Click on link to watch:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/plus/blessed/first-reconciliation-6-5.html
Season 4, Episode 5 – From the Bible: Our Father
The Our Father reminds us that we are God’s children. Dive into the biblical world with Ben and Sarah as Jesus teaches us how to pray this great prayer.
Click on link to watch:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/plus/blessed/first-reconciliation-4-5.html
Ascension Presents – When You Don’t Understand the Bible
Have you ever read the Bible and thought to yourself, “wait… what?”
Oftentimes in Christian media we see what Fr. Mike dubs a “Hallmark” version of following Christ. There’s struggle and hardship, but then God’s grace comes in and cures everything, making everything nearly perfect for the characters in the story. While these types of stories make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, they’re not very realistic. And while God’s grace is essential, it’s not a magic wand that makes everything bad go away.
There are some stories in the Bible that at first glance appear dark, difficult, or just don’t make sense. Even some of the things Christ says to his followers can sound harsh or even scandalous at times. But it’s in these moments of confusion and concern that God wants to teach us something.
This was something that St. Augustine struggled with before his conversion. It wasn’t until after he had accepted the faith and began to intentionally practice it that he realized it’s not God’s word that’s wrong, it’s our interpretation of it. He gives us 7 things to do when trying to understand a passage we’re unsure of:
1. Read the text in the original language. Or, if you’re not a scholar of Greek or Latin (more than likely), at least realize that a lot can be lost in translation, like idioms and turns of phrase, or context and foreign references.
2. Try different biblical translations and see how they compare.
3. Weigh what you’re reading with all of scripture (it’s ALL connected!)
4. Be humble and accept that you don’t know everything needed to fully understand God’s word (and that’s okay).
5. Sacred tradition always trumps our own interpretations.
6. Don’t take figurative language literally.
7. Don’t universalize a parable to be relevant for all situations in life.
The Bible wasn’t written by Hallmark. It was inspired by God. Hallmark is meant to help you escape reality. The Bible is meant to help you get back in touch with reality. There’s going to be brokenness, and sin, and unhappy endings, but there will also be real grace that transforms those hardships into strength, and it has the power to change your life.
Bible Love Notes – 6 Things Christians Should Do Daily
We are living in challenging times when our faith is being challenged. In addition, each of us faces various family, financial, and health problems. There are lots of unknowns in life, but doing these 6 things each day will benefit body, soul, and spirit.
1. Recite these 8 statements each day.
These truths adjust our perspective and strengthen our faith. 💙 Click the highlighted words to see the statements.
2. Spend time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading.
Be deliberate and firm about this commitment. 💙 See the Quiet Time Encouragement collection for lots of practical ideas and inspiration.
3. Care for your body.
Our bodies are “the temples of the Holy Spirit.” Healthy eating and exercise decrease stress, fear, and anger.💙 See Eat, Rest, Cry and What’s Your Addiction?
4. Deliberately think of others.
Dwelling on our problems causes discouragement. But “those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).💙 See Beatin’ the Blues and Call Your Mom.
5. Use time wisely.
Don’t waste your day on meaningless activities. Create an “A-list” of things you want to accomplish each day. 💙 See Organized Chaos and I’m Too Busy.
6. Before bedtime, do a Philippians 4:8 detox.
If we don’t regularly remind ourselves of the good things in our lives, the bad things will bring us down.
Bible Love Notes – Difficult Languages
When we lived in Budapest (2005-2009), I tried learning Hungarian. One afternoon, I decided to test my skills on our landlady. So I looked at her sleeping dog in the stairwell and in a sympathetic voice told her that her dog was tired.
When she quit laughing, she said, “Your Hungarian pronunciation was perfect. What were you trying to say?”
Then she explained that instead of saying her dog was tired, I’d said that her dog was a chicken butt. ?
The U.S. Foreign Service Institute considers Hungarian one of the more difficult level-two languages. And I must admit that I never got beyond the basics, even though we lived in Hungary for five years. I can baby-talk a bit, but I can’t carry on a conversation.
If I had to depend on my Hungarian skills, I would often be confused, misled, and misunderstood. And that’s a great analogy for navigating life without knowing God’s Word.
