August 30, 2024
Christ’s platform, perhaps?
His love and allegiance to God is first and foremost – everything else is way down the line. Matthew 22:37
His love and compassion were offered to all He encountered – enemies as well as friends. Matthew 5:43-48
He did not judge but left room for recovery of relationship Matthew 7:1-5
He listened to the voice of those on the edges of society and proactively worked to restore them to community Matthew 20:29-34; Luke 5:12-32
He was not swayed by the rigid humanly imposed laws and penalties of the past, but rather offered a future where laws were tempered by mercy, grace and love. Luke 13:10-17; Luke 14:1-6; John 5:1-18
He did not bully others into believing as He does, but rather left room for the Spirit to work once they left the conversation – and He always let them go in love. Matthew 19:16-22; John 3:1-10
He knew when to speak and when to be silent – sometimes folks just aren’t ready to listen Matthew 26:57-63, 27:11-14; Mark 14:53-61, 15:1-5; Luke 23:6-9
He always forgave – even those who didn’t ask to be forgiven Matthew 9:2-8, 18:21-22; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26, 7:36-50; John 8:1-11
He never put Himself in first place – even when the temptation was great Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13
He never equivocated on the purpose of His mission – the salvation of the world and the ushering in of a new creation founded on God’s love for Him and all the world Matthew 16: 13-28; John 3:16-21, 18:33-38
He was – and is – the Lord of limitless chances to so that we might become someone better than we have been Matthew 18:21-22
He offers limitless opportunities to serve Him by showing how to serve others. Matthew 20:25-28; John 13:12-15
He demonstrated the source of true power is found in loving God and loving others no matter the consequences to Himself. Mark 12:28-34; John 15:12-17
He never used God the Father (how Jesus referenced the first person of the Trinity) to achieve His personal end. Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; John 18:36
His love and compassion were offered to all He encountered – enemies as well as friends. Matthew 8:1-13; Luke 7:1-17
October 22, 2023
Silence
Silence is a fear-filled thing:
It is in the silence that we face ourselves.
It is in the silence that we contend with the noise within.
It is in the silence that we realize solitude is only loneliness made fancy.
+ + +
But silence is crucial to wisdom and growth.
If we have the courage to stand:
stand in front of the inner mirror;
stand until the noise within runs its course;
stand until we realize we are not alone.
Not alone?
Not at all!
God sees us as we truly are in spite of ourselves.
We are precious.
we are beloved.
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God’s gentle voice remains when the voices in our heads subside:
“You are Mine – I have plans.”
God’s promise is remembered in the silence:
“I AM with you to the end.”
+ + +
Silence can be a fear-filled thing…..
But, if we have the courage to stand in its midst – and wait
The true empowering Voice will be heard and the holy gift given:
As silence will bring renewed life – hope – joy!
Isaiah 30:15
December 12, 2021
Beloved Lover of humankind,
Soften our heart so that we too may have compassion for the who suffer, so that we too may give gladly of our time and treasure to those in need.
May nothing we do be done in strife, but in confidence and in peace.
May nothing we do be done in foolish pride, but in lowliness of mind let us esteem others as greater than ourselves.
May we esteem the need of others as greater than our own.
May we look with kindness and compassion upon their burdens.
May our hearts become as tender wombs prepared to receive Your grace, that in due time may we bring forth the joyful fruit of Your Spirit.
May this mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus:That being God He made Himself impoverished, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, humbled Himself, and was obedient unto death – yet a death that has brought all to life.
We ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. AMEN.
Scott Cairns in God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas. Paraclete Press: Brewster, Massachusetts. 2007
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