I am an angel of death
a chaplain's reflection
Clad in my crisp, blue Service Dress, I creep unnoticed through Houston rush hour traffic.
Today, I am an angel of death.
To get into a gated community and a secure apartment complex, I wait in the shadows off to the side until I can pass through the gate and enter the door without alerting anyone at my destination.
. . .review: Upside-Down Spirituality by Chad Bird
the 9 Essential Failures of a Faithful Life
Earthy spirituality. Grace-drenched. Christ-focused.
If I had to sum up Chad Bird's new book, Upside-Down Spirituality, those would be the words that first came to mind. This book is a candid critique of how many contemporary, American Christians define success--a critique that turns these ideas of success on their heads in . . .
Grace, Kindness, and God's Word Translation
a reappraisal in light of Philip Melanchthon
Recently I wrote on the topic of justification and the choice of the translators of God's Word Translation to translate the Greek word dikaioo as 'approval' instead of the traditional 'justify.' As mentioned there, years ago when I first did an in-depth review of the translation I was put off by choice of . . .
Posted in: theology
unprofitable, dangerous, vain, and doubting...
thoughts on prayer, social media, and the news cycle
Today's prayer of the day in the prayer book For All the Saints comes from Samuel Johnson, an 18th century Anglican. I find it especially fitting for Lent, in general, and the perpetual chatter of today's news and social media, in particular:
O Lord, my Maker and Protector...while it shall please Thee to continue me in . . .
Posted in: lentlifeprayerreflectionstheology
reflection for the First Sunday in Lent
How is your Lenten journey going so far? I hope you have decided to make this a season of intentionally drawing closer to Christ as we prepare to remember his Passion and celebrate his Resurrection. Encourage each other as you seek Christ this week!
The traditional readings for this First Sunday in Lent find us contrasting Adam in . . .
Luther on the Greatest Prayer
theology quote of the week
"Thy will be done..."
theology quote of the week
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."
You may say, “Well, did God not endow us with a free will?” I reply: To be sure, he gave you a free will. But why do you want to make it your own will? Why not let it remain free? If you do with it whatever you will, it is not a free will, but your own will. God did not . . .
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