Richard Foster has one small disagreement with earlier monastic teachings on humor. Benedict and Bernard were not fans of humor. Benedict said the tenth sign of humility is that one is not given to ready laughter.
Tag Archives: humility
Why we care so little for humility
Richard Foster titled his new book: Learning Humility: A Year of Searching for a Vanishing Virtue. It makes more sense as I think back over the past few years in our culture and in the world.
Humility is NOT worthlessness
Humility is to see things as they are. It isn’t to think of oneself as a worthless worm who God reluctantly redeemed. It is to fix our heart on God’s worth—which is the literal definition of worship—and know our worth in light of God’s worth. Jesus could be lowly and humble of heart because he knew who andContinue reading “Humility is NOT worthlessness”
Learning Humility
I remember a saying I probably first heard in high school: “Humility is the virtue of which I am most proud.” Another thought is: “Just when you think you’ve attained humility… you lost it.”
The reminder of gratitude and service
Luke 17:1-10 is a challenge to my pride. Verse 5, the disciples are so challenged they call out: “Increase our faith!” (This is something we think we need in our day… more faith.) Jesus’s response lets them (and us) know the true power of the Kingdom: we don’t need “more faith.” We need faith inContinue reading “The reminder of gratitude and service”
The door of humility
I was struck by this image that was shared on my Twitter feed: It is the Door of Humility in the Basilica of the Nativity. It is only 4 feet high and 2 feet wide. As people enter they have to bow. What a powerful reminder of coming to the Lord in humility.
The power of humility
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”6 He replied, “If you have faith asContinue reading “The power of humility”
The downside of evangelical American Christianity
My reading has me in Micah for a few days and as I read it I get this picture of Israel that the prophets portray over and over. Israel is “weary” of serving God. They have some sense of obligation, but they are in love with the gods of the age and want to pursueContinue reading “The downside of evangelical American Christianity”
Your “humble servant”
“Humility is the virtue of which I am most proud.” I hate it when my humble service goes unnoticed. (Really hurts my reputation as a “servant leader.”) There are true tests the Lord brings into our lives, in all seriousness. What we are not currently interested in (and me among that number) is the workContinue reading “Your “humble servant””
The way forward as the church
In our American culture, the church should be leading a new way forward. This passage helps me focus on the way in which to lead: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has aContinue reading “The way forward as the church”
Apprentice 2 Jesus 