First of the beatitudes, Am I poor in spirit? Matthew 5:1-12 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them by saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will …
Come Follow Me, Matthew 4:12-25
‘ Come follow me,’ most probably the first disciples knew who Jesus was by reputation well before he called them. They also recognized the honor of a rabbi’s call and that it was no small event to be called by the most special of all rabbis. My call is to live for him daily instead of myself. I might not …
Temptation: It Depends on Your Direction, Devotional, Matthew 4:1-11
Temptation: Relevance? A discussion of temptation is only relevant when I seek a relationship with God. If my desire conforms to my own definition of good or to a casual, convenient, socially, postmodern, acceptable definition of good; a discussion of temptation remains relative. With no outside standard, I do essentially what I want as long as I don’t commit a …
Not a God of Wishful Thinking or Religious Sentimentality: Devotion, Matthew 2
God is not a god of wishful thinking based on my expectations or sentiments. Religious sentimentality and religious wishful thinking may feel good but give little value or substance to face the difficulties of life. Although I like to feel good, and the holiday season is very pleasant, I must go beyond this if I am to have a relationship …
Miracles Part of the Journey Not the End: June 3, Devotional Readings
This post Miracles Part of the Journey Not the End and the previous two are an experiment to make the blog more relevant and useful to readers. Starting with tomorrow’s post, I will narrow the discussion to one chapter from the New Testament. Miracles part of the spiritual journey, not the end, in other words, the purpose of miracles was …
Idolatry or God
Today we build economies by creating marketing messages or stories to make ourselves believe that we want a product and ultimately need it. In comparison, in the ancient world, pagan prophets served as marketers, and entire economies were built on idol worship. Idolatry continues to flourish; even today some idols live among things we think necessary. Modern forms include: materialism, …
In What or Whom Do I Trust?
In What or Whom Do I Trust? In What or Whom Do I Trust? Some common themes are woven into today’s readings, and each day we have to decide who or what we are going to trust. Taking up our cross and trusting God will always involve leaving behind what is comfortable and known. The call of Abraham is ours, …