I’ve been thinking about how Christmas comes upon us making things new year after year throughout generations. Whether it’s celebrated with Santa Claus or Jesus or both. I grew up with both influences. Santa made sure nobody went without a gift – every boy and girl all around the world would receive a gift – a nice one – or coal. The whole naughty or nice thing really puts pressure on kids to behave and control themselves as parents feel…..
I’ve been thinking about all the things happening in this world and the arguments for and against religion and people blaming war on religion and how others blame war on politics and I wonder why we don’t blame war on people? Yes – to me it makes so much more sense to blame war on people than on institutions. We blame human actions on institutions because it’s hard to…..
I’ve been thinking about the concept of Heaven on Earth. If you pray the Lord’s Prayer, then you are praying for things to be on earth like they are in heaven. Prayer alone won’t make it happen. We must participate in whatever way possible to help ourselves and other people have encounters that are a reflection of heaven on earth.
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In Colossians 3:16-17 The Apostle Paul encourages people to “sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God” with hearts that are filled with gratitude . . . “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
If you look to the Book of Psalms in the…..
If we are the leaves perhaps then Jesus is the Tree who sets us free for healing the nations
Rev. 22:2
How can we heal unless we are first healed? And what kind of healing is this verse about? Is it only about physical healing or is it more about healing of our belief systems? healing of our minds? healing of our thoughts? healing of…..
These verses wrap up the Sermon on the Mount bringing it full circle.
The kingdom of heaven gives to the poor in Spirit, filling them up so they may share the kingdom with other people who either have never heard of God’s love and a heavenly kingdom, or those who know but are depleted. Even Jesus went away to…..
Reading about the merciful in the Sermon on the Mount connects me to Jesus’ later teachings about forgiveness. In the Lord’s prayer he taught his disciples to pray, ‘forgive us …. as we forgive others.” In forgiveness there is great mercy, but in order to receive something it must be given to you. A hard-hearted person struggles with forgiveness……
Perhaps you’ve heard someone say: “He/She’s so meek.” More than likely you were thinking that in terms of emotional or social weakness of some sort – maybe being shy. But the biblical meaning of the word meek is different than what this generation of English speaking people understand it to be. When Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount the word meek meant humble…..
Have you ever asked yourself this question and sit still long enough to let it sink into your soul? Sometimes when you become familiar with a certain verse or verses of Scripture you begin using it without giving it much thought or putting true empathy into the giving of a card, plaque or poster to another person. We read something, look at…..
Several days ago I participated in a Walk for Hope hosted by Columbia County Prevent Suicide. It was the third annual walk. I had attended the first one which was in a different location and it seemed there were many more people in attendance. This year the walk was held at the High School Track.
I have a somewhat funny story to share with you although a little sad. I heard a name read and know a person of…..