Column Title: Exile and the Ache for Home July 2026 Entry: “Lost and Searching for a Sign(post)” (Part 1 of 2) By Brandon Knight, PhD, William Carey University Column Description: Have you ever felt disconnected? What if such moments of disconnect point to a greater reality? A lost memory of unity with creation only hinted through nostalgia. Often even as we …
A Prayer for Charitable Communication, by Jeremy Taylor, 17th Century
“Keep me from all rashness of speech, from all uncharitable and evil speaking; that my words may be few, seasoned with salt, and such as may minister grace to the hearers.” —Jeremy Taylor (1613 – 1667) Source: Jeremy Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living, ed. Charles P. Eden (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1883), 78–79. Reflection: Where in …
Quote of the Week, The Ethics of Expression, by Erasmus, 16th Century
“Let your speech be the genuine expression of your mind, not a mere display of words.” –Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536) Source: Desiderius Erasmus, Ecclesiastes (1535), Book III Reflection: In my own teaching, preaching, or everyday communication, do my words genuinely express truth or do they sometimes become a performance rather than an act of faithfulness?
A Prayer for Speech Seasoned with Grace, by Lewis Bayly, 17th Century
“Sanctify my thoughts, words, and deeds; that whatsoever I think, speak, or do, may be pleasing in thy sight. Set a watch before my mouth, and keep the door of my lips, that I offend not with my tongue. Make my words such as may edify others, and glorify thee. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but …
Quote of the Week, Governed Speech, Genuine Faith, by Thomas Adam, 18th Century
“The tongue is the great instrument of duty; and if it be not governed, there can be no religion.” —Thomas Adam (1701–1784) Source: Thomas Adam, Private Thoughts on Religion (London: J. Johnson, 1786), 112. Reflection: Where does my speech today reveal a need for deeper governance by the Spirit so that my words align with genuine faith?
Summer Workshop Recordings Now Available, Learn More
In case you missed one more more of our summer workshops, you may still access the recordings and workshop resource pages with PPTs and other materials. Contact CCSN Executive Director, Robert Woods (rwoods@theccsn.com), and indicate which one or more of the recordings below you wish to access. No. 1 Word-Gardening: From Seed (Idea) to Fruit (Publication) Lead Presenter/Facilitator: Rodney Clapp, …
Book Review, Words that Shape Us: How America’s Most Influential Evangelical Magazines Craft the Narrative of Christian Culture
Return to Journal of Christian Teaching Practice (in Communication Studies) Book Reviewed: Waters, Ken (2025). Words that Shape Us: How America’s Most Influential Evangelical Magazines Craft the Narrative of Christian Culture (Pasco, WA: Integratio Press). Reviewed By: Tamara J. Welter Reviewer Affiliation: Baylor University Total Pages: 213 ISBN: 978-1-959685-29-6 View on amazon (affiliate link) American media operates differently than news organizations in …
A Prayer for the Way of Truth in Speech, by Richard Greenham, 16th Century
“O Lord, open mine eyes, that I may see mine own wants; open my heart, that I may learn to fear thee; open my mouth, that my lips may speak of thy praise; open mine ears, that I may hear thy voice; open my hands, that I may do thy will. Make me to know the things that belong unto …
Access to 2026 Summer Workshop Recordings
In case you missed one more more of our summer workshops, you may still access the recordings and workshop resource pages with PPTs and other materials. Contact CCSN Executive Director, Robert Woods (rwoods@theccsn.com), and indicate which one or more of the recordings below you wish to access. No. 1 Word-Gardening: From Seed (Idea) to Fruit (Publication) Lead Presenter/Facilitator: Rodney Clapp, …
Quote of the Week, The Guileless Tongue, by John Fletcher, 18th Century
“A guileless tongue is the genuine index of a sanctified heart.” —John Fletcher (1729–1785) Source: John Fletcher, Checks to Antinomianism, vol. 2 (London: J. Buckland, 1774), 207. Reflection: Where does my speech today reveal places where my heart still needs sanctifying grace?
