There are times when we look for the presence of God without finding it. Tragedy strikes; prayers go seemingly unanswered. If you’ve ever had a crisis of faith, you know what it’s like to be in the midst of suffering while feeling like God simply isn’t there. Doubt is a fact of human existence that we all experience. And we’re in good company when we doubt. Job lamented the heavy losses he suffered despite his righteousness. Psalm 74 expresses the... Read more
“Lord of all pots and pans and things… Make me a saint by getting meals And washing up the plates!” – Brother Lawrence Do you ever find your thoughts drifting during church? Sometimes my attention is drawn away from the service and toward my to-do list for the rest of the day or week. I’m not proud of it, but I don’t think I’m alone in that. If the anxiety of everyday life can intrude upon even this time... Read more
The days after Christmas occupy a strange place on the calendar – not quite a let-down but certainly a blank space. Even if you don’t go to church often or follow the liturgical calendar, our culture is so saturated with Christmas that December 26th brings a certain nervous, empty energy. What does it mean now that it’s behind us? What does the birth of Jesus show us after the observation has passed? The four weeks of Advent emphasize hope, peace,... Read more
Most of us reading this hold our faith because we were raised in it. We may ask questions and challenge some assumptions, but ultimately those of us raised to be Christian tend to remain Christian (or Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist etc.) I was one of those who left only to come back later – but why? I had an experience of God calling me to return to faith, but why this faith? What makes Christianity unique – not superior, just different... Read more
When I was little, my mom gave me one of those WWJD bracelets – you know the ones, ‘90s Christian kitsch, little wooden cubes beaded together. WWJD: What Would Jesus Do? It was more an identity statement than a serious ethical challenge. But the idea that I could actually choose to be Christlike (or not) in my engagements with the world rocked my eight year old brain. It was a disquieting pause before trading a Pokemon card I knew deep... Read more
Faith and Practice
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