We love others because we love Jesus.
By Daniel Zachariah, National Director, India
When asked why she would pick up dying, homeless persons off the streets of Kolkatha, Mother Teresa was famously quoted as saying, “I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself; this is hungry Jesus; I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash him and tend to him. I serve because I love Jesus.” Perhaps she was motivated by what Jesus said:
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Jesus is very clear in his teachings with regards to the need to love neighbor. His apostles, especially John, builds on this and gives... Read the article
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By Tim Sitterley, US Regional Director, West
Early in our marriage Linda and I were visiting the old Franciscan Mission in Santa Barbara California. We were in the mission’s visitor’s center, and I noticed a large and very old bible open to the Gospel of John. The Bible was in Latin, and since I had taken four years of Latin in high school, I was naturally compelled to try and impress my wife with my translation skills. About three verses into my translation the reflected image of an individual standing behind us appeared in the glass of the display case. The individual turned out to be a Franciscan friar, but since the hood of his cowl was up, all we could see was blackness where his face should be. I nudged Linda and said, “Look!... Read the article
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When we believe we are the church, rather than church being a place where we go, our perspective and our reality changes.
By Sam Butler, Pastor, Grand Rapids, Michigan
What is the church? If we asked this question the typical historical answer would be something like, “the place where one goes on a particular day of the week to worship God, to fellowship, and to be involved in church programs.” The identification would be with a specific place, a building. If we conducted a street survey asking the question, “Where is the church?”, people would most likely point you in the direction of the local Catholic, Methodist, or Baptist church. The association would still be with a particular location or building. But if we want to... Read the article
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The 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday give us a beautiful opportunity to implement some spiritual practices as we prepare our hearts for renewal.
By Jillian Morrison, Associate Pastor, Glendora, California
I’ll admit that even as a Christian and someone who grew up going to church, I’ve often underestimated the profound significance of the cross and resurrection of Christ, and how it defines me and my life forever.
If not for his willing death and surrender to the Father’s will, I would still be dead in my sins. If not for his resurrection, I would have no hope of eternal life with God and no hope of experiencing Christ’s resurrection life here and now.
This amazing truth is worth meditating on, even for as... Read the article
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As we focus on the Love Avenue and our theme, Compelled by Love, there are three questions each one of us needs to address.
There is a lot of enthusiasm in GCI as we focus on the Love Avenue and reaching out to our neighbors and friends, but there are also a lot of questions. How do we do this? Why are we doing this? Is this really our calling? What can my little group do? What does this mean for me and my personal life? I submit these questions are mostly addressed when we answer the three main questions for every Christian. Who is Jesus? Who am I in relation to Jesus? Who are others in relation to Jesus? The answer to these questions gives us the Why of the Love Avenue and our participation with Jesus.
Who is Jesus?
It... Read the article
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