shibboleth

Then the Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. Whenever one of the fugitives of Ephraim said, “Let me go over,” the men of Gilead would say to him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” When he said, “No,” they said to him, “Then say Shibboleth,” and he said, “Sibboleth,” for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand of the Ephraimites fell at that time.

Judges 12:5-6

can Jesus hit a curve ball?

I watched Major League last night. It is one of my go-to movies when I want to just “chill.” In the movie, one of the characters, Eddie Harris, asks, “Are you saying Jesus cannot hit a curve ball?“

I think the question centres on Jesus’ humanity – as the God-Man, is he perfect in skill? Is “hitting a curve ball” part of perfection? Did Jesus ever burn the breakfast for his disciples? Or, to put it negatively, is it “sinful” not to be able to hit a curve ball?

Does this involve the communicatio idiomatum (communication of attributes)?

So, can Jesus hit a curve ball?

pray harder

Daily writing prompt
What podcasts are you listening to?
View all responses

So, I am not a huge consumer of podcasts. I was in the past.

I recently listened to The Secrets We Keep: Pray Harder. I like cults, and this one is local. The podcast was somewhat one-sided and a little simplistic, but I really enjoyed it. I cannot expect all podcasts to be a theological exploration within a wider historical context. One thing that always interests me is the assumption of intent on the part of the leader. Anyway, interesting.

Also, as I have your attention, I am doing a podcast. (And, to be honest, doesn’t everyone.) I have a trailer for Season 1 in the feed. I am hoping to record on a Friday. Just random stuff!

living sacrifice

Father, we offer ourselves to you
as a living sacrifice
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work for your praise and glory.

APBA, Prayer after Communion

The New Life in Christ
I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2

Sacrifice is surrendering a good for a greater good. It is the flip side of sin, choosing a lesser good over a greater good. For me, sacrifice is a part of my daily life: to always choose Jesus!

inward authority

There in a cell abutting on the church, which had been empty for some time, and without the usual induction by the bishop and no solemn blessing, but only the inward authority of the Holy Spirit, he buried himself with Christ, shortly to be transformed with him in a sort of resurrection glory: in newness of life, in cheerfulness of spirit, in the power of signs, in the grace of prophecy.

The Life of Wulfric of Haselbury, Anchorite

who is Jesus for me?

It is a question of understanding my own destiny, of seeing what the Deity really wants me to do; the thing is to find a truth which is truth for me, to find the idea for which I am willing to live and die. … I still accept an imperative of knowledge, and that through it one can also influence people, but then it must be taken up alive in me, and this is what I now see as the main point. 

1 August 1835

Is there a difference between “Jesus died for sin” and “Jesus died for my sin”?

accountability

So, to be transparent, I believe in accountability. Each of us will one day need to give an account of our life and actions (or lack thereof). In this, I stand alone before God.

Sin is very much connected. Yes, I think there is such a thing. Without my sin, there is no Jesus as my Saviour. Sin is not a moral failure (doing the wrong thing) but a broken relationship that shows itself in my actions and desires. And the great news is that Jesus steps towards me and bridges the gap when I cannot move.

How outrages!?

kneeling

More transparency: I am pro-kneeling for prayer, especially the eucharistic prayer. The celebrant/priest is the only person who should stand during the eucharistic prayer. I think time spent on your knees is never wasted, so pray often on your knees. I love my kneeler/prie-deu for that very reason.