...the doors were shut, but Jesus came... and said, 'Peace be with you'. Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing"... (John 20:26-27, RSVCE) We're familiar with the story of Thomas, Jesus's disciple …
Prayer Before a Crucifix…
... when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world and return to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. (John 13:1) Come, Holy Spirit! Come and form my heart. Configure me to Christ, my Lord and Savior, who poured …
Planting Seeds…
And as for...the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15 RSVCE) So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:7, RSVCE) "...truly, I say to …
The Battle of Prayer…
"...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us..." (Romans 826, NIV) Prayer is simple but not easy. Prayer is as easy as lifting up our thoughts to God and speaking to him from our hearts. Anyone can do it; …
Tearing Off the Roof…
And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said …
The Fragrance of Jesus…
For we are the aroma of Christ...among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life... (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) Sometimes when I hug someone, I come away smelling like them. I have a very sensitive nose and can often …
Ancient Rules for Today’s Political Situation…
You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:17-18, RSV) It …
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The Best Gift….
Love is born into the darkness of night, in a humble place smelling of hay and animal dung. Almighty God himself, emptied of his majesty and glory, leaves Heaven behind and stoops to be born like each of his creatures. The Creator becomes a vulnerable, helpless baby whose physical life depends entirely upon his creatures' …
A Spiritual Detox…
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 …
Lessons From Love School 