Racism is an attachment disorder.
Our prejudices limit our pleasures.
Those who most pound the rules are usually those who most tragically break them.
The plots of the living are not fully written; hold judgment, there is more story to come.
The highest form of reason is mercy, which always triumphs over judgment.
In the end, we are told that God will judge, but for those critiqued by a nagging wife, a mean-mouthed husband or a critical co-worker, what a mild and gentle alternative the final judgment will be.
All organizations make a choice to be fueled by hierarchy, judgment and harshness, or by equality, discernment and gentleness.
We all exist in a state of subnormality, but be careful how you try to fix that:Who are you to define normal?
Beware those who are attracted to teaching about God’s wrath. What are they trying to justify?
Rules are a ruse, to protect the executioners.
The gentle words we offer as our gift hint not at the furious battle waged within by which we made such words gentle.
Theologians should let their soteriology inform their morality, because the thing about morality is that we can all be forgiven when we don’t practice it.
If a letter comes to you in the mail that is addressed to someone else, you put it back in the mail box; in just this fashion do not receive the judgmental complaints of one person against another if you are not in a position to do anything about them.
Essentialism is a doctrine that certain traditional concepts, ideas and skills are essential to society and should be methodically taught to everyone. One of these essentials is to teach people who there is no formula that decides every case, but that wise judgment is always needed to apply the so-called essentials.
For the unbroken there are two kinds of voices to speak in: the judgmental or the redemptive, the harsh or the kind, the condemning or the loving, and these voices weirdly alternate like flickering flourescent tubes. But for the person crushed, scooped up and brought back to life, and there is often only one voice left, and it isn’t of the first kind.
Tomahawk missiles go zoom — boom, and Galatians 3:28 blows up the individualistic, better-than-thou, hold you down, rise-above-you to the podium, gender exclusive, super competitive living thing. Boom — one in Christ. This word of God smashes national prejudice, social domination, and gender exclusion. In Christ the only real nationality is humanity.
When we make an exception to a rule are we going down a slippery slope of receding commitment to the standard, or are we graciously allowing for a reasonable and wise acceptance of legitimate difference? It depends on the rule and the exception. But wisdom knows; there is a time to be resolute, and there is a time to be flexible.
Does the internalization of the expert’s voice make you insecure; for in accepting an authority, you are admitting that you aren’t the one who knows? Not if it is balanced and corroborated by your own experience and the experiences of your friends.
If we knew how to fix what is wrong with the world, I suspect that we would have to begin by making sure that everyone on earth was hugged by someone safe and good every morning, and that just before every person lay down to sleep every night, someone loving and tender would gently rub their backs and kiss them goodnight on the top of their heads, even if just for a moment, close enough to hear each other breathe.
Speak freely, speak honestly, speak openly. Don’t hold back! Deliver the beauty of your own unique perspective. We need the core, phonic, vocal, linguistic universality bound up in the particularity of you.
