image by Darren Calhoun
faith
hope
love
creative commons 2.0. attribution: dackelprincess, flickr.
Friday, May 18, 2018
fear death? faith is the answer
"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life." John 12: 24-25
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Saturday, May 12, 2018
overcomplicating the simple
most of us would agree that the universe is complex. brilliant men and women have spent their lives studying the universe, but there is still much that baffles the scientific world about how the universe works.
Top 10 Unsolved Mysteries of Science | IFLScience
the same can be said of religion. theologians write scholarly books, using language that most people can't understand, to describe God and how God works.
Albert Einstein, recognized as one of the most brilliant scientists and mathematicians in history, spent his life studying the mysteries of the universe. He developed theories and spent many years developing complex mathematical formulae to prove them. Most of that work ended up in the wastebasket.
The theory that Einstein is most recognized for combines two of the most fundamental elements of the universe, mass and energy, into one. Einstein's simple mathematical formula proves his theory: E=mc2 (Energy=mass times the speed of light squared).
NOVA | Einstein's Big Idea | Library Resource Kit: E = mc2 Explained | PBS
I've purchased books in the recent past with simple titles, such as "Providence" and "Nothing Greater, Nothing Better", in an attempt to know more about God. I wasn't able to finish them. Even though I consider my vocabulary good, I realized early on that I needed a PhD in vocabulary to understand them.
won't it be wonderful one day, after this life on earth is over, when we learn that, with an all-knowing God, everything is simple?
"The Pharisees and Sadducees came and, to test him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He said to them in reply, '[In the evening you say, ‘Tomorrow will be fair, for the sky is red’; and, in the morning, ‘Today will be stormy, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to judge the appearance of the sky, but you cannot judge the signs of the times.] An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah.' Then he left them and went away." Matthew 16 1-4
Top 10 Unsolved Mysteries of Science | IFLScience
the same can be said of religion. theologians write scholarly books, using language that most people can't understand, to describe God and how God works.
Albert Einstein, recognized as one of the most brilliant scientists and mathematicians in history, spent his life studying the mysteries of the universe. He developed theories and spent many years developing complex mathematical formulae to prove them. Most of that work ended up in the wastebasket.
The theory that Einstein is most recognized for combines two of the most fundamental elements of the universe, mass and energy, into one. Einstein's simple mathematical formula proves his theory: E=mc2 (Energy=mass times the speed of light squared).
NOVA | Einstein's Big Idea | Library Resource Kit: E = mc2 Explained | PBS
I've purchased books in the recent past with simple titles, such as "Providence" and "Nothing Greater, Nothing Better", in an attempt to know more about God. I wasn't able to finish them. Even though I consider my vocabulary good, I realized early on that I needed a PhD in vocabulary to understand them.
won't it be wonderful one day, after this life on earth is over, when we learn that, with an all-knowing God, everything is simple?
image by European Southern Observatory (ESO)
"The Pharisees and Sadducees came and, to test him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He said to them in reply, '[In the evening you say, ‘Tomorrow will be fair, for the sky is red’; and, in the morning, ‘Today will be stormy, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to judge the appearance of the sky, but you cannot judge the signs of the times.] An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah.' Then he left them and went away." Matthew 16 1-4
image by Billy Hathorn
faith
hope
love
Thursday, May 3, 2018
divine praises
Blessed be God.
Blessed be God's Holy Name.
Blessed be God, Creator.
Blessed be God's sovereign power.
Blessed be God's infinite love.
Blessed be God's mercy.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be Jesus' Most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be Jesus' Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be Jesus' obedience to God our Father.
Blessed be Jesus' incarnation.
Blessed be Jesus' public ministry.
Blessed be Jesus' redemption for our sins.
Blessed be Jesus' glorious resurrection.
Blessed be Jesus' glorious ascension.
Blessed be Jesus' Word.
Blessed be Jesus' holy church.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit's grace.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit's counsel.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most Holy.
