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Going to Samaria

How Jesus called me (and you) to embrace society's outcasts.

When my wife and I were first married, she had a heart for ministry with kids in jail. I thought it was a nice thing, and I certainly wouldn't want to interfere with her "call" from God. But I was not interested in wasting my time on such kids. These kids, after all weren't just disadvantaged, they were the ones who took advantage of others.

I had grown up in a community where the tracks were plainly marked. And it was clear to me that most of the problems in our community came from those on the other side. I had also been jumped enough times by that same band of hoodlums during my growing up years, that while I wouldn't discourage my wife from ministering to them - as long as she was careful - it wasn't where I was going to waste my efforts.

I had some internal boundaries. And over time, I was forced to face them.

Jesus addresses those boundaries in Acts 1:8.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses ...

March
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