“We are settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves.” David Platt

“If you lose your life for my sake you will find it.” Jesus

I am the problem. I am pretty much everything that is wrong in my world. There is certainly a great deal else that is wrong with the world, but I either add to it or I fail to deal with it properly when it comes my way. Jesus would strip away the rags of a self9-centered life and dress us in the garments of love and service. Teach me how to abandon myself Lord, and in doing so finally find myself.   Conversations Within” ts 10/1/2014

“We are settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves.” David Platt

“If you lose your life for my sake you will find it.” Jesus

I am the problem. I am pretty much everything that is wrong in my world. There is certainly a great deal else that is wrong with the world, but I either add to it or I fail to deal with it properly when it comes my way. Jesus would strip away the rags of a self9-centered life and dress us in the garments of love and service. Teach me how to abandon myself Lord, and in doing so finally find myself.   Conversations Within” ts 10/1/2014

“We desperately need to explore how much of our understanding of the gospel is American and how much is biblical.” David Platt

“Act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6

Having rights, even God given rights, does not mean that we cannot set them aside to serve the cause of Christian love. Indeed Christ will often lead us to do so. We can establish laws which protect our borders but can and should be compassionate toward those who want a better life. We can have laws protecting our right to private property and still seek goodness for the one who steals from us. Just because the law gives me the right to sue someone, love may call me to overlook an offense. In our pursuit of justice do we really want to forget mercy?   Conversations Within” ts 9/29/2014

“We desperately need to explore how much of our understanding of the gospel is American and how much is biblical.” David Platt

“Act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6

Having rights, even God given rights, does not mean that we cannot set them aside to serve the cause of Christian love. Indeed Christ will often lead us to do so. We can establish laws which protect our borders but can and should be compassionate toward those who want a better life. We can have laws protecting our right to private property and still seek goodness for the one who steals from us. Just because the law gives me the right to sue someone, love may call me to overlook an offense. In our pursuit of justice do we really want to forget mercy?   Conversations Within” ts 9/29/2014

"What if Jesus was serious?" David Platt

“Love your enemies.” Jesus

Jesus said some pretty radical stuff. Unfortunately for us, we all find ways of explaining most of it away. Surely He did not mean that if someone steals my coat I should give them my shirt or that I should not defend myself if someone hits me. The American version is that it would  better for them if we turned them over to the police. Of course Jesus would only tell us to visit and befriend them in prison. There is no getting around his example. He calls us to lay down our lives in loving even our enemies. Conversations Within” ts 9/29/2014