Category: meditation

The Church vs The Christ, Part 2 “Christ is not Jesus’s last name.” Richard Rohr[1] Assuming the church to be synonymous with God has led to a deceptively limited perception and portrayal of God, both for church and non-church people. When our pastors remind us of the importance of supporting the “work of God,” it … Continue reading The Church vs the Christ, Part 2

The Church vs The Christ “In the first century in Palestine, Christianity was a community of believers. Then Christianity moved to Greece and became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome and became an institution. Then it moved to Europe and became a culture. And then it moved to America and became a business.” Priscilla … Continue reading The Church vs the Christ

Paulianity, Part 6 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4,6 For all that I find bothersome about the writings of Paul, I confess that many of his writings are truly … Continue reading Paulianity, Part 6

Paulianity, Part 5 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 As is recorded in the book of Acts, Peter served as the de facto leader of the early followers of Jesus after the crucifixion. … Continue reading Paulianity, Part 5

Paulianity, Part 4 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you marry, you do not sin…Yet those who marry will experience distress in this life, and I would spare you that. 1 Corinthians 7:27-28 The “books” of … Continue reading Paulianity, Part 4

Paulianity, Part 3 For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from … Continue reading Paulianity, Part 3

Paulianity, Part 2 But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house,; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison. Acts 8:3 Before I continue this series about the teachings of the apostle Paul, I wish to issue a clarification from last week’s Life Note. I stated my belief that … Continue reading Paulianity, Part 2

Paulianity Paul an apostle – sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead – and all members of God’s family who are with me… Galatians 1:1-2a The apostle Paul wrote many of the books of the New Testament. An important … Continue reading Paulianity

Good vs Bad, Part 4 There are not sacred and profane things, places, and moments. There are only sacred and desecrated things, places, and moments – and it is we alone who desecrate them by our lack of insight and reverence. Fr. Richard Rohr[1] In my early adulthood I worked as a landscape designer. I … Continue reading Good vs Bad, Part 4

Good vs Bad, Part 3 Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh… Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Luke 6:21b, 25b One of the defining differences between churchianity and Christianity has to do with how concretely good and bad are defined. Some churches and religious … Continue reading Good vs Bad, Part 3