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Immigrants and Strangers
As James K.A. Smith would say in his book, Desiring the Kingdom, everything calls for allegiance. All of life has liturgies all around. Which liturgy will call out for our allegiance and we will respond? We are in the thick of political season in the U.S. Let’s face it, as long as there is a media and as long as…
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Strengthening Our Resolve
In case you haven’t heard, we’ve reached the end of the world. I find it interesting there is far more interest in the Mayan calendar and how it might be right, while we readily dismiss Christians who regularly predict the end of the world. So, the end is upon us. Unless, of course, it’s not. When 2013 rings in and…
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Knowing and Doing Are Two Different Things
There are different definitions of “sin” throughout Scripture, but James weighs in on this one: 17 It is a sin when someone knows the right thing to do and doesn’t do it. (James 4:17, CEB) We can know all day long what the right thing to do is… and just not do it. We can see shades of racism in…
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Willing to Yield
My wish for the political season as it kicks off: Everyone running for office needs to read the Book of James. Knowing that will not happen, I am still struck by the words compared to the political arena. 17 What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions,…
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Giving Without a Second Thought
A refreshing look at James 1:5 from the Common English Bible. First, the NIV 2011: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Common English Bible: 5 But anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to…
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The Advantage of Adversity
The old saying goes, “Live and learn.” I have found that isn’t necessarily true. There was a friend in college who just didn’t really understand the purpose of the speed limit. Not understanding the speed limit in Wisconsin in those days was costly. He was winging his way through Wisconsin one year with some friends he was dropping off in…
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Farewell and Hello
I used to set goals for each year. I got away from it because somehow in setting goals it also implied a deadline. Now, I am trying to realize that I need to take time to re-evaluate my goals from time to time. Forget the timeline in many cases. For instance, I need to set a target weight for my…
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Living Dead to the Opinions of Others
This story comes from The Sayings of the Desert Fathers. A brother came to see Abba Macarius the Egyptian and said, “Abba, give me a word that I may be saved.” (All we want is a word sometimes. We’re not into actually acting out. Just give me a pill.) The abba said to go to the tombs and abuse the…
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Treasuring Jesus
The text this Sunday is Matthew 25:1-13. As I work through this text, and all of Matthew 25 really, I am struck by how this passage brings together a lot of Matthew’s gospel. In particular, I see the 5 foolish virgins in the parable of the soil. They received the word with joy, but without roots, the “joy” is stripped…
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What Do You Expect?
I am working my way through a book/journal called The Live/Dead Journal. It is a compilation of reflections for 30 days from missionaries in some of the toughest places on the planet. Modern day apostles. The reflection I read today began with the tough passage from Luke 17:7-10 7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the…
Category: Spiritual Formation
