Where have we any command in the Bible laid down in stronger terms, and in a more preemptory urgent matter, than the command of giving to the poor.” Jonathan Edwards, The Duty of Charity to the Poor. I have been reading a book called Nothing to Envy which is about ordinary lives in North Korea written by Barbara Demick.…
Month: March 2018
Consider Lent As Spring Practice
Many a college coach or football player will tell you the fall season depends on spring practice. “Champions are made in the spring” adorns many a college football locker room right now. Our lenten discipline is much like spring ball where we practice two disciplines. We dive deeply into prayer, meditation, and reading scripture to…
We Have A Friend In The Quiet
A good part of our lenten discipline includes meditation and prayer, times of silence. Isn’t it interesting how much work it takes to have a few moments of quiet these days. I watch our grandchildren and notice how uncomfortable they are with silence, yet the few times we force children to have “quiet time” they…
Is What You Believe Manifest In Your Actions?
Lent is not only a time of sacrifice and prayer, it is also a time of service to one’s neighbors, to put your body where your mouth is, so to speak. Service to a hurting and broken world takes conscious action on our part, and not just a kind thought during church or an acknowledgement…
Our Perceptions Are Made Finer
The Miracles of the Church… but upon our perceptions made finer, so that for a moment our eyes can see and our ears hear what is there about us always. — Willa Cather, Death Comes For the Archbishop. Although Willa Cather is describing the miracles of the church, she could be describing what happens to us when…