Proverbs 12:25-26 We choose what path we walk.

Psalm 95:10

For forty years I was grieved with that generation,

And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts,

And they do not know My ways.’

We need to choose our words carefully. Compassion speaks volumes of what we believe about God. He is merciful and kind and wants everyone to come to Him. We choose. Out of the abundance of our  hearts we speak of Christ empathy for the marginalized of our world.

Proverbs 12:25-26 

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

But a good word makes it glad.

26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully,

For the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Satan only seeks to kill, steal and destroy those who trust in God. Carla

Anxiety loses some of its force in the face of a positive, encouraging word. Our friends help to determine who we will become (1 Corinthians 15:33). The NKJV Study Bible

The ways of both the righteous and the wicked influence those whom they associate with.  Faithlife Study Bible

Proverbs 15:13

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,

But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Isaiah 50:4

“The Lord GOD has given Me

The tongue of the learned,

That I should know how to speak

A word in season to him who is weary.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear

To hear as the learned.

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart does good, like medicine,

But a broken spirit dries the bones.

By addressing the root causes in parts and places in our world where people are threatened (or endangered or an “easy target for”), we can make a lasting impact, and create a better world, ensuring that the river of life flows smoothly and peacefully for all.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King Jr.

And when that happens, I forgot, or didn’t remember (or didn't see and embrace the light inside of me) to tell the story of sanctuary, and empathy, compassion, and mercy.  Sabbath Moments

Remember what the Apostle Paul declared in the book of Ephesians: "[God] worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:20). This short verse gives us confidence in key truths about who Jesus is and what His resurrection means in our lives both today and forevermore.

This powerful position reassures us that Jesus is still working in our lives today. As humans, we may feel powerless in broken relationships, suffering bodies, or out-of-control circumstances. Certainly we are powerless to overcome death; however, Jesus' resurrection conquered sin and death forever, assuring believers that He has paid our sin's penalty in full and that we have eternal life.

By faith, we can look forward to the day when we, too, will be resurrected like Jesus and be with Him in heaven forever (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). And as we await that day, we stand confidently in "the victory that has overcome the world" (1 John 5:4).

Christ's power stands the test of time and reassures us that our faith is not in vain. His Word is "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12),ensuring that we are never left to wonder what is true. Instead of allowing disbelief to lead us to defeat and despair, let's allow the truth of the resurrection and the reality of Jesus' heavenly power to conquer all doubt. This certainty leads us to joy, victory, and everlasting life in Him. First5

Pretti shooting witness describes everything she saw

CNN’s Anderson Cooper speaks with Stella Carlson, the witness who captured crucial 

video showing exactly what happened when Alex Pretti was shot and killed by DHS officers.

Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets!

Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

We will recognize followers of Jesus Christ by the love that they show to the marginalized. What we do to the least we do to Jesus. Let that sink in. We cannot have it both ways, we cannot profess love with our mouths and out of our hearts our actions show otherwise. Either be hot or cold but not indifferent to their suffering. Carla

Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

False prophets refers to those whose teaching contradicts Jesus’ teaching. Beginning in Matthew 5:17, Jesus has reinterpreted the established religious and social norms of His day. Here, He portrays those who contradict His instruction as false prophets—people who falsely claim to speak on God’s behalf (2 Peter 2:1)

Sheep’s  clothing refers to disguises that portray innocence. Ravenous wolves describes  those seeking to undermine Jesus’ teaching for personal gain.

By their fruits Refers to people’s deeds—the natural outcomes of their choices and inclinations. Every good tree produces good fruit In other words, teachers of righteousness act righteously. False prophets act wickedly in accordance with the nature of their testimony. Faithlife Study Bible

Beware of false prophets: Deuteronomy 13:1–11; 18:20–22 provide information on discerning and responding to false prophets. The way to tell false teachers from teachers of truth is by their fruits. Fruits here refers to more than their deeds; it includes their doctrine (16:12; 1 John 4:1–3). A person speaking in the name of God is to be tested by the doctrines of Scripture. The same principle still holds true today. Speakers and teachers should be tested against the truths in God’s Word (Jude 3; Revelations 22:18, 19). The NKJV Study Bible

Matthew 12:33–35 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…

Luke 6:43–44 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 

Matthew 3:10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 

James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Matthew 24:1–51 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”…

Your voice matters. My voice matters.

