“Abba Or said to his disciple Paul, ‘Be careful never to let an irrelevant word come into this cell.’” —Abba Or, Desert Father Questions for reflection: What makes our words and messages “irrelevant” instead of “relevant” in a given situation? Is this determined by the sender? Receiver? Both? Neither?
A Prayer of St. Patrick, Christ in All Things, Fifth Century
Christ shield me this day: Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in …
Quote of the Week, Progress and Silence, by St. John of the Cross
“What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language He best hears is silent love.”[i] –Saint John of the Cross (1542 – 1591) [i] Cross, St. John of the. “Sayings of Light and Love,” Translated by Kieran Kavanaugh and Otilio Rodriguez. In …
A Prayer, Thy Will Be Done, by Gillette Elvgren
Thy Will Be Done Lord God, I know that Jesus submitted to your will—totally. I struggle with this Lord, because though I try and disguise or hide it, I’m really asking too often that my will be done rather than yours. I want to join that symphony in heaven playing an instrument and hitting all the right notes and not …
Vlog entry, Reality of the Spiritual World, by Stephanie Bennett
In this entry . . . This week we read and discuss a book titled Reality of the Spiritual World. Thomas Kelly is the author of this gem-of- a-book. In it, he discusses the three stages of the spiritual life and helps us understand how we might nurture a more civil discourse in the midst of an increasingly divisive media …
Quote of the Week, Trust and Communication
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Questions for reflection: Is your communication straight or crooked? How does your communication demonstrate or reflect your “trust in the Lord”?
A Prayer for Peace, St. Francis of Assisi
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace) Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much …
Column Entry, “Untangling CRT for Christians (Part 3 of 4),” by John Hatch
Column title: Crossed My Mind: Thoughts on Culture and Communication Column entry: “Untangling CRT for Christians (Part 3 of 4)” By John Hatch, Ph.D. Eastern University (retired) CCSN Senior Fellow Column Description: As Christians, we are called to have the mind of Christ. This goes against the grain of our social and cultural conditioning. We seek personal or political advancement; …
Quote of the Week, True Nourishment and Strength, John Wesley
“It is not enough to have Bibles, but we must use them, yea, use them daily. Our souls must have constant meals of that manna which if well digested, will afford them true nourishment and strength.” — John Wesley, comment on Deuteronomy 17:19, Explanatory Notes Upon the Old Testament (Quote from Wesley Courtesy of Howard Snyder) Question for Reflection: How …
A Prayer for Wisdom, George Matheson and Howard Snyder
George Matheson, 1882, wrote: O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be. Prayer God of wisdom, Spirit of truth, I bow now in worship before you, praising you and asking for your wisdom. Give …
