The other cheek

The Shoes of Peace Aren’t Flip-Flops

Ever notice isolation around you?

Loving people where they are

Editor’s Note: When I read this post on Shannon’s blog, I left her a comment saying everyone needs to read this message. In my opinion it goes to the heart and soul of the solution to many of our world’s social ills.  Enjoy.

By Shannon Moreno
Blogger over at Revelations in Writing

Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” – (John 4:7,9-10)

I so appreciate this exchange between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. He models for us how we can break down social and cultural barriers, and approach people where they are. Though society would have deemed her unworthy – to acknowledge, let alone speak to – Jesus approached her directly and spoke to her face to face. He was kind, honest, and offered the hope she had so long been looking for. As followers of Christ, we are called to do likewise. Our job is to break down barriers that society deems necessary, and show the world that they are not. We must touch the “untouchable“, love the “unlovable“, give voice to the silent, and meet the needs of those without. So many are misunderstood, misrepresented, and labeled as a result of their circumstances. May we be the ones who answer the call to love our neighbors as Christ has loved us – no barriers, no limits, just love.

Shannon is a long-time devoted blogger since 2011. I read her thought-provoking posts regularly. Shannon is a career teacher and coach and is raising two teenage boys. which in and of itself is a full time job. Read her posts on her blog at https://revelationsinwriting.wordpress.com

What a beautiful attitude!

One of my favorite contemporary worship songs is, O Lord, You’re Beautiful by Keith Green.

I call it one of my cry song, because every time I hear it or sing it with our praise team, I cry. It’s a beautiful cry and I’m full of joy when I hear it sung. My favorite lines in the song are in the first verse:

“And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to You“

What a beautiful attitude: As we serve others, as we love others, as we worship our Almighty Father, to have as our only reward bringing glory to God.

Think about it. The way we relate to others, the way we talk, the way we act, the way we respond in difficult circumstances, the way we respond to injuries, hurts and insults, the way we treat our enemies, the way we serve and love others–all with the attitude of bringing glory to God.

Wouldn’t that be a wonderful, life-changing, world-changing attitude for us to live out each day?

Oh Lord You’re Beautiful
by Keith Green

Oh Lord, You’re beautiful
Your face is all I seek
For when Your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me

I wanna to take Your word and shine it all around
But first help me to just, live it Lord
And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to You

Oh Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright and clear
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fear

I want to take Your word and shine it all around
But first help me just to live Lord
And when I’m doing well, help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to You

The problem with listening

Too often I listen, but I don’t hear.

Feeling Left Out

Lessons From Camp

Belief Or Behavior

At a men’s retreat some years ago two of my brothers spent most of the weekend, Bibles in hand, arguing law vs. grace and salvation vs. condemnation, what Revelation really meant and on and on and on.

I think their unspoken goal was to see who knew more about the Bible and theology. They volleyed back and forth agreeing and disagreeing with each other for uninterrupted hours. Defending their beliefs. Quoting scriptures. Persuading. Defining. Describing.

By Sunday afternoon both brothers decided they hadn’t accomplished one thing to get closer to the Kingdom of God during their marathon

Sacrificial Love

This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13.

Sacrificial love has gone out of fashion today. We read heartwarming stories of people doing wonderful things for others, usually in the name of charity or disaster relief.