Blog Posts containing "Epiphany"

Epiphany is a spiritual inside-out experience. The feeling of His Presence transforms our thought about the event. The rational outside-in thinking tries to change what we think about the event to transform our feelings. We find this thinking in the Gospel lesson today. It is about two disciples Andrew, and most likely John. John does not like to mention himself. Although he does not mention his name, he calls himself “The Disciple whom Jesus loved.” Outside-in thinking believes this disciple was the one that Jesus loved. It sounds pretentious that Jesus would love one more than the other. Inside-out thinking knows his name “John” means “The Beloved”. That is as close to his name you can get. The author was just referring to his name not his relationship with Jesus as a special person.  Read more

Old Testament: Isaiah 49:1-7 Literal Religion: “I will give you as a light” refers to Isaiah. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. “I will give you as a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Spiritual grace: “I will give you as a light” refers to our experience of His Presence. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture. “I will give you as a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Can you feel the difference?  Read more

It is imperative we do not miss the Epiphany season. Not the Sundays, but the whole season. It starts with the baptism and then it ends with the Transfiguration. The Greek word for “transfiguration” is the familiar “metamorphosis”. It is the plain looking moth turning into the beautiful butterfly. That is the difference. The Epiphany is about a spiritual transformation from the inside-out. Physical changes take place from the outside in.  Read more

Old Testament: Isaiah 42:1-9 Literal Religion: “Walk in it” is to obey the Law. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. “Who gives spiritual breath to the people in it and Spirit to those who walk in it.” Spiritual grace: “Walk in it” is the experience of His Presence in us. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture. “Who gives spiritual breath to the people in it and Spirit to those who walk in it.” Can you tell the difference? Literal religion sees what it wants us to see. Grace sees what God wants us to see!  Read more

Background: The Greek word for Transfiguration is meta (to change) morphoo (form). It also is translated transformation in Romans 12:2. The Transfiguration is a good example of the difference between the worldly language of the letter and the godly language of the spirit. The question is, which one makes more sense? When we think in a worldly manner we only have the evidence that is there. When we look at it in a godly way we are looking not only for what is there, but for what is there that should not be there and what is not there that should be there.  Read more

Spiritual language is natural, conscious and innate. Take time to sense the godly Presence within when a spiritual word is added to the rational, worldly reading of scripture. Bottom Line Meditations for the week before the Last Sunday in Epiphany, The Transfiguration.  Read more

“The greatest of these is Love.” This does not mean Love is the best. Legalism is interested in which is better, Faith, Hope or Love? If we think Love is the best, then we will spend more time learning about Love. Faith and Hope can almost be ignored because Love is the best. However that is not what Paul said. He did say it was the greatest, but that does not mean it is the best. It means that these three are part of the whole.  Read more

Spiritual language is natural, conscious and innate. Take time to sense the godly Presence within when a spiritual word is added to the rational, worldly reading of scripture. Bottom Line Meditations for the week before the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany.  Read more

It would be hard for a Christian to read St. Paul’s writings and not know we, as the Church, are the Body of Christ. Yet, St. Paul is the only New Testament writer who makes the statement that we are His Body. We are the only Religion that believes this. The Hebrews do not believe they are the body of Moses. The Muslims do not believe they are the body of Mohammed. The Buddhists do not believe they are the body of Buddha. What did the body of Christ mean to Paul and where did he get it?  Read more

Spiritual language is natural, conscious and innate. It is not something we learn, it is something we discover. This language is not rationally taught but consciously remembered. Take time to sense the godly Presence within when a spiritual word is added to the rational, worldly reading of scripture. Bottom Line Meditations for the week before the Third Sunday after Epiphany. We have two lives, rational and spiritual. Feel the difference how our spiritual understanding of life can change our rational understanding of life.  Read more