It strikes me that a lot of the practical matters discussed in the New Testament letters are about conflict resolution in one way or another. The letters might be addressing: social conflict (reconciling divisions, enduring persecution, loving one another, practicing hospitality), sexual conflict (infidelity, care within marriage), financial conflict (lawsuits, freeloading, giving generously), verbal conflict … Continue reading Conflict resolution as a Christian practice
Happy Climate Change Christmas
Happy Climate Change Christmas by Reg Mombassa
Politically Correct Christmas
Is the Holy Bible as PC trash? It doesn't mention Christmas, but it does mention feeding the poor, the widowed, the fatherless, and the foreigner!
Blessings of deep peace
Deep peace of the running wave to you, Deep peace of the flowing air to you, Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep peace of the shining stars to you, Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you, for ever. (Source unknown - early Scottish)
A hymn for the God of the moon
God of the Moon A hymn from the Carmina Gadelica God of the moon, God of the sun, God of the globe, God of the stars, God of the waters, the land, and the skies, Who ordained to us the King of promise. It was Mary fair who went upon her knee, It was the … Continue reading A hymn for the God of the moon
God of the Moon, God of the Sun
Dia Na Gile, Dia Na Greine God of the Moon, God of the Sun A hymn from the Carmina Gadelica DIA na gile, Dia na greine, Dh’ orduich dhuinne Mac na meine. Muire min gheal air a glun, Criosda nigh nan dul ’n a h-uchd. Is mise an cleireach stucanach, Dol timcheall nan clach stacanach, … Continue reading God of the Moon, God of the Sun
A prayer for Imbolc
The Hope of Spring - Author Unknown God, thank you for Spring and the hope of warmer, longer, brighter days. Thank you for the coming of growth and life and birth. Thank you that things are coming awake in the world. This is what our calendar says, and we do see some signs that it … Continue reading A prayer for Imbolc
Praise for the wonders of God
Psalm 65:8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Praying the Gospel
I picked up this gospel focussed prayer from JD Greear, author of several books including Gaining by Losing: Why the Future Belongs to Churches That Send. The Gospel Prayer In Christ, there is nothing I can do that would make You love me more, and nothing I have done that makes You love me less. Your … Continue reading Praying the Gospel
Prayer against the darkness
My inner demons have been getting the better of me lately, so I am trying to fight back. This prayer comes from Saint Ignatius of Loyola: O Christ Jesus when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to … Continue reading Prayer against the darkness
Fasting in the Old Testament
I have always struggled with fasting as a practice, at least in terms of food. Recently though I have begun exploring what Jesus and the prophets had to say about it, as well as what later commentators have said. I found Bible.org has an excellent summary of fasting as practiced and understood by the Hebrews … Continue reading Fasting in the Old Testament
Isaiah the naked prophet
I am not one for going sky clad, but if I were so inclined it wouldn’t be without biblical precedent. The prophet Isaiah walked around naked for three years in a stunning act of performance art. In the book of Isaiah it is written, “Just as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for … Continue reading Isaiah the naked prophet
