Many Births, Many Deaths The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8 One of the central points of embodiment is that the me that … Continue reading Many Births, Many Deaths
Category: Life Notes
Embodiment, Part 3
Embodiment, Part 3 God speaks to each of us as he makes us, then walks with us silently out of the night. These are the words we dimly hear: You, sent out beyond your recall, go to the limits of your longing, Embody me. Flare up like flame and make big shadows I can move … Continue reading Embodiment, Part 3
Embodiment, Part 2
Embodiment, Part 2 For every matter has its time and way, although the troubles of mortals lie heavy upon them. Indeed, they do not know what is to be, for who can tell them how it will be? No one has power over the wind, or power over the day of death. Ecclesiastes 8:6-8a As … Continue reading Embodiment, Part 2
Embodiment, Part 1
Embodiment, Part 1 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. John 1:3-4 In order to reflect on our death and dying, I want to start by sharing my … Continue reading Embodiment, Part 1
If I Should Die Before I Wake
If I Should Die Before I Wake Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. -Bedtime prayer for children This week I begin a new series of Life Notes titled If I Should … Continue reading If I Should Die Before I Wake
Praying With One Eye Open (Reprise)
Praying With One Eye Open (Reprise) Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with Thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well… Colossians 4:2-3a Throughout this series of Life Notes I have presented the metaphor of praying with one eye open in a negative light. I have used it as an illustration … Continue reading Praying With One Eye Open (Reprise)
Praying With Both Eyes Closed
Praying With Both Eyes Closed But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. Psalm 69:13 In January of this year, I began this series of Life Notes with a reflection about praying with one eye open. I … Continue reading Praying With Both Eyes Closed
Divine Violence, Part 3
Divine Violence, Part 3 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the words of him who sent me while it … Continue reading Divine Violence, Part 3
Divine Violence, Part 2
Divine Violence, Part 2 For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come… Mark 7:21a Last week I reflected on how we can read the violent sections of the Bible in a metaphorical way that helps us reconcile a loving God with a sometimes violent text. This method of biblical interpretation … Continue reading Divine Violence, Part 2
Divine Violence, Part 1
Divine Violence, Part 1 Let burning coals fall on them! Let them be flung into pits, no more to rise! Psalm 140:10 There are a number of methods to interpret what we read in the Bible and other sacred texts. One common method, although it is relatively recent in Christian history, is the literal interpretation. … Continue reading Divine Violence, Part 1
Contemplating Grace 