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You understand the importance of forgiving others the offenses they commit against you. Carrying unresolved claims of justice is a heavy burden that I did not intend for you to bear. Do you carry it because you impose conditions for granting forgiveness and wait for the other party to meet these conditions? This places too much power over you in their hands, and makes you a judge of their actions. Do you claim to forgive and still keep the case open, rehearsing in your mind all the reasons why you were wronged and why you are justified in keeping the records and arguments in place? Close the case, destroy the evidence, and forgive from your heart that you may live. 

All armies and some schools have their members wear uniforms. This is not done to limit individual creativity, but to give a common sense of identity and purpose. Can you imagine trying to form recruits into an army if they remained in civilian clothes? Yet I refer to my people as an army and they don’t wear uniforms, even though all the reasons that soldiers do are valid. How do I accomplish the same ends without them? I am looking for spiritual unity which is above and beyond the uniformity that armies strive for. Do you see the evidence of it around you? Contend for it by faith that you may see and practice unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

“Excuse me.”

The woman looked up from her burger.  “Yes?”

“Would you mind if we sat here with you?”

She glanced around at the other tables inside the hospital McDonalds.  They were all full.  I know, ironic.  The only open chairs were next to her and her son.  She gestured to the four open seats.  “Sure.”

Do you tend to associate with people of similar beliefs? Are you more concerned that your friends be doctrinally correct, or that their lives are expressions of goodness and kindness and love? Ideally they would be both, as would you, but I gave an example in my word of a good Samaritan who was the good neighbor to the beaten man because he showed kindness even though his beliefs were in error. This was a clear example of how I rank priorities. Aren’t you attracted to those who display these qualities more than those who are right about everything? Others feel the same way about you. 

I believe that we are in the beginning of a new season in the Western church and like all new seasons, it is marked by change. A new season always brings both an invitation and a challenge: the Holy Spirit invites us into new ways of walking out our faith––new expressions, new territory and new vision. Inevitably, this challenges us to step away from the familiar and comfortable.

Have you noticed how many more choices you have available to you today? Products that used to come in one version are now customizable with a multitude of colors, features, and styles. You used to have to get used to whatever was available. Now it appears that the world is infinitely malleable to meet your preferences. My word tells you not to be conformed to this world. Do you accomplish this through the expression of your choices as a consumer? Everyone around you has the same choices.

The Situation: My mind does what it wants, when it wants, the way it wants. I listen to the news and my mind decides if I should be depressed, cynical or joyful. I build theology with my mind. I test my heart's impressions with my mind. How else would one live? This is what the Bible teaches, right? We're supposed to test all things and hold fast to what is good, aren’t we?

Have you heard it said that blood is thicker than water? This implies the substance of family relations. Yet I tell you that relationship is thicker than blood. Haven’t you experienced this yourself, in finding a stronger bond between yourself and your friends than at least some of your relatives? In my time on earth I said that my brothers were those who heard and obeyed the word of God. You would like to have those related to you to accompany you on your spiritual journey but you have no assurance of this. You do have my promise that those who are rejected by their families for my sake will have a hundredfold of brothers as companions as they walk with me. 

Large institutions of higher learning are called universities. The name implies universal instruction; learning in every field of human knowledge. This is a strong claim to make. Do you see yourself as a student? I tell you that you are enrolled in the great university of the Holy Spirit. I want you to look at every event of life as a learning experience. Do not ask whether there are things to learn from what you go through, but what I am saying to you through them. For I promised to send the Comforter to lead you into all truth. Expect this and you will see it everywhere you look. 

God I think I heard you saying early this morning that I would have to swim against the tide of religious opinion?

No I didn’t say you’d ‘have to’. That’s Religion again. He’s always adding his manipulative mischief to what I say. He drives my people this way and that with so many dos and don’ts. He demands and shouts, whereas I ask and suggest.

Ok. Would you LIKE me to swim against religion’s tide?