Faith Can Help Heal Our Polarized Country
We are living in an era plagued by political, religious and social unrest. The barrage of headlines continually erodes our confidence in our national leadership and unravels the ties that bind our local communities together. Despite the tools we have to increase mutual engagement, our society is profoundly disconnected, and instead of promoting understanding, the isolation and competition these technologies seem to promote have affected our mental health.
The Daily Office: Morning and Evening Prayer
The Daily Office is an ancient practice that uses daily prayers to mark the times of the day. For Anglicans, this generally comes in the form of the two main offices of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. Together, these prayers offer a way to shape our days and remind us who we are — created, known, and loved by God, people whose work is prayer. They allow us to move closer to Scripture’s encouragement to “pray without ceasing.”
In Quitting Church, We Give Up More Than We Think
It is difficult — really, next to impossible — to practice Christianity effectively without becoming (and staying) an active member of a local church congregation. Private spirituality is vital, of course, and underpins the communal life of any religious group. Hats off to the desert fathers, those legendary hermits of yore. Still, faith is mainly a team sport.
Faith-Based Animated Series ‘Fleur De Lis’ Innovates With Humor And AI
Regardless of concerns about AI, “Fleur de Lis” remains an entertaining show that is worth watching and supporting for people who want entertainment based deeply in a Christian imagination and who also want the content to be authentically dramatic and funny.
The Lost Art of Intentionality
Efficiency is portrayed as the consummate modern virtue. Get up early, go to bed late, multitask, double-book, manage your time and juggle more. We’re masters of efficiency, but we’ve lost our souls.
Finding Love and Rest Though Unknowing
We live in a time of the 24-hour new cycle, social media, information excess and compassion fatigue — a time when sometimes unknowing is better than certain kinds of knowing.
AI’s Future Impact On The Church
A sense of unease begins to take root. Interactions feel hollow, conversations lack depth and relationships become superficial and transactional. The more we rely on AI, the more we find ourselves yearning for something it cannot provide: authenticity, meaning and opportunities to connect on a fundamentally human level. This is where the church reenters the scene, not as a relic of the past, but as a symbol of the present, a sanctuary of authenticity. At this tipping point of artificiality and superficiality, people start craving transcendent values that algorithms cannot encode.
A Primer on “The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis: Advice from Hell
“The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis, published in 1942, is an imagined peek into the spiritual world, both humorous and frightful. Since its publication in 1942, this classic has resonated deeply with readers worldwide. The book’s enduring popularity stems from its unique format, engaging narrative, and witty and accessible approach to complex theological concepts.
The More You See of Jesus, The More You Become Like Jesus
The Holy Spirit is seeking to project an endless reel of the glory of Jesus onto our hearts so that we live for him in the increasing complexity and mess of life.
A Primer on “Every Moment Holy” — Finding God in 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.
A Primer On A Timeless Classic: “My Utmost for His Highest”
For over a century, “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers has been a beacon of spiritual insight and inspiration for Christians worldwide. This daily devotional, first published in 1927, continues to draw readers closer to God with its profound reflections and timeless wisdom.
A Primer on Dwell: The Bible, Beautiful to the Ear
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to sit down and read the Bible can be challenging. Enter the Dwell app, a revolutionary tool designed to help believers engage with Scripture in a meaningful and accessible way. Launched in 2018, Dwell transforms the traditional Bible experience into an immersive audio journey, making it easier than ever to incorporate God’s Word into daily life.
A Primer on “Practicing the Way” — A Book Reshaping How We Think About Discipleship
For the exhausted volunteer, the burned-out pastor, or the skeptic who suspects there must be more to faith than what they have seen — Comer offers a path. It is simple but not easy: slow down, adopt ancient practices, and discover that apprenticeship to Jesus is not only possible in the modern world but may be the only way to become a person of love.
Learning to Serve Like Jesus
Serving like Jesus requires that we open ourselves up to the destruction of our schedule. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, we see the priest and the Levite cross the road to avoid the robbed man. Maybe they wanted to avoid trouble or maybe they had a legitimate place they needed to be. Either way, both of them passed up an opportunity to take care of the man lying on the side of the road. It was the Samaritan that demonstrated true love and service by allowing himself, his schedule, and his pocketbook to be disrupted.
Just How Little We Know
Whether you’re religious or nonreligious, educated or untutored, smart as a whip or dumb as a crate of gravel, the universe of things you don’t know dwarfs the pitiful dollhouse of things you do. The mistakes you’ve made outnumber the correct conclusions you’ve reached. You realize you’re a cipher floating on a dust mote swirling in an infinite darkness. Humility should be your natural state.
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.
How to Guard Your Heart
The heart is the wellspring of life. What a great word: “wellspring.” I get this image of a fresh, gurgling spring bubbling up with a continual supply of clean, refreshing water, giving life to everything around it! The author of Proverbs, King Solomon, recognized 3,000 years ago that this was a metaphor of our spiritual heart. Everything else we do is impacted by the condition of our heart. So, what exactly does it mean to “guard” this heart of ours?
Fire in Our Bones
I know I’ll soon have more time to focus on Jenn and our relationship. What will that look like? I’m not sure. I’m also not exactly sure how to move from being an on-the-scene-type dad to more of an over-the-phone- and Thanksgiving/parents-weekend/Christmas/summer-type dad. Moreover, while I know I’ll also have more time for my friends, I don’t know what that should look like either.
What a 16th-century mystic can teach us about decision-making
Among the many decision-making methods, one stands out. It’s from an early 16th-century soldier-turned-mystic, St. Ignatius of Loyola. Anyone can apply his method to make more informed decisions.
The Secret of Supernatural Living — Intent
The path of spiritual growth in the riches of Christ is not a passive one. Grace is not opposed to effort. It’s opposed to earning. People are more active than when they have been set on fire by the grace of God.