Ministry in Motion

Anything worth doing   Is worth doing well There is some debate as to the wording and origin of this idiom. Was it Aristotle or Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield  ? I guess it's really not that important. Suffice to say, m y parents, second generation Americans, were motivated by the quote’s application. They weren’t college educated but they were schooled in hard work. Work well done was a lesson they taught me and my siblings at a very early age. My brothers and I all worked at some various jobs, through high school: paper routes, shoveling snow, cutting grass in the neighborhood — an unquestionable work ethic was rooted in us. Once, I recall my mom walking down the street to evaluate a neighbor's lawn that I had just mowed. She was not happy with my work-product and made me cut, edge and rake the entire yard, a second time, for free. These personal experiences and my upbringing got me to thinking about a young Jesus — what did that look like?  

The seven Sacraments celebrated by the historical church and pictured in this graphic all have their roots in scripture, although some are featured more prominently than others. Consider that: There are many references to  Baptism ,  of course, beginning with Jesus’ Baptism by John.   The  Eucharist  was instituted by Jesus at the Passover Supper ( Matthew 26:26-29 ).  Confirmation ,  though not specifically named in the Bible, it's loosely traced back, by some writers, to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Jesus at his Baptism.   “And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Mt 3:17.   I would have to chew on this explanation a bit more to be convinced it’s confirmation... The Sacrament of  Reconciliation ,  while not practiced in the same way in biblical times as we know it now, is rooted in Jesus’ ministry of forgiving sins.   Look at the time after Jesus’ resurrection, he breathed on the disciples, i

I have to confess,  I have not contemplated, steeped in, or spent enough time in, the Sermon on the Mount ; not as often as I should — as I must. The Beatitudes describe the ideal disciple and his rewards, both present and future.  Each is a Proverb -like proclamation, without narrative; each is somewhat cryptic yet incredibly precise — full of heart wrenching application and meaning.   Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. St Gregory of Nys

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Previously I dropped a post and spilled some opinions about   Privatized Salvation . Of some 36k views, this post was the second most read post from Ministry in Motion . Today I was moved as I stumbled upon this quote from the late American Presbyterian minister, scholar, theologian, author, and poet, Eugene Peterson : “Jesus is our primary revelation that God is personal....Everything we know about God we know through and by means of Jesus. And Jesus is nothing if not personal--a living body and soul, who eats bread and fish and drinks water and wine."   The Apostle John wrote in his Gospel: “…And this is eternal life: that people know you, the only true God, and that they know Jesus Christ, the One you sent…” When I speak of knowing God, it is important to understand that I’m are not talking about an abstract or speculative thought concerning a heavenly deity.   Or a mystical experience or a climactic event with the Eternal, but about a coming alive to Go

Artist, naturalist and author Christopher Marley reveals the sometimes obscure beauty in nature through his three-dimensional work with animal, mineral and plant specimens.  While wondering around the Houston Museum of Natural Science I was struck by this quote at his Biophilia Exhibit Biophilia art "…Unity is the backbone of the Biophilia theory. It is because we are part of nature that we innately love it. And when we begin to see natural elements that relate to one another visually…it is enthralling…because it reinforces that fact that we also belong. Our love of nature is not just a star-struck crush or a hopelessly unrequited pursuit. If minerals and insects can match, if birds and fish can go together, if fossils and servants can form a perfect ensemble, then surely humankind belongs as well. When nature is unified, humankind cannot help but be included in the group hug…” Unity. No matter our heritage—Jew or Greek, insider or outsider—no matter our st