And the smile that is worth the praises of earth is the smile that shines through tears.
Swords appear strong, but they're actually quite weak. Jesus appears weak, but he's actually quite strong.
When you forgive somebody, when you are generous, when you withhold judgment, when you love and when you stand up to injustice, you are, in that moment, bringing heaven to earth.
So this is reality, this forgiveness, this reconciliation, is true for everybody. Paul insisted that when Jesus died on the cross, he was reconciling "all things, in heaven and on earth, to God. " All things, everywhere. . . . This reality then isn't something we make come true about ourselves by doing something. It is already true. Our choice is to live in this new reality or cling to a reality of our own making.
If the gospel isn't good news for everybody, then it isn't good news for anybody. And this is because the most powerful things happen when the church surrenders its desire to convert people and convince them to join. It is when the church gives itself away in radical acts of service and compassion, expecting nothing in return, that the way of Jesus is most vividly put on display.
Love is what God is, love is why Jesus came, and love is why he continues to come, year after year to person after person. . . May you experience this vast, expansive, infinite, indestructible love that has been yours all along. May you discover that this love is as wide as the sky and as small as the cracks in your heart no one else knows about, and may you know, deep in your bones, that love wins.
This breath, and this moment, and this life is a gift and we are all in this together. We all have countless choices every day to close down or stand up straight and open up, and take a big breath and say YES to the gift.
Those who condemn the immorality of liberal capitalism do so in comparison with a society of saints that has never existed—and never will
In any matter where we have questions, we have a right to ask the Holy Spirit to lead us and to expect His gentle guiding.
I won't ever stop until you're either the biggest thing around, or you're dead.
If you take no risks, you will suffer no defeats. But if you take no risks, you win no victories.