faithrunner

--> The recent and continued racial strife in our country has deepened the division and separation among our citizens that has existed for years. As followers of Jesus, we must speak and act in ways that bring reconciliation and redemption out of the strife, not add to the disruptions. What is our narrative in days like these?             Paul, a Jewish religious leader who Jesus called out from among his people and sent him to all ethnic groups beyond the tribes of Israel, faced similar racial divisions as he carried the good news of Jesus to the global mission field. Many of the issues in the movement of Jesus centered on social and racial issues like who could share a meal with whom and who belonged and who did not by the religious rules they kept. Paul addressed the corrosive issue of race and its attending social practices when he wrote to Christ-followers in Ephesus . 14  For he himself is our peace ,...

I love the Psalms and reflections on them. The Psalms are prayers and songs that let us say things we are not sure we can say to God. They guide our hearts into the presence of God, and they allow our emotions to enter the worship chambers of eternity.  I was reading/singing through them this morning and these stanzas jumped out at me: Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. (Psalm 85:10; NKJV) Mercy and truth have met together. They are not strangers no matter how far apart we separate them. They have met like negotiators to resolve matters that could keep them apart and cause another war.  Truth tells the dark, blatant facts and unassailable realities that reveal our fallen nature and root of evil in our lives. Truth reveals the nonnegotiable facts of life and will not compromise. Truth shines light on reality and does not care to hand out sunglasses.  Mercy sits at the same table and does not deny the truth but offer...

Book Description Legacy Church has begun to partner with other churches in our city to address needs that are impossible to meet without the cooperation of other churches . For example, on April 27 and 28 , we will join seven other churches to partner with the City of Plano in order to serve our community. We call it Community Impact Weekend .If you live in the Plano area, please feel free to join us. You can sign up to serve here . Another aspect of partnering with the Big "C" Church to meet needs in the name of Jesus, is creating a dialogue around how our faith intersects our public lives . In order to start such a dialogue, three pastors and three churches have joined together to discuss this important topic. Father Bruce Bradley, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Community , Rev. Dr. David Batchelder, West Plano Presbyterian Church , and I will host community dialogues at the three churches around the topic raised in the book, Christians and the Common ...

I am a follower of Jesus because his life matched his message . I have been impressed with charismatic leaders who can capture a crowd with speeches and promises only to find his life is nothing like his message. Jesus lived everything he taught...even his promise he came to "give up his life as a ransom for many." ( Mark 10:45 ) Jesus stepped out of obscurity into the messianic limelight and taught, " Blessed are the peacemakers , because they will be called the children of God." ( Matthew 5:9 ) What is it about being a peacemaker that gains someone such a title or reputation? Follow Jesus and find out. To gain the reputation as a child of God, you need to know these things about who Jesus blessed that day. Peace making is not the same as peace keeping . Jesus did not walk into hostile situations or broken relationships and ask, "Why can't we all just get along?" and broker so-called peace. Nor, did he avoid century-old prejudices by walking...