What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

Meditations at Midnight by Gary Jansen is a captivating exploration of spirituality and self-discovery, delving into the profound moments that emerge in the stillness of night. Jansen weaves together personal anecdotes, mystical insights, and timeless wisdom to create a book that resonates deeply with seekers of inner peace. At its core, Meditations at Midnight invites readers to embrace the quiet moments of darkness as opportunities for reflection and transformation. Jansen skillfully intertwines his own experiences with spiritual teachings from various traditions, offering a holistic perspective on navigating life’s challenges and finding meaning in the midst of chaos. What I ...

The echo of cheers still hangs in the air, a fading memory from yesterday’s celebration. Palm fronds, once vibrant symbols of hope, now lie scattered on the dusty ground, their green already tinged with brown. We walk beside Jesus, a heavy silence pressing down where excitement crackled just a day ago. The joy of Palm Sunday feels like a dream – a beautiful, fleeting dream that leaves you a little lost when you wake up. The bright Jerusalem sunshine that cast hope on the city walls seems to mock us now. We can still almost hear the cheers of the ...

The weight of knowledge, the burden of responsibility, the ever-present hum of doubt. These are just some of the feelings that may accompany your journey as a theological student, or even in other institutions where deep reflection and purpose-driven pursuits take center stage. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, to question your place, and to wonder if the path you’ve chosen is the right one. But take a deep breath, dear friend. You are not alone. Throughout history, countless individuals have wrestled with the same anxieties and uncertainties as you. From prophets grappling with divine messages to philosophers seeking ...

As we celebrate World Wetlands Day, it’s fitting to turn our gaze to scripture, for the Bible paints a vivid picture of these life-giving landscapes. In the very first book, Genesis, we encounter the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters, bringing forth creation. Water becomes a symbol of life, renewal, and God’s creative power. We see this echoed in Psalm 104, where the psalmist praises God for “sending springs into the valleys, to flow between the mountains” (v.10). These “springs” and “valleys” are, in essence, the wetlands – teeming with life, nourishing the land ...

Seeds in Shallow Soil: Finding Fertile Ground

As we gather together in this season of Advent, we dive into the words of Jesus from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 13, verses 24-37. 24 “At that time, after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, 25 the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.[a] 26 Then everyone will see the Son of Man[b] coming on the clouds with great power and glory.[c] 27 And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over ...

On this blessed All Saints Day, we gather to celebrate the communion of saints, the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. And the saints among us, striving to live out the beatitudes as we embrace the teachings of St. Francis. Revelation 7:9-17 reminds us of the countless saints from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the Lamb. They wear white robes, symbolizing their purity and dedication to God’s ways. As Franciscans, we seek to imitate their holiness by living lives of simplicity, love, and service to all. Psalm 34:1-10, 22 calls us to ...

Mental health is a precious gift that deserves our care and attention. In the midst of life’s challenges, we often find solace in the words of Psalm 23:1-3. This blog post explores the significance of these verses and offers practical tips for nurturing our mental well-being. Verse in Focus: Psalm 23:1-3 (New Living Translation) ???? “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” The Shepherd’s Care for Mental Health: In these verses, we find a beautiful metaphor of ...

On this beautiful first day of Spring, I’d like to share a reflection on renewal, a theme that transcends individuals and touches the very essence of life itself. Spring is a season that symbolizes renewal, rebirth, and hope. As the cold of winter recedes, and nature awakens in a burst of color and vitality, we are reminded of the profound truth that no matter how harsh the previous season has been, there is always the promise of a new beginning. In the Bible, the concept of renewal is beautifully encapsulated in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says, “Therefore, if ...

In the quiet moments of life, where the threads of spirituality, creativity, and passion intertwine, we find our true purpose. It’s a journey that often requires a leap of faith, but in that leap, we discover the most profound and beautiful aspects of ourselves. The Leap of Faith: Taking a leap of faith is not merely a physical act; it’s a spiritual one. It’s trusting that there’s a plan beyond our understanding, a purpose that guides us even when the path seems unclear. Just like a quilt begins with individual pieces stitched together to create something ...

