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- Cherish Your Gifts - Cherish Your Gifts: Think about the gifts or talents given to each of us. Every person has the task of releasing angels by shaping and transfiguring all those raw materials that lie within into our life, artistic works, careers, etc. We chip, and scratch, and file away at our raw material to discover our gifts, and the transformational process begins. Beneath this shell of hard-headedness, stubbornness, self-importance, low self-esteem, etc., waits the angel of our worth. Because our gifts carry us into the world and makes us participants in life, the uncovering of them is one of the most important tasks confronting any one of us. Continue reading
- Pride - Pride: We all struggle with pride! The seeds of pride are planted very early in life. One of the first words we learn is "Mine!" Who among us has never said, “That’s mine!!” We grow out of some of that childish possessiveness, but little threads of pride remain in each of us. These are two concepts - the danger of pride and the need for positive self-image - are always in a state of tension. There needs to be balance. While we want self-love, self-confidence, and a positive self-image, yet, there is always the danger of going overboard in these areas, and the result is a kind of arrogance. Continue reading
- God’s Watchword - God's Watchword: God‘s word, peace. God‘s peace is the focal point throughout our reading of the word. To Mary at the tomb, the message from Jesus was ‘peace’. To the disciples on their way to a Emmaus, the message was peace. To those gathered in the upper room, confused and not knowing what to do, Jesus stood in their midst, and his message was peace. The message from Jesus when sending out the disciples was peace, be with you, as a Father has sent me. I am sending you. Continue reading
- Love Never Dies - Love Never Dies: I hope you have discovered over the course of your life, that our true love relationships have not changed. Maybe you observe that absence makes the heart grow fonder, in many cases. I can’t disagree with that, but, then, I also believe that love is an absolute. An absolute? Well, yes. I’m one of those romantics who believes that love never dies. Even death does not diminish it. Nor does it dim because of conflict, arguments and disagreements. I don’t believe there are differing shades love. Continue reading
- Cheap Grace - Cheap Grace: In Tim Keller’s book, The Prodigal God, he reminds us of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, being appalled at how many in the German church gave in to Hitler in the early 1930s, that he took it upon himself to write his great work, The Cost of Discipleship. In that book, Bonhoeffer warns about the dangers of what he referred to as “cheap grace”, the idea that stresses only that God’s grace is free, so that it doesn’t really matter how we live. I have read and reread The Cost of Discipleship, and tried to understand Bonhoeffer’s thesis. I believe his point is that if we subscribe to cheap grace then we ignore how seriously God takes our sinful lives Continue reading
- The Presence of God - The Presence of God: It seems to me that we hear a lot of words, many of them, born out of an advanced course in theology, some of which truly do have practical meanings for us if we but understood. The reference to Genesis and Jonah are just two of many instances throughout the Bible of the Presence of God in lives. We practice the Presence of the Lord in our lives through our readings, through our prayer-life and through our ministry. What is the difference between ‘Manifest Presence of God’, and ‘Omni Presence of God’? Does it matter to us who are trying to maintain our understanding of our faith? I think it is helpful and reassuring to know the difference because it reflects the fullness of God’s Presence. Continue reading
- Contentment - Contentment: Oh, my, what an interesting word. The Urban Dictionary defines contentment this way: “Contentment is true peace of mind and has absolutely nothing to do with any external pleasure or condition, but rather your attitude.”I agree with the Urban dictionary that contentment is a matter of attitude not latitude. It is what is in your mind, not where you are or what is happening around you.Unfortunately, we find ourselves conforming to the behavior and customs of this world and we inch away from God’s will. Continue reading
- Personal Miracles? - Personal Miracles? Have you ever seen a miracle? No? Are you sure? Maybe you were part of it, and you have no recollection of having been there, or seen it, or heard it. Maybe, without you knowing it, someone had observed you doing something for the Lord, and it caused them to think, to re-evaluate. Just a little thing, a seedling, yet there is meaning and purpose. Little miracles, happening every day. Graces touching each moment, of each day, of each week, throughout our lifetimes. Continue reading
- Trust - Trust: Jesus tells us to trust Him and not to be afraid, despite the many things in our lives that feel out of our control. We don’t find it easy to adapt to ‘new normals’. I know because, although I have lived at in my retirement community for 14 years, five days ago I left that apartment for a place in the Manor, in some ways it was exciting, while in other ways I felt slightly out of kilter. Old comfort zones were left behind and new ones had to be established over time. So many of you have experienced just that kind of transition. Continue reading
- At Jesus’ Feet – Part 2 - At Jesus' Feet - Part 2: Yesterday was Pentecost, the 49th day from Easter. The infilling of the Holy Spirit, equipping the disciples, and us, to be the eyes, the voice and the hands of the Lord. Our faith journeys are many and varied, but each one is led by that Holy Spirit. Yesterday we considered the walk that Mark followed to discipleship. Today, let’s consider the journey followed by others that helped transform God’s Will into our own path to belief. Biblical facts mixed with a bit of fiction: Capernaum, on the Sea of Galilee. The four boys had lived in the city all their lives, and had grown up to become fisherman, in partnership with their fathers. It was a good life, they made an adequate living. Continue reading
