As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been reading Pope Francis’s Papal Encyclical, “Care for Our Common Home.” The Pope focuses a lot of attention on curbing human problems–especially climate change and poverty–through public policy shifts. He is certainly not alone in this. It is not unusual to hear Christians calling for systemic shifts…
Category: Church History
The Commonality of the Indwelling Christ–Mallory Patrick
The following is an excerpt from an essay by Mallory Patrick. Read the full essay here. Mallory is my sister-in-law and founder of Gathered Fragments Book Sanctuary. Gathered Fragments seeks to preserve books of all times and places that present Christ crucified. *** The Commonality of the Indwelling Christ The Need Any believer who hungers…
Celebrating One Solitary Life–Dennis Patrick
Painting by Salvador Dali The following is a piece by my father-in-law, Dennis Patrick. Dennis writes a weekly column called “The Passing Scene,” which appears in the Mountrail County Promoter. “Celebrating One Solitary Life” appeared in the March 27 edition of The Promoter. *** Eastertide is as good a time as any to reflect on the many positive…
The Prayer of St. Francis
St. Francis is a hero of mine. Below is a prayer attributed to him. Whether or not he wrote it, the prayer perfectly describes the way we are meant to function by the life of Love Himself. *** Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring your love. Where there…
A Worthy Answer
Icon of the Apostle John When the holy Evangelist John had lived to extreme old age in Ephesus, he could be carried only with difficulty by the hands of the disciples, and as he was not able to pronounce more words, he was accustomed to say at every assembly, “Little children, love one another.” At…
The Bible: So Attacked It’s a Sin
Around Christmas, a Newsweek article by Kurt Eichenwald made quite a stir. It was entitled, “The Bible: So Misunderstood It’s a Sin.” It’s a 20-ish paged assault on the Bible in which the author parades a prejudiced ignorance of biblical history and translation. I pray no one is taking it seriously or is troubled by…
Equal Glory–Simeon the New Theologian
I know that he who is far outside the whole creation Takes me within himself and hides me in his arms, And then I find myself outside the whole world. I, a frail, small mortal in the world, Behold the Creator of the world, all of him, within myself; And I know that I shall not…
Evening THEN Morning?!?
“And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day” (Gen. 1:5). In the story of creation, have you ever wondered why each day concludes with the words, “And there was evening, and there was morning”? Wouldn’t a day be morning then evening? Have you especially wondered why this phrase occurs the first day,…
Five Celebrity Preachers Who Ignored Osteen’s Advice–Hans Fiene
I’d like to share a hilarious (not to mention true) article my wife stumbled upon the other day. It’s by Hans Fiene, Lutheran pastor and creator of Lutheran Satire. Mr. Fiene uses delicious irony to deliver a corrective perspective. I have the beginning below. I encourage you to read the entire article! ### “Not all celebrity…
Incomprehensible Union
Some good thoughts on the Lord’s supper from Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin… *** But as this mystery of the secret union of Christ with believers is incomprehensible by nature, he exhibits its figure and image in visible signs adapted to our capacity…. We now, therefore, understand the end which this mystical blessing has…
The Voice of One 