Many years ago, I was impressed by the passage in Matthew where Jesus denounced hypocrisy in religion, and as I begin training to join the Order of the Daughters of the Queen, which is largely a formal prayer group, I have committed to learn how to pray honest, humble prayers and to avoid repeating shallow,…
Category: #Bible Study
What Is A Religious Order? My Personal Religious Order — While Welcoming America’s First-Elected Pope
By coincidence, the Papal Conclave began its work toward electing a new pope on the same day that I began my journey toward joining the Order of the Daughters of the King. Within hours–not days or weeks–a dark horse came riding out of the suburbs of Chicago to be named America’s First Pope. Moments later, …
What Do Episcopalians Believe? Episcopalians Believe in Inclusion – Bishop Budde Spoke about Inclusion at the National Prayer Service in 2025
I have been an Episcopalian most of my life, but as a child, I was a Southern Baptist. Before I became an Episcopalian, I participated in an Episcopalian Inquirer’s Class, but that was many years ago. This past week, I have joined another Episcopalian Inquirer’s Class. It has been about 40 years since I became…
Consider the Lilies of the Field – Do Not Worry – The Twelve Days of Christmas – Day 9
Consider the Lily – Jacki Kellum Watercolor Painted February 10, 2018 Almost 7 years ago, I created the above watercolor painting while I was listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing: On that day, I had been worrying about my need to move from New Jersey. I loved living there, but I could not afford…
His Eye Is On the Sparrow – Twelve Days of Christmas Day 7
I have told the story of my relationship with my backyard birds several times. but until this time last year, I did not do much to take care of the birds that lived in my area. I suppose that I took the scripture literally that God takes care of the birds. But last year, a…
Jesus Teaches Us the Way to and Not to Pray – The Lord’s Prayer – The Twelve Days of Christmas Day 6
Prayer is important for people who hope to establish a connection to Jesus and God. In the Bible, we are told to pray without ceasing: 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18. I chuckle and say that I pray without…
The Ministry of Jesus, The Sea of Galilee, Two Seas in Palestine, the River Jordan, and Other References to Water in the Bible – The Twelve Days of Christmas Day 5
Although Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Yet, as soon as it was safe for them to do so, they returned to Nazareth. Nazareth is in the southern part of Galilee, but much of Jesus’s ministry was conducted at or near the Sea of Galilee. But before Jesus began…
An Overview and Chronology of the Great Leader Father Abraham
ABRAHAM ā brə’ hăm (אַבְרָהָ֤ם). “The primary source of Abraham is the narrative account given in Genesis 11:26-25:18. Significant is the fact that throughout the rest of the Old Testament, he is mentioned by name more than forty times. The number of references by New Testament writers exceeds seventy. Numerous archeological discoveries, especially during the last century…
Advent Day 12 – God Sent a Flood – Noah Was a Descendent of Adam and Eve & an Ancestor of Jesus – The Jesse Tree
Advent Is the Period Before Christmas — A Time When We Prepare to Celebrate the Birth of Christ. I create a Jesse Tree During Advent. A Jesse Tree Is Representative of the Family Tree of Jesus. The Family Tree of Jesus Begins with Adam and Eve, who had a son named Seth. Many years later,…
Advent Day 11 – God Created Families – God Created Diversity – We Are All Earthlings
The Biblical Book of Genesis tells us God filled the earth with seed-bearing plants and trees. Likewise, when God created people, He told them to “Be Fruitful and Multiply.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be…