JFlah's Blunders

Mercy. It’s such a strange un-human concept. At our base level, no human has a knee-jerk reaction that is merciful unless there is an outside force acting upon our naturally self-centered minds. If we don’t immediately jump to revenge-mode it’s likely because of two things: We are concerned about how society (read “friends or family”) will view our actions (so we reign in our desire to exact revenge or lessen our reaction to the wrong.) We extend mercy as an out-flow of something deeper, purer – namely a relationship with the God of the universe, leaving room for God’s judgment. ( Romans 12:9 ) God sent His perfect Son to live a sinless life, be obedient to the point of shedding His blood and death, then to rise bodily from the grave – providing hope of eternal life. Through Christ’s sinless life, death, and subsequent resurrection, the penalty for sin ( death ) was satiated and God freely offers mercy to us despite our sinful rebellion. (...

Bulletin front for March 16.  I saw this verse designed by someone else and thought I'd do one myself since we didn't get a sermon title on time to make it into the bulletin this week. Made background from several different photographs and a few filters. Enjoyed choosing fonts for this, though the more I worked on it the more I realized I need to start brushing up those skills. Here's another one from a week or two ago:

poem by Jennifer Fleming 2014 dark too dark i stick trembling hands out - they came back bloody last time do i dare hope? does hope even exist? a spark! the instant i dare believe in the possibility of hope, a light - just a pin prick of hope grows banishing the pitch blackness of despair - of death to shine boldly, illuminating the Way, the Truth, the Life i cringe hands tight against burning eyes i don't want to see how dirty i am, how incapable  of saving myself from the darkness but despite searing pain that light of Truth brings after such a long time in this self imposed darkness , I peek through gaps in my fingers - daring to focus on the face of Truth He smiles - stretches His scarred hand for mine the excruciating pain of seeing myself as He must see me - dirty, helpless, false - He forgives , breathes life where death once reside i gasp, taking in the first real breath my heart pumps life - abundant life though once i was dead, now i ...