Owning Our Sin Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. –Psalm 32:5 I do not like to be reminded of my sinful nature. I fear that by acknowledging my sin … Continue reading Owning Our Sin
Tag: contemplation
Finding Grace in an Imperfect World
Finding Grace in an Imperfect World Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. –Hebrews 4:16 “We live in an imperfect world. Movies, television shows, and novels inspire high expectations for life, but reality seldom flows like a … Continue reading Finding Grace in an Imperfect World
Enigmatic Faith
Enigmatic Faith Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven. –Matthew 5:11-12a In his book, A Hidden Wholeness, Parker Palmer writes, “The deeper our faith, the more doubt we must … Continue reading Enigmatic Faith
In Search of a Tingle
In Search of a Tingle Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” –Exodus 3:5 Last week, my daughter and I were hiking a few of the trails around Sedona, Arizona. A local person told us that there were several … Continue reading In Search of a Tingle
Christian Values: Love
Christian Values: Love I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34a-35 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce … Continue reading Christian Values: Love
Christian Values: Service
Christian Values: Service Render service with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not to men and women, knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are slaves or free. -- Ephesians 6:7-8 You're gonna have to serve somebody, It may be the devil or it may … Continue reading Christian Values: Service
Christian Values: Peace
Christian Values: Peace Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 The importance of peace in Christianity can hardly be overstated. Of the many desirable characteristics the Bible encourages, only three are referenced more frequently, according to research done by Ben MacConnell on Christian values. In both the Old … Continue reading Christian Values: Peace
Christian Values
Christian Values For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young – let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill, to understand a proverb and … Continue reading Christian Values
Deja Vu, All Over Again
Déjà vu, All Over Again Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. Acts 17:29 Do you recognize the people in either of these pictures? I will give you a hint – both … Continue reading Deja Vu, All Over Again
Poor Stewardship
Poor Stewardship Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. You have not strengthened the weak, you have not healed the sick, you have not bound up the injured, you have not brought back the strayed, … Continue reading Poor Stewardship
Contemplating Grace 