Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

Jesus wasn't nice.  Jesus was kind. The difference? One is a politeness that may or may not be genuine.  When we “play nice,” it may be a total act. Or we may be obeying societal norms, or acting the way we think we “should.” Maybe we don’t want to make waves. But kindness is a totally different animal. Kindness runs deeper. Kindness shows compassion. Kindness requires genuine humility. I believe kindness puts itself in the other person’s shoes, empathizing with others. Jesus was real. This simply means He never put on a show or acted in ways that culture expected. We see this over and over in the gospels in how Jesus interacts with the Pharisees - far from "nice!" Jesus did not have a mean bone in His body. Yet He always spoke the truth. He never watered down the truth and He never feared man. It’s not always “nice” to speak the truth.  In our easily offended culture, some have kowtowed to the popular opinion. Jesus never once kowtowed to anyone and yet He was the most h

We are called to love one another.  That is Jesus' command to us - Love each other as I have loved you, He said.   We can do this as a doctor, as a wife, as a mother, as a ditch digger, as a movie star, as a singer, as a high school teacher -- you catch my drift. Our job title or role factors into it zero when it comes to loving others.  We are to love people wherever we go, whatever we do.  This is Jesus' non-negotiable for us.  This is our foundational calling. Jobs comes, jobs go.  Relationships change.  Status wavers.  Careers can leave us wanting more and eventually end.   We have many assignments and roles in life - they change with the seasons or years, depending on our age or circumstances. But our main calling never changes.  Not ever.   If we're the greatest _______ (fill in the blank) who ever lived and yet have little love in our hearts, we're missing our calling. We've come to value the wrong things in life, overall.  We are impressed by the "outer

No one likes to feel deprived.  When we "give up" stuff, we can feel "less than."  But some giving up is freeing.  When we give up sweets, we lose weight.  Losing weight - giving it up, so to speak - feels great!  This "loss" is a positive one. Not all loss is bad. There is a trend that has been happening for a while - downsizing.  To me, this means we had too much to begin with. There is something freeing about cleaning house, getting rid of stuff we don't really need (maybe never really did).  So this is another example of good loss. It feels better to give than to receive.  That is why the Lord told us, according to Paul in Acts 20:35, we're more blessed when we give than when we get. Our loss is someone else's gain.  Another cliche, but cliches have a way of ringing true.  A trip to Goodwill feels good on two counts.  We make a more spacious living space for ourselves, and we bless another's life. So why are we so bent on "getting&