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The Mercy at the Heart of the Golden Rule
Reciprocity. It is a basic human desire, even an expectation, to be treated fairly and with respect. There are norms in every society that influence a person's behavior, many unspoken, expectations for the return of a kindness done to another. Sometimes the kindness done is motivated by a selfish desire to receive some favor back, the "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" philosophy. Sometimes. less obviously or even hidden from our own conscious recognition, a kindness is done in the hopes of fulfilling a deep need, such as love or friendship, the "if I do this thing, what will I gain and what will it cost?" type of mathematical…
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God’s Honest Truth
Have you ever asked this yourself? What IS truth? We live in a society nowadays, especially here in the United States, where "fake news" is a buzzword and people's mouths are filled with words that are chosen to sell us a product or persuade us to act. They spin a story. They spin the truth...So, what is truth, just as this Roman governor asked two millennia ago, and where can we turn to find it?
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Thy Will Be Done
Have you ever wondered why there is such a poor witness in many a church these days? Scandals seem to be more common, and sadly, are even expected by a jaded world. Whether it be a lack of moral purity, greed, or the false idol of personal popularity, the world is watching and saying that religion is poison. And you know what? This type is!
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Are You a Hot Mess?
When the world or your life is falling apart, who do you turn to?
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A Reflection On Perfection
Have you ever considered the word "perfect?" It is used in many ways today, but I'd like to focus on the sense of the word used in scripture to describe Christ and His sacrifice: to lack nothing necessary to completeness, to be of consummate integrity and virtue. A rough analogy nowadays would be a perfect diamond, one without flaws in cut, color, or clarity. Such internally perfect diamonds are rare--less than 0.5 percent fall into this category. They are also full of faceted beauty. In the spiritual world, there is only One who is perfect, whose beauty is so great that mortal man cannot bear the vision and live: "our…
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Self-Love: The Antithesis of Christ
Even a cursory perusal of the news, Facebook posts, or Twitter feeds is witness to an abject lack of love in the world. How many of the snarky memes and angry comments build us up or seek the good of our neighbor? They rather seek their own good and go out of their way to tear down anyone of a different political persuasion these days. The lack of respect for others is truly troublesome. Is it any wonder Jesus said of the last days, "And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold." [Mat 24:12 ESV]
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Speak Life
Did you know that one of the best ways to speak life into any situation or heart is to speak truth? Particularly, God's truth. No, I am NOT talking about any word-of-faith-type theological ball of tangled yarn. I am simply saying that if you want to lend light and wisdom to a situation, or encourage someone to walk in faith and godliness, speak God's truth. Jesus said, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life." [Jhn 6:63]
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Remember the Gospel is GOOD News
Back in 1983, I was a junior in high school, and my eclectic musical tastes ranged from hard rock to the likes of Anne Murray's "A Little Good News." This song really spoke to my heart in so many ways because even at the ripe old age of seventeen, listening to the news of foreign wars, the woes of a bad economy, the uptick of robberies, gun crime, and senseless violence--just the constant barrage of bad reports--left me feeling tense and quite dismal. I longed for good news, like Anne mentions, about things like county fairs, children playing, and people truly caring. I guess most good news is not as…
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I Am Not Ashamed
Oh, speak to me not Of a higher being-- Mine has a name, It is Jesus, my King. An unnamed man did not die on the cross Or breathe his last at such high cost. He had a name unlike any other Force, or being, or "neutral" power. An unnamed man did not rise from the dead After they mocked while He suffered and bled... To raise us to Heaven and with Him reign As sons and daughters of the King again!
