Comments for St Paul's Journey

Comment on O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL! by Laurie Braaten

Laurie Braaten — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:15:34 +0000

Thanks for teaching us about the O Antiphons, a new Advent discipline for me.

Comment on O ROOT OF JESSE by Laurie Braaten

Laurie Braaten — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:05:16 +0000

Messiah brings victory over the grave, the hope of a bodily resurrection! The power of death and futility, which seem to reign in this present age, are broken, hallelujah! Life has meaning as it lives out of resurrection faith and hope!

Laurie

Comment on Advent, the Church Year, and Discipleship by Laurie Braaten

Laurie Braaten — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:25:54 +0000

I am so grateful that we have this discipline to keep us focused during such a busy time. Thanks again for your thoughtful words.

Comment on What do you want? by Fr. David

Fr. David — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:31:41 +0000

Hi, Laurie.
Your comment reminds me that it is “out of the heart” that the good fruit is produced. I am convinced that only God can understand the depths of our hearts, and bring us toward a unity of desire. Kierkegaard wrote the book, Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing.” I don’t think we start with that kind of unified desire, but if we do seek God’s work in our hearts, he will bring this about. I like to think of this as what happens when the magnet approaches the iron filings. What are scattered pieces begin to organized into discernable patterns under the persuasive pull of the magnetic field. I like to think that the Holy Spirit is the magnetic field, and if we bring ourselves close to Holy Spirit’s work, the scattered dimensions of our hearts begin to be aligned. Here is the old dichotomy – we can’t produce this of ourselves, however, unless we do something (disciplines of the spiritual life) the Spirit does not work.
Along with your prayer, “Lord give us faith!”, I would add, “And make us hungry for your work, Lord.”

David

Comment on What do you want? by Laurie Braaten

Laurie Braaten — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:07:36 +0000

Sometimes our hearts are filled with so many desires or wants that we fail to see what we really need. No one can serve 2 masters; Lord give us the faith!

Comment on The Light of God by Laurie Braaten

Laurie Braaten — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:38:13 +0000

Thanks, Fr. David. These passages from Isaiah are among my favorite scriptures. We need the light!
Laurie

Comment on Are we listening? by Briana Macaraig

Briana Macaraig — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:47:07 +0000

This is a really well thought out post. I certainly enjoyed reading it. Thanks

Comment on Easter!! Glorious Easter!! by Judy

Judy — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:11:11 +0000

Hi Fr. David,
On behalf of the vestry and the church, thank you for all the time you put into the Lent suppers, the Holy Week and Easter services. St. Paul’s is truly blessed to have you as our leader and pastor.

I don’t know why, but this Lent I really, really missed saying, Alleluia. Normally, I don’t have a problem with it. Maybe it might be because I realize I have a lot to be thankful for. God is good. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia! Amen.

Comment on Getting a ‘Life’ by Janel

Janel — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:24:46 +0000

Thank you for taking the time to do this and to share. Your thoughts and views are both insightful and thought provoking. Please continue.

Comment on Worship – help me out…. by Fr. David

Fr. David — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:52:30 +0000

No, from Northern California