Rachel in the Book of Jeremiah shows us how to lament, how to cry out to God. We must learn to pray about the things that deeply disturb us. The prophet Jeremiah writes of Rachel’s lamenting “voice in Ramah” that can only weep at the world’s suffering.
Continue reading “Crying Out to God”
Recently I was reading about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his example of lament. He was an amazing person who knew how to fight justly, with diligence, faith, and hope. We need more of us like him in our world today and we can start by learning how to lament.
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Fear is the greatest weapon against us. It’s important for us to protect our beliefs, and stand up for what we believe in. But when we defend ourselves, and our way of living, we should do so not out of fear but out of conviction that they are good. This requires self-reflection and self-correction. If we fear losing the things we are attached to, what are we saying about their universal goodness?
Continue reading “Fear Leads to Foolishness”
Every human person consists of both a body and soul. Just as our body needs things to survive and grow, such as oxygen, water, food, etc., so our soul needs things as well, such as faith, hope, and love. These spiritual longings point to the truth that every human person has a natural desire for God.
Continue reading “Learning to Love”
The narrow path is one of humility. Our souls long to rest in their pure state as God designed. But the human condition is the struggle with the ego that shapes and adapts us to living on earth. God’s mercy so greatly wants to act within us that all we need to do is open the door.
Continue reading “Humility is the Way”
One of the ideas in twelve step recovery is placing principle above personalities. I find myself leaning into this practice often these days. So much of the conversation in the United States has to do with individual truth coupled with attitudes that create division. Over the years, I’ve struggled with keeping my side of the street clean as it is tempting to pass along things we hear about other people to make ourselves feel better than.
Continue reading “Avoiding Gossip”
Nothing is sweeter than love. There is nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing more generous, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better in Heaven or on earth. Love proceeds from God, and rests in God and all things of creation.
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Lately, I’ve been focusing on what self-care looks like for me. It is far beyond eating right and exercising. It is treating myself with respect, tenderness, and compassion. It’s paying attention. It is noticing what makes my heart sing, bringing forth joy and happiness in my day. I’m realizing I can easily get into scarcity mode and focus on everything else except what makes me a better person.
Continue reading “Grounded in Joy”
Jesus wants us to give testimony and be His witnesses. We continue to proclaim to the world the reality of the “heavenly things” that he revealed. Possibly the greatest testimony we can give is the happiness and charity of our lives. Joyful and charitable, we carry this demeanor as the sign of our authentic faith. The next time you get angry, upset, or critical, ask yourself, “Is this the testimony of a life filled with the Holy Spirit?”
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Are we practical materialists?
Continue reading “Being Born of the Spirit”
