Qoheleth

Following Jesus in this beautiful mess called life!

[georgeslarabie]

East of Eden Sin always takes us somewhere. That is one of the sobering threads running through the early pages of Genesis.... https://qoheleth.ca/2026/07/01/east-of-eden-sin-exile-grace/

[georgeslarabie]

The God Who Comes Looking The reflection on Genesis 3 explores the consequences of Adam and Eve's sin and humanity's instinct to hide from God after wrongdoing. Despite their shame, God approaches them, inviting honesty and offering redemption. The piece emphasizes God's persistent care and desire for relationship, reminding us that even in our failures, He seeks us out.... https://qoheleth.ca/2026/06/30/the-god-who-comes-looking/

[georgeslarabie]

Genesis 3, and the Temptation to Be Our Own Authority Genesis 3 reveals a temptation deeper than breaking a rule. Explore the connection between Adam and Eve's nakedness, the serpent's shrewdness, and our tendency to place ourselves in God's seat.... https://qoheleth.ca/2026/06/29/naked-shrewd-ashamed-genesis-3/

[georgeslarabie]

In the Beginning The author shares spontaneous reflections inspired by daily Bible readings, focusing on Genesis. They emphasize the significance of understanding origins in shaping identity and belonging. The opening line, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," serves as a reminder that one's story begins with God, highlighting essential questions of purpose and identity.... https://qoheleth.ca/2026/06/28/in-the-beginning/

[georgeslarabie]

When Disagreement Becomes Impossible We seem to be losing the ability to disagree with one another in healthy, honest, and dignified ways. This reflection explores the difference between respect and agreement, dignity and validation, and why fear of offence may be weakening our relationships and conversations.... https://qoheleth.ca/2026/06/07/when-disagreement-becomes-impossible/

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[georgeslarabie]

A Transfer of Desire: Why I Gave Up Alcohol

I did not stop drinking because alcohol had taken over my life. That is the first thing I need to say, because people often assume there must have been some dramatic collapse, some hidden addiction, or some rock-bottom moment behind a decision like this. That was not my story. In many ways, my experience with alcohol was a positive one. I enjoyed it. I appreciated it. Some of my best moments…

A Transfer of Desire: Why I Gave Up Alcohol

[georgeslarabie]

The Shape of a Shining Life

(Grace Behind Bars, Day 11) After calling the church to shine, Paul does something more. He gives the Philippians names and faces. That is one of the mercies of this passage. Paul does not leave us with ideals alone. He does not simply say, “Be humble. Be faithful. Be lights in the world. Be poured out. Be like Jesus.” He gives us two living examples and says, in effect: this is what it looks…

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[georgeslarabie]

The Devil You Know: Barabbas, Jesus, and the Power We Prefer

(Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:6–15; Luke 23:18–25; John 18:39–40) There is an old expression about choosing “the devil you know.” It speaks to something deeply human: we often prefer what is familiar, even when it is broken, over what is unfamiliar, even when it is good. That may be part of what makes the story of Barabbas so haunting. Why Barabbas Felt Like the Safer Choice On the day Jesus…

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[georgeslarabie]

Shine

(Grace Behind Bars, day 10) Paul does not change subjects in Philippians 2:12. That is worth noticing, because it is easy to read this section as though he has moved on from the breathtaking portrait of Jesus in verses 5–11 and is now offering a few practical leftovers. But he has not changed subjects at all. He is still unfolding the same truth. Jesus did not grasp.Jesus did not cling.Jesus…

Shine

[georgeslarabie]

Philemon and the Cost of Reconciliation

One of the things that makes forgiveness so difficult is this: when real wrong has been done, there is a real cost. That is why forgiveness cannot simply mean pretending nothing happened. It cannot mean shrugging off evil, minimizing hurt, or acting as though wounds heal just because we want them to. If there is a debt, someone has to absorb it. That is one of the deep truths quietly running…

Philemon and the Cost of Reconciliation

[georgeslarabie]

Forgiveness and the Wrecking Ball

Forgiveness rarely feels gentle at first. When I think about it, I do not picture peace. I picture a wrecking ball. Actually, I picture something even more specific: a heavy boulder dragging behind a car, swinging wildly, smashing things left and right. That is what unforgiveness can feel like. Someone wounds us, and from that moment on, we are no longer carrying only the memory of what…

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[georgeslarabie]

The Downward Way: Understanding Christ's Humble Journey

(Grace Behind Bars (GBB) – Day 9) In the last GBB post, we lingered with Paul’s invitation to humility as self-forgetfulness. We spoke about the strange freedom that sometimes comes when the constant inner narration quiets — the voice asking, How am I doing? What do others think? Why can’t I get it together? When that voice softens, even for a moment, something opens up inside us. Our attention…

The Downward Way: Understanding Christ's Humble Journey

[georgeslarabie]

What is the Gospel?

Previously, I wrote about how we can lose the gospel without noticing: tweak by tweak, softening the edges, keeping the vocabulary while quietly trading away the substance. That raises the obvious follow-up question: What is the gospel, actually? I promised I’d follow up with a post answering that question. I’m going to answer as clearly as I can. The Gospel is good news. If that is true, it is…

What is the Gospel?

[georgeslarabie]

How to Lose the Gospel Without Noticing

It begins innocently. The intention is to make the message more palpable, easier to digest, and more relevant to the hearer’s immediate reality and context. A little tweak here, a little tweak there, here a tweak, there a tweak, then everywhere a small tweak. What you are left with may, at a glance, sound really nice; perfectly packaged for the market. The right words. The right tone. Careful…

How to Lose the Gospel Without Noticing

[georgeslarabie]

The battle for faith is often quiet, subtle, and internal. Inspired by Job, 1 Peter, and my song Back and Forth, this new post explores doubt, spiritual warfare, and the fragile courage to keep trusting. 🎧📖

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[georgeslarabie]

Grace Behind Bars (Day 8)

Empty Enough to See Others (Philippians 2:1–4) There are days when creativity hums in my chest and I feel wide open to the world; awake, purposeful, alive. And then there are the other days, days like the last 60! The quiet ones, the heavy ones, where inspiration slips away and I feel myself folding inward. When that happens, my inner world becomes strangely loud. I get wrapped up in my own…

Grace Behind Bars (Day 8)

[georgeslarabie]

A Conversation with St. Gregory of Nyssa: On Wisdom, Pleasure, and the Restless Heart

(Homily 2 on Ecclesiastes 1:12–2:3) IntroEcclesiastes shifts from declaring “all is vanity” to a personal search: “I, Ecclesiastes, applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven.” (1:12–13). The Teacher seeks meaning through wisdom, pleasure, and labor—yet finds them wanting. In this homily, Gregory of Nyssa reflects on the dangers of chasing wisdom for…

A Conversation with St. Gregory of Nyssa: On Wisdom, Pleasure, and the Restless Heart