The Little Friar

Scripture:   Exodus 16:2-15 What is it? In Hebrew the word for manna means "What is it?" The Hebrew people have complained and God has responded. Still, as the people look at this flaky, white provision, they ask, "What is it?" This scene reminds me of cooking for children. I might put a new dish in front of them and see in response a contorted little face asking, "What is it?" Let me help you out here. It is food. It is bread from heaven, so be thankful. Sometimes in our own lives we do not recognize God's bread for us. To the Hebrew people and to my own children, God's provision sometimes looks a little new and scary. We need the "Moseses" and the moms of our lives to point out how God shows up to feed us. So eat up! It is good for you! Prayer:  God of mystery and manna, open my heart to trying new things as the Spirit leads. Help me to trust in the provision you give. Amen.

"One reason that the world finds the New Testament's message of peacemaking and love of enemies incredible is that the church is so massively faithless.  On the question of violence, the church is deeply compromised and committed to nationalism, violence, and idolatry" (Richard Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament , p. 343). If the essence of the "Law" -- of how we should live -- according to Jesus is justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23.23, compare to Micah 6.8, high water mark of OT spirituality), the church stands overwhelmingly guilty of faithlessness on the issue of violence. Stan Hauerwas was the one who suggested to me -- and I think he's right about this -- that the one difference between the church and every other social organization in our society is that the church is that community that gathers around the true story.  It's not our piety, our sincerity or even or morality.  (Let's be honest, the church never had a monopol...

Someone asked me earlier this week how I'd spend my ideal day. That got me to fantasizing (no, not like that ...) about what an ideal day for a Christian might be.  So, first a timetable: 6am         Getting up to say Morning Prayer 6:30         Reading/study 7              Breakfast and showering (probably not at the same time) 8              Administration (emails and the like) 9              Reading/study 11            Evangelism (probably online) 12pm       Midday prayer 12:15       Lunch 1              Reading/study Okay, I'll stop now. I'...

Mark Cosgrove's The Brain, the Mind, and the Person Within: The Enduring Mystery of the Soul is a sheer joy to read.  While Cosgrove covers quite a bit of ground with the neurobiology and neuroscience fields in this brief book, the integration of those fields into a theological conversation are a delight!  Some readers might think the subtitle deceptive once they've finished the book (spoiler alert:  It's hard to know where Cosgrove lands himself on the question of the soul), but you'll doubtless be led to consider the myopic nature of so much scientism:  The human person cannot be reduced to the sum total of their constituent physical parts.   What serious readers will find here, though, is a informative introduction into some the leading edges of neuroscience.  I've said for any number of years that the next big debate in the theology and science dialogue will happen at just this point.  And The Brain, the Mind and the Person Within is a sm...

Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller's Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies is an excellent blend of psychology and Christian faith that brings rich insight into the problems that most plague genuine Christian living:  Things like anger, fear and shame.  Here, practitioners who has assisted countless others in walking through their own lives and dealing with that negativity present a spiritually-healthy perspective that Christians -- particularly pastors -- would be foolish to ignore. And that's because their approach simply makes sense.  Too often, pastors encourage parishioners to ignore those negative feelings.  Fight them.  But Cook and Miller know that it's only in embracing them -- only in learning lessons from them -- can we grow into spiritually and mentally healthy persons. Their integration of psychology and faith creates one, richer, more comprehensive approach, and this benefits the reader...

I recently began the spiritual discipline of praying the Jesus Prayer through the use of a prayer rope. It's a practice that intends to focus the mind on God: Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer (Romans 12.9-12). We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good [both] for each other and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians 5.14-22). For a long time, prayer confused m...

My wife Kendra cusses.  A lot.  And it's become an issue with some who see her as "dirty", "disgusting" or, well, you can imagine the adjectives. Thing is, it doesn't bother me.  Not in the least. Now, I'm also a man who doesn't cuss often.  I learned a long time ago that cussing usually, in my case , entails and reveals a violence that is best controlled.  Not because there's something inherently wrong with the words, but because there's something wrong with the heart that utters those words toward violent ends. I grew up in a "Christian" culture where Christians judged other Christians.  A lot.  And I learned to do it.  I didn't know I was casting judgment, but I was.  I'd hear a "bad word" and think, "They must be struggling in their relationship with God".  I wasn't alone in this, either.  It's the same logic that has been used against Kendra recently. Truth be told, I had similar judg...

