Blessed Are The Peacemakers

  That There Be No Poor Among Us Tithing as a Divine Invitation Learning Equality Among Us Local fellowships are where we’re meant to practice equality—not in theory, but in lived, relational ways through sacrifice, consecration, and care for one another. We’re cautioned against creating hierarchies or centralized systems of distribution. The Lord’s instructions in T&C 175 are specific: “The relief of the poor among you refers to the poor among the individual fellowship. If there are no poor among you, then excess donations should go to the temple, but they can be shared as your fellowship determines by common consent.” This places responsibility at the most personal level—within communities where people know and are known. Each fellowship must discern its own needs and respond with love and sacrifice. If no poor are found among them, excess can be redirected to the temple or elsewhere, but only by common consent, ensuring that generosity remains grou...

  Spiritual Maturity Begins Where Blame Ends There is a powerful archetype that shows up in almost every human life at one point or another. It’s familiar, seductive, and incredibly persistent. You may not recognize it at first, because it doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it whispers, other times it weeps. But it always centers around one repeating idea: “This is happening to me, and I’m powerless to change it.” That’s the voice of the Victim archetype . Understanding the Victim Archetype The Victim isn’t just someone who’s been hurt—it’s a role we unconsciously adopt when we begin to believe that our worth, happiness, or peace lies in the hands of someone else. This archetype thrives on blame, powerlessness, and the need to be validated by others. It’s a survival pattern, often rooted in real pain, but over time it becomes a cage. Signs of the Victim archetype include: Frequently feeling misunderstood or mistreated ...

  Come Boldly: The Throne Awaits There’s a subtle trap in spiritual communities, one that’s rarely named but deeply felt: the belief that righteousness is contagious. That if we get close enough to someone “approved by God”—a charismatic leader, an eloquent speaker, a seemingly holy figure—their favor might rub off on us. It’s an ancient impulse, like touching a prophet’s cloak, hoping their connection to God will bridge the gap for us. But this is a dangerous illusion, rooted in unbelief. An Invitation I Didn’t Take I once had a dream that’s stayed with me for over almost two decades. I was at a friend’s house, and a crowd had gathered around her wood-burning stove. Curious, I went over and realized people were pulling up chairs to listen to a man speaking beside it. As soon as I saw Him, I knew—it was Jesus. We locked eyes, and in that instant, I knew that He knew I recognized Him. There was a spot close to Him—open, waiting—but I was too afraid to take it. I was scared ...

A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall: A Reflection on Dylan’s Prophetic Lyrics Today, our firstborn turns thirty—the one who made us parents, our cherished blue-eyed son. As the eldest, he carved the path for our family, guiding us into parenthood with his boundless spirit. Though he’s grown into a man of strength and character, in our hearts, he remains the boy who first taught us a love beyond words. It feels especially fitting to share this today, as Dylan’s haunting refrain begins with a question to a “blue-eyed son.” This isn’t mere poetry—it echoes deeply within us. The imagery of journeying through sorrow and hope, of grappling with hard questions and seeking divine answers, mirrors the road we’ve traveled as a family—and the path our son, our trailblazer, has illuminated by his very being. Though written in a time of political upheaval, the imagery of this song stretches far beyond any single era. I believe Dylan tapped into something eternal—perhaps without fully realizing it. His q...

Honest Observations & Questions I’ve wrestled with whether to share my perspective on the recent women’s conference regarding the council’s process, but my desire for truth and open dialogue compels me to speak. I’m frustrated by rumors and misinformation that have hurt people I care about, and I believe we can do better as a covenant community. What follows is my experience, based on careful study and conversations, offered with humility and an open heart. I invite anyone with additional information or a different view to join me in seeking truth together, as I’m committed to listening and learning. I debated whether to use names, but ultimately, my desire is reconciliation, and I don’t want to cause more offense than my observations and experience may already provoke. For full disclosure, my drive to stand up for the underdog may have roots that go way back. In sixth grade, there was a girl in my class who was bullied by the other children. She wore old, dirty clothes, her hair w...

  🕊 Now Is the Time: Laying Down the Past, Letting Go of the Future, and Laboring in Love "What have you learned? What ought you to have learned?" These words from the Lord are not just gentle — they’re surgical. This parable, given in 2018, now takes on fresh weight in the aftermath of the division, heartache, and confusion surrounding the April 12 women’s conference and the events tied to it. And maybe — just maybe — it was given in advance for this very kind of situation. Let’s walk through it again, together. 💭 A Word on These Three Roles Before we begin, a clarification: the three types described in this parable — stone carriers, tool-holders, and clay builders — are not fixed groups or labels. They don’t correspond to specific roles like “council member,” “conference organizer,” or “supporter.” In fact, a single woman could have occupied all three roles at different times throughout this process. I know I may have. This reflection isn’t about assigning bl...