Beatitudes Blog
HALT, Welcome, and Be Welcomed
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy (Matthew 5:7). Participants in Alcoholics Anonymous keep an eye on themselves with the acronym, HALT, which stands for, “Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired.” That experience cues them to call the sponsor, go to a...
What Is the World? (poem)
What Is the World? J. Marshall Jenkins He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him (John 1:10). What is the world? “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” my writer’s conscience protests, “Do not write about that abstraction. Turn...
Voting With Christian Hope
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Mt 5:8-9). On Not Voting With a Divided Mind When voting, you carry some brand of hope to the ballot. Always dissatisfied in some way with the...
Authentic Prayer
A funny thing happened on the way to “Amen.”
Witness Defined: See the Beatitudes
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled....
Remembering My Teammate, Donnell Thompson
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). My wife knows me pretty well, and overall, she seems to approve. Except for one thing. She finds it perplexing that the proponent of nonviolence she married fondly remembers playing football in his...
Stubborn Grace (poem)
Stubborn Grace J. Marshall Jenkins In my hurry, I plead with her, but stubborn grace will not quicken her pace. In my rush, I overshoot. In my grasp, I overreach. I arrive ahead of time at a house where someone I thought I was can call home, but not me. I gather and...
Meek Beauty
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). Pretty faces are a dime a dozen, while beauty is rare. Her meekness makes her beautiful. She is a meek beauty. Yes, her soft blue eyes, milky complexion, and delicately angular face will make any...
Little Child, Run (poem)
Little Child, Run J. Marshall Jenkins Feel fresh power in your thighs. Gallop into the wind, then circle and ride it. Plunge your hair into God’s breath. Let earth accompany the melody of your springing feet. Others will try to make it a race, tailing you and...
Comfort and Courage
When love hurts, there is hope…
Overwhelming and Belief: A Sermon on John 6:1-21
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the...
Together, Unawares (poem)
Together, Unawares J. Marshall Jenkins Go to a crowded place, say, an airport terminal, a stadium at game time, or a shopping mall in December. Let the cacophony gather, rise like smoke, and leave your one heart beating with others, your eyes among matchless faces...
As a psychotherapist and spiritual director, I bring well-honed insight and skill to these posts; yet, my vulnerability plays a more important part, for more than advice from experts, serious people of faith need resonance with fellow travelers.
In my writing and in your reading and comments, may we face our challenges in God’s compassionate presence rather than in a private dressing room where we try in vain to make ourselves presentable to God at an appointed meeting. God meets us where we are.
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