Author: Michael Salsaa

Michael: We will continue our study of the trinity from the perspective of Grace. As we have discussed before, several bible passages declare that God is love and grace. David has proposed that the love of God, agape in Greek, is the same, or a synonym of Grace while Jason has suggested that the triune…

Don: We’ve been discussing grace and its various aspects. Just before this conversation, Sharon mentioned that grace isn’t a subject often thoroughly discussed in many circles, and we are much the poorer for not emphasizing grace. The irony (as we’ve noted before) is that when you examine the ministry and message of Jesus—from the inception…

Michael: During last week’s class, the discussion shifted from Judgment to Grace. Judgment and Grace are very different from each other. Judgment is administered by people most of the time. However, our religions teach us that God is a grand judge as well. There are many verses in the bible to support this. On the…

After last week’s class was over, I was left feeling very uncomfortable, as if something bad had happened. First of all, I didn’t have any intention to politicize my message. It is applicable to everyone regardless of politics or religion. Second of all, and more importantly, this issue of judgment is just so annoying. It…

Michael: Last week, we discussed Jesus’s commandment of “Do not Judge”. We noted that judgment may be an innate feature of our humanity, it comes instantaneously and automatically. It occurred to me that asking if we can stop judgment is similar to Nicodemus’s question if we can be born again by returning to the mother’s womb….

Michael: Last week we examined how our genetics and environment could be a cause for us or others to commit grievous sins. If factors outside of me caused me to commit a sin, is it fair that I pay the price of my sins? How do we judge this situation? These factors complicate our understanding…

Michael: Last week we discussed how our genetics have major influences on our personality and attitudes. Having this knowledge may change how we perceive and experience pain and suffering. We also discussed how genetics and the environment, known as nature and nurture, also influence how we worship, participate in religion, and our outlook on the…

Don: Michael is going to share some thoughts about grace and suffering.  Michael: Thanks to Kiran and Dr. Weaver for their help in preparing this message.  During the final days of Jesus’s ministry, beginning from the night at the garden of Gethsemane until His death on the cross, Jesus suffered in every category. He suffered…

I just finished reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and was pleasantly surprised by the shepherd’s prayer. The boy referred to in the prayer passage below is the shepherd, Santiago. He wants to turn himself into the wind so he can escape the desert tribesmen who are out to kill him. The boy turned to…