Author: Greg Hildenbrand

I am a contemplative spiritual director, author, and a leader of contemporary and blended worship at First United Methodist Church in Lawrence, Kansas. I am a happily married father of two awesome, adult children. I write a blog, Life Notes, every week and have published numerous books and music CDs, all of which are available on my website and other typical outlets. I enjoy writing, both music and text, and exploring and experiencing where spirit meets matter, in both seen and unseen ways.

Blessed are the Persecuted, Part 2

by Greg Hildenbrand, posted in devotion, Life Notes, meditation, Spirituality

Blessed are the Persecuted, Part 2 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”[1] This is the … Continue reading Blessed are the Persecuted, Part 2

Blessed are the Persecuted

by Greg Hildenbrand, posted in devotion, Life Notes, meditation, Meditation Moment, Spirituality

Blessed are the Persecuted “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”[1] “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your … Continue reading Blessed are the Persecuted

Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 4

by Greg Hildenbrand, posted in devotion, Life Notes, meditation, Spirituality

Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 4 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”[1] What does it mean to make peace. What is the nature of the peace we attempt to make? Is peace the absence of conflict? Is peace like the calm after a thunderstorm where the atmosphere has momentarily … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 4

Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 3

by Greg Hildenbrand, posted in devotion, Life Notes, meditation, Spirituality

Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 3 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”[1] The past couple of weeks I focused generally on international and religious violence. This week I zero in on more personal contexts of violence – that occurring in families and other intimate relationships. Jesus’ statement that “blessed … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 3

Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 2

by Greg Hildenbrand, posted in devotion, Life Notes, meditation, Spirituality

Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 2 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”[1] Last week I went to some length considering how common it is to use violence to try to attain peace, particularly between nations. In many ways it is our default position – that if we cannot peacefully … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers, Part 2