Goodbye All! This will be the last post for this blog site! I am moving to http://www.spirit-poetry.com where my goal is to share the watercolor paintings and spiritual poetry I enjoy creating. My daughter is in college and beginning a career in Graphic Design. So, we are spending the evenings developing art portfolios together. (She’s … More Starting A New Poetry Blog
My dear daughter. You are beloved and the light of my life. However, I abhor the person you have become while being in Catholic school. You have succumbed to their lies. You have believed the teachings of some Catholic Church women. These holier-than-thou, self-righteous women who blame the victims of childhood sexual abuse for somehow … More Poem written by the Mother of a Catholic Abuse-Survivor
One of the most important blessings I have experienced by attending seminary at Saint Paul School of Theology is a greater sense of peace with the grey areas of ministry. So often I would doubt myself and give too much credibility to those spiritual leaders with the loudest voices – especially those who seemed to … More The Bible and LGBTQ
INTRODUCTION Augustine of Hippo is considered one of the forth century Christian bishops who wrote in defense of Christian teachings while effectively refuting early Christian heresies. As a young man, Augustine was associated with the dualistic, gnostic religion called Manichaeism.[1] Manichaeism rejected material things, like the fleshly human body, as dark and sinful while exalting … More Christ and The Human Body United by Grace (Romans 6:1-11)
Many devout Christians within the Catholic community are suffering confusion and shame related to the recent revelations of clerical sexual abuse and its cover up by trusted bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and popes. There is hope and healing even in the midst of such painful weeping wound upon their mother church. Reform does not begin with … More Joyful Living After Spiritual Abuse
It is interesting to note in sacred scripture that the only relationship not mentioned by Jesus to be riddled with conflict is the relationship between a father and his daughter. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I … More On Father’s Day
Really, I have come to believe that there are only three different ways to understand God, who is the Creator of all things, including humanity. There are people who know God intimately. These people feel the injustices of the world aching within their bones and tormenting their minds to the degree that they cannot sit … More 3 Kinds of People on Earth
The life of any Christian is all about loving other people with a love that reflects the image of Christ. Christ loved the Jewish Pharisees, but he did not buy into the social culture surrounding him as a Jew. Jesus did not consider the Pharisees to be greater people than himself, although society’s influence taught … More Reflecting Christ to Others
In order to grow in agape love for others, one must have an accountability partner. Accountability partners are valuable and essential gifts that one must seek to incorporate into life. Spiritual growth can be measured by one’s ability to genuinely love other people. It is easy to love those who are kind and caring. It … More The Importance of an Accountability Partner
Canyon Camp, Oklahoma is a Methodist retreat center sheltered by the deep solid red earth walls of Devil’s Canyon. Walking along the depths of this canyon one can sense the wagon trains that sought refuge along these same earthen walls. One’s eternal spirit intimately recognizes a universal sacredness here known by the both the ancient … More Sacred Stillness
Joyful Living 