Jesus used the way of love even when it seemed to be to his disadvantage. When the Samaritans refused him, he was more concerned about their souls than his personal prestige, and did good to them who thought evil of him. If we are his disciples, we love our enemies, forgive their evils, and … Continue reading Christian Pacifists: Petr Chelčický
In an era in which patience with opposing religious stances seemed almost nonexistent, St. Francis de Sales shone like a beautiful jewel. Born in 1567, he became a zealous yet gentle evangelical priest in 1593. He worked to convert an area which had become almost entirely Calvinist back to Catholicism. Through patient kindness, and despite … Continue reading Prayer Portrait: St. Francis de Sales
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. Philippians 3:17 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:11 Abba Poemen said that somebody asked Abba Paisios, "What am I to do with my soul, for it is insensitive … Continue reading Imitation
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it … Continue reading Redemption of an Arid Soul
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died … Continue reading When We are the Villains
I remember my pastor growing up telling us that he thought it was good for couples to go through a period of time when funds were tight because that was when you could really see who the other person is. I've been through two societal financial disasters: the 2008 recession and COVID-19. In both cases, … Continue reading Seek First the Kingdom
I’ve been researching early Anabaptism for several months now and the book Early Anabaptist Spirituality by Daniel Liechty is mentioned often enough to have taunted me for some time now. It’s sat in my check-out cart, un-purchased, for months though because I had a feeling that I was going to be disappointed. First, the term … Continue reading Early Anabaptist Spirituality: Selected Writings by Daniel Liechty Book Review
Two young women, both mothers of young children, one of a child no more than a few days old, stood boldly in a stadium with people screaming for their deaths. They were not wearing the clothing of those dedicated to the goddess Ceres as they were supposed to. Before going out into the arena, Perpetua … Continue reading Four Fold Approach
Book review of C.F. Andrew's Christ in the Silence In 2012 in the dustiest part of the university library, I pulled out a book with a deep blue jacket and, for me, a somewhat haunting title: Christ in the Silence. I sat there for about an hour thumbing through the pages, but didn’t end up … Continue reading Christ in the Silence
Book Review of Diane Perkins Castros' Confessions of a Tomboy Grandma: On the Eternal Destiny of the Human Race When I was given a copy of this book to review, I knew only very broadly what the book was about and knew nothing about the author herself. It can be a bit uncomfortable reviewing books … Continue reading Confessions of a Tomboy Grandma: On the Eternal Destiny of the Human Race by Diane Perkins Castro
