Tag: relationships
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Greater or Lesser Than Evils
Read: Psalm 119:41–48, Deuteronomy 10:10–22, James 2:14–26 🔎 Focus No one ever accomplishes good by means of evil, because they are themselves conquered by the evil. On the contrary, evil is corrected by good. St. Barsanuphius the Great You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. James 2:19 (NRSVue)…
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Know Justice. Know Peace.
Speaking peace to people often seems to be a lost cause. First, many people don’t want peace. Actually, many people don’t want peace. Oh, they want peace from war (most). That often is the most common form of “peace” we use in everyday language. There is another one that is often used in Christian circles,…
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Knowing Limits
Psalm 88; Leviticus 21:1–15; 2 Corinthians 8:16–24 What is your limit? Or, perhaps, who is your limit? Republicans? Democrats? Communists? Libertarians? Capitalists? Roman Catholics? The homeless? The hungry? A different skin color? A different nationality? A different religion? Neighbors? Friends? Family? Children? Spouse? Relations and relationships are some of the biggest variables in human existence.…
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Defining Justice
Psalm 52; Jeremiah 21:11–14; Revelation 21:22–22:5 “This then is how you should live, begin your morning by administering justice. All those who know and follow the will of God will rescue people from their oppressor, particularly for those whose God promised gift has been stolen from them.” [A paraphrase by Ian] There is no question…
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Pridefully Divine
Psalm 29; Isaiah 5:15–24; John 15:18–20, 15:26–27 When we read about “divine beings” we, understandably, think about angels. What, however, makes a divine being…divine? Apart from God, there is no divine being that isn’t of God. Which becomes a little daunting theologically when we recognize we have the Imago Dei in us. To be clear,…
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Sharpening Together
Psalm 98; Deuteronomy 32:44–47; Mark 10:42–45 What are your two pet sins? Or, what sin of others sets you off (lying, adultery, etc.)? And, what sin of yours do you just try to brush off as not being that significant? Most of us have these. It may be severe, and it may be mild. Regardless,…
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We Maybe Sheep
Psalm 23; Genesis 48:8–19; Mark 6:30–34 “They’re running around like chickens with their heads cut off!” For someone who wasn’t raised on a farm (me), it is probably a bad phrase to use, though I understand the concept. I’m sure it’s different were one to experience it. Oddly, that phrase comes to mind when Jesus…
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Unlimited
Psalm 4; Daniel 10:2–19; 1 John 2:26–28 Relationships are very important to us. Sometimes relationships can seem to be invisible or even not related to us. The invisible and “unrelated” ones will often have impacts beyond our imaginings or expectations. Daniel had a relationship with God. It was very solid and sound. Daniel trusted God…
