Category: Life Notes

The Wilderness Way, Part 3 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.[1] To be intentionally led by the Spirit into an experience of wilderness is one thing, since there must be value in going through times of chaos, suffering, and feeling out of control for … Continue reading The Wilderness Way, Part 3

The Wilderness Way, Part 2 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.[1] In biblical descriptions, the wilderness is not a place one goes of one’s own volition. During the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, things got so bad they begged to return … Continue reading The Wilderness Way, Part 2

The Wilderness Way Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.[1] When I was in my late-twenties I purchased 10 acres of remote, wooded land and moved a trailer onto it as my home. I had to tame the area enough to clear space for a … Continue reading The Wilderness Way

Baptism by Fire, Part 6 I baptize you with water…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[1] There are a number of indirect references to baptism by fire throughout the Bible, but they can easily be missed if one is not looking for them. Some passages use fire literally; others use fire metaphorically … Continue reading Baptism by Fire, Part 6

Baptism by Fire, Part 5 I baptize you with water…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[1] Baptism with water can be a powerful ritual that welcomes a person into church membership and can offer a symbolic cleansing of one’s old self. A lot depends on how we approach and receive it. If … Continue reading Baptism by Fire, Part 5

Baptism by Fire, Part 4 I baptize you with water…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [1] After my children were baptized, both as infants, our extended family went out for a nice dinner. It was a celebration of a happy, traditional ritual, after which we all returned to life as usual. … Continue reading Baptism with Fire, Part 4

Baptism by Fire, Part 3 I baptize you with water…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[1] When John the Baptist was asked if he was the Messiah – the anointed one chosen by God to save the Jewish people – he responded that one greater than he would come as the Messiah. … Continue reading Baptism by Fire, Part 3

Baptism by Fire, Part 2 I baptize you with water…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[1] Lest anyone write off baptism as a trite or minimally-meaningful religious rite, there are interesting psychological and symbolic aspects to baptism by water that are worth considering. Bodies of water are common archetypes for the unconscious, … Continue reading Baptism by Fire, Part 2

Baptism by Fire I baptize you with water…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.[1] John the Baptist plays an interesting, if abbreviated, role in the life and teachings of Jesus the Christ. Described as a relative of Jesus’ through their mothers, John’s biblical role seems to primarily be one of announcing the … Continue reading Baptism by Fire