Crossed My Mind: Thoughts on Culture and Communication 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; Christ seeks the lost and the least. We grasp for cultural ascendency; …
Devotional, The Norm of Reciprocity: Repaying Evil with Good, by Donna Elkins
The Norm of Reciprocity: Repaying Evil with Good Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3: 9 (NIV) Communication and psychology researchers commonly discuss a social convention called the norm of reciprocity to explain human …
Devotional, The Power in a Name, by Donna Elkins
The Power in a Name  You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7 (NIV) For many years, communication theorists have proposed that the language we use not only reflects the world we live in but also shapes the way we see it. They …
A Prayer of Praise and Gratitude, by St. Francis of Assisi
A Prayer of Praise and Gratitude Wherever we are, in every place, At every hour, at every time, Every day and continually, Let all of us truly and humbly believe, Hold in our heart, Love, honor, adore, serve, praise Bless, glorify, exalt, magnify And give thanks to the Most High And Supreme Eternal God, Trinity and Unity, Father, Son, and …
An early Christian Prayer to Christ
Join us in this Prayer to Christ, as we celebrate Emmanuel, God with us, this Christmas season. Jesus, the Christ. The true way of life, including our faithful communication: Prayer to Christ He that is immortal suffered so much for us: Jesus, the Christ; Celestial offshoot of David’s race; Jesus, the Christ; In his mercy he came down from heaven …
A Prayer for Living Water, by Columbanus
A Petition for Living Water Heavenly Father, may we drink from Your Eternal Fountain, and may our earthly communication help quench the thirst of those seeking Your truth, and ultimately point them to You, the Living Water. Merciful God, good Lord, I wish that you would unite me to that fountain, that there I may drink of the living spring …
“Finding God in the Fast Lane,” a Conversation with Stephanie Bennett
Today Stephanie brings a new author to our attention, Joyce Huggett in the Exploring Prayer Series. Her book, Finding God in the Fast Lane, unpacks the way we can learn to pray without ceasing, as St. Paul wrote about in his letters to the young Christians. The Secret Place is a boutique channel produced with love (not numbers) to inspire …
Catching up with “Neither Jew, Nor Greek,” CCSN’s latest podcast, with Dr. Omotayo Banjo
Catch up with recent episodes of CCSN’s most recent podcast with Dr. Omotayo Banjo. Neither Jew, Nor Greek seeks to engage in scholarly and scriptural conversations about the cultural divisions in Christ’s body which prevent us from being One. Jesus expressed in John 13:35 that the world would know we were followers of the Messiah by how we love one …
A Prayer of Thankfulness to God, the Giver of Words, by St. Francis of Assisi
A Prayer of Thankfulness to God, the Giver of Words Heavenly Father, today we give thanks for who You are and the glory of all that You have created, including the gift of communication. May our words reflect Your glory and help bring about Your Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. Wherever we are, in every place, At …
Column Entry, “The Death of the Soul,” by Brandon Knight
Column Title: In Search of Right Words: Saint Augustine, Rhetoric, and Preaching By Brandon Knight, Ph.D. William Carey University November: “The Death of the Soul” Column Description here: Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, in his work On Christian Doctrine, illustrates the important relationship between preaching and rhetoric. Even in his day, many questioned what use the church could possibly gain …
