“If the only way we know Jesus is by reading about him in the Bible, then the Resurrection is unnecessary.” – Gabriel Gordon I had the most […]
The Birth of Jesus
Matthew 1–The Message
18-19 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.
20-23 While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term:
24-25 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Last Sunday in Advent–How to receive the Lord
Luke 1:39-45 The Message (MSG)
Blessed Among Women
39-45 Mary didn’t waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah’s house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly,
You’re so blessed among women,
and the babe in your womb, also blessed!
And why am I so blessed that
the mother of my Lord visits me?
The moment the sound of your
greeting entered my ears,
The babe in my womb
skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
Blessed woman, who believed what God said,
believed every word would come true!
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
A Different Story When a Bishop, Not a Priest, Is Accused (LA Auxiliary) | Matthew Schneider
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles was aware of accusations against Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar since 2005. However, he was only barred from public […]
Source: A Different Story When a Bishop, Not a Priest, Is Accused (LA Auxiliary) | Matthew Schneider
The Past and Future of Psychedelics with Rick Doblin – YouTube
Unwrapping Presence | Keith Giles
If Jesus was called “Emmanuel” which means “God with us”, and if he promised never to leave us or forsake us, then Christ is with us now. If […]
Evolution, religion & Jordan Peterson with Jonathan Pageau – YouTube
The American Evangelical Right has shown its real need is reformation–James Kelly
Christianity and her Church has been my moral center for most of my life. The past two years have shocked my sensibility as I’ve seen friends of mine, Christians, support Donald Trump.
While I’ve been Pro-life and Supported pro-Israel policy for 40 years, racism has been to my mind–ungodly. Sadly, as Trump supporters continue to bolster their President and often from an evangelical perspective that is patently wrong, their true colors seem to shine through. And there seems to be no color of the loving kindness of the Jesus I worship–whose love knows no skin color, or tribe, or race.
I am a left leaning Christian, in the manner of St. Francis I suppose, and perhaps I always have been. Recently a prophetic dream confirmed this. This blog will largely support a notion of Christianity that reflects Matthew 25: 31:46. I believe it always has.
Now, I believe the Evangelical right, if it has a part in the Church Universal has shown its real need is immediate reformation. Daily, there should be nails on the door of this artifice if it claims an historical significance.
James Kelly
How Universalism Allows Us To Freely Love As Christ Intended | Keith Giles
I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon. Those who embrace the Universalist View of Salvation tend to be more loving and accepting of those who are unlike […]
Source: How Universalism Allows Us To Freely Love As Christ Intended | Keith Giles
St. John One: One 