I have benefited greatly from the community that has sprung up in my blog world. I love the comments and discussion that takes place here. However, I know that often I give rather than take.
I made the commitment that I would comment more on other blogs to spread the discussion elsewhere. But one thing I have noticed is that using an RSS reader, although time-saving, limits my comment frequency.
As a result I am making some changes to my link section. Those who blog frequently (can’t stress that enough) and are a part of the discussion here I am in the process of adding to my “community.” If you are not on there and would like to be a part of my “discussion family” let me know and I’ll add you. I’m not done because blogger is being finicky today so don’t be alarmed if I haven’t added you yet (and for the life of me I don’t understand why people use blogger instead of wordpress but that’s a different subject).
Here’s to continuing the discussion.

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Our study this week is in the book of Philemon. By now, most of us know the story of Paul’s call to mercy and grace for the runaway slave, Onesimus.
But what jumped out at me this week was Paul’s greeting to Philemon. Paul greets him by extolling his faith and love. He even goes so far to say that “the hearts of the saints have been refreshed” because of the love of Philemon.

But wait, he’s a slave-holder. Now, I don’t know about you but owning a slave is fairly high up on my moral reprehensibility chart. It’s up there with murder and blue-tooth in my book.
But Paul doesn’t define him as a slave-owner. Instead he views Philemon with all of his faults as his “beloved fellow worker.”
How often do we define people based upon their worst moments or greatest sins? How often is the way we look at people determined by their weakness or shortcomings.
But that is not the way of Christ. And Paul gets that.
So should we.