Following Jesus
Love
Trail to Peace–A Native American’s Story by Spencer Cody
I sat in stone silence looking at the white man sitting a few feet away from me. My heart was cold toward him, and I assumed he felt the same about me. “This is the way it has always been and the way it will always be,” I thought to myself, “the Indian and the … Continue reading
Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly
If you have ever experienced injustice, you know the feelings that take hold when it happens. Maybe you were wrongly accused of something, stolen from, or attacked because of the color of skin. Injustice can lead you to the brink of losing it. Frustrated and angry, embarrassed and without recourse, you stare helplessly into the … Continue reading
Becoming A True Radical
Many people today engage in over-the-top activities in search of the next adrenaline rush. No longer is it enough to just do something, it all has to be “extreme!” Extreme sports may include skiing down nearly impossible terrain or jumping off a cliff into the ocean many feet below. Cars have to be extreme too … Continue reading
“One-anothering”?
On a recent visit to my “old” home country, Germany, I drove my now elderly mother to the local bank. Waiting in the car for her to return, I looked down the street at the sign of a small Mom and Pop store selling toys, magazines, books, and many other small things. As I thought … Continue reading
Who is my Neighbor?
Have you ever been asked a question by someone that left you immediately with the impression that it was asked in a manipulative or leading way? Jesus often seemed to be the target of those kinds of inquiries. This one began with a lawyer asking him how to receive eternal life—a legitimate and important question. … Continue reading
The Runaway
Growing up in a well-to-do family has its advantages. Growing up in a family with means and where everybody is loved and cared for is even better. Yet, even the best circumstances do not always lead to the best consequences. Jesus tells a story of a young man who became a runaway. He grew up … Continue reading
Christmas “Wars”?
If you tuned in to the news during the past weeks, you most likely heard the words Christmas and war used in the same sentence—something you might not have thought possible before. Essentially, the debate is about being “politically correct” by no longer naming Christmas as such but calling it “holiday” so as not to … Continue reading
Relationship Problems
Turn on the news and it stares you right in the face: Domestic disputes, strife with neighbors, divorce, adultery, kidnappings, ethnic unrest, war… Have you ever thought about the fact that just about every problem in the world has at its bottom line a problem of relationship? Society seems to recognize this fact and offers … Continue reading
The Passion of the Christ
During this week, Christians around the world remember the suffering that God’s son, Jesus, the Christ went through. The recently released movie portraying the last twelve hours of Jesus, has generated much controversy, praise, and maybe most of all new interest in how and why Christ suffered! It seems remarkable that in a world, where … Continue reading
Who am I to you?
One day when Jesus was traveling the country with his small band of followers he asked them: “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples replied that most people thought that he was one of the prophets of old come alive. Then Jesus asked another question, one that caught his followers by surprise: “And … Continue reading
Can you measure love?
Is there such a thing as a measuring stick or benchmark test for love? Are there clues and evidences that indicate true love? If love is true it must somehow be reflected in how parties relate to each other. To have the other persons best in mind, not just one’s own desire’s, needs and wants, … Continue reading
What’s so amazing about Grace?
In the last few years both movies and musical versions of Victor Hugo’s novel “Les Miserables” have been watched by millions of people. They tell the story of Jean Valjean, a French prisoner, who had been sentenced to 19 years of hard labor for the crime of stealing bread. The injustice of the sentence and … Continue reading
The bottom line
A lawyer once asked Jesus which of all commandments was the most important one. Jesus answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.’ All the other commandments …are … Continue reading
Have you ever blown it?
When I was a child someone told me the story of a young preacher who was asked to share God’s Word with prison inmates. The preacher was inexperienced and nervous but grateful for the opportunity. Stepping onto the little platform from which he would address the prisoners, he tripped and fell. As you can imagine, … Continue reading
What is God like?
Did you know that God has feathers? Please hear me out, before you brand me a heretic! God describes himself in many different ways, all for our benefit and understanding. Psalms 61:4 says: “He lives in a tent and lets us find shelter under his wings”. Ps. 91:4 says: “He will cover you with his … Continue reading
Everybody needs friends!
In the Gospel of Mark we are told a story of a paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus by four friends. They had probably carried him for quite a distance only to find that they couldn’t get to the one they had hoped would help their friend. The house was overcrowded with people who … Continue reading
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