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To be a saint
We carry too much false humility in our lives. Or, if we truly wish to “achieve” we aim high at material goals or career ideals. But in our spiritual lives? We shroud ourselves in false humility or we don’t understand the true human potential and think we just want to survive this life and hope to see Jesus some day…
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Elections — the small windows of victory
Alabama still has the nation’s longest constitution. The change will be that now it will be minus racist language. There are small victories. On Election Day, the state ballot measure passed to change the wording in the nation’s longest state constitution to remove racist language. The state constitution has been in place since 1901. To which I say… WELCOME TO…
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Elections
It’s probably been 20 years or more since I voted in a place where my vote had any significance at all. I’ve lived in very blue areas and very red areas. It doesn’t matter which “side” I might “be one” (which is not even a question in my life any more), I was in a place that even if I…
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Our American Christian aversion to not being in power
Christendom has protected us from the beginning. We, as American Christians, have never been the “minority” voice. The influence of Christendom (not necessarily Christianity) runs deep because this nation has roots deep in Christendom. That does not mean “this nation was founded as a Christian nation.” Those are not identical comments.
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The beauty of entering into Christ
It is doubtful I have reread any book as much as Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton. It is far more moving to me than Augustine’s Confessions. The story of coming to faith, the journey, along with Merton’s prose, deeply move me.
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Worship that speaks
We sang this song at a clergy retreat yesterday. The words moved me.
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A prayer for All Saints Day
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our…
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Reminders for the journey in my “last third”
I am embracing the journey in “last third living.” My mind prepares for what is ahead. I am thankful for all that has brought me to this point. Finishing Arthur Brooks’s book, From Strength to Strength, here are the key reminders for me:
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Wrestling with unhappiness
We can tend to insulate ourselves against the harshness of what is going on around us. We build thicker walls to keep the noise out. We ignore news because it is “all bad.” We need to keep our eyes and ears open. There is unhappiness around and we need to LISTEN to the why.
