It has been said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Jana Riess' new book Flunking Sainthood is an encouraging word to those of us who have approached traditional spiritual disciplines with good intentions, only to end up frustrated by failure. »more
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It has been said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Jana Riess' new book Flunking Sainthood is an encouraging word to those of us who have approached traditional spiritual disciplines with good intentions, only to end up frustrated by failure. »more
Like Tevye pestering his wife in "Fiddler of the Roof" Jesus pesters us as well: "Do you love me?" He persistently needles us into action by confronting us with the most important question, for our answer to "Do you love me?" matters more than anything else. »more
Richard Rohr's deep and profound Christian reflection on the distinct nature of male spirituality points us to the God who is free and wild - the God we cannot control or manipulate. This is difficult for men to receive. This language makes men feel useless, impotent, and ineffective. »more
More is not always better. Therefore treasures, riches, and wealth should not be solely defined in material categories. Will you choose the better way of simple faith, love, and gratitude? Or will you stumble through life, grasping at all the stuff? Don't make the mistake of getting everything you want but nothing you really need! »more
We believe what we do not completely understand or feel. Because of this, we are tempted to establish more "certain" criteria to evaluate our spiritual state. Through a preoccupation with legalism, mysticism, or ascetism, we lose focus on Christ... and become proud, self-centered, and exclusive. »more
"All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." The tempter invites Jesus to secure the cooperation of the nations through the tried and true way of political force; to use questionable means - the ways of the world - for good ends. And the force of the temptation - its main allure to Jesus - was that this kind of power works! »more
If the tempter can't get Jesus to sin through lack of faith, he'll seek to get Jesus to fall because of his great faith. He says, "So you trust God, do you? Enough to place your safety completely in God's hands? If you really trust God, jump from a great height. For if God is truly trustworthy nothing bad can ever happen to you. Right? Isn't that what the scriptures teach?" »more
What could be so wrong with a hungry man turning stones into bread? This temptation is not nearly as benign as it initially seems. The tempter seeks to influence Jesus to allow immediate desires to overshadow ultimate concerns - to allow fidelity to God to fade into the background because of the pressing needs of the moment. »more
As sure as night follows days, so times of great revelation are followed by times of testing. One moment we have a mountaintop experience, hearing words of love from God: "Behold, my beloved child, in whom I am well-pleased." The next moment we find ourselves in a desert, wondering whether we are loved at all. It is here that faith is tested. »more
Sometimes it flies, sometimes it crawls, but it always
passes. We all have the same amount of it, yet none of us ever feel like we have enough of it. We all use it differently and what we do with it defines the shape of our lives. We speak of buying it, saving it, and beating it, but we really can't do any of these things. But we can make the most of it. »more
"Spirituality does not consist of being told what to do. It consists of being reminded of who we are." What's your story? And what does your story tell you about who you are? If you find your story in God's story, than the answer is this: You know who you are in relationship to God. You are an image-bearer of God. And so is every other human being you will ever meet. »more
The Son and the Spirit are the "two arms" of the God, sent to draw us into the embrace of the Father. The challenge of our entire baptized lives is to continually discover - and rediscover - what it means to find ourselves in the eternal embrace of the Triune God. The desire to become like Christ by bearing the Fruit of the Spirit is a good first step. »more
Jesus served, not in spite of being God, but because he is God. The point is clear: God is most clearly seen in servanthood. If we allow Jesus to be our chief window to God, we discover that servanthood is the most accurate reflection of God. We are never more like God than when we serve others. Jesus revealed that service is the truest expression of divine love. »more
No matter what, pruning is inevitable in order that a vine may bear good fruit. Branches that bear no fruit must be removed and cut off. Likewise, branches that bear fruit must be pruned in order that they will bear more and better fruit. The spiritual lesson is clear: Everyone is under God's knife. And that's precisely what pop spirituality doesn't want. »more
How does God respond to our doubts? My answer takes the form of three statements: (1) Doubt is understandable because there is an inherent "scandal" in God's ways; (2) Doubt is not condemned because it is faith taking itself seriously; and (3) Though doubt is not condemned, neither is it applauded. God calls us to walk by faith, not by doubt. »more
