January 30

Luke 17

Every time I read the story of the 10 who had leprosy, I hope I am like the one who returned to give thanks. I pray that I can have a sense of gratitude about life. I know how tempting it is to simply assume what I should have or how life should be. It is very easy once we have something to have a sense of entitlement to it, whether it is healing, a relationship or a possession. I hope that I always remember life is a gift.

January 29

Proverbs 29

"The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor; the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea." (Verse 7 in the Message)

Compassion often arises from knowing. When we have a personal connection with a person or situation, the more readily we respond to the need. When we don't have the personal connection we are more likely to justify why we should not help the person. That is one reason the personal connection becomes so important in working with the poor. I don't think God calls us to just write a check, but to share life with the poor. In sharing life with the poor, they can learn from us and we can learn from them. Both sides, the rich and the poor, have much to learn from each other.

January 28

Matthew 14

I am not sure which is the more stunning miracle; walking on water and inviting Peter to join him or feeding 5000 men and their families. Matthew makes sure we realize the amazing power of God in Jesus' life in this chapter. I don't think there is any place in the scripture where we are invited to walk on water. There are many places where we are invited to feed the hungry.

One emerging ministry of our church that I love is the way we feed people. It is just an estimate, but we feed 70,000+ meals last year between the work in Kenya and Grapevine. I give thanks to God for that and pray that we stay open as individuals and as a congregation to other opportunities to feed the hungry.

January 27

Luke 6

In verses 32-35 Jesus is challenging us to go beyond normal behavior. Normal behavior is to love those who love us, be good to those who are good to us, and lend to those who can repay. His point is that even the worst of people do those acts. But if we love our enemies, do good to our enemies, or lend to those who won't repay, those are extraordinary actions. Few do such acts because they are very difficult. They are the type of actions to which Jesus calls us.

January 26 -look in comment for post

January 25

Luke 16

"Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things, and they were scoffing at Him."

What does it mean to be a lover of money? I need money. I have responsibilities in regards to my family and financial commitments I have made. I earn money and try to handle it responsibly. Where is the line that I cross from using money to loving money? John Wesley used a saying, "Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can". Is that the key?

January 23

Luke 10:25-28

If you go to the "Hole in the Gospel" daily website www.sixweekquest.com they have daily readings. Today is the 14th day. For each of the days they have a person's face. I was struck today by how much the face on the picture looks like Leslie Scribner. Leslie lived in Grapevine. In recent years he walked around town pulling toys. Many people knew him as the "toyman" even though they had never met him. He was struck and killed by a car recently while walking. Today we are holding his funeral service at our church.

What has been amazing to me is how the community has responded. Individuals who did not know him are paying for his funeral service. Toy drives are being held in his memory. I believe this type of action is what Jesus meant when he said to "love our neighbor as ourselves". It is a love that reaches out to another, even in death.