paravanes:meditations

“Now Lord, don’t move my mountain But give me the strength to climb. And Lord, don’t take away my stumbling block, But lead me all around.” --Inez Andrews Mahalia Jackson, a gospel music great, as was Inez Andrews, made this song famous. Others have performed it over the years with soul, energy, and conviction. It sounds powerful, convicting, and inspiring. It has the essence of determination and commitment in the words.  This song makes you a believer in getting up and trying one more time. As much as I love this song (and have enjoyed listening to it over the years), I stumbled a bit when I considered what Jesus said about mountains and how to handle them. At Matthew 17:20, Jesus answers his disciples when they questioned why they were unable to drive out a demon and heal a sick boy. Here’s what Jesus said: “…because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed , you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from ...

This statement, made by Jesus while he was engaged in what some might call a “lively conversation” with religious rulers at the temple in ancient Jerusalem, is one of the most controversial statements he made. What does this statement mean? Why is it controversial? The religious leaders engaging Jesus in a discussion about his identity became so angry at the “Before Abraham was born, I am” statement they picked up stones and determined to kill him on the spot. The text says he “hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” You can read the text of the entire debate in the Gospel of John,chapter 8, beginning in verse 12.  Ancient Jewish religious leaders understood the use of the term “I Am” to mean the speaker is making him or herself equal to, or the same as, God. That’s why they became enraged when Jesus said “I Am.” It was considered blasphemy for any person to say they were the same as God. Some would say it was even an outrage because most of us insti...

Does God love women and girls less than God loves men and boys? It's a reasonable question. In many parts of the world, the lives and fortunes of women and girls are severely diminished because of gender. Options for education, literacy, physical health and wellness, freedom of speech and expression are often limited out of existence for women. In many cultures, girls are sold into marriage as soon as (or before) they enter puberty. The worldwide human trafficking plague takes away or forever wounds the life possibilities for women in all countries. The United States and Canada are not exempt. How many of us would recognize someone who is a victim of trafficking? Critics of Christianity have said God hates women, or that God has placed (through religion) women in a inferior status to men. Is this true? In the Gospels, Jesus shows us how much God honors, values, and respects women and the well being of women. When in Matthew 19 , Jesus' disciples asked Him if it was OK...

From Sacramental Meditations and Advices , by Rev. John Willison (1821). “Meditation XIII.”   Read or download the full text of Willison’s book here .  ********************************************************************* “O love that passes knowledge! How shall I think of it and not stand amazed! That the general should die for the soldier, the physician for the patient! That the righteous Judge of Heaven should come to the bar, put Himself in the malefactor’s clothes, and be condemned for him! That the blessed Son of God should interpose his innocent breast to receive the moral stroke for us! That God all-sufficient should be exposed to hunger and thirst, to grief and weariness, and the vilest reproaches and indignities, for worms like us! Behold the Creator of the world wounded, mangled, and killed by ungrateful creatures, whom He came to save! ... Behold His heart burning with affection towards them that cruelly pierced it! Surely a believing view of t...