{faith} Matthew 23

"The Pharisees and the scribes occupy the seat of Moses. So you should do the things they tell you to do -- but don't do the things they do. Mind their words, not their examples. For they talk about righteousness and faithfulness, but they are a faithless and unrighteous crew. They heap heavy burdens upon their neighbor's backs, and they prove unwilling to do anything to help shoulder the load.[...]

If you are recognized at all, let it be for your service. Delight in the one who calls you servant. Delight in the one who does not notice at all. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, you teachers of the law and Pharisees. There is such a gulf between what you say and what you do. There is such a gulch between the beauty of the sacred Scripture you claim to love and the shape of your daily lives. You will stand before a crowd and lock the door of the kingdom of heaven right in front of everyone; you won't enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from doing so." Matthew 23: 2-12 {sections} The Voice

reflections: 

 :: I want to line up the way 

I live with what I believe to be important ::

:: I don't want to judge people's

 motives and then leave them

 without any help or hope for the future ::

:: I want to help first, even if I

 think they might not deserve it ::

 :: I want to be content in

 serving even without

 recognition or obvious results ::

:: I want to lift others' burdens
and pray for my neighbors :: 

:: I want to wear the servant-hood of
being a mother like a beautiful garment ::

"Let everything I do

Open up the door for

You to come through

That my heart would

Be a place where

You want to be"

Women of Faith