Jesus grieved and grew angry at the church’s hardness of heart. (Mark 3). Compassion signals the presence of Christ. Jesus calls us to love others as ourselves- even strangers and opponents. Hard hearts allow us to regulate, isolate, and direct our love to people like us. The Incarnation shatters these boundaries by entering human suffering. […]
Tag Archives: violence
Jesus’ foremost commandment is to “love your neighbor as yourself”. ( Matthew 22:36) Jesus uses an immigrant to define “neighbor.” (Luke 10:25-37) Jesus provided free healthcare to all. (Mark 6:56, Luke 5:15, Matthew 4:23 & 9:35) Jesus warns: “You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24) Jesus warns that feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, […]
Over 30 years ago, I left my childhood denomination and joined the Methodist church. When people asked me, “Why did you become a Methodist?, I usually answered with one word: “Grace.” In seminary, when I read about Wesley’s idea of “being made perfect in love”, I wrote “this is idiotic. perhaps blasphemous” in the margins […]
With more luck than planning, we visited Gettysburg on the 150th anniversary of the battle, arriving early enough to park in the closest parking lot. The next day, we celebrated the Fourth of July in Philadelphia, toured Constitution Hall, and saw the Liberty Bell through the glass wall. We then drove to New York City, […]
In seasons filled with division and loud voices, do we listen for the still small voice of God whispering peace into our souls? Do we let the Word of God trouble us, shake us up, challenge our notions and change our thinking? Today, I come preaching about seven qualities that God loves in any nation. […]
Chattanooga stung and stings. We grieve for the lost Marines. We grieve for our lost sense community and safety. We grieve for the hate unleashed. We grieve with what we hope is a godly grief. We lament. With the Psalmist we lift heavy eyes to God. At times I want to lash out. Yet, I […]
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