attention to what’s revealed to me, I’ve come to understand the Beatitudes as a foundation to understanding how God loves us.  Beatitudes are blessings.  The Greek word used in Matthew is makarios, which is translated “utmost joy.”   Of course, blessings bring on happiness – they are the riches of life.  If God is blessing you, then you are favored with God’s riches.  But from …