Pursuing God through the small things

June 25, 2012 By 10 Comments
Small Things

We live in a day of extremes, and sometimes it seems our culture's highest virtue is going overboard. Everything is super-sized, quad-shot, high-energy, maximum-strength, full-throttle. I wonder and worry about how much of that infects our faith. If being radical for Jesus means being totally committed to the kingdom, that's great. But if we're obsessing on doing something big for Jesus, as if that's the only thing that counts, then we're missing something. The truth is that holiness and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth Tagged With: , , , , , 10 Comments

Christians making a difference

July 25, 2011 By 10 Comments
How Christians can make a difference

Whether it's the political activism of the eighties and nineties or the social activism of today, Christians want to make a difference in the world. But are we starting in the right place? Often we see a crisis or a need and jump to fix it. We raise funds, join a movement, buy a T-shirt, send our tithe, blog, campaign, distribute voters guides, do all kinds of things -- many of them good. But they're not enough. All those things are externally focused, which is only half the picture. "The … [Read more...]

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Our true identity in Christ and the momentum of holiness

July 14, 2011 By 6 Comments
Our true identity and the momentum of holiness

What can Paul Gauguin and Paul the Apostle teach us about our identity in Christ? Born in France and raised partially in Peru, Paul Gauguin's early years were marked by the death of his father, domestic upheaval, and sweeping cultural shifts. After returning to France to live with his grandfather, he joined the merchant marines, served a stint in the navy, took work as a stockbroker, married, and had several kids. His tumultuous life could have settled into middle-class ease, but then Gauguin … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: , , , 6 Comments

Are you making progress?

July 1, 2011 By 10 Comments
Are you making progress?

What does the perfect Christian life look like? When asked the question by a friend, Gregory of Nyssa said it looked like perpetual progress toward God, a thought stemming from Christ's statement that Christians are to be perfect like God is perfect. This is tricky business. Perfection is easy if we're talking about the length of a yard or the number ten, things that have attainable, comprehensible limits. But what if there is no spatial or conceptual boundary? Exactly how long is virtue, … [Read more...]

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The circumcision of Christ

December 30, 2010 By 7 Comments
The Circumcision of Christ

It may sound like a curious thing to celebrate, but the circumcision of Christ is commemorated by Orthodox, Catholics, and Anglicans alike on New Year’s Day. Special scripture readings, hymns, and prayers mark the observance. There are even stained-glass windows and icons depicting Joseph and Mary handing the little Jesus to the priest for the ominous moment. … [Read more...]

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Guard the eyes, douse the flames

August 26, 2010 By 11 Comments
Man guarding his eyes

Theatergoers will be able to break out their 3D glasses and watch Avatar again this Friday. They will be rewarded, courtesy of filmmaker James Cameron, with nine extra minutes of footage. Based on the news, it seems that much of the excitement swirls around just 20 seconds, the inclusion of a Na’vi sex scene. With this release, as USA Today put it, “Cameron lets his aliens get a little randy.” For anyone struggling to grow in holiness, ours is a landscape fraught with troubles. Avatar is … [Read more...]

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We are not our sins

July 29, 2010 By 21 Comments
We are Not our Sins

I recently learned that an acquaintance of mine had announced a pretty significant life change, and not one for the better. As often happens, many people met this revelation with encouragement, impressed by his supposed authenticity and commitment to “finally being true to himself.” While I get the sentiment, I reject the thought. Admitting sin and identifying with it are two very different things. The first is something we all must do. If there is one scripture I recall my dad reciting in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Theology Tagged With: , , 21 Comments

Every little step counts

July 22, 2010 By 14 Comments
Just one at a time

In movies the hero butts up against a problem, something that threatens his peace, safety, and happiness. If the screenwriter is at all talented, we quickly sympathize. We have troubles of our own, after all, and our sympathy and identification increase as the story intensifies. Every twist and turn of the plot worsens our hero’s position to the problem until, when all appears most dire, he finally prevails. The problem is resolved and peace, safety, and happiness are restored. The hero … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Spiritual Growth Tagged With: , , , 14 Comments

The saintly imperative

July 20, 2010 By 4 Comments
The Saintly Imperative

I think that the concept of personal holiness is a bit misleading. In the Orthodox chrismation (or confirmation) service the priest prays over the person being confirmed, “Keep him ever a warrior invincible in every attack of those who assail him and us; and make us all victors, even unto the end, through thy crown incorruptible.” This prayer comes after the priest prays, “keep him in thy sanctification.” We usually think of sanctification as our daily walk, increasing in holiness … [Read more...]

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Encouraging belief

June 27, 2010 By 15 Comments
Narrow way

I’ve been thinking for a while about how to encourage belief in my two children, particularly faith in God, trust in his mercy, and hope in his provision. But all around me I see people losing belief, not only in these things particularly, but in God generally. Why? I don’t think it’s the new crop of media-savvy atheists and all their “persuasive” arguments. I know enough about belief and persuasion to know that most of the time people do not change their minds unless they they’re … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Family Life Tagged With: , , , , 15 Comments