The Sermon on the Mount: a powerful message that is often misquoted and misunderstood

The Sermon on the Mount, featured in Matthew 5-7, is a message of love, compassion, and selflessness. Teaching over several days, Jesus encourages his listeners to love their enemies, to forgive others and to care for the poor. Beginning in Matthew 5 with the Beatitudes, which offer guidance on how to live a blessed life pleasing to God, the Sermon on the Mount was a radical teaching. It is a call to live wholeheartedly for God through faith not just the external actions of keeping the law. It is not just a list of rules to follow but a call to live under grace and experience the blessings and rewards of a Christ-like life. It is a call to make a difference in the world. It is taught and quoted often. However, verses of the Sermon of the Mount contain some of the most misquoted and misunderstood passages. From anger and lust, to prayer and the most famously misquoted and misunderstood, judge not. 

Anger and Lust, two sins that begin in the mind before leading to sinful actions. Jesus discusses anger in Matthew 5:21-27 with the bold statement that anyone who hates his brother will face judgment just as someone who murders another will face judgment (Matthew 5:21-22). Anger is a sin as it violates God’s command to love. It is the seething, burning anger. It is the brooding anger that builds resentment and bitterness. The anger may be justified; however, harboring it in our hearts and minds can lead to damaging effects. While anger may be justified, we are not to harbor it in our hearts as it can control us instead of us controlling it. Jesus tells us to reconcile with those who anger us (Matthew 5:23-24). After discussing anger, Jesus immediately jumps to lust. Telling his audience that anyone who lusts after another has already committed adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:28). The desire or the thought of possible sex with someone who isn’t your spouse is sinful. To be truly faithful is to be faithful in body and mind. Wrong desires can lead to wrong actions which damages our relationship with God and with others. When Jesus says it is better to lose a part of your body than to be thrown in hell (Matthew 5:29). He is speaking figuratively. It is better to experience the pain of removing the habit or the desire for sin than allow the sin to bring judgment on our souls. 

In Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus teaches on prayer. Right off the bat, Jesus tells us not to be like the hypocrites and make prayer a big show (verse 5). The essence of prayer is a private communication with God, not a public declaration. There is a place for public prayer, however, do not pray simply for others to notice you. This type of prayer indicates that people are your intended audience and not God. Everyone is familiar with the Lord’s Prayer (verses 9-13). It is an example of how we can pattern our prayers. First, praying for God’s work in the world (verse 10), is not a resignation to fate but for the accomplishment of His perfect purpose in this world and in heaven. Second, praying for our daily needs (verse 11) acknowledges God as the provider and sustainer of our daily lives. Lastly, praying for God’s help in our daily struggles (verse 12-13) as we seek forgiveness and deal with temptations. Asking Him to “lead us not into temptation,” is asking God to help us recognize our temptations and the strength to overcome them. In verses 14-15, Jesus gives a firm warning: be unforgiving to others and God will be unforgiving to you. By denying forgiveness, we are denying the common ground that all sinners need God’s forgiveness. And a spirit of unforgiveness often hurts us more than the person sinned against us. As it builds a spirit of anger and bitterness. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting. It means letting go. 

Many people quote Matthew 7:1, focusing on three words of verse 1, “Do not judge,” and claim “you can’t judge me” and yet ignores the rest of the verses. Jesus tells us that we will be judged in the same manner that we judge others (verse 2-3). He is speaking to those who judge with hypocrisy. Don’t judge someone’s sinful nature while ignoring your own sins. We are to fix our own sins before judging and confronting others (verses 3-5). “Do not judge” is against the hypocritical attitude that divides instead of forgives and unites. It is not a blanket statement against all judgment. It is a call to be discerning rather than negative. To be discerning is to have or show good judgment. For example, first, examining Bible teachers and calling out the false ones (Matthew 7:15-20). Second, trusting God to be the final judge (1 Corinthians 4:3-5). While we may be justified in our judgment, correcting our brothers and sisters in Christ, however, we only know in part. God knows in full. We need to trust Him to be Judge. Lastly, correcting someone in love. In 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Paul instructs us to be kind, gentle and teach or correct without resentment and in hope that God will lead others to repent with the knowledge of the truth. Truth from a friend, while hurtful, is better than an enemy who lets us live in sin (Proverbs 27:5-6). So, judge without hypocrisy and correct in love. 