- At Jesus’ Feet – Part 1 - At Jesus' Feet - Part 1: Imagine you are in Jerusalem, at the house of Mary. She’s expecting Jesus and his friends to arrive soon, and she is preparing a simple meal. She’s looking forward to this time together, it is always a good evening, filled with stories and humor. And here they are, Jesus and many of his disciples and followers, they smile as they file in and make themselves at home in the gathering room. They have been here many times, using Mary’s house life a fellowship hall, a church. These times together follow a comfortable routine, because everyone likes the easy way Jesus has of relating to all those present and they like what he has to say and they listen. It will be later when we understand fully those conversations; friendly, full of humor and lessons in life are from not a man but God himself. But who do you say I am? You are the Messiah. Continue reading
- Abide with Me - Abide with Me: I think too often when we hear that phrase ‘be strong and of good courage’ we may think of action heroes coming to the rescue, saving us from really bad things, at the very last moment. But it is God saying to us to abide in his word and not lose faith, He will walk with us through our present Jordan. As believers in Jesus Christ we need to allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit than to reach out with courage and compassion tor others who are suffering through this time. We cannot do this on our own, that’s the reality of our frailty. But we can do it with Jesus who will give us the strength. Continue reading
- In Memoriam - In Memoriam: Memorial Day for our nation. The reality is that we have been, and still are, a warring nation. We just can’t seem to stay at peace for very long. Our reasons for going to war always seem plausible at the time and at other times we are misled. One has to wonder how long this nation can continue to be the world’s peacekeeper? And yet, we are a country founded “under God” and supremely gifted by our benevolent Lord with the wealth and resources to love in practical ways that moves toward peace, God’s peace. May it be so for our children, and their children. Continue reading
- Be Still and Know - Be Still and Know: Be still and know that I am God, is a marvelous statement of spiritual truth. A beautiful blend of passive and active voice, eight words providing direction and purpose. What follows is…you sense the voice of God, speaking from the depths of your being, “Be still so that you can hear my voice,” that wee small voice that nudges us along, that seems to be coming from within, or perhaps echoes of a loved one speaking to you from a distance, or a remembrance. Continue reading
- I Am a Servant - I Am a Servant: The words of Mary on being told that she was highly favored and blessed among women to have the honor of bearing the savior within her womb. Don’t miss the broader truth, that this privilege, extended to all of us for bearing the word, may come with difficult times, with inconvenience, even pain. There is no place of privilege in the kingdom of God that is not also a place of special suffering. Continue reading
- If It’s Not There - If It’s Not There: Jesus’ parables are stories like the one about the Sower, the scatterer of seeds. The seed is the Word of God, and when planted on ‘good soil’, or the receptive heart, the life-bearing seed grows steadily and produces gifts without any human effort. This is the unseen work of God – a work of grace. Only God makes the seed grow, but it must be planted, and in that regard, we are all farmers. In our life stories, there is a whole packet of God’s seeds. We don’t always have those written in story form or in devotionals or books, but they are written all over our lives. Continue reading
- A Dialog with Jesus - A Dialog with Jesus: And Jesus says, just keep in touch. Don’t worry about the Prayers, they will come. The important thing is the communication, it’s the human, I created, reaching out to Me. Don’t worry about the Prayers, they will come. In My own time, they will come. Stay tuned, always stay tuned to Me, the Lord and your fellow man. Do not lose touch. Don’t worry about the Prayers, they will come as inspiration springs from thoughts and calls and compliments and criticisms, from feelings, from isolation and loneliness, and even from a loss, for, My Child, I know all of this. So, don’t worry about the Prayers, they will come. Continue reading
- Do Not Fear - Do Not Fear: In times like these, it is easy to let fear grip our hearts and occupy our minds. What we heard last night in the latest news, garners even more fear, if we let it. You know, much of it is fear of the unknown. That kind of fear fills our mind, too much of the time. We need to remember these important truths: God is with us, God is for us, God is in charge and God loves us. His voice continues to instruct us: do not be afraid. Brothers and sisters, we are not alone. When the storm rages all around us, and darkness seems to close in, he offers us peace and refuge in the midst of it. He promises us hope and strength. Proverbs 3:5 is a true watchword: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Continue reading
- Forgot Your Password? - Forgot Your Password?:Have you seen that question -- "Forgot your password"? Probably not more than three thousand times! You want to get into one of YOUR accounts? Accessed denied! What’s your password? Forgot your password? That denial and the accompanied question causes a flicker of frustration for me. How about you? The protocols (the password) for entering that part of the tabernacle, beyond the curtain, called the Most Holy Place, were a bit more elaborate. The penalty for getting this "password" wrong? DEATH! Continue reading
- Walking on Dark Waters - Walking in Darkness: Do you remember, eight years ago, 2018, when 12 boys from Thailand, along with their soccer coach, descended into a cavern intending to have an afternoon of exploring and adventure? There was an unexpected rising of water that forced them deeper and deeper into the cavern and It would be 17 days later before rescuers could lead them out. The prophet Isaiah described a world of darkness, one overrun by violence and greed, shattered by rebellion. Hope was fading, and yet Isaiah insisted that this growing despair was not the end of it. His belief rested on God’s mercy there would be no more gloom for those who are in distress. He was convinced that God would never abandon his people in the face of this darkness. Continue reading
