Tag Archives: mercy

Quick Thought – Thursday, May 14, 2026: Seventy Times Seven

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Forgiveness is easy to admire until we are the ones being asked to forgive.
In Matthew 18, Jesus tells the story of a servant forgiven an impossible debt who then refuses to show mercy over a small one.
“Seventy Times Seven” is a reminder that people who have received mercy are called to show mercy. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Wednesday, May 6, 2026: Grace Is Not Given Because We Earned It

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Canaanite woman did not come to Jesus claiming she deserved anything. She came in faith, believing that even the crumbs of His mercy were enough. God’s love is not offered because we are good enough. It is offered because He is good. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Thursday, March 26, 2026: Sin and its Consequences

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

A childhood memory of losing a horse became a lasting lesson: sincere regret does not always remove the consequences of neglected responsibility. Moses learned something similar when the Lord allowed him to see the Promised Land, but not enter it. 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 – Saturday, March 21, 2026: The Test None of Us Can Pass

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

No one has a clean record before God. If He kept score of every wrong answer, none of us could stand. But Psalm 130 reminds us that forgiveness, not failure, is what defines those who come to Him honestly. Continue reading →

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We’re All Lawbreakers (Even the Good Ones)

Posted on February 15, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Breaking the law isn’t as dramatic as we like to imagine. Sometimes it’s not a courtroom or handcuffs — it’s 56 in a 55, a forgotten seatbelt, or a song downloaded back in the Limewire days. When we remember how easily we’ve stepped over the line ourselves, it becomes harder to stand in judgment of others. Maybe the point isn’t perfection — maybe it’s humility. Continue reading →

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The Sunday Pour: The Fresh Bottle

Posted on January 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The New Year isn’t always about starting over. Sometimes it’s about rediscovering what’s been quietly waiting—preserved, not wasted—like a forgotten bottle tucked behind the rest. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Tuesday, November 11, 2025 – Lessons From Mom: Prisoners Need Love, Too

Posted on November 11, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

This is the 15th 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 Matthew 25:31-45 And when did we see you … Continue reading →

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The Sunday Pour: The Cork That Breaks

Posted on November 9, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

If you’ve ever gone to open a bottle and had the cork break instead of pop, you know the small frustration that follows. It isn’t tragic, but it’s irritating. You were expecting a clean moment, a neat pour, and instead … 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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