The Pilgrim Path---John 17: 14, 15 

"I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one."

These verses needed to percolate within me via Sunday School (A Time for Confidence). Augustine was dealing with the collapse of the Roman Empire. Culture--- as he knew it, in a downward spiral. You always have to go to God and His Word. In a shaking world, you cannot rest upon sand. In the world---you cannot look to the world. The Living Christ is our Guide. I always think of the Star Trek series--- and Captain Kirk. He would connect with Scotty (while on some odd planet) and tell him, "beam me up". The Lord Jesus mentions that He did not tell the Father to, "beam us up---but to keep us from the evil one." We are "here" for the Lord. We are here as, "Salt and Light." We are Ambassadors for Him (II Corinthians 5).

Augustine said in his great work, The City of God---as Christians, we are, civitas peregrina=meaning, "other worldly in this world." We are here for the God-Man Jesus, and His Kingdom. We are, "resident aliens," for The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth---this is how we view our lives here. This is how we do our work---raise our children---approach our neighbors---do justice---build community---build cities---deal with each other---live life...The World does not "set" our agenda---God already has---in His Holy Word.

"Others may take whatever course they desire, but let us take this course: to draw near to God. A man's sanctified soul does not delight in the times, currents and opinions of the age. He does not seek the course rising to preferment, the getting of riches, or the attaining of an imaginary present happiness (Phil. 3: 18-19). He has other thoughts and opinions. The Spirit of God boils in him to live contrary to this world." Richard Sibbes

Life is very short---spend it for Christ...

"We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Grace & Peace in Jesus Christ our LORD, Pastor Jason