Entries by rev

“So I went down to the potters house and I saw him working the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him…” – Jeremiah 18:3-4 The photo above is one of the …

“And to provide for those who grieve in Zion: To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his …

“Except the Lord build the house, they that work in it labor in vain…” – Psalm 127:1 The picture above is with my friend Jim Wallis (taken with Rev. Adam and Sherrice Taylor after his ordination service), whom I’ve known personally for decades. His magazine, Sojourners, was a lifeline for me in college and seminary …

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” – Romans 12:21 The picture above is a group of community walkers praying before they begin their trek. One of the activities of a TenPoint-affiliated church is that its members walk the community at crucial hours in the summer when violent activity is likely …

“The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much” – James 5:16 Please forgive the brief format change – The photo above captures a meeting of ministers who decided to unite together to combat violence. What makes this meeting unique is that these ministers have not worked together previously – in fact, there was a …

19  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his …

17  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.     Romans 12:17-18 Some smaller kids were playing, and a dispute arose among them.  Someone wanted a ball, the other …

15  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.   16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited. Romans 12:15-16   Ever been around someone who is conceited?  Someone who has an overly exaggerated sense of themselves?  A person who …

14   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14   This is a hard saying – Paul is echoing the mandate that comes from the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5:44).  It is a difficult thing to do – bless someone who is doing harm to you, and pray for someone …

13  Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13   Arthur T. Gerald, my pastor at Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury, MA, says the saints must get back to “radical hospitality”.  Showing hospitality means to welcome, host and entertain guests.  But the “spiritual art” of hospitality is found in the …