Prayer Note #69: A Prayer (Drawn from Colossians 3:12-14)

Grant that I might be a living embodiment of Christ’s saving, healing, redeeming love in this broken world.

Quote of Note #222: Ethical Capitalism & the Danger of Wealth

"Why is wealth such a threat...? First, wealth allows the rich to separate themselves from others--to become independent of others and isolated from the needs of others." L. Sweet

Quote of Note #221: Faith as Opposed to Virtue

"How many men and women we have encountered, of great personal virtue and moral rectitude, convinced of their own righteousness, who have also been totally insensitive to the needs of others, and sometimes downright cruel." M L'Engle (for full quote click link below)

Quote of Note #219: Serving Others, Not Controlling Them

"If self-denial is at the heart of the kingdom [of God], controlling others is anti-kingdom." S. Bezner

Quote of Note #218: Love Without Limits

"Somehow we've developed the mind-set that to love one person or group, we have to hate another person or group. So we direct our love toward the groups we're part of--our families, our denominations, our political parties, our ethnic groups--and feel free to hate anyone outside these boxes." J. Perkins (to read the full quote, click link below)

Quote of Note #214: The Superficial Faith of Christian Nationalism

"[Christian Nationalism] leads to superficial Christianity rather than to sincere faith and deep discipleship." Wright & Bird

Quote of Note #212: Power & Control OR Humility & Love

"One thing is clear to me: the temptation of power is greatest when intimacy is a threat. Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead. Many Christian empire-builders have been people unable to give and receive love." H. Nowen

Pastor Note #141: Getting My Bearing for These Times (Cont.): Rejecting Coercion

Coercion can never achieve the kingdom of God. I do not believe it is ever God’s desire or plan that any one group of Christians should aspire to get its hands on the levers of coercive governmental power and use that coercive power to impose its will on its unwilling neighbors. Again, coercion cannot and will never achieve the kingdom of God.

Quote of Note #211: Humble and Audacious Prayer

"And it is in prayer thus understood that we are invited to participate, alone with God and in community. This prayer is at once an act of humility and an act of triumph." K. Barth