Jesus says, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). John writes that “if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:12). To the Romans, Paul says, “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up” (Romans 15:2). I don’t … Continue reading When you’re always rushing
love one another
Peace when it seems fragile
Today many of us wake to disturbing news. We hear of rising tensions between America and Iran. Just a few weeks ago we were celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). In times like … Continue reading Peace when it seems fragile
You complete the broken statue
In 2007 The Denver Post reported a story about a 22-foot statue of Jesus. During a storm, lighting struck and cut off Jesus’ hands and feet! The nuns who took care of it were asked if or when they could replace the hands and feet. They weren’t really sure since they relied on donations. Fair … Continue reading You complete the broken statue
Going out of your way for compassion
Before I tell you about Evan, let me share Colossians 3:12: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion…” Okay, back to Evan. He was a boy from St. George, Ontario in Canada. He had an inoperable brain tumor. He was so ill that they worried he wouldn’t live long … Continue reading Going out of your way for compassion
It’s not imposing, it’s loving
To the Colossians, Paul wrote: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). Keep that in mind for a moment. There’s a story about a man who went to India and struck up a friendship with a woman. She had never … Continue reading It’s not imposing, it’s loving
Why your love outlasts you
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes four responses to God’s word—three lead to nothing, and the fourth to everything. People in this last category “hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown” (Mark 4:20). Wow! That’s definitely something to shoot for! But … Continue reading Why your love outlasts you
The Faith “Authenticator”
Apparently there are “authenticators” in major league baseball. I recently heard about it on sports radio. Baseball teams like the Blue Jays, Astros or Yankees (or whoever), employ these authenticators at games to authenticate what was actually used in a game. It makes sense. After all, the baseballs, bats and other equipment that is used … Continue reading The Faith “Authenticator”
Un-stagnant for the kingdom
In Younger Next Year, Chris Crowley and Dr. Henry S. Lodge warn us about living in a way that is sedentary, particularly as it relates to retirement. They say that many people’s approach to retirement is very flawed when it involves “being sedentary, withdrawing from social contact, [and] eating everything you can get your hands … Continue reading Un-stagnant for the kingdom
Being useful makes you more content
I think we’re spiritually constructed to want to be useful. When someone we know is going through something difficult, how many of us have thought or said something like, “If only there was something I could do to help” or “I just want to be useful”? In a broader sense, you probably feel a strong … Continue reading Being useful makes you more content
The situation you’re already in
In 1 Corinthians 12:27 Paul says, “you are the body of Christ...” In light of that, we’ve been reflecting on this important question: How can we be useful to Jesus as his hands and feet in a hurting world by being proactive about the well-being of others? Sometimes we respond by getting involved in programs … Continue reading The situation you’re already in
