Building Beyond
Our institutions can free us or trap us. We have some say, some sway.
Topic
Love
A collection of 19 issues
Job Description
Mission drift is a thing.
Qualitatively Speaking
In our culture, we prioritize quantitative over qualitative. We like things to be measurable, definitive, and binary. And this is what we have done to eternal life.
Fulfillment
Jesus came to fulfill the law (Matt. 5:17). How? By commanding the royal law (James 2:8). Jesus is the fulfillment of the law (God is love). And the ways of Jesus fulfill the law.
Forgiving Oneself
Forgiveness is about creating a space for reconciliation and healing. Sometimes we commit offenses against ourselves. We tell ourselves things God would never say. We foolishly put ourselves in harm's way, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Status
At some point, money and agency are no longer matters of survival or even comfort. They morph into wealth and power, seized to ratchet up status. Worldly status.
First Order
Love of God is primary in both the Old Covenant and the New. My gift of self to God looks like humility, surrender, and heart obedience. This sets the map for Jesus' close-second command, loving myself and my neighbor.
Orange Vests
Fred Rogers, Mister Rogers, was taught as a child to "look for the helpers." There will always be helpers.
Stiff-Necked and Unbowed
Being stubborn can be a good thing. The question is, who gets our allegiance?
Now, With Feeling
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.