Today, seek to let others have their way. Submit to those above you and those below you in social rank, intelligence or occupation. Practice the subversive power of submitting to others. Remember that you only really serve Christ so your submission is just an act of gratuity on Christ’s behalf. Read more
In the middle of the week we are far too often wrapped into a multitude of tasks, worried that we won’t get them all accomplished before the weekend. We can’t settle on any one thing, jumping from window to window on our computer, multiple tabs open and our minds becoming increasingly frazzled. In our conversations we find ourselves rushed or distracted, we are unable to truly listen and be present with the person with whom we are talking. The answer... Read more
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Augustine. It has been said that Augustine’s works are so numerous that anyone who says they’ve read them all is a liar, but two of Augustine’s works are his most famous: The Confessions and The City of God. In honor of Augustine’s feast day we have two options for exercises. 1) Following Augustine’s example in The Confessions renarrate your last month as a prayer to God. Tell God all that happened, high and low, and... Read more
In this political season it is easy to lose sight of our essential call within society. Micah 6:8 is a simple reminder of that call and is easy to memorize. Don’t let its simplicity fool you though–this is a rich passage that can bear much fruit upon meditation. Savor this word: Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Read more
Part of what the Sabbath frees us from are the confines of a strict schedule, a long list of activities that dictate when and with whom we interact. Today, go and spend time with loved ones–friends, family, neighbors. Don’t plan anything. Just stop by on a walk around the neighborhood or drop in for a quick visit. Or let other come to you. Sit out on your porch. Send out a text to friends saying, I’ll be hanging out on... Read more
So much of our life is filled with noise from the radio to our televisions. Today try to spend as much time as possible in silence. Use ear plugs of noise cancelling headphones if you need to. Do as much you can to give your mind and ears a rest from noise. What do you hear in the silence? Read more
There’s an amazing lecture going on today–a fascinating speaker is presenting his thoughts on how to live a happy, fulfilled life and it is a free event. It will only last an hour and it could be life changing. This is the opportunity we are presented with when we sit down to read Matthew 5-7: the Sermon on the Mount. Find a quiet hour to immerse yourself in the sermon and imagine that you are listening to Jesus deliver this... Read more
What are your weaknesses, your sins, your inclinations that always seem to get you in trouble? Write them down and pray through each one, asking God to be your strength in each of your weaknesses. Surrender, consciously, each of these areas of your life to God and ask Christ to live through you, replacing your weakness with his strength. Read more
In every conversation you have work to make listening the most significant role you play. Refrain from saying anything other than questions to provoke more opportunities for listening. Attempt, if at all possible from making conclusive statements, but rather use questions to move the conversation along. In your prayers do the same thing by praying things like, “Lord, what is your will for me today?” “Where do you want me to be working in this place?” And so on. Read more
The Beatitudes begin what might be the most critical summation of Christ’s teaching–the Sermon on the Mount. If every Christian could know only one passage by heart, the Sermon on the Mount would be a good start. Be on your way by memorizing Matthew 5:1-12. Read more
Word + Flesh
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In