He explored Jesus' response to the quarreling of the disciples over who would be greatest in God's Kingdom:

For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

Look around at the people in your life. Who is serving you? Who is demanding service from you? You'll find Jesus in the one serving you.

• You'll find Jesus in your waiter, your valet, your caddy.
• You'll see Jesus in the family that invites you over for dinner.
• Jesus is in the years and years your parents cared for you (let's be honest, you did little to repay their service).
• Jesus is in a wife that pauses what she's doing to reheat some leftovers, even when you didn't ask.
• Jesus is in the janitor.
• Jesus is in the guys stacking chairs after church is over.
• Jesus is in the businessman who helps the newly married couple get their finances straight.
• Jesus is in those who have given up their time and money to serve someone in need.
• Jesus is serving in the food line at the homeless shelter.
• Jesus is in the guy volunteering his time (lots of it) to orchestrate the band and lead worship on Sunday mornings.

Sometimes we try to introduce Jesus to others by telling them stuff.
Maybe we should just show them where Jesus already is.....

I use the Hipstamatic App and the Camera Bag app to take pictures. Then I use the Tumblr app to upload them to my Tumblr blog.

blog.allisonlehman.com

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Looking around the landscape of global opinion, one needs not look far to find LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of anti-american sentiment. Even from within our own country.

In my opinion: lots is deserved. America's history is riddled with horrific moral and ethical atrocities. The American experiment was started off with free labor (slavery) and free land (our displacement of native peoples).

Sure, you can argue that America was founded on Christian principles (whatever those might be), but that statement may sound very very very empty to those who are african-american, native american, or innocent bystanders of our current/previous wars.

Or if you're currently living in poverty
(with the amount of money Americans spend on Ice Cream every year, we could feed all the world's hungry).

We've got an ugly, ugly history.
(I think our government officially apologized for institutional slavery last year? i could be wrong).

And when speaking of those things, I hang my head in embarrassment.

But I'm proud to be an American.

You see, there is a side of America that you won't see in on the local news (they're too busy showing you the local drive by...).
There is a side to America that is creative, beautiful, spontaneous, and determined.

There is an America that is compassionate and caring. There are Americans who - though they are already strapped for time - dropped everything and worked non-stop (and still are) in an effort to provide some sort of relief for Haitian earthquake victims. Sure, there effort is simply human, but they are part of the America I'm proud of...

That is the America I hope for.

An America that doesn't wait for the government to pass legislation to take action. An America that uses it's economic power to fuel growth in new places. An America that is inovative, peace-loving, and knows how to throw a good party.

There is an America where neighbors know each other's names, babysit each other's kids, and ask each other "how ya doing?"

There is an America where ex-porn stars strive to love and care for those whose sexuality is traded as a commodity.

There is an America where qualified teachers are flocking to NEED instead of INCOME.

Now here's the kicker....

You CHOOSE which America you're a citizen of. You CHOOSE which America you live in.

You can decide to live in a country full of war, murder, prostitution, slavery, and greed.

Or

You can decide to reside in a country full of compassion, beauty, honor, fun, and hope.

Your call.

There is a war going on for your mind.

(from Arloa Suttuer)

• In your responses, please number your answers to the questions. Also, try to keep them mildly brief. I understand that each question could require a book-length answer and we'll be gracious and strive not to nit-pick your answers....

• "Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." ~Deuteronomy 19~
• "...fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured." ~Leviticus 24~
• "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life..." ~Exodus 21~

But Jesus said this in Matthew 5:

• "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

What do we do this this contradiction? What does it show us? What does it teach us? How do we respond?

Would the world be a better or worse place if chain restaurants never existed?