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Posts by James Ross Kelly

James Ross Kelly lives in Northern California next to the Sacramento River. Mr. Kelly was a long-time resident of Southern Oregon where he grew up. And the Fires We Talked About published by Uncollected Press in 2020 is Mr. Kelly’s first book of fiction. In 2024 Mr. Kelly published his third book, "Above Neil Rock," a memoir.
by James Ross Kelly

Holy Laughter


melanie jean juneau's avatarjoy of nine9

Even though icons and holy cards often depict the saints and the entire Holy Family with a miserable scowl on their unhealthy looking faces, the truth is that the saints lived in God’s presence and in His joy. St. Francis of Assisi is the most famous, joyful saint.  Look at our pope, whose name sake is Francis; his very countenance radiates authenticity, kindness, joy and the love of God.

Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, not a gift given to a select few but a by-product of living in the Spirit. Sacred Scriptures exhort us to trust and embrace the joy of the Lord.

The very first time my husband heard holy laughter was 26 years ago while making a retreat at the famous Trappist monastery near Oka in Quebec. He was walking quietly down a hallway, trying to be silent and unobtrusive when a monk  threw…

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by James Ross Kelly

Gregory Boyd on “The Myth of a Christian Nation” Part 1/3 – YouTube


Part One

Part Two

Part Three

by James Ross Kelly

It is GOD Who Converts


melanie jean juneau's avatarjoy of nine9

My words alone will not convince an atheist. Yes, Catholics need theology and apologetics, but these disciplines will  not convert  anybody, because Christianity is not primarily a moral theology or a philosophy, but a relationship of love. By focusing upon the reality of  our Christian experiences as they truly are, Christ becomes a living Messiah not only to us, but a visible light to others.

675-a5c77fba-29e2-451d-8672-0592ca4a6af4The contemplative learns about deep trust and complete abandonment to One he knows to be beyond all understanding.  The mystic does not have all the answers; he is not afraid to admit that he does not understand everything and he certainly does not berate or belittle those who are searching. The true mystic  experiences  God as unknowable, not an object nor a thing to be studied.  God cannot be boxed in, defined because He is a mystery. Such  experiential faith  reveals itself in the ground of our being.  This is where dialogue…

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by James Ross Kelly

Using scripture “Can a pre-tribulation rapture be true?”


Matthew 24:29 1 Thessalonians 4:13 1 Cor 15:50 Revelation 20:4
Time period: Immediately after..[tribulation] Not stated After last trumpet after the dead are raised 7th Trumpet [last one]
Where is Christ? in the clouds in the clouds Not stated Seen descending to earth in the clouds
Who is raised first? Not stated the dead the dead not stated
Who is gathered? the Elect the Elect The Dead then the Saints. Dead judged/ Saints rewarded.
What will be heard? a trumpet The voice of an archangel and a trumpet. Last trumpet The voice of an archangel and a trumpet.
by James Ross Kelly

Attracted To Men, Pastor Feels Called To Marriage With A Woman : NPR


allan edwardsAttracted To Men, Pastor Feels Called To Marriage With A Woman : NPR.

by James Ross Kelly

Sunday Reflection, Feast of Baptism of the Lord (January 11, 2015): God’s Bridging the Gap


William Ockham's avatarTeilhard de Chardin

baptism-of-jesus_

This weekend is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The readings can be found here. This Feast is both the last day of the Christmas season and the First Sunday in Ordinary Time.

The Baptism of Jesus is an interesting conundrum for Biblical scholars and theologians. This event is contained in all four Gospels and even the most skeptical Biblical scholars believe that it is a historical event. This leads to a more perplexing question: Why would the Son of God be baptized by a human, not to mention a strange societal outcast such as John the Baptist? I believe the answer to this question speaks to the kenotic outpouring of God’s love.  God, who is love, wanted to bridge the gap between God and humanity.

Today’s reflection comes from Fr. Andy Alexander, S.J. of Creighton University Online Ministries. You can read the entire reflection

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