I am preaching on the good Samaritan this Sunday. It is so convicting to me. Jesus completely redefines 'who our neighbor is'. Before I spill the beans on my thoughts Sunday morning, I would love to hear your thoughts. The Lawyer in the parable trying to entrap Jesus asks, "and who is my neighbor"? How would you answer that? Why do we care so much about what others think about us? Who is hard to love for you?

How would a judgmental, closed, proclaiming Christian answer the question... "who is my neighbor"?

How would Jesus answer the same question?

Peace,

BT

Self-Righteousness Kills Compassion

This Sunday I am preaching about self-righteousness and how it kills compassion. It is difficult to have compassion for someone when we think we are better than they are or we think their bad judgment or wrong actions have gotten them into whatever circumstance they find themselves in. Compassion comes slowly when we think someone deserves what they get.

When have you been a victim of someone being self-righteous? How have you seen self-righteousness in others? Do you struggle with being self-righteous? If so, how?

Later,

BT

Who Do you Struggle With?

What kind of people do you struggle with? Who do you struggle helping? What bothers you in a person when you see it?

This Sunday I am preaching about Jesus touching the Leper in Mark 1. Leprosy is so nasty...google some pictures and see for yourself. It is a disease that keeps everyone away from you. What in your life feels like leprosy? What about leprosy you see in other people?

One leprosy area I struggle with in others is people that are never wrong. It is so easy for me to see in myself...I am often a complete screw up. But then I meet some people that no matter what, they are either the victim or just always right.

It is also hard for a Leper to tell you about your own leprosy...

The older I get the more I realize I am usually wrong and never the victim in that I tend to cause my own leprosy.

What about you?

Christians are Homophobic

What are your thoughts about homosexuality? I believe this is the big issue in the culture today. I will be sharing some thoughts this Sunday morning. Not so much the biblical view of homosexuality but more so how Christians have done a poor job of engaging the gay community. How does the church do a better job in promoting their agenda...which should be only one thing--the love of Jesus. Can the Church disagree with the gay lifestyle and still love well? How do you stand on a truth you believe in and yet still not write people off in our culture?

How would Jesus deal with this issue today? How have homosexuals stereotyped all Christians unfairly? How have Christians unfairly stereotyped all gay people? What needs to change to break through these stereotypes?

Love to hear your thoughts...

Peace,BT