So. “Ask yourself what you can do to make a difference, then take that action, no matter how large or small.”  (Graça Machel)

And always remember: No one of us is on this journey alone.

And we need one another not only for care and comfort, but to pick up the pieces, allowing us to find ways to create spaces in our world, that do not (or will not) belittle, or diminish, or demean. Spaces where mercy and compassion and kindness are alive and well.

I will admit that it all—the whirlwind of events and social upheaval—feels part distressing, and part deadening. Making me wonder, where do we begin in our broken world?

The answer: We begin in the small world, the one right in front of us.

Rear Admiral Thornton Miller Chief was the Chaplain at Normandy in WWII. Someone asked him, "Up and down the beach, with the shells going everywhere, why did you do that?"

"Because I'm a minister."

"But didn't you ask if they were Catholic or Protestant or Jew?"

"If you're a minister, the only question you ask is, 'Can I help you?'"

So. Adapting this story to today. I don’t ask your race, or creed, or immigration status. I ask, “Can I help you?”

Immigrants matter to Jesus, and they matter to me.

The poor and marginalized matter to Jesus, and they matter to me.

The beauty of diversity matters to Jesus, and it matters to me.

Grateful for Mia Carella’s reminder, “Inclusion isn’t just inviting someone to sit at your table. It’s believing they belong there.” Sabbath Moments

Paul wrote that earthly rulers did not understand God's plan, or they would not have crucified Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians 2:8, the Apostle Paul revealed a key truth about the Roman government and Jewish leaders of Jesus' day: If they had understood God's wisdom and recognized Jesus as the Son of God, they never would have crucified Him. If they had known better, they would have done better.

Jesus' executioners were not innocent in their ignorance. The Roman governor Pontius Pilate found Jesus blameless according to Roman law; however, he still released Him to the Jews for crucifixion, the most brutal form of death (John 19:4-6). Pilate knowingly condemned an innocent man, and he failed to see that man, Jesus, was the Messiah.

The Jewish leaders' willful misunderstanding of Jesus came from their expectation that the Messiah would save Israel like a mighty warrior, not a humble servant. Despite knowing Old Testament prophecies about a suffering Savior (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; etc. ), they remained convinced the Messiah would reign in immediate earthly victory, not suffer defeat on a cross. Acts 13:27 says, "They did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath." When Jesus claimed His rightful title as the Son of God, they thought He was committing blasphemy, the crime of speaking offensively about God, which was punishable by death according to Jewish law (John 19:7; Leviticus 24:16).

But instead of ending this story at Jesus' crucifixion, God, in His perfect wisdom, used it to advance His greater redemption plan. Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave, fulfilling every prophecy and overcoming sin and death eternally.

Jesus' victory proves He is "the Lord of glory," a title only God Himself is worthy of receiving (1 Corinthians 2:8; James 2:1). He is our strong and mighty King, possessing ultimate authority (Isaiah 9:6-7). As the Son of God, Jesus glorified the Father by perfectly submitting to His will, and He deserves all praise and honor (Psalm 24:7-10).

Despite the rulers' attempts to destroy Him, Jesus overcame death to offer us salvation and eternal life. No matter how pious or how powerful they seemed, "none of the rulers of this age understood this" (1 Corinthians 2:8). That's because true understanding comes not from earthly authority but from the God of heaven. And He has graciously revealed the gospel to us through His Word today! First5

Psalm 23:4-6 I will fear no evil!!

“O wise and peaceful God,

all across the globe people are fearful.
Unrest and violence, division and angst, sadden our hearts.
Yet, somewhere in the depths of our hearts lives your wisdom.
Unite us. Lead us to the truth that love is more powerful than fear.”
Benedictine Macrina Wiederkehr

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

As for me and my house we will follow the Lord! Jesus came as the light and the truth. He gave us the words of freedom…DO NOT FEAR. Fear is the main tool of the enemy.  He only comes to kill, steal and destroy God’s creation.Carla

Psalm 23:4-6 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me 

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

As God’s adopted children we inherit the blessings of Abraham. No one could love us more than Jesus who gave up His sinless live for our redemption. In faith we become the children of promise. Carla

The valley of the shadow of death can refer to any distressing time in our lives. The awareness of our own mortality often comes with sickness, trials, and hardship. But the Lord, our Protector, can lead us through these dark and difficult valleys to eternal life with Him. There is no need to fear death’s power (1 Corinthians 15:25–27). The Good Shepherd is with us even in what seem the most difficult and troubling situations. 

