God's Gift of Light

The Rev. Donna Schaper serves as senior minister at Judson Memorial Church in New York City.  Her most recent book, Advent 2013 God's Gift of Love, includes this statement on page 45 where she reflects on the meaning behind Isaiah 9:2 which says ..."The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness on them has light shined."  Schaper writes, "These words offered hope to the people of Judah during a time of great political turmoil and war.  How can we hear them?  We have lived in darkness by looking for love in all the wrong places - in our appearance, our success, our ability to give to others.  When we have stopped looking to receive love because of our accomplishments, we have turned toward the light.  When we see God's long promised light in the baby Jesus, we see that we are loved by God.  We begin to turn around, to change our ways.  We no longer stare at the darkness because we love the light."

Rev. Schaper has given us some significant words to meditate on, and I encourage you to ponder her statement and see what it means for you.  For me, Rev. Schaper reminds me of how often I try to create light in my own life and others by the things I do for God and others.  I allow myself to think that the lights of human appearance, human achievement and human generosity will create a warm glow that makes us all feel loved.  But all too often, these lights are artificial and easily broken.  Yes, even my human generosity can be an artificial light when my impulse is to give so I can feel good.  Artificial lights reflect only our human persona.  These kind of lights will fade away in the darkness.

But if we can stop looking to receive love because of our accomplishments, then these artificial lights will fade, and in the darkness we will be given eyes to see the light promised by God in Jesus Christ.  This is the light that tells us we are loved, not because of what we do, or don't do, but because we are, God's children, and in Christ, God's children being redeemed.  This Advent season take time away from all the artificial lights that shine in our world and find a sacred place where you can be warmed in the glow of God's eternal light in Jesus Christ.  This is why we journey in Advent.  This is why we celebrate Christmas.  This is why we look forward to his coming again.  It is in His light that we see that we are loved by God, and it is the warmth of His light that woos our heart to turn around, to live differently than we lived before.  It is His light that gives us the assurance and the power to live a life with God.  We no longer have to squint in the darkness to see artificial light.  We love God's light.

Blessed Advent to Everyone,

Dennis

Veterans Day

Today, the day I write this blog, is November 11 and it is Veteran's Day in the U.S.A.  I always think of my father on this day since he served in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II.  My father joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1938 when he was 18 years old, just out of high school.  He was a ground mechanic assigned to London, England and was there during the Battle of Britain in 1940.  My Dad never talked much about the war, as was the habit of many in that generation, but what little he said was filled with praise and admiration for the many skilled Allied pilots who flew their bombing raids over Nazi Germany.  Dad saw many of these bombers shot up with gaping holes, but still flying as they returned to England from their bombing raids.  Like many vets who were lucky enough to return home when the war ended in 1945, he married Mahdeen I. Reissing of Midland, Texas (my mother) and, well, the rest is family history.  My Dad died of an unexpected heart attack in 1973 when I was only 15 years of age.  While I treasure the memories of my time with him and how he taught me to play golf, I always give thanks, for his service to his country every Nov. 11 on Veterans Day.  I know my Dad always gave thanks every Nov 11, and he never forgot those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, those who were not lucky enough to make it back home.

Today, I write this blog as both a Christian who has been blessed by veterans of faith with whom I share a world wide community; and as a U.S. citizen who has been blessed by veterans of this country with whom I share a life long heritage of freedom in government.  Let me encourage you, as both Christians and citizens who are living in the United States, to give thanks today, and throughout this month of November.  First, give thanks to God for allowing you to live in a country that protects your religious right to worship God according to the dictates of your own conscience.  Second, give thanks to a veteran, who put life on the line every day to protect these freedoms we now enjoy without question.  Many are the conflicts our veterans have fought in, from World Wars to Korea to Vietnam, to the Middle East and Afghanistan and most likely other places of military service that you and I are not even aware of: and of course, many are the soldiers now living and now serving who put their life on the line, even today, to protect these same freedoms.  We owe them our gratitude as well.  Always remember . .  . it's never too late to give thanks. 

Thank you God.  Thank you Veterans.

