2 Corinthians 3:17-18
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

The best part of a long journey is coming home.

Home is that special place of fresh starts, clean slates and a past forgiven.

One can travel the world in search of that which is most needed and returns home to find it.

John 14:23
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

Luke 6:27-36
"To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind."

A leader is one “with the courage to define self, who is as invested in the welfare of the family (or organization) as in self, who is neither angry nor dogmatic, whose energy goes to changing self rather than telling others what they should do, who can know and respect the multiple opinions of others, who can modify self in response to the strengths of the group and who is not influenced by the irresponsible opinions of others.” MURRAY BOWEN

Teach others...

This morning I had occasion to thank an old friend who mentored me in the way of Jesus and who is now serving God in China. Tears came to my eyes as I recalled learning many things with him, including working alongside of him in Nigeria back in the summer of 1990.

Who has been influential in teaching you the ways of Jesus? Have you let them know the impact it's had on you?

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell, where his influence stops.” Henry Brooks Adams

Prayer for the day...

Dear God, give me the guidance to know when to hold on & when to let go...& the grace to make the right decision with dignity. Amen

The prayers that mean the most to God are the ones we offer when we are feeling dry. C. S. Lewis

My feelings are important for many things. They are essential and valuable. They keep me aware of much that is true and real. But they tell me next to nothing about God or my relation to God. My security comes from who God is, not from how I feel. Discipleship is a decision to live by what I know about God, not by what I feel about him or myself or my neighbours. “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people.” Eugene Peterson

"Do I have the courage to let go of…”

...the inconsistency between your inner and outer life?

...hurts from the past?

If you are aching for things like that to happen- it is God longing to work in your heart. He is giving the courage- take hold of it and move where He leads. Stop pounding on closed doors and seek the one He's opening.

When we have sold our identity to the judges of this world, we are bound to become restless, because of a growing need for affirmation and praise. Indeed, we are tempted to become low-hearted because of a constant self-rejection… And so, when our actions have become more an expression of fear than of inner freedom, we easily become the prisoners of our self-created illusions. Henri Nouwen

How are you doing with the surprises that have come your way recently?

Romans 5:2b-5
We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

A redeemed life...

Prince... of the Mafia

1 Peter 3:8-12
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, here's what you do:

Say nothing evil or hurtful; snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.

Do you find it difficult or easy to embrace the beauty and significance of your life?
How have the disappointments and difficulties of your life influenced your ability to trust in the goodness of God?