Trust & Obey, Week 3: Luke 6, Part 5 I teach English language development classes in my community. In a recent class, the curriculum included a story about a family who immigrated to the US, worked hard, and opened a restaurant, because they wanted their son to experience the American Dream. Around the table inContinue reading “How Jesus’ upside-down view can change the world”
Tag Archives: kindness
How Christians can avoid getting sucked into outrage culture – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 5
We Christians are known for practicing the ethics of the Kingdom of Jesus: truth-telling, humility, selfless sacrifice, generosity, hope, peacemaking, and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Or are we? Sadly, across our country some Christians have chosen anger, meanness, spite, bitterness, and attack. We American Christians far too often in recent years, haveContinue reading “How Christians can avoid getting sucked into outrage culture – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 5”
What speaking life to one another is not, and what it is – Part 3
This week I welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor, having served 30+ years in both local churches with his wife, Debbie, and in denominational administration. He has also taught theology and led a pastoral assessment center for many years. He and Debbie, along with their two daughters and son-in-law are membersContinue reading “What speaking life to one another is not, and what it is – Part 3”
How to be kind even when you don’t want to be – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 5
Kindness can get a bad rap. Some people who are extraordinarily kind can come across as fake. We tend to think that there is no way people can be that kind. We want people to be real. “I’m just keepin’ it real,” we say, as if it is always good to express ourselves however weContinue reading “How to be kind even when you don’t want to be – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 5”
What to do when kindness doesn’t work – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 4
This week we are studying kindness, so let’s go back to our definition of kindness. Kindness is “to provide something beneficial for someone as an act of kindness.”[1] My college, Lancaster Bible College, has an annual mission conference. During the years Michelle and I were students, the mid 1990s, one feature of the mission conferenceContinue reading “What to do when kindness doesn’t work – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 4”
What do kindness and heaven have to do with one another? – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 3
In the previous post, we read Paul’s words in Galatians 5 where he writes that if you are regularly demonstrating hatred, discord, and fits of rage, you will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Is Paul saying that if we are not kind, we cannot go to heaven? “Paul,” you might say, “I thought you wroteContinue reading “What do kindness and heaven have to do with one another? – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 3”
The surprising efficacy of unkindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 1
My wife recently shared a prayer request in a group text, and one person texted back, “No praying!” Then a few seconds later the person wrote, “This phone has been killing me lately with autocorrect…that was supposed to be ‘NOW praying’.” How many of you have had text messages auto-correct to something crazy? Something unsavory?Continue reading “The surprising efficacy of unkindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 1”
The frustrating difficulty of kindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Preview
“Just be kind!” I can’t tell you how many times those three words have been uttered inside my house. The reason why we have said those words so often over the years is because people in my house are not treating each other with kindness. Usually this bad behavior is the outflow of sibling rivalryContinue reading “The frustrating difficulty of kindness – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Preview”
How to encourage one another – Colossians 4:7-18, Part 1
Editor’s Note: This week I welcome David Hundert on the blog. David is an MDiv student and member of Faith Church. He preaches for me 3-4 times each year when I am away, and this past week I was my denomination’s national conference. Thank you, David! There is a story of a young man whoContinue reading “How to encourage one another – Colossians 4:7-18, Part 1”
How to speak graciously [even when you don’t want to] – Colossians 4:2-6, Part 5
I recently heard a story from a Mennonite pastor in my local ministerium. Nearly 25 years ago, his wife tragically passed away. One year before she passed away, she made the decision to discontinue wearing the traditional Mennonite head covering for women. After she died, he got lots of support, but he also got twoContinue reading “How to speak graciously [even when you don’t want to] – Colossians 4:2-6, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 