Dennis

Living in the 8th Chapter

When I was in seminary years ago, a professor of mine once asked us, "Are you living in the 8th chapter today?"  We were studying Paul's letter to the Romans and just recently finished a study of the 8th chapter of Romans when he asked that question.  What did he mean by asking the question?  Paul opens the 8th chapter of Romans saying, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the Law of sin and death."  The point of these opening words in Romans 8:1-2 is that we no longer have to live lives that are driven by our sin-filled human natures.  We can now live a life that is powered by the wind of God's Spirit and love.  We can choose to walk with God, not walk away from God.  To live in the 8th chapter of Romans is to live a life that walks with God, a life that is powered by the winds of God's Spirit and love.

It also means, as Paul writes in Romans 8:28, that God can work all things - both good and bad - into his greater purpose, and we will see this greater purpose played out in our lives if we are willing to love him and walk with him according to his purpose.  What this means is that we have to let God lead.  We don't walk with God telling him where we want to go in life.  We walk with God, letting God show us where to walk next.  Every fork in the road is a decision that needs to be led by God.

Such a walk can be lonely at times. While it is easy to visualize the Lord walking with us, leading us along the way, the truth about any journey with God is that there are times when God's presence feels far away.  There are times when we wonder where God is, or even why God has abandoned us.  It can cause us to ask, "Does God really care - does God love us still?"  Paul answers, Romans 8:38-39, that God still loves us, and always will.  In fact, Paul tells us that there is nothing in all creation that can ever make God stop loving us.  Hence, we walk by faith in confidence that God will provide the necessary direction when we need it along the journey.  We claim the promise that God loves us still.

All of us are on a journey going somewhere in life.  Some are looking for the next happy hour along the way, while others are trying to find a life that has meaning - one that makes a difference.  For the Christian is who walking with God, one question to ask is - Are you living in the 8th chapter as you walk with God?  There is no condemnation for those who walk with God.  He can use everything we do - both good and bad - and weave it into a journey that takes us where we need to be - if we are willing to love him and are willing to be called according to His purpose.  And when the road gets lonely - and it will at times - we can claim his promise and know by faith that He will always love us.

Life can be good, when you're living in the 8th chapter.

Blessings,

Dennis

Perfect Love Cannot Avoid Wrong Thinking

Recently I've been reading in John Wesley's A Plain Account of Christian Perfection, and while the title may seem odd, Wesley is clear that being filled with perfect love does not create an error free life.  He writes in his account, "A man (or woman) may be filled with pure love, and still be liable to mistake.  Indeed I do not expect to be freed from actual mistakes till this mortal puts on immortality.  I believe this to be a natural consequence of the soul's dwelling in flesh and blood.  For we cannot think at all, but by the mediation of those bodily organs, which have suffered equally with the rest of our frame.  And hence, we cannot avoid sometimes thinking wrong, till this corruptible puts on incorruption."

In a world today where some demand allegiance to their convictions, and no compromise; it seems to me that they would do well to reacquaint themselves with some of the classic Christian writings like Wesley's writings on Christian perfection for if they did, they might understand the truth behind Paul's statement in Romans 3:10 that .. "no one is righteous."  The consequence of our sinful human nature is we sometimes think wrong, and failure to admit such weakness reveals the presumption that we think we are right all the time and all the time we are not right.  So, if God's perfect love cannot remove wrong thinking from us, then how much more presumptuous it is to think that we can always be right on our own.  It's like saying we have the knowledge of good and evil, but such knowledge belongs only to God.  (See the creation stories in Genesis 1 and 2)

While it is easy to talk about this subject on the stage of national politics (what a great temptation that is) the rubber hits the road for most of us in family relationships.  Every couple has moments when one is convinced the other is wrong about something.  I heard Ralph and Nell Mohney share how they learned to end a conversation in which they held strong opinions that were polar opposites.  They would say to each other, "Well, you my be right."  Of course, they walked away from that conversation still thinking each other was wrong, but the fact that they were willing to admit the potential of their own wrong thinking kept a certain humility in play that helped them both grow closer over the years.  So, the next time you find yourself in a heated discussion, before saying anything you might regret, why not end the conversation with the words, "You may be right."  In the very least, it allows you to walk away, so that you can argue another day, but still love.

- Dennis

Gray is the Color of an Open Door

It's interesting, to read in the Gospels, how many times Jesus was confronted by Pharisees who tried to trick him with black and white scenarios.  On one occasion they said, "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" (Matthew 22:17) and on another occasion they brought to Jesus a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery and said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women.  Now what do you say?"  (John 8:4- 5).  In both cases, religious leaders were using black and white scenarios as a way of trapping Jesus into saying something that could be used against him.

