I like the way Jesus begins his teaching in Matt 5:43 about how to treat others with whom I might disagree: “You have heard it said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'” We want our enemies to suffer like they have made us suffer. We want them to 'get what they deserve' and are more than happy to make sure that happens. As we look around us, it is evident that this resonates with our general society. However, it isn’t just other people’s problem. It’s mine. I can feel poked at on all sides, and I bottle it
Read MoreThe story of ‘The Good Samaritan’ grabs our imagination because we can’t imagine people being so heartless as to not stop and help someone in need. The Veggie Tales rendition of the Good Samaritan brings the issue home. The mayor of the town and the doctor (they represent people in public and private sector work) join together in song:
Read MoreDo you expect God to do great things? Do you have confidence in God? Confidence in God’s power runs through the story of Run-Away-Jonah, the big fish, and the Evil Assyrian Empire. When God tells Jonah to go tell the Ninevites that God’s judgement is coming and they need to repent, Jonah has absolute confidence that God will have mercy on them if they repent. After God withdrew His
Read MoreWhen things are out of control outside of us and inside of us we can feel hopeless. Usually, it has been a long process to reach the bottom. We’ve tried to do things our way, in our time, and under our own steam. We don’t notice the trajectory is off until it is really off. Once we notice it is off, we think we can get things back on track ourselves. We can have some success turning ourselves around, but more often than not, we can’t get out
Read MoreGod has a particular mission for you. He designed you exactly as needed to fulfill that mission. No one else can do it for you. It is a sacred trust. Did you know that every person has 600-700 talents? I thought I might have 8 if I stretched it! God has put together just the right blend that makes you so that you can make your Kingdom contribution to the world. Your sacred mission starts with those closest to you, then moves out to friends, work, church, and community. The question is: Are you running toward God’s mission or from God’s mission?
Read MoreResolutions worth keeping are ones that God inspires and empowers for the transformation of our character. God doesn’t want us to make our own agenda for what we want in 2022. He has better plans that will make us healthier, more impactful, and happier people. How does God want to transform you in 2022? Is there a virtue that He wants to continue to grow in you: care of someone, service to someone, encouragement, teaching, gratitude, reading the Bible or praying more, etc.? Is there a sin or distraction that God wants to take out of your
Read More"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
‘All people’ is a tall order! From this end of history, we are quite confident that the angel’s proclamation about Jesus was going to come to pass. After all, there are billions of Christians in the world of every tribe, tongue, and nation. But it probably didn’t seem so certain at the time of the announcement. The full
Read MoreI love this time of year, celebrating Jesus’ birth at church and in our homes. There is something profoundly intimate and personal about Emmanuel. God deserves all the parties we throw in celebration of the birth of His Son. God is with us! That is why we sing “Joy to the World”. There is no better news than God has come to us and is for us!
Read MoreWe have a lot of expectations as we prepare for Christmas. The sights of Christmas lights, trees, mistletoe, poinsettias, and more. The sounds of sleigh bells and Christmas carols. The smells of the evergreen and favorite Christmas dishes. The taste of hot chocolate and peppermint. Temperatures below 32 degrees so we can at least hope for snow. I am from the North, so it doesn’t ‘feel like Christmas’ when I’m wearing
Read MoreThe Grinch hated Christmas and all the decorations, toys, feasting and singing. He thought that was all empty because he felt empty. He thought the relationships were shallow and self-serving; that greed was in the air with the Who wanting more and more.
The Grinch’s assessment was not far off from God’s at one point in history. God spoke through the prophet Amos because He hated the surface-deep worship and empty celebration that many of the Israelites engaged in.
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