In conclusion, there is so much in the Sermon on the Mount that I wasn’t able to cover. It is an important message to Christians, to focus on love, compassion and selflessness. A message that heartfelt observance is more important than a legalistic observance. Anger and lust are powerful feelings. Beginning in the mind, unchecked, can lead to sin. Prayer is the most important communication method with God. While public prayer is acceptable, remember you are speaking to God, a holy activity, not a method to get attention from others. Prayers don’t have to be fancy or repeated like the Lord’s Prayer. Praying with a sincere heart is more important than the words being said. While the most quoted, the “Do not judge” section of the Sermon on the Mount is also the most misunderstood. We are to judge with love and the right motive. Judge is to correct someone and bring them back to God from the sin in their lives. 

The Trouble with #9: a spicy sports romance

The Trouble with #9 by Piper Rayne is the second book in the Hockey Hotties series. Trouble with a capital T describes Maksim Petrov. As the Florida Fury’s enforcer, it is his job. He protects and watches out for his teammates, one and off the ice. As his time in the penalty box increases, the team owner isn’t happy and orders Maksim to therapy. To make matters worse, the team therapist is the woman he kissed on New Year’s Eve and talking about his feelings isn’t the thing he wants to do with her. Paisley Pearce is just trying to get through the mandated three sessions with Maksim; however, he is making it difficult and she is losing the battle against her own attraction. As their professional relationship ends, they pursue a more personal one. As their relationship heats up, Maksim’s family makes a request that forces him to make a choice: follow his heart or follow his family’s request. 

The Trouble with #9 picks up right where My Lucky #13 ended. Filled with flirty moments, spicy love scenes and even deep emotional moments, The Trouble with #9 is a fast paced romance with great characters. Maksim feels he needs his pain and anger to play his role as enforcer on the ice. Paisley has her own hurts and wounds as she believes she isn’t good enough for Maksim. When they get together, they find more than just a way to release the sexual tension, but a deeper emotional connection. Even though I am not a hockey fan, I enjoyed the shop talk and the interaction between the players. Overall, I loved this book. I read late into the night as I could not put it down and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I also enjoyed the hint into the next book of the series. If you enjoy sports romances, I highly recommend The Trouble with #9. 

The Trouble with #9 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Moonflowers: a mysterious family history in a small Appalachian town

The Moonflowers by Abigail Rose-Marie is a story about one woman’s journey to unravel her mysterious family history and the dark hidden history in one small town. Tig Costello arrives in Darren, Kentucky as part of the celebration honoring her late grandfather, Benjamin. His contributions to the town and his honorable war service has made him a local hero. As an artist, Tig is commissioned to paint his portrait but he is relatively unknown to her. In order to discover more about him, Tig seeks out the one person still alive who knew him. Eloise Price, the woman who murdered him fifty years ago and confined to a state mental institution. Eloise agrees to tell her stories. About herself, Tig’s grandmother, and the other brave women through Benjamin’s orbit. She reveals secrets of Whitmore Halls, the silent mansion on the hill, that lead to the day that would change Eloise’s life forever.

With its beautiful cover and its premise of a “powerful and poignant novel,” I was ready to read a story of past and present coming together for healing. What I got was a very slow moving story which seemed to be all over the place with no direction. The story was very hard to get into and I could not connect with Tig, Eloise or any of the other characters of this small town. By the end, it became a heavy handed discourse on the importance of abortion and how it saves lives. Even with the topic of abortion, which is hidden and revealed as if a plot twist, the story dragged that I did not care why Eloise killed Benjamin or what painful past Tig is running from. I was just glad the book was over. Overall, I did not enjoy this story and I do not recommend The Moonflowers. 

The Moonflowers is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder: a young adult mystery thriller

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is the first book in the Good Girl’s Guide to Murder trilogy. In the small town of Fairview, Connecticut, everyone knows the story. Andie Bell, the pretty and popular high school senior, disappeared and was believed to be murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh, who then killed himself after confessing to the crime. It is a story everyone still talks about and it haunts the town. For a senior project, Pippa Fitz-Amobi decides to reexamine the case, to cast doubt on the original investigation and the accepted narrative. She knew Sal as a child and she can’t shake the feeling that he did not kill Andie. As she begins to question the people who knew Andie and Sal, she finds clues of darker secrets and proof that Sal is actually innocent. However, someone in Fairview doesn’t want Pip digging around as the threatening notes begin. Could her own life be in danger? 

