Blog Reflections
My Thoughts are not Your Thoughts
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” (Is 55:8) Each of us enters life like a bit of a blank slate. It’s not a totally blank slate, however. There are pre-existing conditions for each of us, such as our basic physical characteristics and the physical realities resulting from the genetics of the bodies with which we have been blessed. Nevertheless, for the most part, we are set to learn and develop into adults through the example and support of the family and community into which we are born. Once we...
read moreSet Enmity Aside – An Ancient Wisdom
What do we do with the angry energy? If we harbor and feed it, it grows stronger. We can only heal when we are willing to let go of anger and accept healing.
read moreLove is the Fulfillment of the Law
Laws, both human and religious, are based on rules about what must not be done by one person to another. Love is the the way our Father wishes all to live.
read moreYou Duped Me, O Lord
The journey of faith is filled with surprise moments. But sometimes we must make choices that are not popular. We experience the cost of faithfulness and love.
read moreWhat’s in a Name?
Names matter and are powerful. Peter, the Rock, became leader of the disciples. May we use them to support each other and build a community of love and respect.
read moreMercy that Excludes No One
God’s mercy excludes no one. So we must not exclude others either. We come together in thanksgiving. We go forth into our world and share the blessings received.
read moreWhy Did You Doubt?
We can think we’ve got everything under control. then something unexpected happens. Whatever happens, it’s not that God is angry. The Lord is with us then too.
read moreOne Like a Son of Man
“One like a Son of Man” is a phrase we hear from time to time in the Bible. It’s not a common term used for the men of those ancient times, though all are children of men (and women). Son of Man has a very particular meaning in Scripture. The reading from the Book of Daniel on the feast of the Transfiguration introduces this character. Daniel described visions he had which made clear that the God of Israel was and is greater than any others who might claim that position. In this reading, Daniel speaks of the Ancient One whose clothing was...
read moreWisdom – Thinking with the Heart
“Use your head!” “Don’t be a fool!” “Don’t waste what you’ve got, use it carefully!” “They wouldn’t be in this position if they’d just been more sensible!” How many times have we all heard these kinds of statements, sometimes addressed directly to us? It’s a common understanding in Western culture that decision making is best done with the mind, a.k.a. the head. We think of the heart as the center of emotions, and emotions are not regarded as the best sources of good decisions. In ancient Israel, the heart was seen as both the center for...
read moreTo Weed or Not to Weed
God’s power is the source of His justice. But that justice is not harsh. God will wait until each one chooses to turn to the Father, growing from weed to grain.
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