The voice of one who calls out, "Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God." (Isaiah 40:3) This verse from the prophet Isaiah is read at the beginning of the Advent season, the weeks prior to the feast of Christmas. It is quoted in …
Begin Again…
I've been thinking... The only real defeat in the spiritual life is to quit, to fail to get up after stumbling or being knocked down. His mercies are new every morning...(cf Lamentations 3:22-23) If we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny Himself...(2 Timothy 2:13) Weeping endures for a night, but joy …
Gossip…
"...speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom. For the judgement is merciless to one who has not shown mercy...Who then are you to judge your neighbor?..." (James 2:12-13, 4:12b) Gossip is always negative and disdainful of another person. If we praise another person we don't label that gossip; …
Living in the “Already-But-Not-Yet” of Faith…
O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?...And the LORD answered me..."For still the vision awaits its time...it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come... the righteous shall live by his faith." (Habakkuk 1:2, 2:2-4) The prophet here is complaining about the …
Continue reading "Living in the “Already-But-Not-Yet” of Faith…"
The One Thing I Can Always Give to God…
"Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you." (1 Peter 5:7). Where do my anxieties, my worries come from? Mostly they come from helplessness, from a fearful sense that I am not sufficient to what's ahead. Anxiety arises from my knowledge that life right now is out of my control. I want …
“Listen to Him”…
"...This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" (Luke 9:35, RSVCE) Last Wednesday on the liturgical calendar was the Transfiguration. The Gospel reading was St Luke's account of what transpired on Mount Tabor. The dozing disciples awaken to the glorious vision of Jesus ablaze in light, conferring with figures whom they recognize as Moses …
Love is Patient…
"Love is patient, love is kind..." (1 Corinthians 13:4a) When Saint Paul undertakes to describe the characteristics of divine love, the first thing he writes is that love is patient and the second is that it is kind. I was meditating on this recently because I know I am sometimes (more often than I'd like) …
Divine Discipline…
"For the Lord disciplines those he loves...it is for discipline that you have to endure...he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment, all discipline seems painful...[but] later it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12: 6-7,10-11 RSV) When my …
Good Saltiness…
"You are the salt of the earth..." (Matthew 5:13) Much has been preached over the years regarding this metaphor of salt and its role as a preservative and enhancer of flavor. Certainly, those are valid and useful things upon which to ponder. Are we living in a way that acts to help preserve our world …
Be a “Barnabas”…
"... and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he...saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith... Barnabas went to look for Saul; and...he brought him to Antioch..." …
Lessons From Love School 