People interpret 'bless all the people pure in heart' are misinterpreting the phrase as a call to be perfect. According to the Pharisees, even Jesus was not pure enough. People striving for perfection are not only striving for perfection on the outside, but also on the inside. 'I'm not good enough, I'm not pure enough, I don't pray enough, I don't give enough.' It's in the heart of the person where purity must begin.

Jonah was bigoted against the Ninevites. But wasn't he a prophet? Jonah's heart was filled with love, but only for his own people of Israel. God used him to take part in one of the greatest revivals of the bible.

The phrase of the title is nowhere to be found, but is rather a quote by Benjamin Franklin. It is an adage to bolster the demeanor for those who are working hard in their own rules. They work hard, but do not seek God. It is a lie. We cannot help ourselves before God. Believing in the statement is a feeble attempt to save the self without God. We must entrust ourselves to the care of the Great Healer and trust in God.

We will face difficulties, sometimes one at a time, sometimes all at once. God sacrificed His Son and went through difficulty as well. Give it three days.

Christianity is always just one generation from extinction. The primary mission of the church is its children.

Is your life centered around fame, power and money? Many are hooked on the idea of owning a lot of stuff, which can lead to the 'most toys, least time' syndrome. Money and things do not love us back. Nothing replaces the status of loving others and them loving back and nothing replaces the love of God.

If you were to open up the Bible, would you find the love story God has in store for us? The Bible tells us about a God who loves us and hangs on our every word.

There are times when events that happen we don't agree to. We can love those who've wronged the family even though there's strife. God loves us unconditionally, no matter what we've done. Coming home to God means returning to the love we once found familiar.

We see all around us examples of good mentoring. Mentoring is an investment of one into another. Lives are changed through mentors. We all need people around us, to guide us, to correct us and to love us.