“I don’t despise religious people. I despise what they stand for… Mock them, ridicule them in public.” – Richard Dawkins, speaking about people who believe in God (Reason Rally, March 24, 2012) “Love your enemies and pray for them.”  Jesus, speaking about all humanity. (Matthew 5:44)   In a world desperately in need of love, forgiveness, compassion and peace, who will you listen to?  Who will you follow?  

Things have to change.  The world is a mess, people are frustrating, and life in general is not turning out like I planned.   So I knelt down to ask God to start changing things.   I prayed, “God change my job so that I might be more successful”; God answered, “I will change you so that you will do all things in my name and find satisfaction in place of success.”   I prayed, .

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil 4:4) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Th 5:16-18) If there is one command in Scripture that seems significantly challenging at best, and downright impossible at worst, it is this command to ‘rejoice always’ and ‘give thanks in all circumstances’.  The terms ‘always’ and ‘all’ are unequivocal.  I .

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 10:45) There is a great Latin phrase that can help us understand the Refreshment of Service.  It is incurvatus en se.  It means ‘to be curved in on one’s self’.  You can form the mental image for yourself.  It is a silly posture when you think about it, .

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. (Matthew 13:44) Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  When the young man heard this, he went away .