Hang

Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On These two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

What if we read the last sentence without the word On? Would our understanding of the importance of what Jesus is saying become clearer? Could we finally truly know that the law and the prophets only bring death and that Jesus came to show us that God’s intent was and is always life?

Go and sin no more.

Is it ironic, paradoxical or just outright diabolical that we use this verse to justify judging others? Isn’t it what Jesus said to the woman right after he told the religious people not to judge her? Is it possible this statement indicates that her sin is between her and God? And isn’t it comfortingly amazing that just a few verses later He tells us “I judge no one.”?

Who’s Watching?

Religion is what you do for God that everyone can see. Faith (trust) is how you live with God when no one is watching or keeping score.

Life or Death

A life focused on sin, especially other people’s, is a life eclipsed by death. A life focused on love, especially to those that are different, is a life lived to its fullest.

Laugh

No matter the circumstances of your day look for five opportunities to laugh so hard it brings tears to your eyes. God laughs with us and enjoys our laughter even more than we love the laughter of children.

Thank God

More from the wide world of sports: I came across an interesting article by sports writer Will Leitch. In the piece he addresses the issue of athletes thanking God for their efforts, in particular Los Angeles Angel Josh Hamilton. I especially appreciated this paragraph from Mr. Leitch:

“Christianity isn’t some peripheral notion of Hamilton’s life; it is his life. When you live a Christian life, everything you do, from showing up to church on Sunday, to going to the grocery store, to pumping gas, to hitting a home run, to striking out, is done for the glory of Christ. Hamilton isn’t thanking Jesus for helping him hit a homer; he is thanking Jesus for everything. From the homers to the strikeouts to the millions of dollars to all the boos.”

You can read the entire article here.

Fulfilled

I’ve heard it said that fulfillment in life comes when you discover your purpose. But in addition to that fulfillment lingers as we find purpose in all of our living.

The Secret

The secret to living a Jesus centered life is having Jesus at the center of your life. Okay so there isn’t a secret. Again, “the matter is quite simple, the Bible is very easy to understand…” – Soren Kierkegaard

Freedom

The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can’t be any large-scale revolution until there’s a personal revolution, on an individual level. It’s got to happen inside first.” – Jim Morrison

Yes, really, Jim Morrison.

Why do we so often believe it’s easier to change the world around us than it is to let God change us from within? Freedom will never be found in trying to control the world around us, only from knowing the One who is in control.

Your Story

Your story is the one we want to hear. It’s the one God’s given you, it can’t be argued with and nothing you can share is more powerful than what you and He have done together.