Compassionate Emptiness Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he … Continue reading Compassionate Emptiness
Tag: contemplation
Won’t You be My Neighbor?
Won’t You be My Neighbor? You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second (command) is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31 Love isn’t … Continue reading Won’t You be My Neighbor?
Delicate Honesty
Delicate Honesty So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who … Continue reading Delicate Honesty
Obedient Service
Obedient Service Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 Faith without works is not faith at all, but a simple lack of obedience … Continue reading Obedient Service
A New Body
A New Body While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands … Continue reading A New Body
Imminent Death
Imminent Death Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. Luke … Continue reading Imminent Death
Committed Love
Committed Love This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:12-13 There is a popular fable about a chicken and a pig. It goes like this: A chicken wants to open a restaurant … Continue reading Committed Love
Life Note
A Street Prophet Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? James 2:5 The main campus of our church is in the heart of downtown Lawrence, Kansas. … Continue reading Life Note
Doubting God’s Generosity
Doubting God’s Generosity You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Exodus 20:17 The dictionary on my phone defines covet as “to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of … Continue reading Doubting God’s Generosity
False Witness
False Witness You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16 Witnesses in Old Testament days, as now, were vitally important. The Jewish Law reads, “A single witness shall not suffice to convict a person of any crime or wrongdoing in connection with any offense that may be committed. Only on the evidence … Continue reading False Witness
Contemplating Grace 