grace Archives - Michael Rose :: Spiritual Direction & Grief Support

Why Hate the Sin and Love the Sinner Doesn’t Work

Posted on March 6, 2022April 13, 2022 by Michael Rose

It surprises many to learn that the phrase hate the sin and love the sinner is not in the Bible. This idea seems to have originated with St. Augustine (c.424) in one of his letters when he used the phrase “Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum” which translates as “with love for mankind and hatred…

The Crazy Father

Posted on January 7, 2022January 8, 2022 by Michael Rose

A father had two sons, and one of his sons came to him and said, “Dad, I have been thinking it’s time for me to leave and find myself. I need to figure out who I am and make my fortune, my own way in the world. So, I would like you to give me…

Hope from the Ashes

Posted on June 10, 2020July 27, 2020 by Michael Rose

Andrea and I went hiking a few days ago in Waterton National Park. It is a lovely treasure just a couple of hours’ drive from home. With COVID-19 restrictions being slowly lifted the park was being reopened on a limited basis so we took the opportunity to visit. We set out along a trail…

Seeing through Jesus

Posted on April 30, 2020August 18, 2020 by Michael Rose

Hey Mike, We know, according to scripture, God chose the Israelites as his people. Joined together under a covenant. There were several other tribes or nations on the earth and they must have had their own creation stories and modes of worship so was God not with them? It wouldn’t be Yahweh, but it would…

Fear Not but if you do that’s okay

Posted on April 2, 2020December 14, 2022 by Michael Rose

“Fear not” or something similar is said to be found approximately 365 times in the bible. That’s probably high but it seems to be a significant theme for folks and yet, beyond face value what is to be made of these two words? if we come from a legalistic tradition, we might understand these exhortations as…

I wish I could hate them.

Posted on July 18, 2019July 18, 2019 by Michael Rose

I wish I could hate them. In ways, it would be so much easier. Their violence, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, xenophobia, greed, exploitation of the poor, the anything-to-win-politics and indiscriminate, consumption of the planet and each other. I hate the scapegoating, half-truths, spins … all the bullshit. I hate the value of winning at all…

Thorns of Life

Posted on September 27, 2018November 14, 2024 by Michael Rose

I came across this story while listening to the audiobook version of The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. It struck me so profoundly I spent the next few kilometres repeating the stunned mantra of “Oh wow… oh wow…”. I was so moved that I wanted to retell it in my own words to reduce…

Games we play to Avoid Dealing with Emotional Pain

Posted on April 19, 2018September 28, 2018 by Michael Rose

I’m a little Tea Pot… when I get all steamed -up hear me shout! A familiar nursery rhyme but what an interesting allegory when we are talking about heart-wounds, stress and emotional pain. Picture yourself as a tea-pot (or kettle). Add some water, some heat, and when water boils, steam (energy) is released through the…

Missing God in both Success and Failure

Posted on August 28, 2017August 28, 2017 by Michael Rose

Why is it that when I sense a leading from God and follow through, the results so profoundly determines my hindsight? If things fit together with ease and all goes well I am confident that I have indeed heard God. Alternately, if things blow up in my face, I am suddenly stricken with a rash…

The Humility Substitute

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Michael Rose

We sat across the table from each other, sipping our coffee. He wasted no time. “Mike, the first time we met I would have told you I had perfect doctrine. I wouldn’t have said it that way, but the truth is I thought my doctrine was perfect. For the past 47 years, I have been…

Tag: grace

Why Hate the Sin and Love the Sinner Doesn’t Work

The Crazy Father

Hope from the Ashes

Seeing through Jesus

Fear Not but if you do that’s okay

I wish I could hate them.

Thorns of Life

Games we play to Avoid Dealing with Emotional Pain

Missing God in both Success and Failure

The Humility Substitute

What We Were Never Meant to Wash Away

What Love Does With What Is Broken

The Coals Ain't Cold

When the Cosmos Becomes Aware

You Were Never Outside