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
Year A Second Sunday in Epiphany Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Jan 06, 2014
Year A First Sunday in Epiphany Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Dec 30, 2013
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
Year A Second Sunday After Christmas Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Dec 23, 2013
Think literal Legalism: Legalism finds no consolation or closure about traumatic events. Feel the spiritual Grace: Grace finds consolation and closure in the Presence of God. Old Testament: Jeremiah 31:7-14 Think literal Legalism: “With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back.” Feel the spiritual Grace: “With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back spiritually.” Read more
Year A First Sunday After Christmas Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Dec 16, 2013
Think literal Legalism: “Presence” is physical. Feel the spiritual Grace: “Presence” is spiritual. OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 63:7-9 Think literal Legalism: It was no messenger or angel but his physical presence that saved them. Feel the spiritual Grace: It was no messenger or angel but His spiritual Presence that saves them. Legalism looks for the key to happiness. Grace knows there is no key, the door is always open! Read more
Year A Advent IV Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Dec 09, 2013
Think literal Legalism: We literally “weary” God with our rational doubts. Feel the spiritual Grace: We spiritually “weary” God with our closed hearts. Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10-16 Think literal Legalism: Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Feel the spiritual Grace: Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you spiritually weary my God also? Legalism hates and remembers. Grace forgives and forgets. Read more
Year A Advent III Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Dec 02, 2013
Think literal Legalism: Literally our “eyes” and “ears” are physical. Feel the spiritual Grace: Spiritually our “eyes” and “ears” are opened to the grace of God within us. Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-10 Think literal Legalism: The literally the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Feel the spiritual Grace: The spiritual eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the spiritual ears of the deaf unstopped. Read more
Year A Advent II Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Nov 25, 2013
Think literal Legalism: The Spirit is literally resting on Jesus. Feel the spiritual Grace: When we are spiritually open to His grace, the Spirit of Jesus is resting on us. Old Testament: Isaiah 11:1-10 Think literal Legalism: The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Feel the spiritual Grace: The spirit of the LORD shall rest on us, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. Read more
Church Year C Meditations Have Started
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Nov 18, 2013
Fr. Paul's Church Year C Meditations have started. They are available in his blog titled "Meditations for Church Year C". Read more
Year A Advent I Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Nov 18, 2013
Think literal Legalism: “Walk in the light” is to obediently follow the laws of the Bible. Feel the spiritual Grace: “Walk in the light” is to abide in Jesus. Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5 Think literal Legalism: “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!” Feel the spiritual Grace: “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk spiritually in the light of the LORD!” Read more
Meditations on Year A Introduction
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Nov 15, 2013
I am sure you have heard it said, "Life is a journey." I believe this is true, not only in your physical or "Worldly" life, but is even more true of your spiritual or "Godly" life. The most important part of this journey is developing a better understanding of who God is and how to satisfy the yearning for a closer relationship with Him. To assist you in your journey, I am publishing two posts per week during the Year A Church Calendar. Published on Mondays, the "Bottom Line" meditations are designed to help you understand the weekly meditations, published on Thursdays, in a more "Godly" way rather than the more typical "Worldly" way. Read more
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Year A Pentecost XXIV
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Year A Pentecost XXIV Bottom Line
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Year A Pentecost XXIII
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Year A Pentecost XXII
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