Loving others begins with loving ourselves. by Christine Rhyner During a conversation with my co-worker Leiah, the topic of self-worth came up. She smiled at me and gushed, “I love myself!” “How?” I asked, wanting in on whatever secret she had for self-love. “I just love me!” she exclaimed, as though born delighted with herself. […]

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The transforming power of kingdom mercy. by David Zepf “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). In a world that increasingly celebrates revenge, kingdom mercy stands as a radical alternative — a divine characteristic that marks God’s people as truly different. But what does it mean to be people of mercy […]

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Looking to the One who gave to us, then sharing it with others. by David R. Downey Someone said, “A life wrapped up in itself makes a very small package.” This would certainly apply to a person who lacks mercy and finds it difficult to forgive other people. To be unforgiving, one would need to […]

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by Brian Franks Anyone who has ever accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, repented of their sins, and been baptized is the recipient of great mercy. To need mercy, you must have done something wrong, but you can’t afford to make restitution because the cost is too high. The cost of the sin each of […]

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The high price tag of forgiveness. by R. Herbert It might seem strange to talk of putting a price on forgiveness, yet that is exactly what Jesus did in His parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35). Here Jesus painted a detailed word picture of a king’s servant who owed the ruler ten thousand talents […]

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Embracing mercy in the deep, dark woods. by Kathleen Barrett  American poet Robert Frost penned the poem “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening.” The last stanza is haunting: The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before […]

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How to heal from damaging relationships. by Bob Hostetler Families are a gift from God. They can provide us with life and love, hope and happiness, strength and security, blessing and beauty. But families can also be the source of our greatest concerns and deepest hurts. Even the healthiest families can wound us in multiple […]

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by Cindy Arora In those days there was no king in Israel.Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6, ESV). Do you get depressed reading the book of Judges? I did. Judges describes Israel’s dismal cycle of rebellion, oppression, and repentance — repeatedly. The Israelites would forget about God and His commandments. […]

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Following the world’s way or the commandment of Jesus. by Stephen R. Clark When I was little, I had a shirt with a drawing of a skunk and the caption “I’m a little stinker!” Just now I’m realizing that my mother intentionally bought me that shirt. I guess she knew I was going to need […]

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by Sarah Schwerin My mom, a pastor’s wife, once told me a story about one of the many churches she and my dad served. Every week, the church held a dinner before the Wednesday evening service. The meal was simple but filling — hearty soups, sandwiches, and casseroles. When the church began hosting the meals, […]

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by Leslie Williams “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). In the bustling emergency room of a metropolitan hospital, Dr. Sarah Patterson moves swiftly between patients, her practiced hands bringing healing to bodies broken by accident, illness, or violence. But beyond the medical procedures and prescriptions, she carries something more […]

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