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