Printer
Friendly page - click here
Journal — April, 2006 |
|
|
AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
|
|
April 27, 2006
Every day there is so much competing for our attention. This is alarmingly
true if you are around forms of media. TV, radio, newspapers, magazines
and the Internet - all with flashy ways to grab your short attention span.
It's a lot of white noise.
It is easy to get distracted. I don't think God tries to get our attention
this way. Oh, sure, some people yell and scream and shout a "message".
But it seems to me that God is in the stillness, the quiet, and the spaces
between things. Creation mirrors this. There is vast distances of "nothingness" between
celestial objects out in what is aptly called space. There is "nothingness" between
the elements that make up the atomic structure. Our forms are amazing when
you consider how much space there is between detectable objects (i.e. the
composition of matter).
What holds it all together? What/Who waits patiently and silently sends
out a message that I AM?
Stop what you are doing, close your eyes and for fifteen seconds be still
and know.
|
April 24, 2006
Sometimes I wonder why people put such an emphasis on secular versus non-secular.
I refer to the "us" vs. "them" conversations one often
hears when religion is discussed, or religious issues anyway, in situations
where it might not normally enter.
Francis of Assisi spoke of preaching the Gospel everywhere, but using words
only when necessary. There really is no such thing as good religion and
bad religion. There is only life, and good life is good religion! (credit
to Richard Rohr for that remark).
Can there by an holistic approach to living where the Universal principles
of Christianity permeate everything without being dictated or obnoxious?
I like to think so. Such behavior would make Christianity more attractive
to others.
Here's a link to
a recent article at RELEVANT Magazine online that continues
this thread.
|
April 20, 2006
Prayer and worship — what is it? Quite simply, it is our way of making
contact with God and showing our sincere appreciation for life, blessings
and an acknowledgement that with God we live fully.
Separation from God (or whatever word you choose to use) is the bain of
human existence. So many people don't relaize that the spiritual nature
of our being is hard-wired into us. Yet, even for agnostics and atheists
there is a yearning for meaning and purpose in life. And when we find ourselves
at times trying to make sense of it all we are so very close to accepting
that there is something bigger than our individual egos.
Who are we to say there is no God? And, at the same time, who are we to
say we know and understand just who and what God is? I believe that humility,
awe and this yearning are all closely connected. Raise your attention and intention
to the One who created you. Be still and know that God is.
|
April 17, 2006
Many people live in far too much fear and anxiety. God understands this.
The disciples were terrified after Jesus was crucified. They huddled together
in a locked room, worried that they would be arrested next.
Jesus appears to them, miraculously resurrected, and the first things he
tells His followers is "Peace be with you". Then he tells them, "Do
not be afraid".
The message the Risen Savior gives us is greater than worry and fear. We
need this peace and confidence in the Lord more today than ever. As we
go through the Easter Season be confident in God, not afraid or anxious,
and remember the promise of the Holy Spirit to come dwell within us, uniting
us with God and each other.. |
April 16, 2006
This is the day we rejoice! Christ has risen and Christ is Risen!
He has conquered death and he shows us the way to eternal life.
Easter is our special day. Our renewal through our savior, our Messiah,
gives us a new purpose. We are to serve others, love others and show the
world the new way of living.
|
April 13, 2006
Going to a dinner party with good friends can be most enjoyable. I find
that I laugh easily and I am comfortable with people I know well and we
can have great conversations and enjoy good food.
But the last thing I would expect is for the host to do something like
wash my feet!
When Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples, his heart must
have been heavy. He knew that his mission and his purpose was about to
culminate in betrayal, mockery, pain, humiliation and crucifixion. Yet,
he took the opportunity with the Passover celebration to be so very intimate
with his followers.
In those days people walked everywhere and it was dirty and dusty. Your
feet could get pretty grimy. So, the act of washing another's feet was
reserved for the lowest servant. And Jesus modeled great servanthood and
humility by wrapping a towel around his waist and washing each of the disciples'
feet. Even over their protests (Peter). Plus, he instructed his followers
to do likewise (that means us, too).
A new way, a new kind of humble service, and a new view of unconditional
love. We are all connected and we all should help each other.
|
April 10, 2006
Yesterday was Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday, as it is now referred to
in some congregations. The scripture focuses both on Jesus' triumphant
entry into Jerusalem at the beginning of a very holy week for Jewish worshippers.
Passover is near and many of the followers and "hanger-ons" of
the Nazarene were excited. They believed a new rule and new King of the
Jews was about to be enthroned.
How easy we can be decieved into thinking that the changes and ways of
the world are going to be what we want them to be. Indeed, God's plan was
moving forward with the Kingdom of God at hand. But, nobody, not even Jesus'
closest disciples, understood what was going to happen in just a few days.
Sacrifice, servanthood, humility, loving others (even enemies), and accepting
that the "grain of wheat must die to bear fruit" were all part
of this great Cosmic Plan unfolding.
As we "walk" with Christ this Holy Week let us grow deeper in
the understanding that God (through the Holy Spirit) will reveal to us
about dying to self so we may raise to a new life.
|
April 7, 2006
Sometimes when we are upset or moody we go around with a "dark cloud" over
our heads. You know what I'm talking about. The negative vibes we send
out are not helpful, but it can be hard when things are going wrong.
What helps me is to be reminded that "above the clouds the sun is
shining". The spirit of the sunlight that God shines down on all of
us is there. I have to take action to let the sunlight in. When I do the
clouds part and grace rains down. God is good.
|
April 5, 2006
The environment and issues of global warming are topics that we are seeing
many Christians, along with their churches and organizations, warming up
to (no pun intended).
See what aclaimed physicist Sir John Houghton has to say about this, including
in the context of his faith, in this article at Christianity
Today.
|
April 3, 2006
Is it possible that reading and studying the Bible will, over time, change
what you have been taught or believe about the Bible? I believe the answer
is "yes"!
The reason I believe this is because God's Word in scripture is alive...just
as God is alive. If you read the Bible with a strictly literal interpretation
you will miss out on the historical context. It is also important to remember
that the Bible, although inspired, was written by many different humans.
Every human being is limited by finite understanding of an infinite God.
Over time I have found that the underlying message of the Bible is a loving
God who keeps trying to get us to see a bigger picture than we have a tendency
to view. Jesus Christ, in particular, gives a wider lens. Yet, He still
shows the connection of the Old Testament to the New Covenant.
Don't get bogged down in legalism. Read the Bible with a prayer that you
will be enlightened. You just might find fresh and new insight.
|
| Read past Journal entries here. |
Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved
throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of
International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering of
goods or services requires the prior written consent of International Bible
Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
You'll also receive Practical Biblical
Solutions for life's challenges with our free e-zine
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
PSALM 118:24
|
|
|
"This
is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it."
|
|
(NIV)
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
 |
