pondering these excerpts

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”  Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬

“Jesus wants us to strive for justice with suffering love and to expose injustice to public view in a way that opens up a path to relationship and reconciliation.

And Jesus lived what he taught. He did not fight his enemies, but, instead, he gave up his life for them.⁴

Creative nonviolence won’t always change things in the short term, and it always comes with a cost. But followers of Jesus trust that God is the final judge,⁵ and that the ultimate challenge to injustice comes not through violence but through courageous and creative acts of love.

^4. See Luke 23:32-34; Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:14-18

 ^5. See Matthew 7:1; Romans 12:18-20; 1 Corinthians 4:3-4; James 4:11-12“    Bible Project

wrong

 

“Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.”

                                                                                    ~ Leo Tolstoy

loosely

 

"I've learned to hold all things loosely, so God will not have to pry them out of my hands." 

Corrie Ten Boom

and so it begins: 2024

introduced to me by Ann

the naming—theming a year

arrived at through prayer, reading, meditation, journaling

sadly, there have been years when, within weeks I’ve forgotten

and there have been years when the theme echoed throughout the days of twelve months

this year, by God’s grace may i continually be remembered to proximity

Proximity, noun. The state of being next; immediate nearness either in place, blood or alliance.

Psalm 73:28

New International Version
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

New Living Translation
But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

King James Bible
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

New American Standard Bible
But as for me, the nearness of God is good for me; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, So that I may tell of all Your works.

Amplified Bible
But as for me, it is good for me to draw near to God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge and placed my trust in Him, That I may tell of all Your works.

Christian Standard Bible
But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.

the Gospel is this

“The gospel is this: we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

Tim Keller