The Plumbline

Ever get so 'into' your day-to-day "plodding" through life that you overlook the needs of others, show yourself insensitive to their plight in life, or are just plain oblivious to the heartache of your neighbors because you are just way too caught up in your own life. Been there, done that! Sometimes our "overlooking" of the other's need is not intentional, but a byproduct of the "busy-ness" of our day that results in us not being very open to seeing what is creating huge pain for another. There are other times, though, when we are quite aware that another is in pain and we simply don't want to invest the time, energy, or "heart" to reach out to them. Don't run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God's concerns, and he will take care of them. We've warned you about this before. God hasn't invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as b...

6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat." (Matthew 5:6 - The Message Bible) 6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,     for they will be filled.   (Matthew 5:6 - NIV) 12-13 Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time. (James 2:12-13) A good appetite for God creates a desire to live in a world where justice is the rule.  There is both a commitment to be just in your dealings and a desire to have others be just in their dealings with you.  Justice requires some mature consideration when decisions are required - there is an evaluation of facts.  In order for us to "act well", we need to understand that without factual accounts of "happenings" we are making assumptions that may be inc...