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Is the point of reading to retain?
A particular article I read recently in Christianity Today isn’t available on the web yet, but it caught my attention. Two pastors were having coffee and one was talking about his reading passion. The other pastor listened, but then said with a lot of frustration he just couldn’t read. He did very little because he didn’t retain it. He felt…
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Apathy and our current spiritual malaise
So, I ran across this book on overcoming apathy and thought it might be a good read, but I just didn’t care enough to buy it. Actually, I came across an article about a book on apathy, suppressed a yawn, and began reading. Before long I was introduced to an old term I had studied years ago: acedia.
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A prayer for the new year
A simple prayer I picked up from Richard Foster in his latest book, Learning Humility. It’s a good one for reflection this year. My personal goal is to turn to this prayer often in 2023. Loving Lord Jesus, I humbly ask you would: Purify my heart, Renew my mind, Sanctify my imagination, and Enlarge my soul. AMEN
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Two forgotten heroes in the early Jesus narrative
Two people I am fascinated with in the early narrative of Jesus: Simeon and Anna. Both waiting. Both longing. Both rewarded after decades of waiting.
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Pope Benedict XVI — 1927-2022
“Quite soon, I shall find myself before the final judge of my life. Even though, as I look back on my long life, I can have great reason for fear and trembling, I am nonetheless of good cheer, for I trust firmly that the Lord is not only the just judge, but also the friend and brother who himself has…
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This is the day I look for
I am always glad the daily office readings end in Revelation as the New Testament reading. It makes me homesick every time. There will be a time when war will be no more. A time when heaven and earth are truly joined together. A time when our King will finally be known in fullness to all and what we know…
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Divine appointments
I had a friend who loved the opportunities he found along the way. He called them “divine appointments.” He would meet someone on a trip and a conversation would spark and after awhile it was clear the Holy Spirit had set something up. What was special about this friend was he didn’t run on a clock. If a conversation began,…
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Remembering the innocents
Jeremiah 31:15–17 (NIV): This is what the Lord says:“A voice is heard in Ramah,mourning and great weeping,Rachel weeping for her childrenand refusing to be comforted,because they are no more.”16 This is what the Lord says:“Restrain your voice from weepingand your eyes from tears,for your work will be rewarded,”declares the Lord.“They will return from the land of the enemy.17 So there…
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One more book
The Religion of American Greatness by Paul D Palmer is one I am adding to my “year in books.” I just listened to it on Audible and WOW! Palmer gets at the heart of Christian Nationalism and calls it out. He digs into the deep roots of our American problem. It is a clear call not only about Christian Nationalism,…
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Feast of St. Stephen
In my upbringing in a Pentecostal denomination, Acts 6 wasn’t about “deacons.” I’ve learned in the Anglican tradition that they hold those chosen in Acts 6 to be deacons.