In both cases, Jesus saw the gray.  In regards to taxes, he said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.  In regards to the woman caught in the act of adultery, he said to the men, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be a first to throw a stone at her."  Well, they all walked away because none of them were without sin.  However, Jesus was without sin.  Jesus could have stoned her, but instead he said, "Has no one condemned you?  Neither do I condemn you.  Go now and leave your life of sin."  Instead of stoning her, Jesus chose to forgive her and challenged her to leave her sin filled ways.    Yes, even when some things are clearly right & wrong, Jesus left a door of gray open to move from wrong to right. 

Today you will encounter many people who live in many different lifestyles.  Some are living well while others are not, but what kind of doors are you opening by the way you interact with others?  Our words have the power to close doors, or open doors.  Jesus always used his words to open doors.  We would be wise to imitate his teaching and to follow in his way.

Dennis   

Giving Thanks Can Be Healthy For You!

The other day I ran across an article that caused me to pause and think about the benefits of giving thanks.  A 20th century endocrinologist named Dr. Hans Selye was known across the world for studying the effects of stress on human life.  Dr. Selye claimed that there are two emotions, more than any other emotions, that exert the most influence on our peace of mind and sense of self-fulfillment.  The two emotions are revenge and gratitude.  Revenge, which springs from unresolved hostility can destroy a person as well as those around him or her.  Gratitude can heal the soul.  People who experience gratitude here in life are more at peace within themselves and have much higher degrees of self-fulfillment.  According to Selye, the degree of fulfillment verses frustration can be directly influenced by these two emotions of revenge vs. gratitude. 

How do we experience gratitude?  One way is by learning to give thanks.  The psalmist said in Psalm 107:1 - "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."  The psalmist then continues taking the reader down memory lane when ancient Israel was wandering, and how much they need to thank the God who delivered them from their lonely wanderings, bringing them to a good place, satisfying their thirst & hunger with good things. - Psalm 107:9.  The metaphor is powerful, because we live in a world where many wander inside themselves, not really knowing where their place is in this world, or where they need to go to find a good place.  They hunger and thirst for what they do not yet know.  The good news is that God can bring them to a good place as well, satisfying their thirst and hunger with good things.  So, want gratitude?  Learn to give thanks!  Nothing heals a bitter spirit more than a thankful heart. 

 

Do All Dogs Go to Heaven?

There was a song I learned while attending Christian life meetings in college back in the 1970's during my days as a college student on the campus of McMurry College in Abilene, Texas.  We used to sing it all the time and it went something like this ...

 

Heaven is a wonderful place

Filled with Glory and Grace

I want to see my Savior's Face

Heaven is a Wonderful Place - I want to go there.

 

Repeat Song

 

The song always made me think of heaven as pie in the sky, a place where we go after we die.  While Heaven is all that - I've learned over the years that Heaven is more than all that.  Heaven is also the ham where I am.  Jesus once said that the kingdom of God (heaven) does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21


What this means for me is that we don't enter heaven getting our ticket punched on the gospel train, knowing that God will tell us when the train is ready to leave, but heaven is a place whose journey begins within us.  It's a journey of the heart where God creates heaven in our heart, giving us a new way to live and serve, thus creating places of heaven on earth, a foreshadowing of s world we'll enjoy when we go to heaven!


But, do all dogs go to heaven?  Now there's a question I will address this Sunday in worship at the 11 a.m. sanctuary service.  Why not come and bring a friend as we explore the topic together.  See you Sunday!


Dennis 

Predestination

Predestination in the Christian world means a divine foreknowledge of all things that happen.  Some use predestination to shape their definition of elect, a people chosen by God, to include only an elect few.  Some believe in double-election saying God elected some to be saved, while others are elected to be damned.  I don’t any Christians in my community who advocate such a view, but it seems implied in our society at large. I belong to one of the two major political parties in this country.  I won’t say which one, but I do receive letters from the national organization around election time, and if I took seriously everything written in those letters, I would believe my party to be elected by God to save this nation from economic and moral disaster, while the other party is been damned by a faulty political philosophy that will lead to economic and moral ruin.  Whether we say it or not, we practice in our two party system a “double election” in national politics!  Personally speaking, whether in religion or in politics, such a view divides us from one another, which is the root problem of our sin.  

