No Abuse Policy

Valentine’s Day is coming soon. How good are you at showing love?


Sometimes we pat ourselves on the back for not committing adultery, and yet create primary relationships with work, sports, or even the internet, rather than our spouse. Are we really morally superior to anyone else? Unless you’re better than former president Jimmy Carter you are in no place to judge others.

Matthew 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus has a remarkable way of holding up a zero tolerance for anger, violence and betrayal while taking away our ability to sit in moralizing judgment of others. All are in need of the Grace of God. All are called to a life of perfection in love.

The challenge in this week’s worship is not to get lost in guilt and fear of punishment but to seek that “pathway of personal integrity which joins the inner and outer life. What we think about and our emotional lives shape how we act. Small things – like anger – are in a continuum with dangerous actions such as murder. Jesus is not denying our emotional life or personal attractions, or asking us to repress our feelings, but reminding us that we need to educate our emotions and thoughts – that what we feel and think has an impact on our overall well-being. Integrity involves the integration of the inner and outer life in ways that are life-giving for us and others. We can experience a healing of memories, emotions, and thoughts that enable us to move from alienation to reconciliation and learn to live by love and not fear.” (Bruce Epperly)