Maybe It's Not False Assurance
The breeze is blowing, and I feel it against my skin. It doesn’t move through me but past me, around me. Then, the feeling of the air blowing my hair and the gentle push and pull on my limbs subsides. It’s leaving as quiet as it’s coming. Where does it go, and to where does it return?
The Lord of the Rings and Redemptive Art
‘Lord of the Rings’ holds out a distant but profound hope of complete renewal and joy. You have to read very carefully, but mainly in the songs and poems, we learn about a future consummation in which “the world is mended” and about reunions at a distant day when “the lands that lie under the wave are lifted up again” and they “may meet in the Spring.”
The Ground Beneath is Holy
The birds are too quiet for me to hear, with the nearby rush of traffic ... But I feel their song, the declaration of all creation: I am here; we are all here; all that is here belongs.
An Interview with Dallas Willard
People who say they trust Jesus as Redeemer and do not bend every effort to obey him are self-deceived. They do not trust him. They trust some story about him.
Rainer Maria Rilke: A Spiritual Journey By Poetry
While not explicitly Christian in his writings, Rilke’s poetry and prose delve into the depths of human existence, touching on themes of spirituality, love, and our relationship with God. His work continues to offer readers a unique perspective on the human condition, encouraging them to explore their own faith and understanding of God in new and profound ways.
Swallow Your Pride And Tell The Truth — About Everything
If you become honest, yeah, you’ll lose some friends. There are folks who don’t want to associate with the imperfect. Say a prayer of thanks when they leave. Those are friends you’re better off without. Their departure is the Lord’s blessing on you. The happy paradox is that as you become real, as scary as that can be, you meet a battalion of kindred souls. Other scarred and messy people — they are legion — will be drawn to you.
The Most Beautiful Questions to Ask God
There were seasons when turning my attention to God had a rhythm that was regular but anything but predictable. When the kids were at school, and the house was quiet for a few hours, I would lay on the floor, my hands pressed to the wood, my knees on the carpet. I’d place my journal near me because I found that transcribing our conversations–words too kind and intensely loving to be my own–helped me hear them. It became an exercise in discernment. I was learning the sound of his voice in my heart; I was learning to trust that the words weren’t just thoughts of my own.
‘The Promised Land’ tells Moses’ story in the style of ‘The Office’
“The Promised Land” leans into the irony baked into the biblical narrative, using the “mockumentary” style made famous by hits like “The Office,” “Parks and Rec” and “Abbott Elementary.” The pilot episode features Moses dealing with every absurd complaint the Israelites bring to him.
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.