In the bustling world we live in, where change is a constant, our spiritual homes must also adapt and grow. I am thrilled to share with you the exciting journey our Diocese in Natal, South Africa, is embarking upon. It’s a journey of revitalization, vision, and multiplication—a journey rooted in faith, prayer, and a deep commitment to the mission of our Lord. The Bishop’s Charge: Our journey begins with a heartfelt letter from our Bishop. In it, he sets forth a vision for our Diocese that is both inspiring and challenging. He draws from the wisdom of ...

Today, as we commemorate Nelson Mandela Day, we not only honor the incredible life of a remarkable leader but also embrace the teachings of the Bible that inspire us to love, serve, and bring positive change to the world. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Nelson Mandela’s journey was a testament to the endurance and unwavering spirit of doing good. In the face of adversity, he tirelessly fought for justice, equality, and reconciliation. And in our own ...

In the pages of the Bible, we encounter numerous accounts of Jesus’ miracles, each serving as a testament to His power and compassion. One such extraordinary event is found in Matthew 9:18-26, where we witness the awe-inspiring miracles of healing and restoration. Let us delve deeper into these remarkable stories and discover the profound lessons they hold for us today. The Desperate Father’s Faith: In this passage, a desperate father approaches Jesus, kneeling before Him and pleading for help. His daughter had tragically passed away, but the father’s faith remained steadfast. Despite the seemingly irreversible circumstances, he ...

Join us as we celebrate the Season of Creation.

When Jesus says that those who obey won’t die, he is talking about spiritual death, not physical death. Even physical death will eventually be overcome. Those who follow Jesus will be raised to live eternally with him. The great “I am” statement is one of the most powerful statements uttered by Jesus. When he said that he existed before Abraham was born, he was undeniably proclaiming his divinity. Not only did Jesus say that he existed before Abraham, but he also applied God’s holy name to him self. This claim demands a response. It cannot be ignored. The ...

Jesus himself is the truth that’s sets us free. He is the source of truth, the perfect standard of what is right. He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God. Thus; Jesus does not give us freedom to pursue harmful actions or dangerous beliefs but freedom, to have new and overflowing life as we follow him. As we seek to serve God, Jesus’ perfect truth frees us to be all that he created us to be. Sin has a way of ...

On a hunt for books in a second hand book shop, down in Shelly Beach, I found this gem of a book. It looked like it had not been read and brand new, and was priced at R20. The book is called A Guide To Retreat, For all God’s Shepherds – by Reuben P. Job. I love reading books about spirituality, Theology and anything to do with God, The Holy Spirit and Jesus. And this book captured my attention from the first word, so much in fact, that I ended up reading it through twice in a row. The author ...

Journeying through the Psalms Psalm 19:1-4 Both God’s creation and his Word reveals his greatness! In this Psalm, David’s steps of meditation take him from creation, through God’s Word, through David’s own sinfulness, to salvation. We are surrounded by fantastic displays of God’s craftmanship. The heavens give dramatic evidence of his existence, his power, his love, his care. To say that the universe happened by chance is absurd. It’s design, intricacy, and orderliness point to a personally involved Creator. As you look at God’s handiwork in nature and the heavens, thank him ...

This week we begin a new series of reflections, focused on the Psalms. I encourage you to continue with your Journalling, as we grow in our faith. Psalm 32 In Psalm 32, we read how David expresses the joy of forgiveness. God had forgiven him for the sins he had committed against Bathsheba and Uriah. The message that we are receiving today is that God wants to forgive sinners. Forgiveness has always been part of his loving nature. He announced this to Moses, he revealed it to David, and he dramatically showed it to the world through Jesus Christ. These ...

Recently I had been offered some Theological books to keep or pass forward. And I said yes, thinking it was going to be 2 boxes of books, maybe. Oh boy was I wrong. 21 boxes of books later, I sorted through them all and selected a few that I need for my studies, a few that I need for growing my knowledge about things, and a few books that is about interests that I have. And let’s be clear by a few, I mean, I basically have one wall filled with books. And the rest is being sorted through ...