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Intimacy with God

November 29, 2018 by Peter Dubbelman 3 Comments

Lovers can have between themselves a depth of intimacy and communication that goes beyond words. To think that communication with the Living God, our Abba, cannot involve something equivalent or even greater is ridiculous (Psa 42:7). John Cassian describes this type of prayer as “an immeasurable fire of love. The soul settles in it and sinks […] Read More »

Difficult Roads, Beautiful Destinations

November 1, 2018 by Peter Dubbelman Leave a Comment

Difficult roads may lead to beautiful destinations. The following thoughts, from Isaac of Nineveh, may help you on your journey to a better place. “I have no broken heart to start me on the quest for you [Lord Jesus]. No penitence, no tenderness … I have no tears with which to pray to you. My spirit is in darkness … my heart is cold … I know not how to make it warm again by tears of love for you.… I have forsaken you. Do not forsake me. I have wandered far from you. Do set out in quest of me.” Read More »

The Mark of a Great Athlete and Christian Leader

August 30, 2018 by Peter Dubbelman 3 Comments

Christian leader, bear with all people, even as the Lord bears with you; endure all in love,… Press on in your race … the time needs you (as pilots [of a sailing vessel] needs winds and as a storm tossed sailor needs a harbor) … Be sober as God’s athlete … It is the mark of a great athlete to be bruised, yet still conquer. Read More »

My Father is the Gardener

August 22, 2018 by Peter Dubbelman Leave a Comment

The Christian knows God as a gardener, who works in his garden that it might bear much fruit.… God’s word can “prune/cleanse us,” so we can bear more fruit.… Hardships can have a similar effect.… With these thoughts in mind, perhaps the following thoughts and prayer are helpful. Read More »

The LORD Our Maker

July 11, 2018 by Peter Dubbelman Leave a Comment

The Christian knows God as “the LORD our Maker,” a name that is different from the Creator who creates “from nothing.” God invites us to join with him, as he both does good and makes good things. When someone does good, whether by a service rendered or a good produced, they participate with God, who is good. Scripture displays God as an architect and builder, composer and performer, carpenter and mason, metalworker and potter, garment-maker and dresser, farmer, winemaker and gardener. Read More »