Strain a Gnat, Swallow a Camel Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law; justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but … Continue reading Strain a Gnat, Swallow a Camel
Category: Spirituality
Not Peace, but a Sword
Not Peace, but a Sword Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34 This passage of scripture is easy to ignore as improbable to have been said by Jesus. Perhaps it was mistranslated. Perhaps a disgruntled biblical scribe … Continue reading Not Peace, but a Sword
The Road is Hard
The Road is Hard Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 This teaching … Continue reading The Road is Hard
Lipstick on a Pig
Lipstick on a Pig Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. Matthew 7:6 When Jesus says, “Do not throw your pearls before swine,” I think of the old proverb, “You can put lipstick on … Continue reading Lipstick on a Pig
Do Not Judge
June 14, 2018 Do Not Judge Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. Matthew 7:1 When I think of judgment, I remember a scene I witnessed several times growing up. The parents of one of my friends had matching easy chairs in their living room with a small table between them. They … Continue reading Do Not Judge
Humble Worship
Humble Worship Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them. Matthew 6:1 Whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you. Matthew 6:2 Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door. Matthew 6:6 Whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites. Matthew … Continue reading Humble Worship
Love Your Enemies
Love Your Enemies But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good; and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you … Continue reading Love Your Enemies
Give to Everyone Who Asks
Give to Everyone Who Asks Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42 This is a verse that pops into my head often, but is seldom a welcome addition to whatever I am thinking at the time. There are many things Jesus said … Continue reading Give to Everyone Who Asks
Thoughts Matter
Thoughts Matter But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 For most of us, our parents taught us right from wrong by rewarding the good things we said and did and punishing the not so good. Society does … Continue reading Thoughts Matter
First, Be Reconciled
First, Be Reconciled So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24 We live in increasingly … Continue reading First, Be Reconciled
Contemplating Grace 