pre-Lenten reflections
new disciplines
Usually as we approach Lent we think of disciplines that cut away and simplify, the stereotypical 'giving up' of things in order to let us draw closer to God in our daily walks. While I am certainly not opposed to this practice, this year, I am going to try a bit of a different approach: the addition of disciplines to my spiritual . . .
Luther on God's use of means
In our day, in the time of the New Testament, God has given us Baptism, the Sacrament of the Altar, and absolution to bring Christ very close to us, so that we can have Him not only in our heart but also on our tongue, so that we can feel Him, grasp Him, and touch Him. God did all this for the sake of those shameful spirits who . . .
mysterious God
Part of the wonder of Advent is meditating on the mystery of our God...or perhaps I should say, our mysterious God. As much as the systematic theologians want to smooth out all the wrinkles of Scripture and theology to present us a God who is tidy, neatly-packaged, and predictable, God will have nothing of it. In reality, if we're honest, . . .
advent: not for the satisfied
Those who are satisfied have nothing for which they must wait. Their needs are met. They lack nothing. They are fulfilled.
Advent has no place for the satisfied, because Advent is all about waiting.
Should we find ourselves satisfied with the status quo of our faith and the world, it is more than our observance of . . .
waking up to God
No matter where you live in the northern hemisphere, the routine of Autumn has set in, the weather is growing colder, and the days are growing shorter. The cycle of school is firmly in place. The hectic pace of our vocations in the midst of holidays makes causes many to put their noses to the proverbial grindstones and press forward to . . .
advent: the art of waiting
Advent is a season of expectant waiting. We are masters of anticipation--just look at the weeks of hype about 'Black Friday'--but we are complete failures at waiting. In a society where everything happens immediately, we have regrettably forgotten how to wait.
Celebrating Advent means being able to wait. Waiting is an . . .
asking why in the midst of tragedy
Tragedies are all around us. It doesn't take more than a quick glance at the news to recognize the reality of devastation and its inevitability in our own lives. In times of tragedy, one of the first words that often finds itself on our lips is, "Why?" In the moment, it is usually a cry of desperation as we try to wrap our minds . . .