One reaction to this idea of double election is single election, meaning God elects all, or predestines all to be saved, an idea that originated in the ancient teachings of church fathers like Clement of Alexandria in the Catechetical school in Alexandria and continued by Origen who followed as Clements’ successor. Today, post-modern Christian authors continue to explore single election with books like If Grace is True 2003 and The Evangelical Universalist 2006, writings in the past ten years that lift up the idea of a God who elects to save every person.   I think it sounds great, but there is that haunting, evocative question read in Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?”  This suggests a choice to be made, and it appears to be a choice that we choose to either accept or ignore?

There is another way to look at predestination:  all of us are predestined to be loved.  John 3:16 says that “God so loved the world...”  Paul writes in Romans 8:38 – 39 that nothing he knows of can ever make God stop loving us.  If we are predestined to be loved, then God has made a choice.  God chose you, but what choice will you make?

We will explore this topic more as we continue our sermon series in the sanctuary on basic beliefs.  Join us as we dig deeper into basic Christian beliefs like salvation, sanctification.  We’ll explore all these beliefs from our United Methodist tradition.

What Do You Believe - Really?

I've been reading some in Gregory McDonald's book, The Evangelical Universalist, which he wrote back in 2006.  The title intrigued me because I don't usually associate the word, evangelical, with the idea of universal salvation.  Nevertheless I always enjoy a good book, whether it's to learn and embrace new ideas or to learn why I don't agree with an author's viewpoint.  In chapter one where he talks about biblical interpretation he writes, "...a commitment to an inspired Bible is not a commitment to inerrant interpretations."
What he goes on to say in this chapter is that it's one thing to call the Bible inerrant, but that does not mean your intepretation of scripture, or my interpretation of scripture, is inerrant.  I must always consider the possibility I could be wrong at any time, in any place.

If we truly understood this truth, think how much more rich and insightful our theological discussions about sin, salvation and sanctification would be.  Instead of demonizing each other, we might actually hear each other's heart.  John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement once said, "Though we cannot think alike, can we not love alike?  May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion?  Without all doubt, we may."  I suspect that on the subject of universal salvation, even if it is Christocentric, we have those who believe in universal salvation and those who don't believe in universal salvation.  It's like some people believe in a literal hell as an after life for those who die, and have not professed faith in Christ.  Others do not believe in hell as an after life.  Yet others may believe in hell, but only as a temporary place, until God redeems the cosmos.

So, be watching for my new sermon series starting later in June of this year, when I talk about sin, salvation, sanctification, heaven and hell in a sermon series I like to call, "Basic Beliefs of a United Methodist Pastor."  When the series begins in late June, approach this sermon series with an open mind and an open heart.  You might learn to embrace some new ideas, or perhaps I will give you reasons for why you don't believe the way I do."  Either way, it can be a great conversation for both of us to grow our faith in Jesus Christ.


Dennis

Series on Revelation

I just finished a five week sermon series on Revelation which addressed not all, but some of the key scripture passages in the book.  One section I did not cover was the number of the antiChrist, which is 666.  As a kid it always fascinted me and I used to go around with thoughts of what kind of machine would punch a number of your forehead?  We probably have such a machine today, but that is not how you interpret the Revelation to John.  It is filled with apocalyptic writings and must be interpreted symbolically.  Of course, as an adult we know the number 666 was code for the Roman Emperor, Nero.  Bruce Metzger's book, Breaking the Code, written 20 years ago in 1993 accurately identified the number in saying, "Among the names and titles that have been proposed to solve the cryptogram, the most probably candidate is the Emperor Nero.  If we add the numerical values in the Hebrew spelling of the name Neron Caesar we obtain 666; on the other hand, since  his name can equally well be spelled without the last N, if we omit the final N, the total will be 616.  The fact that some ancient manuscripts of the book of Revelation give the number as 616, instead of 666; there does not appaer to be any other name, or a name with a title, that satisfies both 666 and 616."

Well, there have been many Nero's who have ruled different lands since the fall of the Roman Empire.  Only only has to consider the latter half of the last century and look at Germany's HItler, or Cambodia's Pol Pot, to see how history often repeats itself.  You can probably name some 21st century rulers who fit this image.  Nevertheless, what does this say to the church today?  We are born with an innate need to worship, and if we do not worship the true God, then we will create some god to worship, even if it is ourselves!  Such distortion only leads to further distortion, and this leads to all kinds of injustices.  