I began reading Ben Myers' brief commentary on The Apostles' Creed:  A Guide to the Ancient Catechism this morning.  What I most appreciate about the book is the way Myers is able to bring contemporary concerns -- individualism, gender identity and the material world, in particular -- into conversation with classical Christian faith.  In about 130 pages, Myers gives us 22 chapters organized by the three major articles on Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Breaking down the creed into smaller segments, this book enters into a conversation between Scripture and church fathers, too, in a way that pastors and church groups will find useful in looking at the creed with fresh eyes. In the end, The Apostles' Creed is a winsome, pastoral, dogmatic and relevant book that should not be missed.

Scripture:  Mark 6:1-13 The stilling of a storm (Mark 4). The freeing of the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5). Two thousand demons sent into a herd of swine (Mark 5). A girl restored to life and a hemorrhaging woman healed with barely a whispering touch (Mark 5). These are the events that immediately precede today's story. And yet none of these miracles are able to happen in Jesus' hometown. It is unclear exactly why Jesus is unable to work his power, but what I find interesting is his response. Instead of throwing up his hands and saying, "A pox on all your houses!" Jesus shifts course instantly. He goes out amongst the villages. He teaches. He trains and empowers others to do these miracles themselves. Jesus does not stop in the face of adversity; he sidesteps, passes the ball and keeps on moving. Where might you be needing to sidestep in your own life? Prayer:  Lord, ease my unbelief, and empower me with the faith to be your miracle worker. Amen.

Alex Seeley's Tailor Made: Discover the Secret of Who God Created You to Be explores all the labels we're sometimes made to wear, and the negative effects those labels may have upon us.  Early in life, Seeley was told she was "an accident".  That label had such dramatic spiritual effects on her life that it has taken years to overcome.  Tailor Made is written for all those who find themselves in similar circumstances.  Sure, the label may change.  But there are far too many who suffer beneath the spiritual weight of those labels.  And the Gospel of Jesus Christ speaks directly to them, in a way that Seeley is able to clearly articulate.  Whether you've been told you're stupid, ugly, unsuccessful, an accident, Tailor Made helps to dispel those voices and instead hear clearly what God has to say about you. That makes this book one of real, rich and lasting encouragement.  A book to return to again and again. ______________________ I recei...

Today's devotional: Scripture:  2 Corinthians 12:2-10 This is one of those hard biblical texts for many Christians. One who was caught up to the third heaven? Really, now? A person who was caught up into Paradise? We perhaps shiver with discomfort and step back into our comfortable settings, beyond the reach of such dangerous-sounding mysteries. That's not our faith, thank you very much. But this is our Bible. So what are we to make of such boldness? Over the years, I have encouraged our church's kids to watch for "God Sightings" -- someone going out of their way to help another, a beautiful moment in creation, a spontaneous prayer. All good ways in which God shows up in our lives. But I couldn't help but wonder: what are the more mysterious moments where God has showed up for us in a big way? And what might happen if we, too, were bold enough to boast about those? Prayer:  Holy Spirit, your power in my life is beyond my comprehension. But sometimes, ...

Scripture:  Genesis 24:34-67 Perhaps we tend to forget our mothers in the faith.  In Scripture, we often read about the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but we rarely see mentioned the God of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah.  The women in these stories are just as important as the men -- perhaps maybe even more so.  The climax of the story today is when Rebekah responds with faith that she will go to Isaac.  All cultural and traditional marriage gaps aside, it took a lot of courage and faith to make this move.  If we are going to give Rebekah the consideration she deserves, we should take some time to reflect on those women who have helped to cultivate our faith, and who have shown us so much overwhelming, unconditional love. Prayer:  Mothering God, you have blessed us with countless women in our lives.  May we appreciate them more often, and may we learn from their endless faith, constant compassion and humility.  Amen.

Scripture:    Ezekiel 2:1-5 "You can't un-hear things", a wise mentor once told me. Feeling like the words you say to others go unheard can be maddening. But words spoken are never completely ineffective. Words can be run from. Words can be hid from. Words can be buried, repressed, stuffed down and ignored. But words can never be unheard. God sent Ezekiel to God's people in their time of impudence and stubbornness. Maybe you know people like that. Maybe you love people like that. Maybe you are people like that (*raises hand sheepishly*). The good news of today's reading is that even when they (we, I) try to refuse to hear, it never really works. The very attempt to refuse a word is an acknowledgment of the power of that word and its truth which can devastatingly change us. Keep on speaking people of God. And, maybe, try your ear at hearing as well. Prayer:  God, it is so frustrating to feel unheard. Strengthen in me your power of trust that the wor...