There is no mild language used by Jesus when he talks about the judgment. 

Are we willing to genuinely seek? Are we willing to admit, “I don’t know,” and then do something about it? 

Judges says, Israel failed, over and over.  And yet, when people repented, God was there to deliver them.

As Jesus was taught by his Father, we are taught by Jesus. 

Jesus was a builder.

Do we need an antidote to the desires that arise from our flesh?  We sure do.  Is wearing a tassel going to do it?  Well, not by itself.  The real antidote is to remember, by whatever means.

Grace, mercy, and peace are too important to be dismissed and describe significant aspects of salvation.

Clearly a kiss of greeting, of welcome, of affection, is a good thing... but the most famous kiss in the Bible is the one given by Judas, when betraying Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

We may not be what we think of as first-choice candidates, but God may have the just-right job for us. 

Are we fools to aspire to be so much better than we actually are?

At first, when I heard her, I was a bit embarrassed because nobody else was saying “Amen.” But after some reflection, I have come to agree with her.

Endure. Persevere. Be steadfast. Hold fast. Be patient. Different ways of saying the same thing—a thing we have a really tough time doing. And it’s not supposed to be an arduous slog—it’s actually supposed to be joyful!