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“As for me I will behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness.”  Psalm 17:15 “When you come home you walk into a vibrant web of Presence” To be a good listener requires presence.  Being present with the other and with God. Often-times there is no difference.  How…

“Be More, Do Less” “Be Still and know that I am God Be Still and know that I Am Be Still and Know Be Still Be”  The above, a variation of Psalm 46 by Richard Rohr, is a reminder of perhaps the most essential element that comprises listening, namely stillness.  It is hard, in fact…

“Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens.”  1 Samuel 3:9 “In the beginning was the Word.”  1 John 1:1 “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason; so that we could listen twice as much as we speak.” Jean Patrick “Pastor, what should I say?”  I wish I had a nickel for every…

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:  everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 “When people talk listen completely.  Most people never listen.” E. Hemingway Everywhere we look we’re inundated with news and information about how terrible everything is.  We’re divided and segregated by…

“I told myself a joke” My Dad, Ralph L. Patrick “Sarah said, ‘God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me’”. Genesis 18 Christmas is over.  Not officially, cuz it doesn’t end until Epiphany in three days.  But for all intents in purposes with the turning of the calendar,…

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. . . This is how God showed His love among us:  He sent His one and only Son into the world.” 1 John 4 “And we are put on earth a little space,…

Christmas Day (Taken From “Christ the Eternal Tao” by Hieromonk Damascene) The Mind spoke, and through His Word answered the earth’s elemental moan.  Above that roaring cry He answered with a still small voice: “I will come. Will you receive me, then?”  But no man heard that voice.  Only a small young woman, who had…

“Greetings highly favored one, the Lord is with you. . . Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Luke 1 “From now on all generations shall call me blessed.” Mary’s Magnificat, Luke 1 Did you ever see the movie “Christmas Vacation” starring Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold?  It’s a…

Gaudete “And they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” Matt. 2:10 “What makes you happy?”  It’s a pretty common question.  A better one might be “What gives you Joy?” How would you answer that? Today is Gaudete Sunday in the Christian tradition.  It is the Sunday of Rejoicing, denoted by the pink candle on the Advent…

“Beyond question, great is the mystery of Godliness.” 1 Tim. 3:16 “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious, it is the source of all true art and science.”  Einstein What is it that you know for certain? What is it that you thought you were convinced of, that you thought you knew,…