Ancient shepherds used the rod and staff to rescue, protect, and guide the sheep. Thus they become symbols of the Good Shepherd’s loving care over His flock. The sheep are not alone, their Shepherd is standing over them, guiding them into safety—just as the Lord stands over us and protects us.

God’s provision is as abundant as the wine offered to a guest by a generous host. The lavish treatment of the guest is indicative of the loving care of God for His people. The use of both goodness and mercy to describe God’s loyal love intensifies the meaning of the two words. What is described in verse 5 is God’s overabundant mercy—love that is in no way deserved. 

The Hebrew verb, follow, describes an animal in pursuit. When the Lord is our Shepherd, instead of being stalked by wild beasts we are pursued by the loving care of the Lord. God’s promise for the Israelites was not just for the enjoyment of this life in the land of promise (6:1–3); it was also for the full enjoyment of the life to come in His blessed presence (16:9–11; 17:15; 49:15). The NKJV Study Bible

The psalmist acknowledges that life will not always be characterized by green pastures and quiet waters (verse 2). He will walk through darkness or gloom (107:10; Job 10:22).The Hebrew word used here for evil, ra'ah, can refer to harm or trouble (Job 2:10). Even in difficult times, the psalmist will not fear any harm. The psalmist does not fear because of Yahweh’s presence, which protects him from harm (Psalm 138:7; Isa 43:2).

Your rod and your staff were tools used by shepherds to guide sheep. Having sheep pass under a rod was a way of counting them (Leviticus 27:32). Here, the rod symbolizes Yahweh’s protection and care. Elsewhere, it serves as a symbol of divine discipline (Psalm. 89:32; 2 Samuel 7:14).

The psalmist switches from portraying Yahweh as a shepherd to portraying Him as a host. Hospitality in the ancient Near East required more than providing a meal. The host was also responsible for protecting his guest (Genesis 19) Since the psalmist, as a guest, enjoys Yahweh’s protection, he can eat safely in the presence of his enemies. My cup is overflowing emphasizes Yahweh’s generosity; He provides more than the psalmist needs. With Yahweh as his shepherd and host, the psalmist is confident that he will be protected by Yahweh’s unfailing covenantal love (Exododus 34:6).

The Hebrew phrase used here for a very long time, le'orekh yamim, literally means “for length of days.” This does not necessarily indicate eternity; it shows the psalmist expects to be Yahweh’s guest all of his life. Faithlife Study Bible

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Psalm 3:6

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me all around.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King Jr.

And when that happens, I forgot, or didn’t remember (or didn't see and embrace the light inside of me) to tell the story of sanctuary, and empathy, and mercy.
The story of inclusion and compassion, in the face of cruelty.
The story of kindness and renewal, in the face of malice.
The story of grace.
There is no doubt; mercy and sanctuary and grace are not always convenient. Go figure.
And there is no perfect time to stand up. Or to do soul searching. Or to say this is who we are. Or to call on our better angels.
Easy? Heavens, no.
And yet. When John Lewis’ invitation is given, “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble”, look at what rises to the surface.

It did my heart good to read this from Krista Tippett. “At the very same time, this is one of those moments when the strange and beautiful reality of the human condition rises in the face of what would deny it. In Minnesota, where I raised my children and grew this On Being Project a world of care and dignity one human being towards another has flourished within and around all the images coming to us of violence and protest and despair. There are churches converted to food banks. There are families accompanying other families and neighbors delivering meals and other essentials to individuals who feel vulnerable for multitudes of reasons. There are strangers bearing witness, non-violently, as homes are approached and doors beaten down. There are teachers and librarians and healers stepping up to care for children and teenagers who are traumatized by all of this. I am hearing a thousand stories that are not making the ‘news’ as I’m trying to follow it, but they too are the story of our time, and they are stories of what makes us human and humane.
We want to meet what is hard and hurting.
We want to rise to what is beautiful and life-giving.
We want to do that where we live, and we want to do it walking alongside others.
We’re asking, where to begin?” (Thank you Krista)

There is a light in every one of us. Let us, let it shine. 

People often like to ask me what I “believe”. I’ll go with what Walter Brueggemann (in Theology of the Old Testament) calls a “credo of five adjectives” that continually recurs in the Hebrew Scriptures: This God that Israel—and Jesus—discovered is consistently seen to be “merciful, gracious, faithful, forgiving, and steadfast in love.” Sabbath Moments”