The window or the mirror (Matthew 7:1-2)

I started to write about judging but want to write without being judgmental. I sit here creating examples of extreme finickiness and then think, “But isn’t that being judgmental, reflecting my own bias against finickiness?” And I am convicted. And I save the draft and start over. Why? Because Jesus says the standard that I […]

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Today has enough trouble (Matthew 6:34)

I have no clue what will happen today. I just wanted you to know that. I spent part of one Sunday afternoon at a funeral for a woman who had been married for 65 years, who had Alzheimer’s. The pastor started his message with “None of us planned to be here today.” What was interesting […]

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Empty-Handed?

Rich Dixon is back and is, in my eyes, a giant-facer. +++ We talked last time about facing Modern Giants based on the ancient story of David & Goliath. It’s tempting to take David’s example literally – summon the courage, face the giant, and kill him. However, as followers of Jesus, literally killing our enemies […]

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Birds and flowers (Matthew 6:25-34)

The daffodils are growing in front of our house. In a month they will be bright yellow. Except for the ones that are white. Except for the ones that are pastel yellow. There will be more than last year. We didn’t plant the extra ones. [Note: this wasn’t written in February]. The finches will be […]

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Relationship rewards (Matthew 6:20)

“Store up treasure in heaven.” That’s what Jesus tells us. Don’t spend your energy on stuff that gets eaten up by financial declines so that you panic about how much less you are worth this week than last week. If the measure of your worth is your portfolio and the value of your portfolio declines […]

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