The Plumbline

Don’t fall in love with this corrupt world or worship the things it can offer. Those who love its corrupt ways don’t have the Father’s love living within them. All the things the world can offer to you—the allure of pleasure, the passion to have things, and the pompous sense of superiority—do not come from the Father. These are the rotten fruits of this world.  (1 John 2:15-16 VOICE) There are all kinds of reasons why we are enticed to move toward certain behaviors or attitudes which are pervasive in our culture today, but none quite so strong as that of fulfilling some pleasure, gaining some possession, or thinking we have been able to "one up" someone else. It seems to be at the center of much of what was said by one "side", shown, and/or spoken about in this past political campaign season. Now, in the wake of the aftermath of what has been called the "ugliest" of campaigns in history, the fall-out of evil is pervasive everywhere we look.  I watc...

12  I’m not there yet, nor have I become perfect; but I am charging on to gain anything  and everything  the Anointed One, Jesus, has in store for me— and nothing will stand in my way  because He has grabbed me  and won’t let me go .  13  Brothers and sisters,  as I said,  I know I have not arrived; but there’s one thing I am doing: I’m leaving my old life behind, putting everything on the line for this mission.  14  I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts:  to cross the line,  to win the prize, and to hear God’s call  to resurrection life found exclusively  in Jesus the Anointed. 15  All of us who are mature ought to think the same way about these matters. If you have a different attitude, then God will reveal this to you as well.  16  For now, let’s hold on to what we have been shown  and keep in step with these teachings . (Philippians 3:12-16 VOICE) Walt Whitman's words caught my...

It was Isaac Newton who very eloquently stated that we build too many walls and not enough bridges. Sadly, nothing becomes more apparent than when it is the season of heated political debate and rumor-mill mud-slinging. Within any relationship you may find there are times when there is a little "heated debate" and even some "mud-slinging" on occasion - although it should not be the case, we find ourselves using the "you always" and "you never" statements way too often. These only serve to build walls and do nothing to create any infrastructure upon which we may grow closer to each other. It isn't the intent to add a brick to the wall, but whenever we "mix it up" with others, we can find there are times when we say or do things which do nothing more than add bricks and mortar to an already way too big wall! And if one person is vulnerable to attack, two can drive the attacker away. As the saying goes, “A rope made of three strands is...