“Lord, set a guard over my mouth, and keep watch over the door of my lips, that I may not offend in word, nor speak anything unworthy of You.” — Jean Gerson (1363 – 1429) Source: Jean Gerson, Practical Guide to Spiritual Prayer, trans. unknown (London: T. Richardson, 1884), prayer section. Reflection: What kinds of words do I most need …
Quote of the Week, Learning to Speak Through Silence, by Thomas à Kempis, 15 Century
“Accustom yourself to keep silence, and you will learn to speak with wisdom.” —Thomas à Kempis (1380 – 1471) Source: Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, trans. William Benham (London: J. M. Dent, 1907), 35. Reflection: Where might greater silence in my life be necessary for my words to become more truthful, charitable, or wise?
A Prayer for Words that Minister Grace, by John Henry Newman, 19th Century
“O Lord, give us grace to be faithful and wise in all our words; that what we speak may be seasoned with truth and charity, and may minister grace unto the hearers.” —John Henry Newman (1801–1890) Source: John Henry Newman, Meditations and Devotions (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1893), 365. Reflection: Where might I need to let truth and charity …
Quote of the Week, Truth that Travels Slowly, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 19th Century
“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” —Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834–1892) *this line appears in 19th‑century print and is widely attributed to Spurgeon in his own lifetime. It is not a paraphrase. Source: Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Christian Advocate (New York), 1855. Reflection: Where in my own communication do I need …
A Prayer for Speech Seasoned with Grace, William Law, 18th Century
“O God, rescue me from all false, vain, and foolish talk; and let my words be such as are seasoned with salt, ministering grace unto the hearers.” — William Law (1686–1761) Source: William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (London: William Innys, 1729), 356. (Note: Wording is exact from the 1729 edition.) Reflection: Where might God be inviting …
Quote of the Week, Choosing Restraint in Speech, by John Wesley, 18th Century
“It is the distinguishing mark of a true follower of Christ, to ‘speak evil of no man’: to put the most favourable construction on all he says and does; and to make all the allowances for him, which we desire others should make for us.” — John Wesley (1703-1791) Source: John Wesley, The Cure of Evil-Speaking (London: 1759), 3. Reflection: Where …
A Prayer for Faithful Speech, by Aelred of Rievaulx, 12th Century
“Lord, guide my tongue, that I may speak only what pleases you.” –Aelred of Rievaulx (1110–1167) Source: Aelred of Rievaulx, Prayers and Meditations, trans. Benedicta Ward (Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 1978), 74. Reflection: Where in my conversations today do I most need God’s help to speak with intention, gentleness, and truth?
Quote of the Week, The Weight of Our Words, by Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th Century
“Words that do not edify wound the listener and burden the speaker.” –Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) Source: Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermones de Diversis, sermon 38: “Verba quae non aedificant, vulnerant audientem et gravant loquentem.” Reflection: How might this insight reshape the way we speak in moments when we feel rushed, irritated, or careless?
Book Review, The Wages of Cinema: A Christian Aesthetic of Film in Conversation with Dorothy L. Sayers
Return to Journal of Christian Teaching Practice (in Communication Studies), Vol. 13, 2026 Book reviewed: Crystal L. Downing, The Wages of Cinema: A Christian Aesthetic of Film in Conversation with Dorothy L. Sayers (InterVarsity Press, 2025). [Reviewed by Alex Wainer Palm Beach Atlantic University] Reviewed by: Alex Wainer, PhD Reviewer Affiliation: Professor Emeritus of Communication and Media Studies, Palm Beach …
Now Available from Integratio Press, Minding Our Hearts: Devotionals on the Teaching Life for Christian Professors
Minding Our Hearts: Devotionals on the Teaching Life for Christian Professors Available now Editor: John Marson Dunaway Total pages: 240 [View book on Integratio Press website] Description This collection of 52 devotionals is designed for college or university professors, so all entries are connected to some aspect of faculty life: the classroom experience, research, or participation in the …
