February 2014 Blog Posts (47)

There are a number of elements of the Christian faith that seem to play out differently in the lives of men and women. Oh I know that may seem preposterous or ‘not the way it is supposed to be’ from the outset, but I have seen it first hand for many years. Generally speaking, whereas women may find it easier to discern and trust that they have heard the voice of God, men seem to better apprehend the grace of God, particularly as it applies to themselves. …

Feeling a little wither in your walk with the Lord ? But you are not seeing any fruit.It may  mean  a sign of religion. The world we live in likes to base it standard on its performance and not what God has requires.As the word of God says in Romans 10:3-For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.Meaning that we have allowed the traditions of man to hinder the work of God in our…

Men are nicer, but … (at least with regard to one another) Titus 2.1-8

Poised to move on to Titus chapter…

Day of Heaven Upon Earth

A.B. Simpson

January 3

“Watch and pray” (Matt. 26:41)

We need to watch for prayers as well as for the answers to our prayers. It needs as much…

Scripture and history reveal that early Christians, like the Old Testament worshippers of YHVH, fasted a lot.  My experience is that twenty-first century Christians don't understand it.  They don't understand what letting yourself get hungry has to do with Salvation or spirituality.  The thing is, God has had a lot to say about fasting.  He has rewarded fasting with answered prayers and revelations.  He has acknowledged fasting as an acceptable form of penance.  He has also spoken out…

 Are you feeling a little forgotten  by God? You are waiting for him to answer your prayer.ANd you are waiting for him to deliver you from what is holding you captive or other things .Sure the enemy would love for you to feel like you are abandon by God.But that is absolutely  further from the truth. Isaiah 40:27-Why do you say, O Jacob,

And speak, O Israel:

“My…

So, what does a monastic, an anchorite, do?  Most people would say, "They chant"; "They pray"; "They wear a habit"; "They make brandy."  While all of those things may be true (at least of some groups of cenobitic monks or nuns), probably the more important or revealing question is, "Why do they do those things?"  And the answer may be even more vague for Third Order monastics like myself.  We are usually called "Oblates."  The definition of that word answers the question.  Most literate…

I have read Job's Book several times.  The first few times were, perhaps not perfunctory, but at least with academic detachment.  I wanted to master the literary form and content of Job's Book so that I could answer test questions about it.  The first time I read it with real understanding, the God of Job scared me.  This is a God who strips away family members as if they were chatel.  I knew grief.  The incurable grief of losing a spouse, a child, to death, can be crushing.  I didn't want…

I STILL BELIEVE.  TITUS 2.11-14…

We are married to Christ!  Have you had your honeymoon with your your Beautiful Savior-Bridegroom, a period of time when you thought of nothing but Him?  If so, have you now returned to "business as usual"?  Unfortunately, my first honeymoon (many years ago) was in Disneyland which was a huge distraction, so my wife and I came home not knowing each other any better than we did before we were married.  I had a second honeymoon at a very nice resort hotel, but there was too much tennis,…