So let's be honest

In Galatians 3:11 Paul confronts Peter to his face. Why? -Peter draws back and separates himself from the Gentile converts he is ministering to because he is fearful of Jewish presence. -Peter's actions draw others into his hypocrisy. -Peter's actions leads Barnabas astray. This is poor leadership. Leader's must understand that their disobedience hurts those who look to them as examples. But more than that, since no leader is perfect, a leader must continually cultivate a heart that is ready to receive correction, instruction, and clarity. This is also great leadership. Paul confronts Peter based upon Christ's freedom from the Law (Gal. 3) not upon personal grounds. Paul confronts because of the damage Peter's waywardness creates. Think if Paul would have turned a bling eye to these unhealthy actions of Peter. Think of those caught in hypocrisy. Think of Barnabas. Leadership is saying what needs to be said, to whom it needs to be said, and when it needs to be said. ...

I was compelled once again to share some thoughts. Bare with me. . . 2 Corinthians 11:3 "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." Sincerity and purity reflect transparency. This is a connectedness both within community and as an individual child of God toward the pursuit of Christ and an understanding of His pursuit of us. This is not a disconnectedness that self-protects us from confusion, mis-understanding, inclusiveness, individuality, pain, challenges, discomfort, and hurt. Sincerity in devotion to Christ enables us to not be led astray into apathy and indifference. Purity in our devotion protects us from obscurity and complications. However, I share this fear with Paul. May we not be led astray from a sincere (honest) and pure (simplistic) devotion to Christ.

http://www.menshealth.com/best-life/holy-hometowns http://ethicsdaily.com/obama-taps-campuses-for-interfaith-service-projects-cms-17629 Check them out and respond.

In the New Testament Jesus is asked many things i.e "Please heal my son" or "Tell us the meaning of the parable" or "Are you the Messiah?" Jesus also asks questions. The question I have lately been intrigued by is, "What do you want?" or "What do you want me to do?" My response: I don't know what I want or what I want You to do.I just want what You want and to do what You want me to do. What if Jesus wants me to ask him what I desire. What if it is crucial for me to ask. What if He turns to me and asks, "What do you want?" 1. If my desires do not reflect His desire, a lesson would ensue (aligning my desires with His desires). 2. If those desires should reflect His desires then he would grant my request (His desire). So I come out ahead either way. Either He teaches me His desires or He enables me to experience His desires. But none of this happens if I don't ask. Thoughts?

Short post: Paul in Acts 20:22 shares, "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me." Yet in chapter 21 the disciples in Tyre urged Paul through the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem. Then Agabus comes from Judea telling Paul, through the Spirit, he will be bound and handed over to the Gentiles. Next the people of Caesarea and Luke himself pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem and finally gave up stating, "The Lord's will be done." Many questions come from this banter between Paul and the followers of God. My point here is only to ask what compels us. Does anything? What compels us to the extent that we ask, as Paul did, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart(21:13)?" Fill in the blanks: 'And now, compelled by the Spirit, I_____________

"My question- that which at the age of fifty brought me to the verge of suicide- was the simplest of questions, lying in the soul of every man. . . a question without an answer to which one cannot live. It was: 'What will come of what I am doing today or tomorrow? What will come of my whole life? Why should I live, why wish for anything, or do anything?' It can also be expressed thus: Is there any meaning in my life that the inevitable death awaiting me does not destroy?" ~ Leo Tolstoy, A Confession Powerful question in need of a powerful answer. How would you answer this question? Listen to N.T. Wright's response to the question: Jesus' death and resurrection "The message of the resurrection is that this world matters! That the injustices and pains of this present world must now be addressed with the news that healing, justice and love have won. . . If Easter means Jesus Christ is only raised in a spiritual sense-[then] it is only about me, and finding ...