Today I started the Augustine Institute’s Forgiven series. Powerful. If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it (at least the first session, which is all I have done so far).
We talked about how sin separates us from God — not earth shattering news, I know. But it’s not just the sin, but our response to it which separates us. We separate ourselves from God by doubting his love for us when we sin. Read more
I had no idea that St. Patrick worked as a shepherd for a period of time. It is true you learn something new everyday and that is what I learned today.
I say that only because of the coincidence of where the Bible opened today. Today I opened the Bible to Jesus’ description of the Good Shepherd in the Gospel of John:
“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
John 10: 14-16
I have read or heard this part of the Gospel many times before. But what I heard today was: we are all one. Too often it seems we try to split up into teams, sides or folds. We focus on our differences. There are so many today who may not feel like they are in the fold. I suppose we all feel like that at times. But Jesus’s words are clear. Whether you belong to the fold or not, He came here for you. Regardless of your country, your race, your preferences, your religion, we are all one flock. And Jesus came to shepherd us all. To lead us to our Father. To lay down His life for each and every one of His sheep — even when we feel completely lost and left out of the fold. Even when the world tries to separate us.
St. Patrick found sheep who weren’t in the fold and brought them to God. He helped Ireland hear God’s voice.
Lord, help me be like Patrick. Help me reach out to those who may feel outside the fold. Help me to ignore the differences between others and me (all of which truly are minor), and to not get caught up in the divisions that differences create. And finally help me listen to You! Shepherd me O Lord!
I believe that God likes basketball. He made us in his image and it certainly seems that we like basketball.
I enjoy watching, rooting for the underdog, watching the sweetness of victory — the joy that is shared among the players and the fans — and watching the “agony” and sometimes heartbreak of defeat. As I was watching tonight, I happened to open my Bible again (a double header day):
You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God, for:
“All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of the field; the grass withers, and the flower wilts; but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.
1 Peter 1:23-25
I was struck with one thought as I read this, with one eye on the basketball scores (and my bracket that was quickly going down the drain): March madness is a beautiful microcosm of all worldly things. Perishable. Whether your team wins the game, wins the tournament or even experiences the ultimate Cinderella story — the victory is perishable. The victory is fleeting and will eventually wilt. Even the worst loss, the humiliating defeat, the broken dreams. These too are perishable.
Next fall the teams will all start anew. This year’s victories and losses will be meaningless. Just memories. As with most things in life. Easy come. Easy go. Today’s peaks, quickly turn into tomorrow’s valleys. But one thing remains:
GOD.
All the glory of today will fade away. All the glory of March Madness will be gone by mid April. But the Glory of God reigns true.
So cheer your team to victory (as long as they are not playing my team), and remember one team endures forever.
Today I opened the Bible and my eyes fell on this short verse:
And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to [this] mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Luke 17:5-6
How often I question my faith. I am counting on the fact that we only need a little bit. A little bit to grow. A little bit to start a fire. A little bit can move mountains.
Dear God, start a fire in me! Nourish Your tiny mustard seed in my heart. Keep that seed safe and strong through all of the doubts and temptations of the world.
I have started to do an amazing thing… I open the Bible. Once a day. Sometimes for just two minutes. Sometimes for much longer. I do not start at the beginning or pick up where I left off. I do not select what book I read or what chapter or verse. I just open it and let my eyes fall where they may. And more times than not, my eyes fall on a verse or chapter that have incredible meaning to me that day, that moment. It would be presumptuous to think that God is directing me to something… wouldn’t it? I am not the most religious person… I sometimes struggle to make it to church on Sunday, letting the rest of the world get in the way… I certainly struggle to put others needs ahead of mine… And the bible was written eons ago… how could it possibly relate to me … How could the words on a random page that I open to make sense in my 21st century life … I don’t know… Or may be I do and am afraid to admit it. God is good. God is all knowing. And God knows what we need. So permit me to indulge and share what I read.
Here is today’s “random” Bible opening:
Proverbs 2:1-12:
My son, if you receive my words
and treasure my commands,
Turning your ear to wisdom,
inclining your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you call for intelligence,
and to understanding raise your voice;
If you seek her like silver,
and like hidden treasures search her out,
Then will you understand the fear of the LORD;
the knowledge of God you will find;
For the LORD gives wisdom,
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
He has success in store for the upright,
is the shield of those who walk honestly,
Guarding the paths of justice,
protecting the way of his faithful ones,
Then you will understand what is right and just,
what is fair, every good path;
For wisdom will enter your heart,
knowledge will be at home in your soul,
Discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you;
Saving you from the way of the wicked,
from those whose speech is perverse.
Sufficient Grace 