Created for His Presence
We weren’t created for shallow moments or vague spiritual vibes. We were created to know the Presence of God — not as a concept, but as a person.
The Growth of Productivity and the Fall of Stillness
Our world glorifies productivity, yet silence is where we meet God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, ‘Teaching about Christ begins in silence,’ but how often do we truly stop? We measure progress, check off boxes and chase efficiency — but what if our striving drowns out God’s voice? Maybe the most vital thing isn’t doing more, but learning to be still and attend to his presence.
The Intimacy and Mystery of ‘The Secret Place’
The secret place with God forms identity, heals wounds and deepens intimacy. It’s where heartbreak becomes transformation — where rejection refines, not defines.
Violence & Grace: The Enduring Voice of Flannery O’Connor
Flannery O’Connor’s fiction doesn’t flinch. Her stories — stark, unsettling and laced with dark humor — press into the tension between human depravity and divine grace. A master of the short story, O’Connor crafted worlds where redemption rarely arrives gently. Instead, it crashes in, disruptive and undeniable. For readers willing to wrestle with faith and fiction in its rawest form, her work remains as urgent and convicting as ever.
Strange Signs Of God’s Incredible Love
The ER isn’t the first place you’d look for evidence of God’s love, but even there, grace can surprise us. A crowded hallway, overworked caregivers and long delays reveal a deeper truth: healing is rarely straightforward, but no one is ever turned away. Even in uncertainty, there’s a quiet beauty in the kindness of strangers and the assurance that God is always at work.
Experience God More Intimately: A Primer on James Finley
Uncover the transformative teachings of James Finley — a former Trappist monk mentored by Thomas Merton — who bridges ancient wisdom with modern life to help you experience God’s presence more intimately. Dive into our exploration of Finley’s life and work to discover how his insights can enrich your own spiritual journey.
Seeing The Holy In The Mundane
In the midst of daily routines and unexpected interruptions, we often separate the sacred from the mundane. But what if every moment was a form of worship? What if changing a tire or weeding a garden was just as holy as delivering a sermon? It's a simple yet profound concept: God is in everything — always present, always purposeful — turning even the simplest tasks into acts of divine grace.
Six Reasons Why I Keep a Journal
Journaling is more than just a way to document your day — it’s a powerful tool for spiritual growth and self-reflection. By slowing down and writing honestly before God, you create space to confront your fears, express your gratitude and see the truth of your journey in a new light. This practice grounds you, helping you to notice where God is at work in your life, both in the struggles and the blessings.
Wonder: The Holy Art of Paying Attention
Wake up to wonder. Breathe in the beauty of creation as St. Francis did, and let nature’s simple marvels lead you to rediscover God’s presence in your life. From the majesty of a thunderstorm to the quiet grace of Communion, creation speaks of the Creator’s glory. Step outside, stand in the rain and let God’s handiwork take your breath away.
Let Love Be Wild Within You
Let love be wild within you. Let it loose. You have it now. Feel it, for I am here. I have no boundaries, no exit strategy. I am not fickle. My love does not change its mind about you. I am fully engrossed in my love for you.
A Primer on “Every Moment Holy” — Liturgy for the Ordinary
Finding moments of sacredness can seem challenging in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. “Every Moment Holy” by Douglas McKelvey — author, songwriter, and creative thinker — offers a refreshing perspective, reminding believers that every moment, no matter how mundane, can be infused with divine significance.
What If God Was In Charge?
God doesn’t sort out the mess by pressing a button or pulling a lever upstairs. He comes down to the place of sorrow, shame, sickness and death and takes the worst of it upon himself.
Relaxing Into God’s Presence
If you want to connect deeply with God, you first have to connect deeply with yourself. Do you find that idea jolting? I did the first time I encountered it. It challenges the way I’m wired.
Nature: Every Common Bush Afire
We can learn a lot about people by what they make — especially what they make for others. We can grasp the depth of their affection by the effort and care they take in the making and the beauty and utility they infuse into what’s made. When we go outdoors, into God’s own creation, we learn about him — and sometimes encounter him, too.
The Weight of Hours
Maybe we can take a deep breath and slow down a bit, knowing we have eternity to experience all the things we want to experience and accomplish all the things we want to accomplish. Maybe we can take a deep breath and notice more of God’s presence in our world. And maybe we can learn to walk slow, go easy, and love well.
Experiencing God through the Creation Psalms
God comes near through his Word, and he comes close through his creation. If we don’t know and see this, we will miss so much of who he is and how he longs to be with us.
Five Lines In
In the seventh century BC, Zephaniah told us about God’s nature; to paraphrase the ancient prophet, God is so crazy in love with his children that he sings over us and dances because of us.
The World May Be Filled With Ordinary Mystics
What if mysticism isn’t confined to holy people living in monasteries? What if the mechanic at your local car dealership has received the same visitation as Bernard of Clairvaux?
What is Pentecostal Christianity?
Lloyd Daniel Barba, Assistant Professor of Religion at Amherst College, explains this stream of the Christian faith that emphasizes the Holy Spirit and God’s presence in our lives