Most of us will not lead the life of a sadistic dictator, but we can still live as if we are our own God who can control our own destiny.  Perhaps it would be better to humble ourselves and remember who we are, and who God is who created heaven and earth.  As we approach Pentecost, let us remember where our real power comes from - not from ourselves - but from the one true God who loves us and calls us to love one another.  Let us open ourselves once again to receive the Holy Spirit that unites people (Pentecost) as opposed to the spirit of sin that divides people (Tower of Babel).  Let God rule in you.

Hence, the number 7, which is the number for God.  Let us strive to be that perfect 7, even as our Father in heaven is perfect.  (Matthew 5:48)  We strive for this perfection not because we can attain it, but because the striving for it is making perfect our faith.  (Hebrews 12:2)  Anything less, always falls short of what God wants us to desire, leaving us as little more than a number repeating itself ... 666666666 - something to think about.

- Dennis

God Loves You! It's More than Words

Robert Schuller, a great voice of American Protestantism in the 20th century once wrote, "Have you ever been in a church where the minister scolds the people?  He rebukes them, slaps his hands and pounds his fist, verbally crucifying those listening to him.  I have attended churches like that.  And the amazing thing is that the people go out and tell the preacher, "Oh, that was a great sermon, Reverend.  These people enjoy being verbally spanked.  They do not understand what the grace of God means."

I think Schuller got it right.  Too many people think they need to be yelled at in order to bring them to repentance or keep themselves in line:  but what lies behind such behavior is the false theology of people seeking to earn God's forgiveness by living lives, worthy of his love.  The truth is, you will never be good enough to earn Gods's love:  but the gospel says you don't have to be good enough.  What matters is how much you open your heart to the Lord, and an obedient heart is never powered by all our human effort!  Only God's love can make the difference for you.

Schuller writes, My message of grace to you is that God knows and he still loves you."

Today, why don't you stop trying to show God how good you can be for him, and instead let God show you how good God can be for you.  It wasn't until John Wesley realized that God loved him, even him; that he found the power that transformed his very own life.

Dennis

A Way to Pray

Many know what they want, but few know what they need.  This is a common expression your hear today, and in a society like the United States where everything you want can be purchased with the swipe of plastic - provided you have the credit - we have become a society of demanding, complaining consumers who believe life is all about consumption of stuff.  Unfortunately, that mindset invades the prayer life of many Christian people who spend their time in prayer complaining to God about all that ails them and evil injustices done to them, while also demanding answers in ways that will satisfy their own agendas!  Such prayers do little to build our trust in God, let alone a relationship with him.  In his book, Praying Like Jesus, author James Mulholland writes about this condition, but he also shows us the better way of Jesus in saying, "When I come before God with my complaints and demands, when I ask for what I think will satisfy, seek what I hope will fill my void, and knock at doors I want to be opened, I am like a distrustful child.  In those moments, my Father in heaven scoops me into his arms and says, - 'Peace.  Be still.  Trust me.' - When I finally quiet myself and relax in his presence, I discover mly complaints were selfish and my demands unnecessary.  I am provided with exactly what I need - his love."  Today let yourself be loved.  Fina a quiet place where you can let go of all the complaints and demands that stress your heart.  Empty your heart of these things, and let God fill your heart with his love.  It's a heart warming experience that can rescue you from yourself.  Yes, there is so much we want out of life, but only God's love can give us what we need!

- Dennis

Boat Stories

I call them boat stories, those stories in the gospels where Jesus calms the storm that threatens the lives of the disciples while they are in the boat travelling across water.  There is one particular story told in three of the gospels - Matthew, Mark and John.  It is the story when Jesus sent his disciples to the other side in a boat while he goes into the mountains to pray alone.  It is in the fourth watch of the night, which is sometime between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. that the disciples find themselves on a boat, alone, in a storm.  Suddenly Jesus appears to them, walking on the water.  The disciples were afraid fearing that they were seeing a ghost, but Jesus says to them, "Take Courage.  It is I.  Don't be Afraid."  Then Jesus enters the boat and calms the storm.  When you compare the three stories, Matthew provides one addition - the conversation between Jesus and Peter when Peter says, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water."  Jesus said, "Come."  Peter started walking on the water, until he saw the wind, then became afraid, and he began to drown.  He cried out, "Lord, save me."  Jesus did reach out his hand and pulled Peter to safety.  Then Jesus said, "You of little faith.  Why did you doubt?"

