A summary/paraphrase of the Sermon on the Mount from Brian McLaren:
"Be among the lowly in spirit, remain sensitive to pain and loss, live in the power of gentleness, hunger and thirst for true righteousness, show mercy to everyone rather than harshness, don't hide hypocrisy or duplicity in your heart, work for peace, be willing to joyfully suffer persecution and insult for doing what is right.
Dare to be a nonconformist by being boldly different, like salt and light in the world. Demonstrate your differentness through works of generosity and beauty.
Reject both mindless conformity to tradition and rebellious rejection of it. Instead, discern the true intent of tradition and pursue that intent into new territory.
Never hate, hold grudges, or indulge in anger, but instead, aim to be the first to reach out a hand in reconciliation.
Do not nurture secret fantasies to be sexually unfaithful to your spouse. Insure fidelity by monitoring your desires-- the way you see (symbolized by the eye) and grasp (symbolized by the hand) for pleasure. And do not settle for maintaining the appearance of legality and propriety, aspire to true fidelity in your heart.
Avoid "word inflation" when making vows. Instead, practice clear, straight speech, so simple words like yes and no retain their full value.
Reject revenge. Instead, pursue creative and nonviolent ways to overcome wrongs done to you.
Love your enemies as well as your friends, and so imitate God's big, generous heart for all creatures.
Cultivate a hidden life of goodness by giving to the poor, praying and fasting secretly.
Pray in secret through four movements of your heart. First, orient yourself toward a caring yet mysterious God. Second, align your desires with God's great desire for a just and compassionate world. Third, bring to God your needs and concerns-- both physical and spiritual. Finally, prepare to reenter the public world of temptation and oppression, trusting God to guide you and strengthen you.
Remember that God isn't setting up a forgiveness market but is building a whole forgiveness economy.
Don't let greed cloud your outlook on life, but store up true wealth by investing in a growing portfolio of generosity and kindness.
Be especial vigilant about money becoming your slave master.
Don't let anxiety run and ruin your life, but instead trust yourself to God's gracious and perennial care, and seek first and foremost to build the just and generous society that would fulfill God's best dreams for humanity.
Don't develop a short eye for the faults and failings of others, but instead first work on your own blindness to your own faults and failures.
Don't push on people treasures they are not ready for or can't yet appreciate the value of.
Go to God with all your needs, and don't be discouraged if you face long days. Remember that God loves you as a faithful, caring parent and will come through in due time.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Realize that aliveness includes tough choices, and that thriving includes suffering.
Don't be mislead by religious talk; what founds is actually living by Jesus' teaching.
So many of these things resonated with me today and I thought you would appreciate reading them too....
continuing to pray for you all as you grieve and try to support each other and Christine through this pain... (Bill, your tribute to Elliott was absolutely beautiful)...
"Be among the lowly in spirit, remain sensitive to pain and loss, live in the power of gentleness, hunger and thirst for true righteousness, show mercy to everyone rather than harshness, don't hide hypocrisy or duplicity in your heart, work for peace, be willing to joyfully suffer persecution and insult for doing what is right.
Dare to be a nonconformist by being boldly different, like salt and light in the world. Demonstrate your differentness through works of generosity and beauty.
Reject both mindless conformity to tradition and rebellious rejection of it. Instead, discern the true intent of tradition and pursue that intent into new territory.
Never hate, hold grudges, or indulge in anger, but instead, aim to be the first to reach out a hand in reconciliation.
Do not nurture secret fantasies to be sexually unfaithful to your spouse. Insure fidelity by monitoring your desires-- the way you see (symbolized by the eye) and grasp (symbolized by the hand) for pleasure. And do not settle for maintaining the appearance of legality and propriety, aspire to true fidelity in your heart.
Avoid "word inflation" when making vows. Instead, practice clear, straight speech, so simple words like yes and no retain their full value.
Reject revenge. Instead, pursue creative and nonviolent ways to overcome wrongs done to you.
Love your enemies as well as your friends, and so imitate God's big, generous heart for all creatures.
Cultivate a hidden life of goodness by giving to the poor, praying and fasting secretly.
Pray in secret through four movements of your heart. First, orient yourself toward a caring yet mysterious God. Second, align your desires with God's great desire for a just and compassionate world. Third, bring to God your needs and concerns-- both physical and spiritual. Finally, prepare to reenter the public world of temptation and oppression, trusting God to guide you and strengthen you.
Remember that God isn't setting up a forgiveness market but is building a whole forgiveness economy.
Don't let greed cloud your outlook on life, but store up true wealth by investing in a growing portfolio of generosity and kindness.
Be especial vigilant about money becoming your slave master.
Don't let anxiety run and ruin your life, but instead trust yourself to God's gracious and perennial care, and seek first and foremost to build the just and generous society that would fulfill God's best dreams for humanity.
Don't develop a short eye for the faults and failings of others, but instead first work on your own blindness to your own faults and failures.
Don't push on people treasures they are not ready for or can't yet appreciate the value of.
Go to God with all your needs, and don't be discouraged if you face long days. Remember that God loves you as a faithful, caring parent and will come through in due time.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Realize that aliveness includes tough choices, and that thriving includes suffering.
Don't be mislead by religious talk; what founds is actually living by Jesus' teaching.
So many of these things resonated with me today and I thought you would appreciate reading them too....
continuing to pray for you all as you grieve and try to support each other and Christine through this pain... (Bill, your tribute to Elliott was absolutely beautiful)...
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