Dad’s are fixers. They just can’t help themselves. It’s a guy thing. Broken bicycles. Broken cars.  Broken cellphones. The problem we run into, as guys, is that tools, advice, glue and great mechanical skills can’t fix broken hearts. And they can’t fix being off-mission for years at a time. We tend to think that in the last years or season of life – we can make up for lost time;  you know, do the things that we never took the time to do – give what we never gave – love where we never loved. Actually? We make a difference when the goodness and love God anoints us and runs out of our hands into those around us. We can consistently leave things better than we find them – instead of trying to fix them, because we broke them.

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If there’s a quality about Jesus that made His life so incredibly powerful –    it was His amazing, unfailing, incessant, life-changing, world-transforming kindness. He treated everyone He encountered with kindness – even though it was, at times, a stern kindness. In every crowd He entered He was simply on-mission. He looked people who had been unkind in the eyes – and they saw kindness. He looked people in the eyes who expected contempt – and they saw kindness. His kindness healed people, freed people, lifted people up, forgave people, fed people – and drew people to Him. It still does. Unkindness repels – and always will. And unkindness NEVER comes from Jesus – ever!

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Open Eyes + A Tender Heart = Open Hands. There’s one quality that people are always receptive to. Generosity! We love generosity – and yet we really, really struggle to love being generous! Why is that? It’s because being generous costs us. It’s because generosity confronts selfishness and self-centeredness and self-interest. We don’t calculate it like this, but the thinking behind stinginess and self-centeredness (the opposite of generosity) is, “If I give it – I won’t have it! And then I’ll be the one in need!” And that’s the real question, isn’t it? Will you actually be the one in need – or be richer than you ever thought you’d be?

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IT MEANS THAT JESUS HAS SENT US ALL TO CHANGE THE WORLD!
People are not necessarily interested in philosophical discourses on the nature of the world and why we know there’s a God. People are not usually interested in rules to follow to help them live longer or healthier lives – unless, of course, they have cancer or AIDs or heart disease. But when crazy, off-the-wall people who have terrorized entire communities get changed – people’s interest is piqued. “You know what I was! This is who I am! Jesus made the difference!  Would you like to meet Him?”

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Right before Jesus ascended to the Father – He sent those who had come to Him and followed Him – to have a transforming influence. But, apparently, His teaching and His example and His encouragement just wasn’t enough – because He told them to wait. The point? You can’t do this on your own! But with supernatural power? With the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control of God Himself? All things are possible!

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A lot of people claim that Psalm 23 is their favourite psalm. For some, it’s simply something that gets read when we need some comforting thoughts. It’s actually a parable of the kind of care we need to place ourselves in – to live in ways that make a difference. It’s how God cares for us – and a parable for the kind of care leaders give to people – and parents give to children.  Honestly, it covers everything!

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Jesus summarized everything – the law, prophets and history of the Bible with two commands; Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength – AND love your neighbour as yourself. No one would seriously argue with that – after all, that’s what Jesus said. And the cross Jesus died on is a perfect example of that. Jesus died on a stake – reaching into the heavens, but driven into the earth. He paid with His life – to create a relationship between God and humans. The other side to that, and the profound side to it – is that He died with His arms nailed wide open. He died to create a relationship between us and others.  Without the horizontal beam – it’s not a cross – just a stake!
Everything that Jesus taught, everything that Jesus said, all His prayers, His stories, His dreams and His ultimate plan is for us – His people, is to be connected squarely to Him – and then embrace others in the irresistible love that comes from Him. The relationship between us and God is settled – freeing us to  love others.
Talking about love is one thing; learning how to love – and then showing it through goodness, kindness, patience and forgiveness is another. And it all starts with how we love one another. John is very clear; whoever says they love God and will not love their brother or sister is a liar!

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