Ministry principles:

Never do something on your own that you can do with somebody else.

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You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings.

2 Timothy 3:10-11

I found this funny.

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For Christ's love compels us.

2 Corinthians 5:14

We are not forgiven by all.

We have been forgiven by God in Christ Jesus, yet for some it can remain so defeating to know that they may never be forgiven by people they've deeply sinned against.

This is the damaging reality of sin, yet it also teaches us the immense beauty of forgiveness, grace and mercy.

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Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.

Psalm 32:1-2

Imagine wearing leaves.

After committing the sin which brought about the Fall, shame was thrusted into humanity. Nakedness was no longer without shame between Adam and Eve. They became helpless, scrambling for fig leaves in a desperate yet futile attempt to cover their nakedness.

Despite their rebellion, God showed incredible mercy and grace by clothing their nakedness and shame.

A few reflections:

• Humankind remains the only created order which experiences shame from nakedness. This is one of many characteristics that separates us profoundly from the animals.
• Regressing back to nakedness does not annul our shame. Rather, it would be an act of rebellion against the judgement God has instituted in clothing—nudity points to our shame, not to our freedom from it.
• This incredible act of grace pointed forward to the day when God would decisively and permanently deal with our shame. The cost would be immense — it would require the death of his one and only beloved Son. Yet he will not only cover our sin and shame but will also clothe us with glory and honour and power.

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For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Galatians 3:27

Insights indebted to John Piper