If we want to live for the Lord, discerning false teachings and correctly speaking God’s truth, we must carefully study the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Fortunately, God’s Word is translated into English, so I’ve found it easier to learn than Hungarian. ? And I have an excellent teacher—God’s Spirit, my Divine Translator.
Note for Hungarian speakers: I meant to say fáradt but I said far-hát.
Bible Love Notes – God Wrote a Book
When I became a Christian, I was thrilled that God had written a book to explain who He is and show us how to live for Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17).(1)
Before that time, I’d been trying to make sense of things by listening to the mixed messages of culture (Colossians 2:8).
Now, almost 50 years later, culture’s messages aren’t usually mixed. Instead, most of them clearly mock God’s Word.
What a blessing that we have the unchanging Word of God to guide us instead of our ever-changing culture (Psalm 119:89).
My love for God’s Word just keeps growing as I am continually amazed at its wisdom, relevance, validity, and permanence.
God’s Word convicts me of sin, provides comfort when my heart is breaking, explains God’s purposes for my life, and instructs me in wisdom and righteousness. It can make me smile, laugh, rejoice, and cry, offering refreshment and rebuke, both of which I need.
If you are trying to understand God without reading the Bible, you never will. The best way to know someone is to listen to their heart. And that’s what the Bible is: the message from God’s heart to ours.
Let’s consider ways we can add more Scripture to our schedule.
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(1) God wrote the Bible using the pen and personalities of various men, so you might say men wrote it for God. But it is God’s Word, not men’s words. See 2 Peter 1:20-21.
Check out these resources to increase your appreciation for God’s Word:
Believing God’s Word is Inerrant
Bible Love Notes – Difficult Languages
When we lived in Budapest (2005), I tried learning Hungarian. One afternoon, I decided to test my skills on our landlady. So I looked at her sleeping dog in the stairwell and in a sympathetic voice told her that her dog was tired.
When she quit laughing, she said, “Your Hungarian pronunciation was perfect. What were you trying to say?”
Then she explained that instead of saying her dog was tired, I’d said that her dog was a chicken butt. ?
The U.S. Foreign Service Institute considers Hungarian one of the more difficult level-two languages. And I must admit that I never got beyond the basics, even though we lived in Hungary for five years. I can baby-talk a bit, but I can’t carry on a conversation.
If I had to depend on my Hungarian skills, I would often be confused, misled, and misunderstood. And that’s a great analogy for navigating life without knowing God’s Word.
If we want to live for the Lord, discerning false teachings and correctly speaking God’s truth, we must carefully study the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Fortunately, God’s Word is translated into English, so I’ve found it easier to learn than Hungarian. ? And I have an excellent teacher—God’s Spirit, my Divine Translator.
Note for Hungarian speakers: I meant to say fáradt but I said far-hát.
The Bible in a Year – Day 177 – Return, O Israel
Fr. Mike shortly touches on David’s honest prayer in Psalm 109 before diving into the unending love God has for his people. As we continue to journey through our readings, we will begin to see the words of the prophets come to fruition as those who return to the Lord in faith will experience his undying love and forgiveness, despite their unfaithfulness. Today’s readings are 2 Kings 9, Hosea 11-14, and Psalm 109.
Click on link:
https://youtu.be/MTV_JkVFQII
The Bible in a Year – Day 175 – Knowledge of God
Fr. Mike emphasizes the importance of knowing God and knowing his love for us as we read about the devastation of war and the lack of faith displayed by Israel. Without a deeper knowledge of God, not only can we struggle for hope in God’s plan, but we can also fall into the temptation of losing faith in him altogether. Today’s readings are 2 Kings 6-7, Hosea 4-7, and Psalm 103.
Click on link:
https://youtu.be/VJvuvnlK350
The Bible in a Year – Day 173 – Confidence in God
Fr. Mike talks about how we see both an abundance of faith, and a great lack of faith in our readings today. While the widow Elisha visits shows us a beautiful example of walking in faith, king Ahaz fails to repent as he falls deeper into sin. Today’s readings are 2 Kings 4, 2 Chronicles 28, and Psalm 127.
Click on link:
https://youtu.be/w-drS64G-zg
