Category: Christian Spirituality
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The Surprising Humility of the Hidden God (Jesus the Servant, Pt 1)
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my…
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The Dawn of the New Creation: Jesus, the Sabbath, and the Creative Work of God
Moving on from there, He entered their synagogue. There He saw a man who had a paralyzed hand. And in order to accuse Him they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” … Then He told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored, as…
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Human Value, Need, and What Really Offends God: Jesus on Legalism and the Sabbath
Moving on from there, He entered their synagogue. There He saw a man who had a paralyzed hand. And in order to accuse Him they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” But He said to them, “What man among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on…
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Lord of the Sabbath: Jesus and the One Necessary Conversation (Lord of the Sabbath Pt 5)
Or haven’t you read in the Law that on Sabbath days the priests in the temple violate the Sabbath and are innocent? But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here! If you had known what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the innocent. For…
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An Invitation to Mystery: Jesus and the Revelation of God
At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure. All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the…
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The Father’s Good Pleasure: Delighting with God in the Secrets of Heaven
At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure.” (Matthew 11:25-26) In this spontaneous prayer, we glimpse a rare public moment between Jesus and the Father.…
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Dancing to a Different Tune: The Necessity of Using Our Ears
NOTE: And we’re back! This has been quite a year, and my hiatus from weekly posting on the gospel of Matthew was much longer than I anticipated. I’m more pleased than I can say to be back at it. My deepest gratitude to all who continued to support my work during this time. You directly…
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Lights (Letters to a Samuel Generation)
“And a light shined in the cell” And there was not any wall, And there was no dark at all, Only Thou, Immanuel. Light of Love shined in the cell, Turned to gold the iron bars Opened windows to the stars Peace stood there as sentinel. Dearest Lord, how can it be That Thou art…
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The Face of Love (Letters to a Samuel Generation)
There once lived a man whose name, earthly speaking, was Jesus. Spiritually speaking, His name was Love. Long ago, in the darkness of a distant age, Love looked far into the future. He went to His Father and said, “There is no other way. I will go to them. I will become one of them,…
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THIS Is the Will of God (Letters to a Samuel Generation)
“One act of thanksgiving made when things go wrong is worth a thousand when things go well.” – St. John of the Cross At one time or another, we all find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control. Jobs are lost and once-stable finances reach a crisis point. Illness strikes. Churches lose sight of their vision…