Yesterday was Palm Sunday. I have a box full of bamboo fronds that look like palms, but forgot to ask if a church needed them. For symbolic waving, of course. (If you know someone who could use dozens of decorative fronds, let me know.)
We have such odd bits of history combined in church culture. I wonder what Jesus, or Paul, or Peter, or Mary would have thought of today's views of saints, icons, holy days, people dressing up (or down) for church services, ostracism of those unlike a particular group of believers, and church buildings. Those are a few of the things the church has accumulated in two thousand years.
Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Don't neglect meeting together. Build each other up. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Love mercy. Act kindly. Walk humbly with our God.
What else does God ask of us? Really and truly, his expectations are not that complicated.
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*LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
--He who does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15 NIV
*As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV
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