The Keener Way

  A couple weeks ago now, I had the opportunity to do some urban exploring in our nation's capitol. This was not my first time visiting DC, but it was only my second, and the first time had been multiple years ago. I could visit more often. Its not like I don't only live ninety minutes away. But other than visiting a couple very specific museums, I'm not sure I really like the idea of spending much time there. Especially after this last visit. Now, the above photo is not mine. I got it off the internet. But I wanted a good, clear shot of the Lincoln Memorial. Cuz here's the thing. I'm not gonna go on a rant about our nations founders and the weird and creepy cultish things some of them may or may not have been involved in. But someone, somewhere along the way, had some really weird and creepy fantasies in their heads. For starters, the Lincoln Memorial, dedicated in 1922, is exactly a Greek temple. In an era of prohibition of alcohol, Billy Sunday evangelism, and wo

  In continuing with Yeshua's Sermon on the Mount, we're going to spice things up a bit. Rather than looking at one verse, we're going to hit three. Or at least start and see if we get that far. "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:7-9, BSB In the Roman Empire that ruled during Yeshua's lifetime. mercy was a sign of weakness. Even in the Greek Empire, it was not seen as a virtue. The respected virtues were strength and power, not kindness. Yet Jewish and Christian cultures dared to be counter-culture. They pushed the view that mercy was an attribute of the divine. Indeed, a core attribute. For as the prophet Micah declared, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy , and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8, BSB But here, in Hi