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Jesus holds open the door. (Part 2)

Jesus holds open the door Part 2: God’s masterplan of salvation achieved through the love and sacrificial suffering of Jesus Christ holds open his arms in love, held in place, not by nails, but by his compassion. The love of God cannot be restricted, pinioned in place by human actions; he is always free, unrestrained.Continue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 2)”

Jesus holds open the door. (Part 1)

(A devotional piece in 8 parts. The style is more analytical than my usual devotions, but, because of the content, I place it as a devotion) Jesus holds open the door Part 1: Introduction: focussing on Jesus Christ Religion is the deepest answer to the needs of humanity. It is the repository of the wisest,Continue reading “Jesus holds open the door. (Part 1)”

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 8)

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 8: Give yourself “And I want to live with you”. What do we mean by this? Firstly, if we have met someone who is supremely precious, why on earth would we not choose to be with that person – if such a relationshipContinue reading ““Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 8)”

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 7)

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 7: The paradox of love: to give is to receive; to lose yourself is to gain everything; to kneel in service is to be exalted Some people might object to the hierarchy that has come into the relationship – as though that isContinue reading ““Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 7)”

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”.(Part 6)

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 6: “The glory of the Lord shone all around” Some people recognise that they have encountered a person of supreme worth. Let’s put every good quality we can think of in a box: love, compassion, forgiveness, justice, goodness, truth. Now let’s turn thoseContinue reading ““Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”.(Part 6)”

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 5)

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 5: It’s what we choose to do with our experiences of God that counts I think most people have some incidents in their lives that religious people classify as a religious experience. However, for many people these events are very rare, and soContinue reading ““Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 5)”

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 4)

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 4: Our framework of understanding is important, but it’ the vibrant, dynamic encounter with God that counts We have considered the framework of understanding in which the statement, “Lord, you are Lord, and I want to live with you” might be held, soContinue reading ““Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 4)”

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 3)

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 3: Our personal value judgements cut through the restraints of uncertainty to restore our freedom and our ability to act I find this to be a very liberating judgement. I am free from all arguments about facts, about proof, about certainty, and aboutContinue reading ““Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 3)”

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 2)

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 2: Our value judgement expresses the truth, not just about God, but also about ourselves, as we use our freedom to declare where we stand However, the statement of faith, “Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you” is aContinue reading ““Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. (Part 2)”

“Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 1

(A theological reflection in 8 parts) “Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 1: The foundation of faith is a recognition of worth and a personal commitment This is the foundation of faith. I am tempted to say that the foundation is simply, “You are Lord”, but I think aContinue reading ““Lord, you are Lord and I want to live with you”. Part 1”