Monthly Archives: May 2013

In-Sight: Jesus the Pastor

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Steve Harper

By calling himself the Good Shepherd, Jesus accepted his role of being a pastor to those around him. John 14:6 is one if the most pastoral verses in the Gospels, if we can read it apart from the who is … Continue reading →

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And Your Daughters: Luther’s Defender

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Steve Harper

Here’s an inspiring story of one of Martin Luther’s best co-laborers in the Gospel… One of Luther’s most outspoken defenders is Argula von Stauffer (1492 – 1563). But in the eyes of Catholic opposition, she is an “insolent daughter of … Continue reading →

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And Your Daughters: Help, Thanks, Wow

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Steve Harper

Using these three words for the title of her latest book, Ann Lamotte writes about prayer-honest prayer–true prayer–the kind of prayer that makes you want to pray more. Here’s one example… Hi, God. I am just a mess. It is … Continue reading →

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And Your Daughters: All Are Loved, and Necessary

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Steve Harper

St. Therese of Liseux was one of God’s beloved daughters.  Her words call us to consider our belovedness… I had always wondered why it was that God has his preferences, instead of giving each soul an equal degree of grace… … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Let’s Start With “Doing Human”

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Steve Harper

Wherever terrorism and violence occur, they leave us with the question, “How did we get here?” The question does not lead to explanation, but to examination.  It leads us to wonder how terrorist ideology could ever find a home in … Continue reading →

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The Holy Gospel: May 26, 2013 (Year C)

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Steve Harper

Read:  John 16:12-15 Meditation:  “The Full Picture” I know a person who does not believe in the Trinity because the word is not found in Scripture.  I suspect there is another underlying reason he rejects the idea, but he ascribes … Continue reading →

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In Sight: Half of the Gospel

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Steve Harper

I recently read this quote from a monk, “The problem with religion is that it can make you pure as an angel and leave you proud as a devil.” This is exactly what happens in a faith rooted in outward … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Community as Purgatory

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Steve Harper

Thomas Merton wrote that before a community can be a paradise it must first be a purgatory (Secular Journal, 186). The first act of living in community is submitting to it–not asking it to submit to you.  The person who … Continue reading →

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Gleanings: Gospel Paradox

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Steve Harper

Richard Rohr offers this thought-provoking meditation on the difference between some conventional religion and the Gospel… The clarification here is fundamental and central. A historian of religion once said (I cannot remember where I read it) that all religion begins … Continue reading →

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In -Sight: A John 17 Heart

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Steve Harper

Thomas Merton wrote about Jesus’ prayer in John 17, where he prayed that we all might be one, as he and the Father were one. Merton’s conclusion was that while the Church found it difficult to live into the reality … Continue reading →

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And Your Daughters: More Good Resources

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Steve Harper

When I recently shared a resource by Paul Chilcote regarding the ministry of women in early Methodism, I knew he had others.  In fact, he has explored this topic more than any other person.  Today, I list three more of … Continue reading →

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The Holy Gospel: May 19, 2013 (Year C)

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Steve Harper

Read:  John 14:8-17, 25-27 Meditation:  “Preserving Christ’s Voice” I once read that people who lose loved ones miss their voices most of all.  We have photos to remember what people look like, but pictures do not “talk” to us.  Thanks … Continue reading →

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And Your Daughters: More Recommendations

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Steve Harper

Carolyn Custiss James, Half the Church Shawn Madigan, Mystics, Visionaries, and Prophets Jan Richardson, In the Sanctuary of Women Laura Swan, The Forgotten Desert Mothers

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In-Sight: Where Is James When You Need Him?

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Steve Harper

Blogging has become a very personal exercise for me.  I find that often, I have to write about something that is more of a lack in me than a possession.  Today, is one of those times. We would be in … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: A Two-Sided Coin

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Steve Harper

Pope Francis’ selection has revived various media-driven conversations along lines of “the church is out of touch” with whatever the particular speaker or writer wants to highlight. Often, the comment points to a truth, for the Church is not now, … Continue reading →

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And Your Daughters: Did You Know?

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Steve Harper

Did you know there is a translation of the New Testament produced by a woman?  For a long time I didn’t know there was. But we have The Montgomery New Testament, originally called The New Testament in Modern English, originally … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Sticking To Our Job

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Steve Harper

God has divided the work between Himself and us.  We are to proclaim, and God does the judging.  The one fits our capacities; the other fits God’s–both of which are variations of love. We misrepresent the Gospel when we try … Continue reading →

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The Holy Gospel: May 12, 2013 (Year C)

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Steve Harper

Read:  John 17:20-26 Meditation:  “Christ Prays For You” I had not been a Christian very long before I was spiritually “knocked off my feet” when I realized I have been prayed for by Christ. He prayed for me in the … Continue reading →

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Gleanings: All is Grace

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Steve Harper

A few days ago, I quoted Henri Nouwen as saying God is waiting to see “the slides of our lives” when we get to heaven.  The quotation raised the possibility (given its being cited apart from the original context) that … Continue reading →

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And Your Daughters: The Rest of the Church

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Steve Harper

The coming of the Spirit at Pentecost engaged both men and women in the ministry of the church.  The Spirit was poured out on “all flesh.”—-“and your daughters shall prophesy.” With this post, I am adding another Category to capture … Continue reading →

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Gleanings: Giving and Receiving

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Steve Harper

“Nobody is so poor that he/she has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich that he/she has nothing to receive.”   Pope John Paul II

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In-Sight: Infinitely Rich

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Steve Harper

Thomas Merton observed his hermitage placed in the middle of irises and day lillies, with honeybees flying among them gathering nectar. He wrote, “To be part of all this is to be infinitely rich.” Perhaps there is no greater deception … Continue reading →

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Gleanings: The Ministry of Receiving

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Steve Harper

Henri Nouwen reminds us that receiving is as much a ministry as giving is… But receiving is just as important, because by receiving we reveal to the givers that they have gifts to offer. When we say, “Thank you, you … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: The Sacredness of Nature

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Steve Harper

In retirement, my good friend (Bob Putnam) takes me on a hike each month.  Bob has literally “walked the trails” of Florida and many other places for more than 40 years.  Each hike confirms more and more what St. Francis … Continue reading →

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Gleanings: Life as a Journey

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Steve Harper

I like this image of life, provided by Henri Nouwen in Bread for the Journey (March 31)… This is what life is about. It is being sent on a trip by a loving God, who is waiting at home for … Continue reading →

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In -Sight: Closer to the Trees

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Steve Harper

Again today, like most days, I watch the day begin with wonder.  The cool air, brightening sky, and singing birds combine to invite me to come alive along with them. The moment also includes the noise of traffic on the … Continue reading →

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Site Update: Oboedire Facebook Page

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Steve Harper

I have created an Oboedire Facebook page. It does not replace this blogsite, where I intend to continue my major writing.  This will remain the main source for the Oboedire ministries. But I realize Facebook will extend the purpose of … Continue reading →

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First Day: Welcome Back!

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Steve Harper

It’s good to be back in touch with you, although I confess that the April break was a “brain rest” for me. It has also given me a fresh vision for Oboedire, and that’s the topic I want to share … Continue reading →

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The Holy Gospel: May 5, 2013 (Year C)

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Steve Harper

Read:  John 14:23-29 Meditation:  “Whatever You Say” Jeannie and I recently celebrated our 43rd wedding anniversary.  The love we felt initially was genuine, but neither of us had any idea how it would grow, be challenged, and leave us better … Continue reading →

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