“Come on now, little man, get away from your worldly occupations for a while, escape from your tumultuous thoughts. Lay aside your burdensome cares and put off your laborious exertions. Give yourself over to God for a little while, and rest for a while in Him. Enter into the cell of your mind, shut out everything except God and whatever …
Quote of the Week, Speech as an Image of Mind, by St. Basil the Great
“Speech is really an image of mind: so I have learned to know you from your letters, just as the proverb tells us we may know the lion from his claws.” –St. Basil the Great (Basil of Caesarea) (4th Century) Question for reflection: In what ways does Basil’s metaphor suggest that language reveals our soul? Source: Letter 9 to Maximus …
Prayer, The Heart Behind Our Speech, John Chrysostom
“O Lord, grant me good thoughts. O Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins. O Lord, grant me humility, chastity and obedience. O Lord, grant me patience, courage and meekness. O Lord, plant in me the root of all blessings, the fear of You in my heart. O Lord, grant me to love You with all my mind …
Article, “Reconciliation as Impetus and Frame for Faith Integration in Intercultural Communication,” by John Hatch
Reconciliation as Impetus and Frame for Faith Integration in Intercultural Communication By John Hatch, CCSN Senior Fellow Among courses commonly required for Communication Studies majors, Intercultural Communication presents distinctive challenges and opportunities for faith integration. While secular approaches assume cultural relativism, a Christian approach recognizes that all cultures have both gifts and besetting sins relative to a holy Creator; and God became …
Thinkpiece, “The Death of Silence in the Classroom: How Demanding a No-Screen Classroom Creates Space for Interaction (and Learning!)”
The Death of Silence in the Classroom: How Demanding a No-Screen Classroom Creates Space for Interaction (and Learning!) By Laura Watkins University of Northwestern It is the first day of classes for the semester, and I am energized and ready. As I near the door, I sense the classroom must be empty, as there is absolutely no noise coming from inside. …
A Prayer for the Possibilities of Communication, by St. Augustine of Hippo
“Grant me, Lord, to know and understand which comes first—to call upon you or to praise you, and whether knowing you precedes calling upon you. For who can call upon you without knowing you? For he who does not know you may call upon you as another than you are.” –Saint Augustine of Hippo, 5th Century From Confessions, Book 1, …
Quote of the Week, Why Do We Study?, by John Piper
“We do not study to be smarter than the next man, but to behold His glory” –John Piper (1946 – ), American theologian and pastor Question for reflection: What is your motivation for study?
Quote of the Week, Thinking about that which is Excellent or Praiseworthy
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” –Philippians 4:8-9 (New International Version) Questions for reflection: how do we cultivate a habit of think about that which is “excellent or praiseworthy”? How might it influence our communication?
A Prayer for Acceptable Petitions, 5th Century
For Acceptable Petitions Let the prayers of Thy children, O Lord, come up to the ears of Thy mercy; and that we may obtain what we ask, make us ever to ask what pleaseth Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. —Leonine Sacramentary, 5th Century
Column entry, “Looking UP: Rediscovering Leadership Through Story and Stillness,” by Chris Hamstra
Column Title: Leadership Life Stories: Communicating and Leading through Your Story Column Entry: “Looking UP: Rediscovering Leadership Through Story and Stillness” By Chris Hamstra, PhD, Davenport University Description: There is a power when people come together to share stories. As people of faith, the practice and process of storytelling helps us understand ourselves, our communities, and our organizations. When combined with leadership, stories …
