Imagine what it might have been like for Joseph. Imagine holding the Son of God, Son of Man, in his arms and looking at his betrothed, servant of the Lord. It’s difficult for me to comprehend all the thoughts that must have been going through his head. God has a plan for this child to become one who saves the world from sin. Perhaps Joseph might have been wondering about that before he fell asleep after an exhausting experience. It’s…..
The First Day
Wake in the morning
with the Christ child
in your midst,
not distant or near, but here –
tangible and touchable.
Hear his cry, his coo, his sigh,
feel His breath.
Wake in the morning
and know His reality
is not just a dream.
Wake in the morning
with God’s promise
fulfilled.
(c) June G. Paul, All Rights Reserved 2019
I originally wrote this with the word “To” in front of the word Wake – –…..
We’ve all asked these questions when we’re told that something we have hoped for that seems impossible is about to happen. Or when we think what someone is telling us sounds a bit outlandish and strange. These two questions, asked by key characters in the Gospel of Luke can help us step into the Luke’s story about the Birth of Jesus.
How can I be sure is the first question asked, and it’s asked by a priest named Zechariah with…..
One of the most challenging things during Christmas is to mourn the loss of the people we love who are no longer with us.
I know, because I’ve done this for many years. I remember being in Jr. High when my Grandmother (Mom’s mom) passed away. And I remember going to church during the Holiday Season and missing seeing her sitting in the front pew. I remember missing many other people throughout my lifetime. I remember helping my father mourn…..
When we are dealing with doubt (our own or that of other people) it’s good for us to remember these words from Jude 1:22 “Be merciful to those who doubt;” (NIV)
Being merciful means being gentle with people who have some doubt. I always say where there is doubt, there is belief, so don’t mock and ridicule people…..
I don’t consider myself much of a scientist. My brother loved science and became a science teacher at the age of 50. I hope that inspires some of you who might be thinking you’re too old to do something you always wanted to do but didn’t think you could. He overcame his doubts about whether or not he could…..
“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31
Questions are great when asked by the right person at the right time! I’ve heard people teach and preach on this verse and story that surrounds it many times. Most often I’ve heard them focus on the fact that so many of us have such ‘little faith and so much doubt.’ But I want you to think about it differently…..
Yesterday, November 1, 2019 I picked up my book Praying Our Way Through Stress, and looked at page 53. I mulled it over for the day, slept on it (not literally) and sorted through my thoughts this morning. The Chapter opens with a reference to something written in Matthew 4: “First Satan attempted to induce doubt (If you…..
The Sword that Pierced Mary’s Soul will pierce your own soul too.
The Sword that pierced Mary’s soul was not the sword that pierced the side of her son. …..
I’ve been stressed I’ve been blessed I know I am loved.
It’s been about two years since I have written a blog – tonight seemed like a good time to reconnect because of the three lines written above.
Sing those lines to the tune of “I’ve been cheated, been mistreated, when will I be loved?” If you don’t know the tune you could google it on You Tube and I’m sure it will pop up somewhere . . The…..
