A Den of Thieves Then Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer; but … Continue reading A Den of Thieves
Category: Life Notes
Dealing With Dharma
Dealing With Dharma In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that mortals may not find out anything that will come after them. Ecclesiastes 7:14 The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word, dharma (dar’-mah), is “the law.” It … Continue reading Dealing With Dharma
The Second Arrow
The Second Arrow A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. Proverbs 15:1-2 All human beings possess a secret wisdom-power. It is not secret because it is hidden but because it is so seldom used. … Continue reading The Second Arrow
Praying the Details
Praying the Details Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not lose heart. Luke 18:1 I tend to think of God as a big-picture being. By this I mean to say that God is unfathomably expansive, inclusive, and larger-than-life. Such a God would not get bogged down in the … Continue reading Praying the Details
Fear and Awe
Fear and Awe The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:30 Fear may be our biggest barrier to a happier, more fulfilled life. True, the Bible tells us that the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge,[1] and that we are to fear … Continue reading Fear and Awe
Walking Prayer
Walking Prayer Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisble though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. Romans 1:20 I have heard and believe that the original Bible is creation itself. In other words, for those desiring a knowledge of God in … Continue reading Walking Prayer
Praying Together
Praying Together Pray then in this way… Matthew 6:9a Earlier this year I spent several days with a group of Benedictine monks south of Boston. I was allowed to join them during parts of their daily schedule, including the five daily worship services. One part of most worship services was what they consider praying together, … Continue reading Praying Together
Silent Prayer
Silent Prayer Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26 Most of us learned to pray with words, by which I mean we spoke our prayers. Because language is how we … Continue reading Silent Prayer
Difficult Decisions
Difficult Decisions I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16 I learned the most useful life lessons from a professor in graduate … Continue reading Difficult Decisions
Finding Spirit in Our Surroundings
Finding Spirit in Our Surroundings Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. Psalm 139:7-8 A primary reason, I believe, we live in such a lonely, isolated, and narcissistic society … Continue reading Finding Spirit in Our Surroundings
Contemplating Grace 