“Sanctify my thoughts and words, that whatever I think or speak may tend to Thy glory.” —Thomas Ken (1637-1711) Source: Thomas Ken, A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Scholars of Winchester College (London: Charles Brome, 1695), 12. Reflection: What intention lies beneath the words I speak, and how might they more clearly reflect God’s glory?
Quote of the Week, Words Shaped by Charity, Catherine of Siena, 14th Century
“Let your speech be, as a rule, seasoned with the fire of charity and the zeal of souls.” —Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) Source: Catherine of Siena, Letter 16, in The Letters of Catherine of Siena, trans. Vida D. Scudder (London: J. M. Dent, 1905), 1:52. Reflection: Where might my speech today need to be “seasoned” with greater charity or zeal for …
Column Entry, The Virtue of Smallness, by Clint Rothell
Column title: The Virtue of Smallness Column entry: Smallness in Christ By Clint Rothell Column Description: Pride is the childish pursuit of making the world, our family, friends, colleagues, and strangers small so that we can become large and more important. In this column, I focus on pride’s opposite: humility. In contrast to pride, humility is being in right proportion …
A Prayer for Discerned Words, by Aelred of Rievaulx, 12th Century
“O Lord, set a watch before my mouth, and a guard upon my lips, that I may not speak what ought to be concealed, nor be silent when I should speak.” —Aelred of Rievaulx (1110–1167) Source: Aelred of Rievaulx, The Mirror of Charity, trans. Elizabeth Connor (Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications, 1990), III.94. Reflection: Where in my daily conversations do I most …
Quote of the Week, The Weight of Every Word, by Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th Century
“Words that do not edify are idle words; and of idle words we shall have to give account.” —Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153) Source: Bernard of Clairvaux, On Consideration, trans. George Lewis (London: Oxford University Press, 1908), II.13. Reflection: How might this call to “give account” for our words reshape the way we speak in moments of frustration, haste, or …
CCSN Spotlight, Christian Scholar’s Review Theme Issue, Tim Muehlhoff
One of the CCSN’s Senior Fellows, Tim Muehlhoff, Biola University (PhD, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill), recently served as co-editor with Michael Y. Ahn for a Christian Scholar’s Review themed issue on the lost skill of perspective-taking. Here is a link to the online version that was recently released. Tim Muehlhoff (PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) is a …
A Prayer for Restraint and Grace in Our Tongues, by Jeremy Taylor, 17th Century
“O God, let the words of my mouth be acceptable in thy sight; restrain my tongue from every uncharitable and untrue word, and make my speech such as becomes the servants — Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667) of Christ.” Source: Jeremy Taylor, The Whole Duty of Man According to the Law of Nature (London: R. Royston, 1651), 112. Reflective Question: How might this …
Quote of the Week, Speaking with Charity, by George Herbert, 17th Century
“Speak not of people’s faults unless you are paid for it; for usually none will thank you for it.” —George Herbert (1593–1633) Source: George Herbert, Jacula Prudentum (London: T. Maxey for T. Garthwait, 1651), no. 117. Reflection: Where in my own conversations am I tempted to speak about others’ faults, and what might faithful restraint look like instead?
Quote of the Week, Speech with Grace, by John Chrysostom, 4th Century
“Let your speech be always with grace.” — John Chrysostom (c. 349 – 407) Source: John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Acts of the Apostles, Hom. 45, in Nicene and Post‑Nicene Fathers, First Series, vol. 11, ed. Philip Schaff (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994), 284. Reflection: In what ways might “speech with grace” reshape the tone, intention, and impact of the conversations I …
A Prayer Before the Word is Spoken, by Symeon the New Theologian, 10th Century
“Shine in our hearts, O Master who loves humankind, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our mind to understand Your gospel teachings.” — Symeon the New Theologian (949 – 1022), Prayer for Illumination. Source: Symeon the New Theologian, Prayer for Illumination, in Symeon the New Theologian: The Discourses, trans. C. J. deCatanzaro (New York: Paulist …
