From the monthly archives: January 2012
While waiting for our puppy to settle in her crate, I learned that rather than getting impatient, I should take the time for prayer.
The fifth Beatitude tells us that those who are merciful will receive mercy. At first reading this sounds right to us. If you do good to others they will do good to you. It seem natural, like the popular concept of karma. Yet we see that this does not always hold true. How then should we understand this Beatitude?
A poem recorded on video entitled “Why I Hate Religion” has become very popular on YouTube. The video is well done and asks some important questions. A response to the video by Kevin DeYoung sparks some dialog about some points made in the poem. Watch the video, read Kevin DeYoung’s response and offer comment on this post. But most of all examine the claims of Jesus Christ.
When a new work is started, the newness brings with it a level of discomfort. We often refer to the old system as tried-and-true, even if the results were less than optimal. The danger is that the new work will be hobbled by those who are determined to force the new work into the old pattern. I have seen this tendency in industry and I’ve seen it in the church.
We all have had to deal with difficult people at one time or another. In the midst of the difficulty we are called to love the difficult person. We need to interact with that person with both grace and truth. Jesus is our example on how to maintain this balance.
