When You Haven’t Got A Prayer

Read the Sermon on the Mount as every day, in every way, learning to practice the presence of God.

Two roads. Two trees. Two kinds of teachers and two kinds of religion. God calls for us to choose. But his ire is not against the sincere but religiously mistaken on the pew next to you. He is concerned with those who imitate the Shepherd, deceiving the flock, because their hearts are far from the Father.

Yes we are called to discern and assess. But Jesus challenges the hypercritical, the hypocritical, and all of us who desire a critical spirit.

In the dark. Behind the scenes. That’s where the magic happens. That is where Christ will meet us. There is power when God takes notice, and only God is the focus of attention when our deeds are done in secret.

A perfect love is one that includes our enemies. The only way for this is to remove any desire for revenge or even self-preservation. It is, after all, the way of the cross.

Tell the truth. Even when it hurts. Jesus’ case against verbal manipulation.

Sometimes, we just need to change trains.

What are we to do with anger? Find out with my friend and guest speaker, Casey McDonald.

What does it mean for your righteousness to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees? It’s not what you think. It’s more than you think. And it will change the way you think.

You “are” salt and light. All the time. Rain or shine. The only question is this: will you allow your actions to reveal the reign of God?

If your “best” life still awaits, how can you experience a “blessed” life even in the midst of trials and pain? Jesus shows us promises to accept, portraits to be admired, and pathways to be attempted as we walk hand-in-hand with the Blessed one, Jesus Christ.

See the Sermon on the Mount as an invitation to find new things to love, and a new community that shares our new loves. This fall, let’s sit at the feet of the master teacher as we learn together what it means to live the good life.