In our litigious society, warning labels are affixed to most products in order to reveal possible negative consequences of using a product. Some warning labels are humorous and unnecessary. But not all are. Jesus believed that religion should come with a warning label. Jesus' warning can be reduced to one word: Warning - hypocrisy! »more
If Jesus needed times of solitude, how much more is this true for us. But solitude feels more like a punishment than a reward. We are part of a culture addicted to amusement, noise, and music. The constant chatter and endless buzz keeps us focused on trivial distractions and prevents us from truly wrestling with ourselves, God, meaning, and real life. »more
Still in his 20s, John Lennon possessed everything that people assume leads to happiness: fame, fortune, power, and prominence. And yet, none of these things brought him the peace he craved. He was willing to give away everything for just a little peace of mind. If peace is not found in performance, possessions, or popularity, where can it be found? »more
When our sense of identity, worth, and security rests on material possessions, we discover that no matter how much we gain, it is never enough. We always find that we need just a little more to be happy. We are tempted to define enough as "always something more than I have now." As a result, happiness and contentment elude us. »more
At the heart of every temptation is the subtle accusation, "God is not good." Therefore, "God can't be trusted." At the deepest level we are dealing with matters of trust. Can we trust God even when we don't know the whole story - like a child must trust a parent? Or should we trust only ourselves, short-circuiting a relationship with God? »more
The truth appears upside-down in an upside-down world, for it is rooted in redemptive realities that transcend this present world and its systems. Therefore, our chief concern is not to be viewed as wise according to the world's standards. If we follow Christ, we will most likely be considered foolish, crazy - even silly. »more
What question should ultimately guide ethical theory? "What ought I to do?" "What kinds of outcome will this decision
produce?" or "What kind of moral character will be shaped by my actions?" Should ethical theory be other-oriented, future-oriented, or self-oriented? Could all three questions be integrated together to provide a more robust foundation for ethics? »more
Sadly, repentance is often viewed in a negative light. Its positive qualities are rarely affirmed and celebrated. Why? We recoil against those who call us to spiritual self-examination. We don’t like to be reminded that are sinners and we don’t like to be told what to do. How many of us really want to know what God wants us to do – especially if it involves change? »more
In the sacred scriptures, we are constantly admonished to “fear not” because fear is a spiritual and moral issue. Fear keeps us from becoming the kind of people God wants us to be. When fear rules our lives, there is no place for faith, courage, hope, risk, or love. Following Jesus requires that we fight fear and step out “into faith’s daring.” »more
Emotions are not irrational. They are inseparably linked with our intellect, or more accurately, our beliefs, values, and assessments. Because of this they are not unimportant, uncontrollable, or undesirable. They are not shallow, unstable, or untruthful. On the contrary, emotions tell us the truth about what we believe and what we value. »more
A superhero’s humility is set in stark contrast to a villain’s hubris. Villains rarely have secret identities. They do not wish to identity with a common humanity. They envision themselves as above the fray of mortal humans. They deserve to rule the world, to be worshipped by the masses. This is the chief reason they always fail: their ego gets in the way. »more
God’s will challenges our natural tendency to egocentrism and calls us to a theocentric perspective of life. We tend to harbor the illusion that the world revolves around us and our desires. After all, our experience is more real to us than anything else. This causes us to be skeptical and dismissive of what we do not experience. Tragically, this is our sin. »more
When we approach the will of God as a way of life, we live for God right where we are. We recognize that a concern for God’s will is not primarily about big events or future decisions. We discover that God’s will is about life in the present – in the big and the little events. This prevents us from using God’s will as an excuse for self-absorption. »more
A personal God is an offense to most people. Why? A personal God possesses a will and desires us to align our wills with God's will. A personal God makes claims on our lives and invites our response of respect, surrender, faith, and love. Most people prefer an impersonal energy that makes no demands. »more
We can see, hear, and smell from afar, but with taste, we must completely give ourselves over to the object we consume. When food enters our mouth, dissolves in our saliva, and goes into our stomach, it becomes part of us. It affects us – empowering, enabling, delighting or disgusting us. But there can be no impact apart from direct experience.
