_{Blessed are they who have no
locks on their door.
~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky}

Reflect, Resonate, Reevaluate, Respond

Being salt and light demands two things: we practice purity in the midst of a fallen world and yet we live in proximity to this fallen world. If you don’t hold up both truths in tension, you invariably becomes useless and separated from the world God loves.
~ David Kinnaman, 1973- , president of Barna group, author, from unchristian

We should not ask, “What is wrong with the world?” for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, “What has happened to the salt and light?”
~ John Stott, 1921-2011, Anglican priest & theologian

Matthew 5:9-13

The men and women who are truly filled with the light are those who have gazed deeply into the darkness of their own imperfect existence.
~ Brennan Manning, from The Ragamuffin Gospel

I make it my rule, to lay hold of light and embrace it, wherever I see it, though held forth by a child or an enemy.
~ Jonathan Edwards, 1703-1758, theologian, philosopher

Yet even of [the souls as have the catholic faith and seem to have good works in the church of God], it is said, ‘Five are wise, and five are foolish.’
~ Augustine of Hippo, from The Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture

If you were accused of being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?
~ Anonymous

A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.
~ Bruce Lee, 1940-1973, martial artist, actor, filmmaker

^{Blessed are they
who have no locks on their door.
~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky}

Reflect, Resonate, Reevaluate, Respond

O the bliss of those who are always angry at the right time and never angry at the wrong time, who have every instinct, impulse and passion under control because they themselves are God-controlled, who have the humility to realize their own ignorance and their own weakness, for such people can indeed rule the world!
~ William Barclay, 1907-1978, Church of Scotland pastor & professor

Matthew 5:9-13

Scripture scholars contend that the original language of the Beatitudes should not be rendered as “Blessed are the single-hearted” or “Blessed are the peacemakers” or “Blessed are those who struggle for justice.” Greater precision in translation would say, “You’re in the right place if…you are single-hearted or work for peace.” The Beatitudes is not a spirituality, after all. It’s a geography. It tells us where to stand.”
~ Gregory Boyle, 1954- , founder and director of Homeboy Industries

Jesus does not limit the peacemaking to only one kind, and neither will his disciples. In the light of the gospel, Jesus himself is the supreme peacemaker, making peace between God and man, and man and man. Our peacemaking will include the promulgation of that gospel. It must also extend to seeking all kinds of reconciliation. Instead of delighting in division, bitterness, strife, or some petty “divide and conquer” mentality, disciples of Jesus delight to make peace wherever possible.
~ D.A. Carson, 1946- , distinguished New Testament scholar & theologian

I have found truly jubilant Christians only in the Bible, in the Underground Church and in prison.
~ Richard Wurmbrand, 1909-2001, Romanian Lutheran priest

At the Nicene Council, an important church meeting in the 4th century A.D., of the 318 delegates attending, fewer than 12 had not lost an eye or lost a hand or did not limp on a leg lamed by torture for their Christian faith.
~ Vance Havner, 1901-1986, revivalist preacher

Blessed are the peacemakers, and one sure way of peacemaking is to let the fire of contention alone. Neither fan it, nor stir it, nor add fuel to it, but let it go out by itself.
~ Charles Spurgeon, 1834-1892, ‘Prince of Preachers’