It's one thing to walk on a boat that shifts with the flow of the water below it.  There is a cadence you have to develop to walk on water, even when you are on a ship.  One can only imagine the spiritual cadence you have to develop to walk with Jesus on nothing but water itself.  Well, perhaps Jesus doesn't call us to walk on water literally, but he does call us to follow him, and to walk with him in faith can feel as uncertain and frightening as walking on water by itself.  You can't control the wind and the waves against you.  Life has many uncontrollabe events that frighten us, and we can spiritually drown in all of life's fear.  How do we overcome?

Keep  your eyes on Jesus, and as Matthew reminds us, when we begin to sink in our fear and uncertainty, and we will from time to time, reach out for his hand to pull you out.

This week, as you continue your journey toward the cross and the truth behind the empty tomb, your walk will take you across the water.  Yes, swinging bridges, small boats - all can feel unsteady and uncertain, just like faith.  Just keep your eyes on Jesus, and reach out for his hand when you begin to sink.  He will keep you on the Lenten journey.

Dennis

Luke 19:28 - "He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem."

During my Lenten Journey I have taken time to reread parts of Huston Smith's classic work, The Soul of Christianity.  On page 65 he writes that during the first Lenten journey taken by Jesus, Jesus came to his last Passover season where he "steadfastly set his face toward Jerusalem."  Huston writes, "the word 'steadfastly' here is well chosen; it registers the determination he needed to face what was in store for him."  For Jesus, the week we now call "Holy Week" became a defining moment along his journey to the cross and the empty tomb.

What are some of the defning moments in your life along your journey with the Lord?  Often, for us, we see these moments in hindsight rather than foresight; but there come those moments in everyone's journey when we steadfastly set ourselves about the task that requires our best determination to face what is in store for us.  The determination to finish a college degree, change career directions, or make sacrificial lifestyle changes to help your children or grandchildren achieve their goals in life, requires a steadfastness to stay the course even in the midst of what you know will be hard and uncertain times.  There will be a cross to bear along the way, and you don't know who will always benefit from your sacrifice; but one thing is certain.  Those who stay the course will discover the truth behind the empty tomb that lies on the other side of the cross.

When you come to that defining moment along the way when you set your face steadfastly with Jesus in the direction of the cross, I pray you will feel him walking with you, giving you the strength and determination you need to stay on the course. 

Dennis

The More Excellent Way

The author of Hebrews 11:1 writes, "faith is the substance of things hoped for."  He uses the words faith and hope in the same sentence suggesting a cause and effect relationship.  What this means is that faith inspires hope.  The apostle Paul also uses these same two words, faith and hope, in one sentence found in I Corinthians 13:13 when he writes, "faith, hope, love abide, but the greatest of these is love."  What is implied here is more than cause and effect.  Paul is telling us that love is the very engine by which faith and hope empower our lives.

Think of it like this . . . Faith, without love, grows cold leaving us with little more than theological postulates to debate and argue.  Hope, without love, grows dim leaving us with no vision for God's promises that are yet to be realized.  Faith and hope need love in order to survive.  What Paul wanted the Church at Corinth to learn is what all Christians of any denominational church must learn ... that faith and hope are nothing more than empty words if they are not empowered by a love that calls us to love God, be loved by God, love ourselves and neighbor as self.  It is little wonder Jesus called loving God, self and neighbor he two greatest commandments.  Love teaches us how to value others, even those who do not share our same worldviews on life.

Today, when you are tempted to judge another person for their wrong views, do remember the more excellent way.  This does not mean that you cannot hold views opposite than those who sit across the conference table, or living room table, from you.  What it does mean is that love should inspire the way we have conversations of difference.  Our goal should never be to prove our own righteousness, but to show that we can make life work, in spite of our differences.  To do this requires both respect and an appreciation for what makes us different from each other.

Maybe someday, those who serve our nation in Washington D.C. will follow the more excellent way.  We can always pray, can't we? - I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18

Dennis