"...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire..." (Luke 3:16) I go fairly frequently to Eucharistic Adoration, where quiet prayer and silent worship happens in various chapels and churches. It's a rather extraordinary experience: very moving, where one senses the actual presence of Jesus. While I'm there, just being quiet, I often …
Recognizing Blessings…
"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, RSV) It's easy to see the good things that come into my life as blessings from God. It's 'way harder to recognize the "bad stuff" - problems, frustrations, my own and …
Light for Today…
... even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." Psalms 139:12 (NIV). Over three decades ago when my daughter was in elementary school, I served as her Girl Scout troop leader for several years. I had been roped into this …
The Litany of Humility Revisited…
"...all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:2b - 7 (NIV version)Ever since …
Love And… Politics???
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29, NIV) Much of my family and several good friends are very "pro choice" in their political leanings and can't understand how I'm …
“Blessed Are They That Mourn…”
"... for they shall be comforted." (Mt. 5:4) What do we mourn? We mourn our losses - losses of people we love, or even things we love such as a position we've held, a favored pet, a treasured momento, etc. We mourn the loss of life due to senseless tragedies like war and cancer and …
“Sing…From Your Heart to the Lord”…
"...be filled with the Spirit... sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks...for everything..." (Ephesians 5:18-20, NIV) I'm not someone who has Christian music playing in my house or car much of the time; I honestly prefer silence so I can be alone with my thoughts. However I often, as …
Eyes on the Prize…
"... a Canaanite woman...came and called out, 'Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.'. But he did not say a word in answer to her. His disciples came and asked him, 'Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.'. He said in reply, 'I was …
The God Who Sees Me…
"...she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, 'You are a God of seeing'..." (Genesis 16:13, RSV). "Behold, you desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart." (Psalms 51:6, RSV). "And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the …
The God of Possibilities…
"And Jesus said...'All things are possible to him who believes'...'I believe; help my unbelief!'". (Mark 9:23-24, RSV). My family just left after an extended three weeks stay. Our smallish house now seems very spacious after holding so much stuff from four extra people living here. It's awfully quiet too: chatty grownups and busy children make …
Lessons From Love School 