Jesus was not a Christian! And, many he encountered and blessed were not observant Jews. Still Jesus knows faith when he sees and hears it.
Need
Whirlwind
Though our suffering shakes us to our core, the answer out of the “whirlwind” of our circumstances is that God is Almighty! And, just because our suffering is not relieved on our timetable does not mean God is lacking in power.
Right?
“Good” was not Jesus’ goal for his life and neither should it be ours! It is possible to do public wonders for private impure reasons. But far better to let private devotion make public wonders.
Recenter
Jesus centers God’s purpose and hopes for marriage from the beginning of our species. He recenters the radical nature of marriage, the “one flesh-ness” of it.
Influence
What continues to make the difference in structures as big as governments and as small as relationships are those people who have been influenced by Jesus and in response influence others for the good of all.
Earthly
Any public policy, or Sunday preaching that tells you it’s based on the values of Jesus and doesn’t address poverty, inequity, human dignity, and is unrepentant for previous missed marks is “earthly.”
Sustain
Thank God for those in our midst who have Isaiah’s gift- those who have strength, clarity and compassion enough to lend because they themselves have been sustained by others and the One who is “…the giver of every good gift.”
Robbery
Exploitation and manipulation of any person is an offense to God. But, according to Scripture, the exploitation and manipulation of the poor particularly displeases God.
Honor
Here’s to the men and women who: work long hours, serve and protect, go the extra mile, dig the ditches, stay on their feet all day, build, heal, teach, plant and harvest.
Difficult
God is political but not partisan! That’s important for followers of Jesus to remember as we make our way to November.