Comments on St. Seraphim
The first thing to strike me about St. Seraphim was his lovely heart to seek God so assiduously for a long, long time. But my heart hurt because His journey was so arduous. I thought, “Poor fellow.” How he suffered to find the fullness of Jesus.
Taking Inventory
Feeling quite uncertain and unusually self-protective before a difficult meeting, I asked the Lord for help. The thought to read Psalm 51-64 popped into my head. While reading, David’s vivid words about his enemies, and about fear, trembling, betrayal, and trusting in God prompted these heart-searching questions.
Knowing God through His Word — Part 10
Let’s reflect on the seed power in God’s Word. Seeds are amazing. Perhaps that’s why Jesus used the metaphor. Seeds carry life within themselves. They are actually plant embryos designed to survive within in a protective covering. Each seed develops after its own kind. There are good seeds and bad seeds.
Knowing God through His Word — Part 9
Do unwanted thoughts pester you, like unwelcome visitors inside your head? At times they bother me. The other night I was channel flipping and stopped at what looked like a fascinating human-interest movie. Before the plot unexpectedly turned macabre, I was hooked into the fine acting and complex characters. As it became darker and more violent, I changed the channel, but not soon enough. Falling asleep that night, my thoughts became nightmarish. Half asleep, I began drifting into ugly lies. As soon as I whispered, “Lord?” familiar scriptures filtered light into my mind—
Knowing God through His Word — Part 8
Making Scripture a priority in our lives is not a helter-skelter decision to be made hastily, it is a major decision or life choice that aligns us with divine order. God is orderly; His universe is purposeful. According to 1 Corinthians 14:33 God is not the author of confusion but of peace.
Knowing God through His Word — Part 7
God cares about our memories. Might the dementias of aging be a weapon of the destroyer to stop the older generations from passing down precious memories and history to the younger generations? Moses exhorted the Israelite children to
Remember the days of old,
Consider the years of many generations.
Ask your father, and he will show you;
Your elders, and they will tell you. Deuteronomy 32:7
The Fourth Sunday in Advent 2016
Today the sun shone brightly on the snow. Our Advent candles were dimmed by the brilliant light warming our windows, but the…
The Third Sunday in Advent 2016
On this third Sunday in Advent the skies were gray. No sun brightened or flashed a sparkle upon the unremitting snowfall. In contrast to the dimness of the day, our Advent candles and early Christmas lights shone with life. Casting multiple reflections upon the cold window glass, their little bits of warm light sent a glowing radiance into our eyes. The entire day became a picture of Jesus Advent for it is written that He came . . .
Knowing God through His Word — Part 6
Jesus never lied. He told his disciples that. . .”he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do.” In the centuries since His crucifixion, many believers have done these “greater works.” However did they do them? Men and women with the Holy Spirit’s gift of miracles, saints like St. Francis, Mme. Jeanne Guyon, George Fox and Padre Pio didn’t start out turning water to wine, healing the sick, casting out demons, opening blind eyes, or raising the dead.
The Second Sunday in Advent 2016
Today we lit the Second Advent candle. Yesterday, in a holiday mood, I pulled out our Christmas music, about twenty-five CD’s, several almost that old. Once again I thought, “This year maybe I’ll play them all and separate the duds from the keepers.” We listen to our family’s favorites over and over again; it’s an […]
Knowing God through His Word — Part 5
Francois Fenelon, a 17th Century French priest, knew God and talked with Him more than most. Those of us who are seeking God today can learn from him. In part five of this series I’ve adapted a short essay he wrote to make it easier reading . . .
Knowing God through His Word — Part 4
Part Four of this series digs into God’s Word by using the very same tools used by Socrates and Jesus Himself. By asking questions, great teachers will turn on lights and get folks like you and me thinking. Finding answers in God’s Word is a bit like prospecting for precious ores or gems or digging for buried treasures. The digs begin with adventure, seeking, and curiosity; they continue through the work of sifting, examining and studying the finds; and they require keeping our eyes open and alert for discovery.
