The most important relationship we can engage in is our relationship with God. It is the most essential element of who we are, and it creates within us not only a desire to know Him better but also a longing to commune with Him, to speak with Him, pouring ourselves out to Him. In this … Continue reading Prayer Cultivating Virtue
The Holy Spirit
Gregory of Nyssa’s Sermon on the Nativity
Gregory of Nyssa (335 - 395 AD) is known as one of the great Cappadocian Fathers and twice served as the Bishop of Nyssa, from 372 to 376 and 378 to 395. His theological works were influential on matters of the Trinity, and, as a staunch defender of orthodox Christianity, the Nicene Creed. He was … Continue reading Gregory of Nyssa’s Sermon on the Nativity
Die to the World and Live to God
There is a lure, an unavoidable temptation that we feel that seeks to draw us to the world and the things of it. It pulls at us even as we seek to focus our minds and our attention on God, creating tension within us. This tension, in turn, works to wrestle us from the grips … Continue reading Die to the World and Live to God
Always Reforming
When Martin Luther first nailed the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church door was little doubt he had no idea the far-reaching implications of what it was that he was setting in motion. Though the Church in the West had been challenged before, on October 31st, 1517, the perfect set of circumstances … Continue reading Always Reforming
Forsaking the Vanity of Many
It is, perhaps, one of the easiest things in the world for us to compromise on truth. Though we are called to faith, transformed by the power of the Spirit, we still live in this world, and it’s a world that frequently conflicts with the Scripture. Perpetually presented with competing thoughts and ideas, the tension … Continue reading Forsaking the Vanity of Many
Our Restless Hearts
It’s perhaps not terribly out of line to say that we are an anxious people, often times difficult to satisfy regardless of the blessings that we enjoy. We are always looking for something more, as if unable to find contentment, wanting things to be different than they are, desiring change without asking if that change … Continue reading Our Restless Hearts
Imitators of Christ
As Christians, we are called to live as imitators of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1) patterned after he who, for our sake, took on the form of man, living that perfect life in accord with the Law, and served as the sacrifice for our sins. Most of us have some understanding of what that means, viewing … Continue reading Imitators of Christ
The Dangers of Pride
Augustine of Hippo once postulated that the first sin was pride. Producing the desire to overthrow and replace God, this was the sin that caused the fall from heaven that created the devil. It was then this sin that he passed to humanity as he tempted in the Garden of Eden. Whether or not one … Continue reading The Dangers of Pride
More Than A Feeling
As Christians, we are called to live a certain way, to be followers of God, walking in love just as Christ first loved us, giving freely of himself. (Eph. 5:1-2) Charity, kindness, goodness, and gentleness are intended to bloom from our souls, the fruits of a life transformed by the power of the Spirit. These … Continue reading More Than A Feeling
The Nature of Righteous Anger
We live in an angry society, and the reality is that we often watch as that anger is put on display for the world to see. Protests quickly devolve into rioting, threats of violence loom, and we either turn a blind eye to it or we applaud the efforts. In some senses what we can … Continue reading The Nature of Righteous Anger