Blessed be her Holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her Glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the Name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints.
human words that are used to describe God, e.g. supreme, awesome, mighty, perfect, king, etc. are all inadequate because humans use these words to refer to other things too. God should be a word that is reserved for only God--a word that is analogous to no other word. blessed be God's holy name.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Sunday, April 22, 2018
faith healing
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away." Revelation 21:4
6 Bible Verses for Healing of Mind, Body and Spirit | Guideposts
6 Bible Verses for Healing of Mind, Body and Spirit | Guideposts
Friday, April 20, 2018
patience
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of the perseverance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, because “the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your “Yes” mean “Yes” and your “No” mean “No,” that you may not incur condemnation.
James 5: 7-12
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
amazing grace
Insights on Romans: NIV - Charles R. Swindoll - Google Books
"...all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus..." Romans 3: 23-24
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
Amazing Grace - Best Version By Far! - YouTube
"...all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus..." Romans 3: 23-24
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
Amazing Grace - Best Version By Far! - YouTube
image by Patrick Slaven
Sunday, April 8, 2018
faith
in a dark world, where evil seems to prevail, faith in God is the answer.
in John 3 11-21 Jesus says:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God."
Jesus God came into a dark world where, even as a baby, He was sought to kill. eventually those who sought to kill Jesus succeeded. He was relentlessly pursued, betrayed, tortured and died on a cross like a criminal. it appeared that evil had prevailed. but, evil didn't prevail. Jesus rose from the dead. He crushed evil.
if only we have faith.
in John 3 11-21 Jesus says:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony. If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God."
Jesus God came into a dark world where, even as a baby, He was sought to kill. eventually those who sought to kill Jesus succeeded. He was relentlessly pursued, betrayed, tortured and died on a cross like a criminal. it appeared that evil had prevailed. but, evil didn't prevail. Jesus rose from the dead. He crushed evil.
if only we have faith.
Saturday, March 31, 2018
hell
"The pope continued, according to Scalfari, saying (emphasis ours), 'The disappearance of sinful souls exists.'
The statements spurred Catholics and other believers to grab their virtual pitchforks to express their fury, which the Vatican has since tried to cool."
Pope To World: Hell Does Exist : The Two-Way : NPR
not this Catholic.
I have often wondered how a loving Creator could allow His (since God is Spirit, and spirit has no gender, you may substitute "Her" for "His", if you wish) creature to be tortured for all eternity for his, or her, sins.
I am a sinner. I deserve hell for the sins that I have committed.
who is the last person to condemn another person for their sins? their mother. even though as an adult their child may commit horrible crime(s), their mother still loves them. a mother may hate the horrible crime(s) that her child committed, but a mother still loves her child. is a mother's love a reflection of God's love for His children?
to me "disappearance" seems to make some sense. we are all sinners. we all deserve hell. it is only through the love and mercy of God that any person will enjoy eternal happiness. those who God deems unworthy of eternal happiness because of their sins, their lack of contrition for their sins or their failure to acknowledge God as God, would cease to exist. they would justly be denied eternal happiness with God in heaven (just punishment for their sins and lack of contrition). but, Creator God, because of His great love for His creatures, would not allow them to be tortured for all eternity in hell.
Pope To World: Hell Does Exist : The Two-Way : NPR
not this Catholic.
I have often wondered how a loving Creator could allow His (since God is Spirit, and spirit has no gender, you may substitute "Her" for "His", if you wish) creature to be tortured for all eternity for his, or her, sins.
I am a sinner. I deserve hell for the sins that I have committed.
who is the last person to condemn another person for their sins? their mother. even though as an adult their child may commit horrible crime(s), their mother still loves them. a mother may hate the horrible crime(s) that her child committed, but a mother still loves her child. is a mother's love a reflection of God's love for His children?
to me "disappearance" seems to make some sense. we are all sinners. we all deserve hell. it is only through the love and mercy of God that any person will enjoy eternal happiness. those who God deems unworthy of eternal happiness because of their sins, their lack of contrition for their sins or their failure to acknowledge God as God, would cease to exist. they would justly be denied eternal happiness with God in heaven (just punishment for their sins and lack of contrition). but, Creator God, because of His great love for His creatures, would not allow them to be tortured for all eternity in hell.
