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’ ...

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 ...

Giving online is simple and secure. Click on the 'Donate'   button below to make a one-time or recurring donation by credit card or electronic check. Ministry in Motion.Church   All gifts are tax-deductible and a year-end giving statement is prepared and sent, the end of each January.  Ministry in Motion is a Texas Nonprofit Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) corporation under the  US Internal Revenue Service Code. #MetroLifeChurch #MinMChurch

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 comi...

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...

Previously I dropped a post with some thoughts about rigidity: Political, Cognitive, Social and Religious inflexibility.   In this post, we read of Christ’s encounter with the religious and political movers and shakers of his time, the Pharisees, Chief Priests and Scribes all  illustrated in Mark’s Gospel . Fast forward to 2019, in America, and we see, and are experiencing, an amalgamation of unyielding ideas and attitudes that is becoming deafening and defining. What causes a large community people to move towards societal rigidity?   Experts opine that while each person is unique, several causes may be common.  Two are: An early-childhood experience, trauma , can lead to the unwitting, unconscious, need to control other people and situations. Another consideration for excessive rigidity can be seen as an attempt to make an unpredictable world safe from confusion, doubt, and pain .   Author and psychologist Andrea Umbach wrote: " Adult...

How do you manage interpersonal relationships? I asked that question recently and to no surprise the answer I received was....poorly. An interpersonal relationship is a strong, deep, or close association or acquaintance between two or more people that may range in duration from brief to enduring.   The context can vary from family or kinship relations, friendship, marriage, relations with associates, work, clubs, neighborhoods, and places of worship.   Your interconnection with others is customizable,  with God it's vital to your Christian walk. Consider that social life, the health of your marriage, and your family relationships all reflect on your personal walk with the Lord. I'm motivated by these verses of scripture from the Greek Testament : "... And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live....Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other...

In 2017 Pope Francis reportedly said:  “…many young people in the Church have fallen into  the ‘temptation of rigidity’…” Catholic Herald   What does the adjective  rigid  bring to your mind when describing a person?  Rigid  can mean unbending, strong, unyielding, righteous, fanatic, immovable, and/or stiff. These qualities can be assets or liabilities, depending on the situation.  Politically rigid  ppl often view facts and evidence as simply inconvenient road bumps to their political ideals;  Cognitive rigidity.  The technical definition of cognitive rigidity is “difficulty changing mental sets.” Simply put, this means switching from thinking about things one way, to thinking about them a different way. This trait is not unique — we all have it or express it, some more than others;  In psychology,  Social rigidity  refers to an obstinate inability to yield or a refusal to...

A grace is a short prayer or thankful phrase said before or after eating. I grew up reciting a prayer that went something like this: "Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts,   which we are about to receive from Thy bounty.   Through Christ, our Lord. Amen." “Saying grace" is a term that comes from the Ecclesiastical Latin phrase  gratiarum actio , "act of thanks."  In Christian theology, the act of saying grace is derived from the Bible, in which Jesus and the Apostle Paul pray before meals (cf.  Luke 24:30 ,  Acts 27:35 ) . The practice reflects the belief that humans should thank God who is the origin of everything. The concept of giving thanks after the meal is based on the verse in Deuteronomy 8:10 “You shall eat, and give thanks and bless…” President Franklin Roosevelt famously asserted, " The only thing we have to  fear , is fear itself." Take a poll of common fears that p...