Scripture is an invaluable and irreplaceable resource for any traveler on The Way of Christ. We must immerse ourselves in the Word, and in it find God's instruction and His nourishment for our souls along life's path. But, is there more we must do to understand and truly digest God's teaching beyond mastering the written … Continue reading Going beyond Scripture
Prayer
‘It’s our baptism that calls us’
An interview with the Sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ WICHITA, Kan. — In the not-too-distant past, a trip to the hospital in Enid, Okla., could be as much a spiritual journey as a physical one, with nurses equally ready to tend to matters of medicine and faith. St. Mary's Regional Medical … Continue reading ‘It’s our baptism that calls us’
James at St. James — At home on the road
On Tuesday I had the opportunity to travel for business to Wichita, Kan., to interview two sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ. I am publishing that story a week from Sunday, and will have more here afterward. But, while I was in Wichita, about two hours north of our home in Enid, … Continue reading James at St. James — At home on the road
The rewards of patience
The 14th century English phrase "Patience is a virtue" is believed to stem from the much older Latin, "Maxima enim, patientia virtus," -- "Patience is the greatest virtue." But, in English or Latin, the core lesson of these maxims has eluded me for much of my life. Not that I don't understand that patience is … Continue reading The rewards of patience
Surrender — a dirty word in this world, the path to glory in Christ
The deeper I go into Christian faith, the more I understand it as a series of stark contrasts between what is considered desirable by the world’s standards, versus The Way of Christ. And there is perhaps no starker contrast between these realms than how we understand the concept of surrender. Growing up, I learned … Continue reading Surrender — a dirty word in this world, the path to glory in Christ
Learning to surrender, with the strength of Mary
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” I love these sparse and courageous words from Mary, in response to the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin that she will bear the Messiah. Mary's willingness to surrender, on the spot, to God, to give herself over … Continue reading Learning to surrender, with the strength of Mary
Sweatin’ in the desert of temptation
As we continue our internal journey in Lent -- our journey of penitence, of turning toward God -- it is essential we wrestle with the question of sin, of the devil's persistence in pursuing us and how we're taught to overcome temptation. I write this as a sinner, constantly tempted and often failing in the … Continue reading Sweatin’ in the desert of temptation
Lent: Not an end unto itself, but a call to greater action
Most of us start Lent asking ourselves, or being asked, “What will you give up?” This act of giving something up – a favorite food, a frivolous pastime or common distraction – is all many people know of Lent. At the heart of Lent is the effort to identify those aspects of our lives that … Continue reading Lent: Not an end unto itself, but a call to greater action
Finding your mission field — hint, it’s right now, right where you are
This lay sermon originally was delivered at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Enid, Oklahoma, for the Service of Noonday Prayers, Wednesday, 09 January, 2019. “You have one business on earth – to save souls.” That quote from the well-known Anglican priest, John Wesley, captures the essence of today's message. We're here to talk about missions, our … Continue reading Finding your mission field — hint, it’s right now, right where you are
All will pass, except The Word
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35 We often think of living in two planes: earth in this life; heaven in the next. Jesus calls our attention away from this dichotomy, away from the linear progression from earth to heaven. Jesus calls us to an eternal message that spans … Continue reading All will pass, except The Word
