“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). One of the greatest gifts of the Spirit is joy, more the joy of being-with than of having something. It is the joy which arises from the sensed presence of God; […]
Archives for July 2017
The Prayer of John Wesley
Most all of us have what could be called our “pet prayer.” There certain words and phrases we consistently if not constantly pray to God, revealing our life themes. The contents of this prayer disclose much about what is important to us, about what we seek to avoid as well as strive after. John Wesley, […]
The Beatitudes of Jesus 2
In Jesus’ Beatitudes, He initially addresses those who are spiritually bereft and those who are in mourning. In other words, as the Healing Physician, Christ first addresses those in pain, those with dis-eases of heart, soul and spirit. As Jesus said in all three Synoptic Gospels, “Those who are well have no need of a […]
The Beatitudes of Jesus 1
Whenever I hear and take in the Beatitudes of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount it blesses me. When they are spoken, time stops, heaven opens and I find myself in the presence of the holy, of the Holy One, God, the One full of grace and promise. For there is a strange, hushed otherness about […]
My Heart Saw You First
Your heart hears as well as sees, but not as your physical ears and eyes. This inner sensing of the heart is called “discernment.” Applied to your relationship to God that means your heart may grasp realities your mind and body will miss. So you must be open and trusting of what your heart senses […]
The Art of Giving and Receiving
Giving and receiving are the breathing out and in of loving. Love itself is always a gift, freely offered. Love cannot be demanded or coerced or purchased into being offered. Intimidation or bribery may propel another to pretend to love, but not the other’s heart to love. Love’s fountain in the heart springs forth only […]