Pastor Note #145: What Makes for the Blessed Life?

"Blessed are those who force their way to the front of the line; they will get to run things their own way." (For full post, click link below.)

Pastor Note #144: Jesus vs. Brutality & Inhumanity

"To truly follow Jesus is to follow the lamb who was slain (Rev. 5:6), not the roaring lion “seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)."

Prayer Note #70: Love instead of Anger, Fear, Violence, & Cruelty

“Lord, I live in a world of anger, fear, violence, and cruelty.  It is hard for me not to be swept away and molded by these ugly passions that swirl around me. . . ."

Quote of Note #226: Bearing Witness with Graciousness & Faithfulness

“As was in many of the most religious people of Jesus' day, it is possible to become fully versed in a theological tradition or excel in theological education and still have a hardened heart that never truly surrendered to the Word of God.” Costanzo, et al (for full quote, click link below)

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 #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