SpiritWalkers

Devotions for Thinking Christians
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Nametag saying, "Hello!  My name is Irrelevant"

"And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8
 

Lately I have become more addicted to my Twitter feed (@revanner) as I have found it to be the most immediate and reliable source of news on the various struggles for freedom in the Middle East (and increasingly here at home as well).
 

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Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.  He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’  Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.’ 

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Worn Bible

Go ahead.  Make a lunch date with a good friend and for half an hour speak only what you literally mean to say.  You can't say you have a million things to do unless you can actually tally that many.  You may not refer to a suit costing and arm and a leg unless there is a surgeon at the checkout.  You can't order "the usual," unless that's the name of a sandwich on the menu.  You get the idea.
 

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Gun crosshairs

Matt. 5:21-22  "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire."

Those who did not see something like the violent events of yesterday coming need to step out of their bubbles and look around. 

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Golden Retriever sitting in lawn nativity scene
My brother's dog, Red Dog, getting in the Christmas spirit

I just got back in from walking Dia, who is now six months old and who manages to stir up every dog in the neighborhood when we walk by.  A little way down the street, a little terrier discovered us from his perch in the picture window of his home.  I'm sure his owners were delighted as he barked and clawed at the window, trying to get to us.
 

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woman with an open wallet giving money

Matthew 25 is comprised of three judgment scenes, all of which deal with the proper use of resources.  The first (the parable of the wise and foolish virgins) instructs us to anticipate the resources we will need, the second (the parable of the talents) tempers the first by reminding us that being prepared doesn't mean hoarding, and the third (the sheep and the goats), reminds us that God's ultimate goal for our resource-gathering is to be sure that even "the least of these" have what they need in both provision and compassion.

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woman looking through dirty glass
Through a glass, darkly

Romans 14:13 "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way."

Here's my soap box message of the day:  Quit getting in the way of people's faith.
 

 

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Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee
Sunrise over the Sea of Galilee

Luke 15:32  "But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

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Living Water
Living Water

As many of you know, when news of the Rev. Terry Jones' plans to burn Qurans on Sept.

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Map of Ground Zero area with Mosque location highlighted.
Map of Ground Zero area with Mosque location highlighted.

Luke 23:33 "When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left."