August 27

Sometimes we can get frustrated with the way things are at church because we think it should be perfect. But the church is full of imperfect people. That's a great thing when you think about it, because it means you and I have a place within it, too.

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Three Thoughts

Things grow when there is unity, and unity takes work. The church is no different. It's full of a bunch of people that have decided they are going to do the unglamorous work of staying together and pushing toward the same mission.

EPHESIANS 4:2-3

Forgiveness should be given quickly and freely, because we have been forgiven so much. And the inverse of that, if we don't understand how much we have been forgiven, forgiving others will never come easy. Do you need to spend time learning about the atonement this week?

COLOSSIANS 3:13

Love doesn't ignore sin. Ignoring something is pretending that it never happened. That's not Christianity. Love covers our sin, which is exactly what Jesus has done for us. In a church full of flawed people, love that covers sin is what keeps the whole thing up.

1 PETER 4:8

Two Quotes

Writer G.K. Chesterton on justification:

"The Church is justified, not because her children do not sin, but because they do."

Teacher and author Bob Goff on loving others:

"Most people need love and acceptance a lot more than they need advice."

Prayer

Dear God, I've been disappointed by your people and I'm sure I've disappointed some of them as well. Help me to stop waiting for the church to be perfect before I fully commit to being a part of the community. Give me patience with others and teach me how to love people the way you love them. Amen.

Question

Is there a grudge that you've been holding against someone in your church? What would it actually cost you to let it go this week?

P.S. My editor is going through my next round of edits this week and he just emailed saying that one part was so funny he spit his coffee on his computer. It took me 5 weeks to go through everything that he recommended for this edit. It's a far better book because of it, which just shows how important it is to have talented people in your corner. Really excited for you to read this book. It releases one year from today!