Purple Church is just about the church. The question of the week, however, “How do we allow the love of Jesus to bring peace to America?” is talking about the wider society. Not just the church. And yet, the inclusion of “the love of Jesus” in the question narrows the answer primarily to Christians. Furthermore, myContinue reading “You likely can’t change America, but you can change how you live in your own community – Jesus’ love and peace, Part 3”
Tag Archives: selflessness
What healthy friendship requires – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 5
Would your friends say you are a good friend? What does it take to be a good friend? In the first verses of 2 Samuel chapter 20, just as David’s loyal army has defeated his rebellious son Absalom’s army, though peace is established, soldiers from both armies get into a shouting match about who isContinue reading “What healthy friendship requires – 2 Samuel 16—20, Part 5”
How to have friendship that supersedes any divisive categories – 1st Samuel 20, Part 5
Let’s consider how the friendship of David and Jonathan might help us learn to be better friends. As we saw last week when we studied 1st Samuel 18 & 19, their relationship began with Jonathan in the power position. At that time, Jonathan is the crown prince, and David is a peasant. They are inContinue reading “How to have friendship that supersedes any divisive categories – 1st Samuel 20, Part 5”
What to do when there is a power imbalance in your relationships – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 2
Who is the most powerful or wealthy or famous person you know? I know a state senator, and he’s often in the news. We worked together for three years right after college, we were in a Bible study together, spent a lot of time together. But it’s been a while since we hung out orContinue reading “What to do when there is a power imbalance in your relationships – 1st Samuel 18 & 19, Part 2”
How a hidden camera can help American Christians improve…Meeting together, Part 3
Imagine you are in a building like a hospital or office high-rise. You’ve just finished an important meeting on one of the upper floors, so you head for the bank of elevators. After pressing the down button, you wait until your elevator is ready, and the doors open. What you see inside surprises you. The elevator is nearly full,Continue reading “How a hidden camera can help American Christians improve…Meeting together, Part 3”
For love to be love, it will cost you – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 4
I had a difficult time finding the picture above, the one with a man holding an umbrella for another guy. My difficulty didn’t have to do with the photo, but with the fact that I couldn’t figure out how to get the search algorithm to give me what I wanted. I use Unsplash for freeContinue reading “For love to be love, it will cost you – Honest Advent Week 2, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 