A significant teaching within our Judeo-Christian heritage is God's command to care for the widow, the orphan and the foreigner living within our society. The weak and the vulnerable were under the LORD's protection in the Old Testament and Jesus came preaching good news to the poor. This emphasis continued in the early church, leading to great increases in the number of believers. All though out time, Christians have supported the weak by building hospitals and schools and opening food pantries. Does it apply to government as well?

Being faint of heart is not a character flaw--it is part of the human condition. The Bible calls it being wrapped in darkness. Today we call it despair, for being hopeless and helpless. Let us be of good courage and encourage the despairing around us.

The example of the martyrs teaches us that "returning to no one evil for evil" is not a sign of weakness. Nor is it "doing nothing." It is a powerful witness of love. It takes great courage. It prevents us from bearing the guilt of neighborhood bullies.

We suffer when we encounter something we don't like, cannot fix, cannot make go away, cannot explain. When we let our finite stories rest in God's transfinite story, then we can suffer in peace.

We have all been affected by words that have hurt, but each one of us also has the gift of the Holy Spirit that allows us to use speech as blessing.

Jesus was a person of character because his thoughts, words and deeds lined up. For us to be people of Christian character our actions must also be grounded in biblical and spiritual wisdom. God calls us to be Thinkers AND Doers.

Information can be debated and argued. It ultimately leads to violence: "I'm right, therefore you are wrong." Wisdom is the only way forward. According to the Hebrew Scriptures, wisdom is the culmination and direction of human consciousness. Torah to Prophets to Wisdom

Struggling with the impulse to be "Spiritual But Not Religious:" the wisdom of the Bible shows that we need people in our lives who will challenge us and correct us so that we may stay on the the path of righteousness. David received the gift of correction from Nathan. Who is your Nathan?

Struggling with the impulse to be "Spiritual But Not Religious:" We ask the questions: what is church? Is God limited to the wall of a church building? Do you view church as a museum, an institution or a promise?

Struggling with the impulse to be "Spiritual But Not Religious:" we ask the question, what is worship? Biblical story of David dancing before the altar of the Lord, bringing the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, provides some wisdom for us to consider.