GOD IS GOD

"God is God and that human autonomy must be recognized to lie somewhere beneath God's sovereignty. That is to say, whereas a human being cannot rightfully determine the length of time allotted for another in this world, the Creator has the sovereign prerogative to number our days—a fact we implicitly recognize whenever we accuse others of "playing God." Moreover, without a morally perfect Being responsible for the creation of the universe, we have no grounds for recognizing any act as immoral, so any such pronouncements must be made on the basis of God's moral nature and commands . . . 

"God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, is worthy of all our devotion and love. We must also remember that God executes perfect justice, as both the Old as well as the New Testaments demonstrate. Not only is the innocent, sinless Son of God sacrificed for the sake of humanity, but the just reward of eternal separation from God incessantly sought by those who reject God is also affirmed in the New Testament. Until the Spirit and truth of the gospel strips us of all our fleeting fortitude, presenting us before God bereft of any hope outside his mercy and grace, we will never lack excuses for resisting Him."  J.M. Njoroge, Slice of Infinity

PRAYER

"Praying means to stop expecting from God that same small-mindedness which you discover in yourself. To pray is to walk in the full light of God, & to say simply, without holding back, 'I am man & You are God.'"  Henri Nouwen, Men's Devotional Bible

THE SPIRIT

"The Spirit brings about a different state of affairs:  The Spirit creates genuine Christ-like, sacrificial love, which brings joy  patience, hope & kindness, & in which we bear each other's burdens. This is what the Spirit is already doing. We don't have to wait. In Christ, we already bear this fruit."  Rev. Andrew Das, The Lutheran Witness, Oct. 2020