Tag Archives: compassion

Career Plan? I’m Still Waiting for the Final Draft

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I’ve had four or five career plans by now, depending on how generously we define “plan.” Teaching is the current one, writing is the dream one, and a few letters from former students reminded me this week that the work still matters. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Sunday, March 22, 2026: Mercy at the Tax Table (Fifth Sunday in Lent)

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Jesus did not choose Matthew because he was admired, respected, or morally impressive. He chose him while he was still sitting at the tax table, surrounded by the very things that made others despise him. That is the beauty of grace: Christ calls people before they have cleaned themselves up, and His mercy changes them from the inside out. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Tuesday, February 24, 2026: Behavior vs. Belief

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Read Psalm 14 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1a Reflect If you’re reading this (and there’s a good chance that right now, you are), you’re probably either a believer in God or else you’re … Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Monday, January 12, 2026: Love Your Enemies

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Read Acts 9:1-19 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Acts … Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Sunday, November 2, 2025 – Lessons From Mom: That’s Somebody’s Baby

Posted on November 2, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

This is the seventh of 25 special reflections based on lessons I learned from my mother. These will run from my birthday on October 27 until her birthday on November 20. Read Zechariah 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render … Continue reading →

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What Makes a Good Neighbor? Ask the Good Samaritan?

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

What makes a good neighbor? If I ever started a church of my own, I already know what I’d call it: The Church of the Good Samaritan. That parable, the one Jesus told in response to the question “And who … Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Sunday, July 13, 2025: Making a Lasting Difference

Posted on July 13, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Read 1 Timothy 6:11-19 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share… 1 Timothy 6:18 Reflect It was like nothing I had ever seen — that anyone had ever seen. … Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Monday, June 23, 2025: Somebody’s Wallace

Posted on June 23, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Read 1 John 3:11-24 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18 Reflect There are so many stories about Abraham Lincoln that it’s hard to tell what’s truth and what’s fiction. … Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Sunday, February 23, 2025: Behavior vs. Belief

Posted on February 23, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Read Psalm 14 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”Psalm 14:1a Reflect If you’re reading this (and there’s a good chance that right now, you are), you’re probably either a believer in God or else you’re curious … Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Sunday, January 12, 2025: Love Your Enemies

Posted on January 12, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Read Acts 9:1-19 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Acts … Continue reading →

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