A passage that keeps catching me...

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48

This passage was part of the scripture at church this weekend at Northshore Community Church in Chattanooga, TN. I love it, and it frustrates me.

I love it, because it really speaks of a new/better way to look at how I love people -- intentionally reaching beyond social norms of loving those who love me. This teaches me that I can and should love others boldly and without thought of their interactions towards me.

It frustrates me, because it reminds me of how poorly I love my enemies. My first response is to pay others evil with evil. Especially at the workplace, this can be the primary course of action whenever someone does me wrong. Simply put, that's not a reasonable way to live; I need to relinquish my "right" to not love others.

Some stuff to think about... and since I've been thinking about it, I thought I'd open up a venue for others to think about it, as well. :-)

Reminescing

This is a picture of one of my favorite places in the Auckland region to hang out whenever I lived in New Zealand -- Muriwai beach.

I like this picture a lot, because it looks almost like a watercolor. Hope you enjoy!

No Go Co

Bad news!

I just found out last night that the Costa Rica trip is going to have to be postponed. The flight got pushed back a day, making the trip too short to justify spending the money to go and hang out. It was already a bit shorter than I prefer for a trip, so this kind of forced us to reschedule.

Hopefully, we’ll have a re-do at the end of the month!

Blog-alicious

We've got some new bloggity goodness going on in the right-hand side of this screen. I've been quite tardy at adding blogs of other friends. Check them out when you get a moment!

Dolla' Dolla'

I recently stumbled across this synopsis of a Time article on the Christian faith and whether God wants us to be rich or not. It was interesting to consider, especially considering the American "sub-text" of always thinking we should have money for what we need and also what we just want... oh, and we want a lot!

In fact, one of the thoughts that consistently runs through my mind is how I've bought into a gospel of prosperity. I mean, I know I have in some respects... I think that is unavoidable. But, how fully have I given myself to this gospel, and am I aware enough to do battle with its influences on my life?

I have been impressed by Time's discussion of the Church in the past couple of years, because I think conversations such as the one in the article are extremely relevant to most of my friends and myself. Albeit some of their interest is just plain criticism, Time has done a pretty reasonable job of reporting on facets of the Church that mainstream media often glazes over.

Your Thoughts
Take a look at the article and chime in -- what are riches: Blessing, Curse, Both, Neither, or what?

Em and friends being incredibly money-lustful

(notice how each of us has glowing eyes? That's not PhotoShop magic... I guess the camera caught our real money-hunger! hehe)

A couple more house pics

I found two other interesting before/after pictures, so I'll share them. I do have some thoughts that are brewing in my mind to blog, but the challenge of actually penning them... err, typing them, is eluding me at the moment.

Until then, enjoy a couple more pictures. :-)

The Dining Room

The Living Room

(Sorry about the junk on the floor in the "after" picture)