Hebrews 4:14
Jesus does not consummate or fulfill a believer’s natural humanity: he brings the death of it. As the first born from the dead, He initiated the eon of resurrection life. In both this life and the life after death, we must die to live.
Knowing God through His Word — Part 12
A conversation with God? It may sound simplistic, even anthropomorphic, to say that we come to know God through His Word just as we get to know people through our conversation with them, but it is true. Despite learned theological and philosophical discussions about the hiddenness of God, God talks with us. He does not hide from any who truly seek Him.
Knowing God through His Word — Part 11
This essay is about hearing from God. While writing it I felt like a grandma eager to pass on insights and experience.
Human language alone cannot communicate the glorious depths and riches of God’s Word. The Holy Bible is a wild book: its record of how the Holy Spirit has progressively revealed God and His plan is full of adventure, drama and surprise. It is as full of life today as when it was written. But only the author Himself, the indwelling Holy Spirit, can open it up to readers.
America
This poem is a heartfelt plea for America. It’s not crafted for poetry kudos; it rambles through generalities of hope and pain. Sadly, it reflects today’s media negativity more than the down to earth goodness, strength and stability of our nation. That is another poem. May these words speak to believing friends with differing viewpoints. If you like the message, please share it on your FB page or pass it on.
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.
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…
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 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 . . .