I have seen A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder on social media for a while and it wasn’t until my preteen daughter was interested in reading the book and Netflix's new series that I decided to give it a try. Popular BookTok books have been hit and miss for me but I enjoy young adult books and mystery thrillers. I also wanted to read the book before checking out the series. I loved Pippa and her determination to cast a shadow on the accepted story. She was smart and intuitive. There were plenty of suspects and people who had secrets to hide. The twists and turns kept me guessing and the revelations at the end were unexpected but looking back on the clues, the hints were there. I enjoyed this story so much that I will be continuing the trilogy. If you enjoy young adult stories and mystery thrillers, you will enjoy this story. I highly recommend A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. 

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Forever and Ever, Amen: the heartwarming stories behind some of the greatest songs in country music

Forever and Ever, Amen: The Heart-Warming Stories Behind the Music of Paul Overstreet by Paul Overstreet with a foreword by Randy Travis. Paul Overstreet, a humble songwriter, chose to write songs that affirm family, the joys of marriage and faith. He would change the face of modern day country music as he no longer wanted to write about misery or “love gone wrong” songs. His songs would end becoming big hits for artists like Randy Travis (Forever and Ever, Amen, On The Other Hand), Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss (When You Say Nothing at All) and the Judds (Love Can Build a Bridge) and many, many more. Featuring the story behind the writing of some of his biggest hits, as well as personal testaments to the impact on the songs had the audiences who wrote about the influence his words had on them. 

Paul Overstreet’s success is in the power of a simple song. I loved reading about the story behind his lyrics as well as the letters from audiences about the impact his words had on their lives. I was reminded about the great music Mr Overstreet wrote for country music as well as songs I did not know he wrote. As I read about each song, I quickly went to my music app to add my favorites to my playlist. Forever and Ever, Amen is a quick read as readers will be drawn into the simple story of a simple man bringing beautiful songs to the world. It is not a complicated book. Just a man discussing his life, his faith and his inspiration behind some of the greatest love songs in country music. If you love country music or inspirational stories, I highly, highly recommend Forever and Ever, Amen. 

Forever and Ever, Amen is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Wild, Beautiful and Free: a poorly executed retelling of Jane Eyre

Wild, Beautiful and Free by Sophfronia Scott is the story of one woman’s journey. Born the daughter of an enslaved woman and a Louisiana plantation owner, Jeannette Bebinn, is raised with her white half sister. When her father suddenly dies, she finds herself on her own at twelve years old. She is denied her inheritance by his vindictive wife and sold into slavery. All on her own, away from everything and everyone she knows. Jeannette faces injustices due to her mixed race. Escaping from enslavement, she travels, going from place to place, searching for purpose, love and a place in a country recovering from the Civil War. In a world which tells her that she doesn’t belong, Jeannette must decide whether she will bend to the expectations of the world or embrace her true self. 

With its beautiful cover and intriguing premise, I looked forward to reading this story. However, from the opening prologue to the closing chapter, I struggled to get into Wild, Beautiful and Free. It felt so flat. There were so many deep themes of death, freedom, identity, purpose and yet the only time Jeannette shows any real emotions is when she falls in love? I really, really wanted to like this book. It is beautifully written with great descriptions and settings and yet, I couldn’t connect with Jeannette. I was shocked to learn this story was supposed to be a retelling of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. As Jane Eyre is one of my favorite classic novels, I did not see that connection at all! Unfortunately, I do not recommend Wild, Beautiful and Free. 

Wild, Beautiful and Free is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

When Ashes Fall: one woman loves two men, which one will she choose?

When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann is the first book in the Moments in Boston series. It has been said that you can’t love two men at the same time. You can’t split your heart, soul and body. However, Alix Rayne is here to tell you that yes, you can. Two men hold her heart, soul and body. Two men who are polar opposites of each other. Dylan Cole is like ice. Sharp and unpredictable. Like cracking thunder in a fierce storm. Smith Reid is warm, soft and gentle. Like the perfect sunny day. One man is a pilot, the other a lawyer. One has the world at his feet and the other has struggled for his place in the world. Both men are hers but she can only have one. But she isn’t a cheater. There’s more to her story than meets the eye. Which man will she choose? 

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. A story about one woman, two men and it isn’t about cheating? Told in the present day from Alix and Smith’s perspectives and Dylan's POV in the past, readers are taken on an highly emotional journey with shocking reveals. While one aspect of the story, I had an inkling early on but the reason why I thought it left me shocked and in tears. I sobbed through the last few chapters. I loved Alix. She was determined to be strong and yet she hid a vulnerability. And her romances with Dylan and Smith were spicy, heartwarming and romantic. The story reminded me of a book (and a movie) but I won’t reveal, as it spoils the reveals for this book. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. I highly, highly recommend When Ashes Fall. 

When Ashes Fall is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook