‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will … Continue reading Page One: Matthew’s Beatitudes
A. has a hard time going to sleep sometimes. I pick-up the guitar and she quickly finds a reason to calm down. One of my most important modes of expression is for her a de-stressor. Our current lullaby of choice is Running on Faith by Eric Clapton. Some years ago, I borrowed the Journeyman album from my brother and just got hooked on the song. … Continue reading Soul Music
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by … Continue reading On the 12th Day of Christmas
How can I love my enemy, as Jesus commands? A lot of human division is a matter of focusing on that which divides us. No matter how great or small the matter that keeps us from loving one another may be, one fact (Truth) that remains is that my enemy is human just like me. Jesus refocuses our attention, for by entering human flesh, he … Continue reading On the 11th Day of Christmas
In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I … Continue reading On the 10th Day of Christmas
For a take on the counter-cultural aspect of Christmas, please see this article by Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. Continue reading On the 9th Day of Christmas
Apparently, there are eight blessings in the Beatitudes: Blessed are the poor in spirit, Blessed are the meek, Blessed are those that mourn, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, Blessed are the merciful, Blessed are the pure in heart, Blessed are the peacemakers, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake Found this at The Voice. Continue reading On the 8th Day of Christmas
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for inhim all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he … Continue reading On the 7th Day of Christmas
Jesus’ work was not just the preparation of souls for heaven, it was also the redeeming of creation. As Christians we live in a strange age: after Christ initiated his kingdom but before his kingdom has been completed. There is a kind of tension built into our very souls: we yearn for the completed kingdom, we appreciate what Christ has already done and we struggle … Continue reading On the 6th Day of Christmas
At what point did Jesus know he was God’s son and not Joseph’s? Did Mary share that story aloud; did it happen coming out of the Jordan at baptism; did God tell him at his bar mitzvah? Jesus’ relationship with God seems to have been intense, but not in a superhuman way. Jesus prayed; God seemed to talk to him; Jesus was disturbed by what … Continue reading On the 5th Day of Christmas
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