All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. 15They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them 16on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all.
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I love the language of having writing on one's heart. We spend so much time talking and thinking about our faith, but Christ urged us, time and time again, to be sure that we lead with our hearts. If our thoughts and actions do not originate in a love that seeks to imitate the love of Christ, then we need to examine our motivations. We are called to be a people who love first, who love until it hurts, who love even when the world has turned its back. It doesn't mean that it is easy to love, or that by loving we will not be subject to pains and difficulties, but it does mean that if we love we will be showing little glimpses of God's eternal kingdom to everyone.
Blessings
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Truth Hurts
I received this in an email today.
UNANSWERED PRAYER
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
'Well, Honey,' he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages.
'I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.'
'How come He doesn't answer it?' she asked.
UNANSWERED PRAYER
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
'Well, Honey,' he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages.
'I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.'
'How come He doesn't answer it?' she asked.
2009
Everlasting Lord,
You alone know the answer to the mysteries of the worlds you have created. Across the sky you have written tales of beauty and power, and yet I cannot read them. In the grass you have woven a story of love and joy, but I do not know how to translate it. In my heart you have installed a song of joy, but I often do not bother to hear it. Fill me with your presence, make me so aware of your Spirit within me, around me, that I better realize that while I may never understand, I am called to stand in awe and humble adoration at all that you have done, all you have promised, and all you are. From the crow of the rooster in the morning, to the last rays of the sun in the evening, to the gentle presence of the stars at night, may I see the world around me as a testimonial to your grace and goodness; your presence with us. Thank you.
Amen.
You alone know the answer to the mysteries of the worlds you have created. Across the sky you have written tales of beauty and power, and yet I cannot read them. In the grass you have woven a story of love and joy, but I do not know how to translate it. In my heart you have installed a song of joy, but I often do not bother to hear it. Fill me with your presence, make me so aware of your Spirit within me, around me, that I better realize that while I may never understand, I am called to stand in awe and humble adoration at all that you have done, all you have promised, and all you are. From the crow of the rooster in the morning, to the last rays of the sun in the evening, to the gentle presence of the stars at night, may I see the world around me as a testimonial to your grace and goodness; your presence with us. Thank you.
Amen.
Romans 2:1-11
2Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things. 2You say, “We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.” 3Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? 4Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5But by your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: 7to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8while for those who are self-seeking and who obey not the truth but wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. 9There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11For God shows no partiality.
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Are we patiently doing good? I will confess my desire for world peace, and yet nothing I ever do will achieve that grand and lofty goal. But I can contribute to it, step by loving step, offering my self and my actions to a more peaceful world. We have the option of growing frustrated with the rising level of violence around the world and screaming about it or noticing ways we can make minor differences, in the greater world and here at home. We work towards peace when we give our time, our efforts and our money to those who are in need, those who suffer, mourn and grieve. We work towards peace when we take a deep breath and react calmly. We work towards peace when we speak of the peace that passes all understanding, the peace of Christ the Lord.
Blessings
**************
Are we patiently doing good? I will confess my desire for world peace, and yet nothing I ever do will achieve that grand and lofty goal. But I can contribute to it, step by loving step, offering my self and my actions to a more peaceful world. We have the option of growing frustrated with the rising level of violence around the world and screaming about it or noticing ways we can make minor differences, in the greater world and here at home. We work towards peace when we give our time, our efforts and our money to those who are in need, those who suffer, mourn and grieve. We work towards peace when we take a deep breath and react calmly. We work towards peace when we speak of the peace that passes all understanding, the peace of Christ the Lord.
Blessings
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