Te Deum – Part 1. You are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. You. You. You. This ancient hymn of the Church begins with a heavenly outburst of adoration, unabashedly looking at God straight in the eye in faith, face to face, …
Stewards of the Mystery of the Kingdom. “A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and as stewards of the mysteries of God. Think of us as Messiah’s official underlings and as those who are entrusted with the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1). SERVANTS: (Greek, “hyperetas”); literally the under-rower, the …
Stewards of the Mystery of Christ Within. “A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and as stewards of the mysteries of God. Think of us as Messiah’s official underlings and as those who are entrusted with the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1). SERVANTS: (Greek, “hyperetas”); literally the under-rower, the …
Stewards of the Mystery of God’s Wisdom. “A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and as stewards of the mysteries of God. Think of us as Messiah’s official underlings and as those who are entrusted with the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 4:1). SERVANTS: (Greek, “hyperetas”); literally the under-rower, the …
When God is Human: A Meditation on the Christ of Sinai Icon. As I gaze through your face, I recall a line from the Te Deum prayer: You did not shun the virgin’s womb. First a fertilized egg, then a floating fetus God in survival mode with a fragile cord of wonder and food …
My Vow to Humanize Others. “God spoke: ‘Let Us make human beings in Our image, reflecting Our nature so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and yes, earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of the earth.’ God created human beings; …
[NOTE: I wrote this family survey in November of 2018, sent it to our adult children, and received very interesting comments from all of them.] Hello to you wonderful adult children, I’d like to take a family survey. Please think about this and respond after you’ve had some time to reflect on these matters. My hope …
Beware: Expect Persecution. “As for yourselves, beware! For they will hand you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial …
Beware: Watch Out For Greed. “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own; it does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15-21). THE CONTEXT. a. There was a crowd of people surrounding Jesus, and a man in the crowd tried to recruit Jesus to issue …
Beware: Listen Or Else! Jesus warned His audience about many things… False teachers; the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees; our lifestyle; our motives; treatment of children. Jesus often said Watch out! Beware! Take heed to yourselves! Be on your guard! Be careful! And here is another fair warning from Jesus that was too important …
Beware: Examine Your Motives. “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, …
Beware: Watch Your Lifestyle. “Be careful! Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that Day catch you unawares, like a trap. For that Day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times.” (Luke 21:34-35). Jesus gave His …