Blog Posts containing "Pentecost XVII"

Literal thinking deals with what is written to discover how to think. Grace understanding deals with how to think to discover what is written. The literal starts with what it reads to discover the spiritual meaning. Grace starts with the spiritual feeling of being in the Presence before it starts to read. The Parable is about a rich man who finds his servant is cheating him of his profits. Jesus summarized the parable by saying, “I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into their eternal homes.” Some people are shocked because it seems as if Jesus is commending the shrewdness of the servant in cheating his master.   Read more

Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Romans 8:2 - Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. You do not lose your mind in legalism, you know exactly where you left it! Think Legalism: “Serve” is to do God’s will. Feel Grace: “Serve” is to be in God’s Presence.  Read more

Jesus was sharing with the sinners and tax collectors. They all drew near to hear Him. The Pharisees were off in a distance grumbling about Him. Jesus tells the three parables. Literal thinking sees the point of the parables is show the Love Jesus has for sinners. What was the real meaning of His parables? You have a lost sheep and the shepherd leaves the righteous ninety and nine to search other for the lost sheep. A woman loses her dowry. She may not be able to be married if she does not find the coin. She finds the lost coin and rejoices. Literally, we would think this was about the joy of having sinners repent. Wasn’t that what Jesus was supposed to be working with?  Read more

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost: Romans 7:22 - For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. If you can't follow a hundred Laws of legalism, then just follow the one Law of grace: Love! Think Legalism: Godliness is behaving godly. Feel Grace: Godliness is feeling the Presence of God.  Read more