ponderUpon...

Jesus watched rich people put their money into what we would call the offering. He also watched a poor widow put money into the offering as well. I want to point out two things. Even though the rich people's money was worth more it was worthless to them thus having no meaning. The widow merely put in about a penny, whose worth is less than the rich people's yet more. It meant something great to her because it represented her livelihood here on earth. The rich people's donations were meaningless to them because they had it in abundance so it was no real sacrifice. The widow's heart was in the place where it should be, in a humble state. She knew it wouldn't garner any attention from the people but she didn't give offering for attention because then it's not really giving. It's expecting to receive (attention). The fascinating thing is Jesus (the most important out of all) noticed & discussed what she did with the disciples & told them there is a l...

In my previous blog post,  Citizen One , I discussed individuality; how we are a breathing, living, loving person existing in this world. How we are unique yet united through this bond we share, this bond of citizenry. To clarify exactly what citizen means (I'm sure we all know but just for clarification) here is the definition: a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection. This comes straight from dictionary.com. Now this definition fits perfect with being a Christian and in fact just being a person in general. With the change of a few things it goes like this: a native member of the Kingdom of God who owes allegiance to God and is given protection by Him. That is being a citizen of God. A citizen is not meant to be alone though, the Kingdom of God is not meant to be empty. That is why we are all citizens of His Kingdom in Heaven (eventually) but also right now here on this earth -rememb...

Socrates (a Greek Athenian philosopher) said, "I am not an Athenian, nor a Greek, but a citizen of the world." What words come to your mind regarding this quote? The word that I think of is united . I am a citizen of the world that God created. What is meant by this, is we are one central people. The children of God. So being fellow citizens of this world it is our duty to love one another and have respect for each other. I remember reading in one of my History textbooks this idea of citizen virtue, where the people put aside their individual differences for the good of the whole. So they could be a stronger people, more united. In putting away their differences their strengths were highlighted making for an overall better community. How can we do this and how does it apply to being a good Christian for God? I see it as trying (with the Holy Spirit's help) to live with people as peaceably as possible (which is pleasing in the Lord's eyes). With each day bri...