Great Joy May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 The theme for the third week of Advent is Joy. Happiness is often used synonymously with joy, but the two are significantly different. … Continue reading Great Joy
Tag: Love
My Face
My Face Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…” Genesis 1:26a According to the creation story recorded in the first chapter of Genesis, humankind was created in the image of God and according to God’s likeness. Not only that, the account is recorded as a conversation within the … Continue reading My Face
God the Spirit, Part 2
God the Spirit, Part 2 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 The third person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit, which is a product of relationship. Relationship occurs when someone is in fellowship with one or more others. Reflecting on my marriage, there … Continue reading God the Spirit, Part 2
The Face of Submission
The Face of Submission Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done. Luke 22:42 The setting for this passage is a garden on the Mount of Olives, moments before Jesus is betrayed into the hands of the temple police to be tried, tortured, and crucified. … Continue reading The Face of Submission
An Intimate and Personal Gaze
An Intimate and Personal Gaze A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was … Continue reading An Intimate and Personal Gaze
The Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are … Continue reading The Good Shepherd
How Did I Miss That? Part 33: Love is (always) the Answer
How Did I Miss That? Part 33: Love is (always) the Answer This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 The opposite of love is not hate. Hate is an emotion. The opposite of love is apathy, or not caring. Love is an action we choose to … Continue reading How Did I Miss That? Part 33: Love is (always) the Answer
Paul Wrote the Book of Love
Paul Wrote the Book of Love Love is patient; love is kind. 1 Corinthians 13 4a,b My latest book, Paul Wrote the Book of Love: Reflections on 1 Corinthians 13, will be available this Sunday in the FUMC-Lawrence office, and is available now on Amazon, at ContemplatingGrace.com, or directly from me. It is an insightful … Continue reading Paul Wrote the Book of Love
How Did I Miss That? Part 6: Judgment is Self-Incriminating
How Did I Miss That? Part 6: Judgment is Self-Incriminating Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice … Continue reading How Did I Miss That? Part 6: Judgment is Self-Incriminating
How Did I Miss That? Part 3: The Way Out is Through
How Did I Miss That? Part 3: The Way Out is Through Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34a “I shouted out, who killed the Kennedys? When after all, it was you and me.” Sympathy … Continue reading How Did I Miss That? Part 3: The Way Out is Through
Contemplating Grace 