Clothe yourself with Love Col. 3:14

There is so much we don’t understand about the mysteries of God’s Kingdom. It’s no wonder Jesus used parables. They give us pictures—snapshots—of what the Kingdom looks like in the middle of real life and in an imperfect church. I’m not trying to be heretical here, but let’s put in some everyday words. What does God’s Kingdom of heaven look like here on earth? Even better, What does it feel like in the middle of our busy schedules and stress, our anxieties and ambitions, our hopes and disappointments? Paul reminds us in Romans 8 that, as life rushes along, there is a spiritual trajectory underneath it all. Some people are being quietly pulled along by an unseen force that leads toward decay, destruction, and separation from God. Many don’t even realize it’s happening. A friend of mine recently sent me an album of American rap to listen to. He said it's important to listen to the lyrics of today's youth because, their aspirations and experiences are all there. But the question ...

We live in a world that is losing authenticity more and more. There is so much fake around us that it can be hard to know what is true anymore. Every day, for example, on my phone I get ads promising miracles that are clearly AI, not real: an image of a dish soap that can make an old pot look brand new, (and believe I have old pots so it pulls me in) or a lotion that will supposedly erase all wrinkles. I have to admit, I’m sometimes surprised by my own heart — I catch myself wanting to believe it and considering to order the product. Of course, I would love to say I never fall for any of it, but that would not be completely honest. Paul helps us understand why this happens. Of course sin disguises itself as good but it's fake. Paul speaks about the luring power of sin working in our natural selves (our ability to fall for the fake is stunning!) Paul even cries out, “ Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death ?” That is the reality of our connection to sin ...