Archive for March 2024
The Promise of Salvation
When a young child reaches for a hot stove, a loving parent slaps the child’s hand away from the stove. The child feels the pain of the action and likely feels punished. What really happened was that the parent saved the child from serious injury. Sometimes being saved feels like pain. The man gave names…
Read MoreThe Promise of Help
I’m sure you’ve heard the say, “You can’t go it alone.” This is true whether you are climbing Mount Everest or if you are looking for God. As young children we learn the ‘buddy system’ for everything from water sports to study partners in college. No matter where we find ourselves, we always need help.…
Read MoreThe Promise of Food
It is day three of the Great Fast. By now, if you are following the Fast in any way, even if not very strict, you are hungry and craving the foods you used to eat. Trust me. You’ll be ok. You will survive because God promised you would always have food. And God said, “Let…
Read MoreDon’t Walk Away
For this year’s Daily Lenten Journey we are focusing on the Power of God’s Promise. One way God speaks to us is through His Prophets. Throughout the Old Testament the Prophets have reminded us, at least those willing to listen, of God’s Promise. Too often, many did not and do not listen. “If you are…
Read MoreAnother Great Lent and Another Chance
We have come once again to the first day of the Great Fast, also known as Great Lent. In Greek this season is known as the Great 40 Days. What makes it so ‘great’ is the power of God. It is our annual chance to return to where it all started and remember God’s power…
Read MoreGain Becomes Loss
We are all faced with choices. With each choice comes the option to gain or to lose. As Christians we are taught that we gain when we lose. To the world this appears foolish. To God is appears to be heaven. In today’s Gospel lesson we come face to face with the Jewish leaders who…
Read MoreFinal Call
There are just a few days before the Great Fast begins. The Church has already encouraged us to stop eating meat products. Today the Church services are Lenten in character. All this is to direct our attention to what is to come. In case you’re wondering, I’m not talking about Great Lent. “Yet even now,”…
Read MoreJudgment is Inevitable
We hope to avoid it. We pray to escape it. The last thing we look forward to is Judgment Day. Alas, everything we know about God, from the Old Testament, New Testament and Church Fathers, tells us that Judgment is something we cannot avoid. Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To…
Read MoreAn End Brings a New Beginning
As we wrap up the Triodion Period this week, our annual Lectionary is coming to an end. Beginning next week, we will read from the New Testament only on Saturdays and Sundays. The weekdays are reserved for Old Testament readings during the Great Fast. There are just a few more days to inspire us to…
Read MoreEpisode 420 – Love is not a Contract
People do good things for three reasons. Some do good to avoid punishment. Others do good to earn rewards. The best reason to do good is because we love God. Doing good to get a response from God is contractual. Love is not a contract. When we are judged by God on Judgment Day, He…
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