on a radically simple Christmas
Jesus observed, “Without me you can do nothing.” Yet we act, for the most part, as though without us God can do nothing.…“Oh, but nothing will get done,” you say. “If I don’t do it, Christmas won’t happen.” And we crowd out Christ with our fretful fears.
God asks us to give away everything of ourselves. The gift of greatest efficacy . . .
feast day: St. Michael and all the angels
The observance of St. Michael’s day is one of the oldest in the church liturgical calendar. In the Western Lutheran and Anglican traditions, this feast day celebrates all angels on this day, not just St. Michael. In the Roman and Eastern traditions, these celebrations are split into two separate feast days.
Traditional has it that . . .
on terror and comfort
the work of Christ in us
At times our conscience terrifies us, and our heart panics. It looks for something good in us or some good work—something for our hope to grasp hold of and think that surely God would be merciful to us and forgive us our multitude of sins, if just for this one elusive thing. Usually, our searching is for not, as we realize that we are not . . .
Posted in: sacramentstheology
why are we so afraid?
I have written before about the fear that grips Americans, including American Christians. Our entire political process is driven by fear—of the other party, of terrorism, of threats from other nations, of (fill in the blank).
It’s nonsensical.
Regarding political parties, they have both had about equal shares of the . . .
the cross as misfortune
"Suffering" is not a very popular word in the vernacular of contemporary American Christianity. Oh sure, we talk about 'suffering' and 'persecution' from time-to-time, even in our own cultural context, but can be we honest for a minute and admit that such things have really no part our American Christian experience? . . .
worship: tremble with me
The act of worship is an amazing thing. To be invited into communion and fellowship with the very Creator and Sustainer of the universe is mind-blowing in-and-of itself. To be invited into this sacred moment, however, as his children is even more incredible.
I admit, I often take this marvelous privilege for granted.
Posted in: theology
