"The apostles then rendezvoused with Jesus and reported on all that they had done and taught. Jesus said, 'Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest.' For there was constant coming and going. They didn’t even have time to eat.

So they got in the boat and went off to a remote place by themselves. Someone saw them going and the word got around. From the surrounding towns people went out on foot, running, and got there ahead of them. When Jesus arrived, he saw this huge crowd. At the sight of them, his heart broke—like sheep with no shepherd they were. He went right to work teaching them. When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: 'We are a long way out in the country, and it’s very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper.'

“'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!'” - Luke 5:12-13

When Elly was born I put a picture of her darling face on Facebook so our friends and family could dote over her. And dote they did. On and on about how perfect she was.

I’ve since posted hundreds, but these first were so memorable because of the care that went in to hiding the damaged portions of her skin. Making her look perfect. She wasn’t perfect . . . but she was perfectly mine, and I loved her.

Great men and women of faith are those who follow God in running headlong toward hell.

Heroes of the Faith

Abraham was called to follow God to a foreign country, full of enemies and idol worshippers. Moses was told to return to the land which had a bounty on his head, and tell the ruler of that land to set free all his slaves. Joshua and Caleb saw opportunity and blessing where others saw only death and destruction. Judges like Gideon and Deborah went out against all odds to deliver people from enemies and idolatry. David went out against Goliath to protect Israel from bondage and captivity. All the prophets called the people of God back to obedience, mercy, and justice despite the threats from rulers, kings, and authorities.

The blow-up started, as it often does, with a friend texting me an article about a controversial religious subject. Thankfully, he sent it directly to me rather than posting it publicly. Instead of staying between him and me, our ugly debate may have gone public.

I wasn’t sure why he was sending the article to me. I didn’t take time to probe his motives. I was too angry to actually give him the benefit of the doubt. Instead, my fangs came out and I went for his throat. My good friend, of twenty-odd years, would feel the weight of my pent-up frustrations. Suddenly, I wanted him to pay the price for every unthinking person who sends out conspiracy-laden emails or insensitive articles that prematurely judge something or someone.  But my very response was conspiracy laden and prematurely judgmental. Within the push of the send key, I became an a** by using an angry text message to destroy my friend in order to make myself feel better. It’s easy to paint oneself as a righteous defender of truth while massacring anyone who thinks different than you.