Now, With Feeling
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⏤ 2 Cor. 9:7
In High School band, we would sight-read a new piece, and it would sound mechanical. Eventually, our band director would say, "Now, with feeling!" Sometimes, we would write that on our music score as a reminder.
Giving the gift of myself (what love is) can be mechanical, too. What might it take to be the kind of person who gives cheerfully, with feeling?
Love is Lord
It has been said that "Jesus is Lord" is a three-word summary of the gospel. If Jesus is God and God is love, it follows that Love is Lord. This is Good News. It can only be good news.
Simultaneous Currents
In a confluence of emotions,
I can cry
over the cruelty inflicted on people,
And
I can be moved to tears
by God's beautiful work of restoration.
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
- justice
- scripture
- spiritual life
- advent & christmas
- poverty & compassion
- imagination & creativity
- technology & ai
- knowing God
- human dignity
- faith & trust
- incarnation & cross
- kingdom of God
- community
- reconciliation
- spiritual formation
- epistemology
- prayer
- gratitude
- culture
- creation & nature
- discipleship