Jesus
He is God.
He is the beginning.
He has no end.
He loves.
He became man.
He taught.
He redeemed us from our sins.
He rose from the dead.
He ascended into heaven.
Jesus, God, Savior,
we love You.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
the Perfect solution
God is eternal.
God is infinite.
with God there is no beginning or end.
God is almighty.
God is all powerful.
God is all knowing.
God is love.
there is nothing greater, nothing better, than God.
God always knew that His creation, man, would betray him.
God knew that man would sin and sin again and again.
God knew the Perfect solution to mankind's sinfulness from the beginning: Father God, Son Jesus God, the Redeemer, and Holy Spirit God, the Advocate.
God knew the Perfect solution to His Creation mankind's sinfulness from the beginning.
God is infinite.
with God there is no beginning or end.
God is almighty.
God is all powerful.
God is all knowing.
God is love.
there is nothing greater, nothing better, than God.
God always knew that His creation, man, would betray him.
God knew that man would sin and sin again and again.
God knew the Perfect solution to mankind's sinfulness from the beginning: Father God, Son Jesus God, the Redeemer, and Holy Spirit God, the Advocate.
God knew the Perfect solution to His Creation mankind's sinfulness from the beginning.
image by AnonMoos (earlier version of SVG file Sumudu Fernando)
Saturday, March 24, 2018
I confess to almighty God
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Amen
image by Gallen35
Friday, March 16, 2018
faith, hope & love
faith is believing that there is nothing greater, nothing better, than God.
hope is believing that no matter what happens that everything will be alright.
love is helping others on their journey.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
Jesus' mercy
Jesus' mercy: 2018 03 13 Reflection 245 - YouTube
Jesus' mercy in action: Waffle House waitress gets $16K scholarship after act of kindness goes viral - CBS News
Jesus' mercy in action: Waffle House waitress gets $16K scholarship after act of kindness goes viral - CBS News
Monday, March 12, 2018
only God is God
only God is God.
"can a blind person lead a blind person? will not both fall into a pit? no disciple is superior to the teacher."
Luke 6 39
Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
God knows his sheep and his sheep know him.
(John 10 1-21)
we are God's sheep.
Jesus speaks to us through his word, and our hearts.
we have only one shepherd, Jesus, God.
"can a blind person lead a blind person? will not both fall into a pit? no disciple is superior to the teacher."
Luke 6 39
Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
God knows his sheep and his sheep know him.
(John 10 1-21)
we are God's sheep.
Jesus speaks to us through his word, and our hearts.
we have only one shepherd, Jesus, God.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
only God is truth
truth = honesty = transparency
there is no deceit in truth.
every human being is deceitful.
groups of humans are deceitful--governments, churches, experts, men, women, young, old, etc.
ALL humans are deceitful.
there is no deceit in truth.
every human being is deceitful.
groups of humans are deceitful--governments, churches, experts, men, women, young, old, etc.
ALL humans are deceitful.
attribution: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
what does God/truth look like?
when God talked to Moses on the mountain His voice came from a burning bush. when Moses gave the people the ten commandments, the people built the ark of the covenant from specific instructions to place the tablets in. when Solomon was king, the people built the temple from specific instructions as a permanent place for the ark of the covenant. They believed that God resided in the holy of holies in the temple. Only the high priest could enter the holy of holies, only once a year.
Those who saw Jesus when he lived saw God. Needless to say, there are no photographs or portraits of Jesus. Artists have portrayed Jesus after he lived using their imaginations, mostly contrary to Isiah 53 2 which says "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.”
Where did Jesus say that we should look if we want to see God?
Where did Jesus say that we should look if we want to see God?
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nation will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25 31-46
Saturday, March 3, 2018
guilt
Who is a God like you, who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but instead delights in mercy,
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but instead delights in mercy,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our iniquities?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;
treading underfoot our iniquities?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and loyalty to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our ancestors
from days of old.
and loyalty to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our ancestors
from days of old.
Micah 7 18:20
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