Today's Devotion: 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 5:11-12)

These words of Jesus apply, even today. These are words that confirm that righteousness flows from within, not from just obeying rules and regulations. There is conflict between Christians and the world, and that conflict shows up in the persecution of Christians by the rest of the world. Our path, in other words, is not devoid of potholes and pitfalls.

Today's Comments: This is the first day of my return to this blog since before my ordination to Deacon, which took place on January 24th. I have finished school, and now I am embarked on another career--- one of serving the Lord. Even now, there are some that would like to see me brought down--- they include at least one chaplain in the State Military Reserve who does not think that an Episcopal Deacon deserves to carry the title of "chaplain." Persecution can come from both outside and inside our circle of friends and acquaintances. Yet, when things go wrong, we should not not seek revenge on our own. Instead, we should trust in the Lord, for without Him we are nothing, but with Him, we are everything.