Clever Free Methodist

   One of the joys of reading the Scriptures multiple times is "finding" something different each experience. It is most noted when, despite numerous readings, something "jumps out" that I never "caught" before. Almost like an epiphany, I think to myself "why haven't I seen this before?" Well, another one of those moments occurred as I was reading Luke 6:27-36. It is the discourse on "how" to treat our enemies. Yes, we know that if someone is an enemy, we love them. If they happen to curse us, we bless them instead. Even if they out-right hate us, we do good to them in return.  The hard part (for me at least) is that when they obviously go "out of their way" to hurt me, I am supposed to pray for them. Why, because Jesus instructs us to love them...unconditionally as he loves me. So, we "get the picture" on our enemy. Or...so I thought. This is the "ta-dah" moment. Tucked away in the

Matthias the Apostle!  No, I didn't spell that wrong nor did I actually mean "Matthew." Were you aware of the Apostle Matthias? This small notation is found in the book of  Acts  in Chapter One. There seems to be a dilemma. Judas (who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver) is dead (he committed suicide) and a replacement must be chosen. There are two men found worthy of the position. So, an election must take place. Only one can be chosen Now, it appears a troubling decision is at hand. Two men, Matthias and Barsabbas (Justus) are the candidates to become the newest Apostle.  Here are two men with the credentials necessary to  "take over this apostolic ministry which Judas left to go where he belongs."  (1:25)  The remaining Apostles cast lots and the election goes to Matthias . The new Apostle is chosen. Here is where it gets strange. Matthias disappears from the very moment of his appointment. In other words, Matthias leaves the scene just as q

We are grateful for the technology of social networking companies that allows access to one another. This connection spans the globe and instantaneously puts us in touch without any cost to us. Posting pictures, telling a story, griping about an unfortunate incident, or just wanting to make a statement, we are glad for social media platforms that gives us this outlet. This is nothing new. It just a new means of expressing a time-old tradition of communicating with one another.When Jesus gave us the "Great Commission" to "go unto the world" to make disciples, he was initiating what we would call, today, "social networking." I guess you could say that Jesus invented it...sorry Facebook! I think the Great Commission is much like "Facebook" and a lot like "Twitter" where we share our lives and our faith by everyday, ordinary means of communication and socializing with one another in verbal and visual ways. Helping a neighbor in their ga