OLD TESTAMENT: Exodus 16:2-15 Literal Religion: Understands “manna” as “physical”. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. “When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ for they did not know what it was.” Spiritual Grace: Understands that Jesus told them what it is: His Spirit. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. “When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ for they did not know what it was.” Did you feel the Grace? Read more
Year A Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Sep 08, 2014
Year A Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Sep 01, 2014
OLD TESTAMENT: Exodus 14:19-31 Literal Religion: Belief is based on what God has done in the world. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. “Israel saw the great work that the LORD did so the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD.” Spiritual Grace: Belief is based on who God is within us. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. “Israel saw the great work that the LORD did so the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD.” Did you feel the Grace? Read more
Year A Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Aug 25, 2014
OLD TESTAMENT: Exodus 12:1-14 Literal Religion: Sees putting the blood of the lamb on the door posts and the lentil as historical. Read this scripture literally for the religious meaning. “They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.” Spiritual Grace: Sees putting the blood of the lamb on the door posts and the lentil spiritually as a sign of the blood of Christ on the cross. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read it again: “They shall take some of the blood and put it houses in which they eat it.” Did you feel the Grace? Read more
Year A Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Aug 18, 2014
OLD TESTAMENT: 1 Kings 3:5-12 Literal Religion: Discerning Wisdom is rational. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. “I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.” Spiritual Grace: Discerning Wisdom is spiritual. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. “I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.” Did you feel the Grace? Read more
Year A Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Aug 14, 2014
Peter answers, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds, “Blessed are you, Simon for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” This is an example of Peter experiencing the Presence of the Love that Jesus has for him. Feeling this love creates the Wisdom to know who Jesus is. Jesus then responds to Peter’s confession that He will build His Church on this. It is a mistake to think Jesus is building His Church on Peter. Read more
Year A Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Aug 11, 2014
OLD TESTAMENT: Exodus 1:8 - 2:10 Literal Religion: Sees the event of the miracle. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. “So the girl went and called the child's mother.” Spiritual Grace: Sees the power behind the miracle. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. “So the girl went and called the child's mother.” Did you feel the Grace? Read more
Year A Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Aug 07, 2014
Jesus said to her, "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." This scripture gives the commentators trouble. Why would the loving and graceful Jesus be so curt, rude, and judgmental toward an innocent person in distress because of her daughter’s affliction? Read more
Year A Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Aug 04, 2014
OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 45:1-15 Literal Religion: Forgiveness is to others. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. “And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them.’” Spiritual Grace: Forgiveness is for yourself. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. “And he kissed all his brothers and spiritually wept upon them.’” Did you feel the Grace? Read more
Year A Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Jul 28, 2014
OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Literal Religion: Understands dreams are about real life. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. “They said to one another, ‘here comes this dreamer.’” Spiritual Grace: Knows dreams are spiritual from God and need interpretation. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. “They said to one another, ‘here comes this dreamer.’” Did you feel the Grace? Read more
Year A Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Bottom Line Meditations
Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Jul 21, 2014
OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 32:22-31 Literal Religion: Thinks Jacob is wrestling with an angel. Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. The man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Spiritual Grace: Knows it was Esau. The angel wrestled with Jacob to overcome his fear of Esau. The angel won. Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. The man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Did you feel the Grace? Read more
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