In returning to ourselves, in contemplating the compassion of Jesus and realizing that "This means me," we come under the Mercy and qualify for the nametag "blessed." In urging us to compassionate caring for others, Jesus invites us to have compassion for ourselves....
Seeing our ordinary lives from God’s point of view changes how life looks and feels. Following Jesus radically shifts the priorities that govern us. We are called upon to measure our lives, not by what we have gained but by what we have given. A radical change. The...
It is easier to love people in a theoretical sense while on a mission trip or in the spotlight or when you get fringe benefits and it makes you feel good. Love is, by definition, putting others before yourself. That means caring about what they care about—before,...
The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing…not healing, not curing…that is a friend who cares.
The story of Jesus enables me to envision God as One who genuinely cares for each and all of us. In Jesus, God confronts the Darkness face to face, Incarnate, for our sake. Jesus is Light to the gentle face of God. The story of Jesus says that God laughs with us in...
Frequently when they attacked me for being involved in politics, I used to say, I wish I knew which Bible they were reading! Because the Bible I read was quite clear: God revealed God to the children of Israel, not in a sanctuary, but by carrying out a political...
It is a monumental accomplishment for 200 voices to sing one note in tune—let alone 80 minutes of 4 to 7-part harmony. And it takes everybody caring every second.
If you’re going to care about the fall of the sparrow you can’t pick and choose who’s going to be the sparrow. It’s everybody, and you’re stuck with it. from The Arm of the Starfish
Martin Luther, when he walked in the woods, used to raise his hat to the birds and say, “Good morning, theologians—you wake and sing, but I, old fool, know less than you and worry over everything, instead of simply trusting in the heavenly Father’s care.
God does not care whether or not you love your country. He does care whether or not you love your neighbor. ————-Gender-neutral version: God does not care whether or not you love your country. God does care whether or not you love your neighbor.