In today's scripture reading, Paul proclaims, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16a). Since becoming a Christian, Paul had dealt with a lot...and I mean a lot. In 2 Corinthians 11, he recounts, "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the op

In Matthew 5:22, Jesus says, "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment...But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire." In today's world this may be a startling statement, considering how quickly and often demeaning words are thrown around. Maybe your parents or spouse upsets you, or someone cuts you off on the highway. I know I've been cut off a lot recently. How quickly do we mutter or blurt