Let All You Do Be Done in Love
“The world sells romance,” Jeremiah said, “but Scripture trains us in agápē—love that chooses the good of another, even when it costs.”
Part 2 — The Definition We Avoid
“We’ve told ourselves sacrifice is what you do when you’ve got extra,” Elijah said. “But Scripture describes sacrifice as what you do when you don’t have extra—and you choose love anyway.”
Part 1 — The Price Tag
The bell over the door of The Shepherds Cafe chimed softly, and Barbara stepped into warmth that smelled like coffee and cinnamon. Elijah sat at the window table with his notebook open—untouched—like he’d been waiting on a conversation more than a thought.
Part 2 – Integrity In The Ruins
“Caleb,” Elijah said, low and steady, already on his feet. “Look at me.”
Caleb’s eyes found his like a man grabbing a railing in a storm.
“Breathe,” Elijah said. “We’re going. But we’re going with control. Your kids need you steady.”
Part 1 – The Day Elijah Sat Down
Caleb Mercer walked into The Shepherds Cafe wearing the kind of exhaustion that doesn’t come from long hours—only from long sorrow. His coffee was black, his hands shook, and the wedding band on his finger looked heavier than it should.
Neglect Has a Sound
Marcus walked into The Shepherds Cafe expecting coffee. What he got was clarity. “I think I’m losing my wife,” he admitted—then Elijah asked the question that cut through every excuse: “When is the last time you pursued her?”
Compassion Without Chaos
“The truth takes a minute. Love takes longer. But both are worth it.”
When Love Must Confront
“Everybody wants unity,” Jeremiah said, folding the bulletin like it was heavier than paper. “But unity isn’t achieved by silence. Unity comes when we submit to the same authority.”
Elijah rested his hand on the open Bible. “And if we can’t submit to Scripture when it’s uncomfortable,” he said, “then we never really submitted at all.”
The Cinnamon Thread – A Story of Generational Grace
Late afternoon settled softly over The Shepherds Cafe, and the stained-glass windows did what they always did when the sun hit them just right: they threw calm, colorful shapes across the hardwood floor like God was quietly reminding the room that light can be gentle and still be strong.
The Grammar of Gratitude
It was a blustery autumn afternoon when Elijah, Jeremiah, and Barbara gathered at their favorite spot in the Contoso Café. Outside, golden leaves pirouetted to the ground, but inside, the trio was locked in their usual lively debate. This time, the topic was gratitude, sparked by a comment from Barbara about how rarely people seem …