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Your plan is to leave the atmosphere in a craft not designed for the journey, and you anticipate hostile encounters with a technologically superior foreign enemy.

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All Lives and Jesus’ Teaching

My church hung a banner on the front of the sanctuary building.  It says, “Black Lives Matter.” The next day someone left the church an angry voicemail.  A woman said we need to take down that sign and put up a sign that says, “All Lives Matter.”

What does Jesus call us to do?  What does Jesus teach about singling out particular people for a blessing?

In the Beatitudes, he says, “Blessed are the poor.”  Don’t rich people matter?  He also says “blessed are those who weep.” Don’t people who laugh matter?

In one of his parables, he says that the Good Shepherd will leave behind ninety-nine sheep to focus on the lost one.  Don’t the ninety-nine matter?

Why does Jesus single out certain people for a blessing or for salvation?

The same reason a loving parent singles out a child in need—as the father in Jesus’ story of the prodigal son does.  The father singles out the prodigal son by throwing him a party.  The ever-faithful son complains that he never had a party thrown for him.

Jesus singles out those who need reassurance of God’s love for them because the world seems to tell them they don’t matter.

The expression “Black Lives Matter” means Black lives matter, too.  The expression is a response to the treatment of Black lives in the hands of some police officers, in a system that encourages officers who do not abuse their power to be loyal to officers who do.

Jesus knew that being specific takes courage.  When you are specific about who is blessed or saved, about who matters, people get angry.

Being specific about who is blessed or saved or matters means challenging the status quo in our world. Challenging the status quo is a political move. So Jesus was political. Opponents lined up against him. They got him killed.  But God’s truth prevailed and Jesus conquered fear of death and lives again.

Maintaining the status quo is also a political move. It’s much safer.  But Jesus offers us not safety but life to the full.  A life shaped by his own compassionate, courageous life.  

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simu liu used to model for stock images and now he’s using them as reaction pics- THIS MAN IS TRULY SOMETHING ELSE I LOVE HIM

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Not interested in a love I have to earn or perform for. I want to be loved as a choice, on purpose, not as a reward

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Run to God if you feel weak today and rejoice in His presence

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“Surround yourself with positive people” is bad advice in 2021

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‘ur quiet’ i am gatekeeping my personality from u

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you know what’s really fun and in style right now? being kind and making others feel loved and valued

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“Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.”

— Don Miguel Ruiz

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BUCKY BARNES + black t-shirt

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