"We are to show the same mercy to others that God has been given to us. This is convicting for me when I look at my own life. I think of all the ways that I sin everyday and feel the weight of the judgement I deserve. However, knowing that I am saved by the sacrifice Christ made on the cross makes that weight disappear."...

"Speaking truth in love (even to, or about ourselves) and asking forgiveness is a very important part in growing God’s people here on Earth. It is in this way that we can “Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8)." ...

"After recognizing that God wants to speak to us, another important part of listening is to put ourselves in situations where we can hear him clearly. God is perfectly capable of speaking to me in a thundering voice from the sky next time I go for a hike in the wilderness, but until that happens I’ve learned to also hear him in Scripture, in preaching, during quiet times...

"But all of that is worth it for the hope that people might connect and be known, that conversation might happen about things like the enneagram or stories shared about how we made it to Albuquerque and how we are doing now that we are here. Making room is worth it. Hosting people around tables is worth it. Having kids frolicking about is worth it. People being the pre...

"Jesus is just over there breaking down all of the social normalcies and conventions, and making room for everyone at His table. He’s just casually hanging out with a pharisee and a prostitute in the same room. No big deal. That’s actually what Jesus is getting at. We should be defying those social norms and, as Justin puts it, offering a space where change takes place...

"When I am planning to sit in silence, my mindset is the same as what I approached the weekend with, and I tell God something like this: “God, I’m coming to you in silence now to get this done. I need to hear from you in order to feel like I was productive in being silent.” If my silence is not met with some sort of enlightenment or a new inner peace, then that tim...

"Paul is calling us to remember that the kingdom of God is forever, that the work we put into justice and goodness and sanctification and edification, that work will endure while our weak and frail bodies will pass away to be replaced with immortal bodies, freed from the limitations and weaknesses that we endure now! And so, in light of that, we fast. We take opportunities...

"But, this passage emphasizes God’s fatherly care over his children. We are to be shaped by God’s kingdom, not by the weight of the expectations of the world. I know, easier said than done. But, this is why we must remain drenched in God’s Word, in community with his people, and we remain open handed when it comes to our things."...

"Spending time with the Father, as Christ did, can set the focus back on him. It reminds me that even through I neglect God in my day to day life, He has never turned away from me. I am so grateful that He remains steadfast in my life and continues to watch over me even when I stray away. He brings us back to the cross and reminds us of the love he has for us."...

"We instinctively meditate on things to the point that those things permeate our hearts and minds. Unfortunately, because we are sinners, the things we naturally meditate and obsess over are things that are not good for us, or our hearts. If only we would use this already natural instinct of meditation to meditate over scripture, and how it shows us how God has moved and w...