One of the most famous parables of Jesus’ teaching is that of the Good Samaritan. After the tragedies that have surrounded the world recently. I think it is timely that it be the reading at church this past Sunday. It is a stark reminder of how we should be treating one another. We have been quick to pass judgment as our newsfeed fills with one senseless event after another. Are we any better now than the priest of Levite in that story? Are we kind to our neighbors, our brothers, and sisters? On the streets between Jerusalem and Jericho, a man robbed, beaten left to die. To die alone as passerby’s ignored his pleas for help. How are we much different as we pass judgment and move to the other side of the street, to avoid each other rather than love one another? Are we led by our faith to where we help those in need? Click To Tweet Homeless, prostitutes, and more, we step to the other side of the road rather than encounter them. The color of someone’s skin makes us angry, or the badge they wear. Refugees from all over the world have become a political hot potato no one wants to touch. Are we not all God’s children? In the parable, it states that we should love our neighbor. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ~ Luke […]

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In a world full of judgement and ridicule why not try on a pair of Jesus’ glasses? Lately, I have been overcome by the way we are treating one another. My heart breaks for not only the widows and orphans but the belittled and rebuked. These people sit in the pews of our churches on Sunday mornings, yet we judge them. They dare listen to music produced by people of a different denomination than yours.  They are the ones read books written by ‘Christian’ authors, but because that author is not the same religion, they are scorned. These are the people who speak up and share their experiences that came from outside the church walls, and, in turn, are dismissed as if their experience was not valid. Since when did it become okay to turn against other believers? Click To Tweet I have witnessed with my eyes people behind looked past because of their social class, or they are not good enough to recognize. Even with people who behave as friends outside of the church walls, but act as strangers if someone of stature is around. Who are we to say one Christian religion is better than another? Who are we to look down on our sisters and brothers? We should be thankful for those people who want to pour into the word of Jesus. Regardless of what ‘version’ of the Bible, they want to read. I am pretty sure no matter the version they all have the same author. “Who are you to judge your neighbor?” James […]

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Can you believe it, Lent is already upon us again. Today we prepare our hearts and minds for our 40-day journey. 40 days in the scheme of things is not that long, yet it sounds intimidating every year. We contemplate the past year as we decide what we will give up this year. My question for you is, did you give it up last year? I mean truth be told did you go without for 40 days? Or did you just do a little less of what you likely should not be doing anyway? I find it interesting how many people give up chocolate, soda, sugar, salt or social media for Lent. The first one will be a real test as valentine’s day comes after you already gave it up. What if instead of giving up, you gave UP? Click To Tweet I mean what if for the next 40 days you read scripture every day? Or perhaps did a 40 day devotional (likely a reason most devotionals are 40 days long huh?) Spending the next 40 days pressing into God’s word, where would you be in 40 days from now? I know some of you already read the Bible every day, how about adding 40 days of prayer then? You already do that? Then try doubling your efforts. When Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, he was not out there longing for chocolate. He spent his time in prayer and devotion. He prayed for you as he suffered. Perhaps we can follow his […]

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