The Defining Characteristic of Christianity

As Christians we cannot ask ‘What must I do...?’ We must ask ‘What must I be...?’”

Fruitful Christianity comes from the inside out – from who we are – not from what we do. It is the inside that must first be changed, and then the heart will give birth to healthy, genuine expressions. For example, a shortsighted question asks, “What can I do to show love to my controlling, self-absorbed sister?” Would it not be better to actually love her? The first approach is concerned with outside appearances – the second is based on what is actually in the heart, and will have far greater impact. At issue is not the appearance of love, but actually having it.

Pray for these families

The mother of 9 in this picture is nursing her 3 week old baby. Her family and many others lost their homes and family members to a deadly tornado in Alabama last week. Her story can be seen on her blog. Love in action is being demonstrated as the body of Christ works together to meet the needs of the victims.

You can help! There are links posted to donate to the relief effort.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

(Gal. 6:2)

One thing that stood out to me was that the young man in the second video clip mentioned how his dad didn't have to go in to work that day, so it was a blessing that they got to spend his last day on earth working on projects around the house as a family. Surely all the work done was lost that day, but the time spent together was not. When life on earth has ended, only what is done for Him will last. Jesus was all about relationships, both with God and with one another. Let's look to Him as our pattern as we seek to build relationships with eternal significance.