Hearts of Flesh.

"I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  Ezekiel 36:26b (NRSV)

What does this mean?

What is a heart of flesh?

A heart of stone is a heart that feels no love, a heart that has no compassion.  A heart so afraid that it cannot give.

And what is a heart of flesh?

A heart of flesh is a heart that is human-oriented, a heart that values people above laws and morals.

Jesus said to obey the spirit of the law, not the letter of the law.
And the spirit of the law is love.

What was the first commandment?

"'"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."'"  Matthew 22:37 (NRSV)
"'And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."'"  Matthew 22:39 (NRSV)

What was Jesus commandment?

"'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.'"  John 15:12 (NRSV)

Even Paul says that we should make concessions according to understanding.

So do not pride yourselves on obedience to rigid laws and morals.

This will lead to a heart of stone.

But learn to love and forgive.

And you will have a heart of flesh.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]


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Evil.

When evil attacks

I call on God

and He delivers me.


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Judge No One.

"'You judges by human standards, I judge no one.'"  John 8:15 (NRSV)

Jesus made this statement to the Pharisees in the treasury of the temple.

"'I do nothing on my own but speak these things as the Father instructed me.'"  John 8:28b (NRSV)

Jesus was making a distinction between how human beings on earth see things and how the Father sees things.

"'The Father judges no one.'"  John 5:22a (NRSV)

People on earth believe in natural justice - rewards for good behavior and punishments for bad behavior.

But God punishes no one.

God gives everyone a second chance.
He does not judge us but helps us to grow and progress towards the light.

Even the most heinous criminals are His children and He will not reject them.

"The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish."  2 Peter 3:9 (NRSV)


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]    


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Mercy.

It costs us

nothing

to show

mercy.


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Gentle Rain.

White clouds

populate

the heavens.

And the air

is washed with

gentle rain.


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Abnegation.

God is not a rule-maker.

God is not a moral accountant.
God is not a punisher.
God is not esoteric knowledge.

God is not right beliefs.

God is not a wowser.
God is not awful.
God is not a deal-maker.

God is not a spirit.

God is Love.
Universal Love.


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Dove.

Heaven's blessing

descends

as a pure white dove.


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