Touchpoints on Spiritual Growth (Page 2)
Into All Truth
“The canvas of hues and the wisdom of the unknown were no longer my companions. I became eternally hungry and thirsty for more of the fruit that never quenched the desire for belonging.”
Grooted in Love
“It’s a very tender and moving scene and I said to Andi, “This is it! This is the answer I’ve been seeking as to the reason Jesus breathed on the disciples in the Upper Room!
The instructions Jesus leaves with the disciples and us, and what he did in the Upper Room is symbolic of Jesus connecting all of us. We are one in Spirit! Rooted in Christ! There is the connection we are longing for.”
House to home
those who have deeply welcomed me will attend to my utterings.” John 14:23-29 23Jesus said to Judas (not Iscariot), “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me. 25“I have said these things to you while…
Glory, Glorify, Glorified
“I don’t know about you, but I understand the scripture “Christ in me the hope of glory” better now. For me, it means Christ is in me and you, that we may manifest the power and peace of God.”
One Shepherd Many Voices
John 10:22-30 At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you…
Be Loved
John 21:14-17 This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes,…
Dinner Party
John 12:1-8 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the…
Prodigal Sons
From now on, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat
you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Love Your Enemy, Blah blah blah
Grace and peace to you from the Mystery in whom we live and move, and have our being. Love for Enemies. Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Luke…
Speaking on the Level
“Yes, our world would be turned upside down if we lived the beatitudes, but perhaps God gives us the capacity to walk upside down, until our lives are right-side up. Haha, now that brings me joy! What would our lives look like if we let Jesus drop these bombs into our hearts?
Would we continue pouring energy listening to bad-news preoccupations and commentary, or would we begin advocating for others who are hurting and a new gospel of universal love contrary to today’s Christianity? If inner joy is a result, then that is a life worth living!”
The Good Bad News
“Am I more disturbed that John’s words predict a God of love cutting fruitless trees down and burning them then the suffering of those around me? What weighs heavier on me, the threat to my theology concerning John’s image of a punishing God, or those mentioned who are cold and hungry?”
Making Way for The Way
“John’s cry for repentance was to prepare the way of the heart for a change in direction. To clear the way of old ways. He wasn’t yelling the repentance that says “Hey everyone, stop sinning, Jesus is coming and boy is he pissed!”, or “Just look busy!” He said prepare the way for the real deal. The way beyond all ways. It’s not a hack to make your life easier. It is a way of peace amid all the other hacks wanting to have their way. A compassionate voice crying in the wilderness of our hearts. A voice of anticipation. The voice that says create space for a new beginning.”