Speak the word of hope. Words in the mouth of God create the reality in which we live. We are ideas made incarnate by the Word, the stuff that a Divine Will makes. Our own words are like and not like those given to us by our Father. They can create. We can consent to reality or we can defy the truth. We can make what will be joyful or mournful for other humans. What we cannot do is change... Read more
Paul and Peter are often portrayed together: two apostles with contrasting, but not conflicting messages. They were very different, a rabbi and a fisherman. Peter became the Prince of the Apostles, the first amongst apostolic equals. Paul wrote epistles that remain some of the most profound expressions of Christian truth ever written. The powerful did not want to hear what they were saying. The Empire beheaded Paul and crucified Peter. Before martyrdom, both could see the way things seemed to... Read more
Do we live in a decadent age? There are bad cultural moments that are not decadent, the early Soviet Union was vigorous, led by brilliant people, and terribly wicked. There are good culture moments that are not perfect, 1776 was a promise of liberty not realized. Decadence is something else. A decadent culture is dying from amusements and the misuse of unearned power that has no object other than more power. These tyrants rule, because they wish to rule. They... Read more
Have hope. There is a possibility of glorification if we wish. This is not, naturally, due to our own talents, skills, or aptitudes. If keeping score, most of us are not “winning” at the game of life. Whoever made the rules, we are not beautiful, smart, or good enough to win. What can we do? What is left to us? So many jobs, roles, or even ways of existing are just not open to us. I cannot will myself to write as... Read more
If I had known Hope better, I would have been less, hopeful, about our first date. Dinner was fine as she had nothing better to do. Life had taken a good bit of the high school craziness she remembered out of me and she was interested in catching up. All I knew is that she said “yes” to dinner. The body language, the tone, all the communication that she was sharing missed me. I was too enamored or dense to... Read more
The Baptist came from the wilderness. He did not party. He came crying for righteousness and justice. He discomfited all kinds of religious establishments. If you were too cozy, to the point of sin, with the politically and intellectually powerful Greco-Romans, the Baptist called on you to repent. If you were the local ruler, allowed a pocket of home rule, the Baptist did not give a pass for injustice and sin. The ostensibly faithful, those that kept the law in... Read more
When God became a human being, a real man named Jesus, we gained a way to see God. Jesus, who had both the divine nature and the human nature, showed his students glorious grace and truth. His followers found Jesus difficult: a King who would not seize an immediate throne. He did not come to bring short-term peace, but was the Prince of Peace. Jesus came to bring justice, in individual lives and in cultures, but He refused any shortcuts. God in... Read more
Dad posted a picture of both my grandfathers relaxing with friends and I am made happier every time I see that snapshot. (Kodachrome!) They are the age I always remember them, strong and omnicompetent, sitting with some men, probably from the church, talking most likely doctrine. Right down to the webbed lounger on an aluminum frame, the details are accurate. This was a normal good time in that time. This was the way it was. Papaw Shelby is pretending to pour... Read more
Hope is a classically trained musician, trumpet, a reader, a mother. She insists on having her own voice, making her own live music. When we married thirty-five years ago, she discovered my taste in music was dodgy and she began my lessons. This has been good, if sometimes hard, and now band, orchestral, and other forms of music I did not love before marriage are loved now. She is a good and patient teacher. One of her most difficult lessons was to... Read more
We need fathers, patriarchs, in an age with too few true fathers. Bishop Thomas often is a guest voice here as a spiritual father. He is available to any who do not have a good earthly father or for those whose fathers have gone to glory. For those of us with outstanding earthly fathers, Bishop Thomas serves as a mentor, a teaching father. Here is Bishop Thomas on Pentecost: Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go... Read more
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