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
Category: Life Notes
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
A Beautiful Soul, Part 3
A Beautiful Soul, Part 3 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. John 15:15 The last two weeks I have shared my … Continue reading A Beautiful Soul, Part 3
A Beautiful Soul, Part 2
A Beautiful Soul, Part 2 Then Jesus said, “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 Last week, I began a series of reflections about the pure essence within each of us – our beautiful soul. I quoted lyrics from Don McLean’s song, Vincent, that reflect how there is … Continue reading A Beautiful Soul, Part 2
A Beautiful Soul, Part 1
A Beautiful Soul, Part 1 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, that I know very well. Psalm 139:14 In 1970, singer/songwriter Don McLean wrote what would become the mega-hit song, Vincent. Millions of people, myself included, were obsessed with this poetic story set to music about the … Continue reading A Beautiful Soul, Part 1
Bits and Bytes
Bits and Bytes Desire without knowledge is not good, and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way. Proverbs 19:2 I took a computer programming class in college in the 1970’s,. The lone computer at the university was the size of a small house with a fraction of the computing power of our mobile phones … Continue reading Bits and Bytes
Contemplating Grace 