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Through touch we receive sacraments and by touching others we become sacraments of God to others. The limitation of touch is its greatest strength. In order to physically touch others we must be in their immediate presence. Touch connects us with others - not as abstractions - but as "neighbors" God has placed in our lives. »more
Sacred words are a means of grace, a sacrament of Christ, a tool of the Spirit. Attentive listening with “ears that hear” is our way to appropriate these words, receive the sacrament, and be shaped by the Spirit. Listening is not passive or non-participatory. It is a spiritual discipline. We do not simply listen; we listen worshipfully! »more
Life is good and is meant to be enjoyed. But joy must not be taken lightly: Joy is the serious business of heaven. The Teacher calls us to rejoice while remembering our mortality, life's brevity, and God's judgment. The dark backdrop of our inevitable death underscores the positive opportunities for joy in the present moment. »more
Our culture of narcissism feeds a spirituality of self-realization in the context of moral relativism. A spirituality with no beliefs to which one must adhere, no particular community to which one need belong, and no demands on one's moral behavior is appealing to narcissistic individuals. Tragically, this is what many people mean when they say, “I am spiritual.” »more
Guilt and shame are self-evaluative and moral emotions. They play a key role in fostering moral behavior. Somehow we must learn to discern between good and bad expressions of guilt and shame. Why? Because we cannot afford to lose guilt and shame. Believe it or not, good guilt and shame make our lives richer and more meaningful! »more
James’ description of the tongue is hideous. It makes us feel as if we are in a horror movie, being pursued by a ravenously hungry and deadly monster – a slithering, slimy, poisoned tongue-beast! When we successfully cage the monster, we are free to let loose words of life, love, hope, and peace. »more
Forbearance is a call to love the unlikable. Forbearing love rises above feelings and empowers us to love those for whom we have no special attraction. Even more, it empowers us to love those who irritate us. Forbearance forbids us from allowing our own comfort zone to be the yardstick of acceptance. It frees us to love beyond our feelings. »more
Waiting makes me feel unproductive, ineffective, and inconvenienced. Raised in a fast and furious culture I delight in instant gratification and immediate solutions. I hate waiting. And I don’t think I’m alone. Waiting on God has deep spiritual significance. It has deep connections to the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and love. »more
Only when our love is rooted in patience can we truly love as God loves, for “God is love” and “Love is patient.” Patience is a commitment to love even if it hurts – and it usually will. »more
Certainly, we must resist naïve optimism. But we must not do this by embracing pessimism, cynicism, or apathy. We resist it by clinging to a hope that unites with faith and love to
optimistically impact our world in the present. Of all people, Christians have every reason to be optimists, even when facing the deepest darkness and most challenging struggles. »more
Our extreme obsession with speed, efficiency,
and productivity spills over into other areas of our lives — including our
spiritual lives. Herein is the problem: Relationships aren’t always efficient. Religion
isn’t always productive. Godliness is not instant. »more
God is for failures and he uses them to spread grace and truth in the world. The evil one desires that our failures would result in the complete loss of faith. God desires that our failures would result in greater humility and renewed commitment to loving service toward others. »more
Jesus invites us to shed our selfish preoccupations and endless distractions that arise from anxiety over so many concerns. Instead, he calls us to view one single issue as our major concern: "Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well" (Luke 12:31). »more
Our first strike against worry has to do with changing our sight - seeing with and through faith. It involves beholding glory in the ordinary; seeing God's faithfulness, love, and care in the rhythms of creation. It is an alternative vision of the world that allows us to lose our preoccupation with self and strive with all our passion for God's kingdom - a kingdom that challenges the greed and anxiety of this world. »more
One common denominator explains Jesus' rejection, trial, and crucifixion: The tyranny of expectations! Expectations are powerful. Because of this, they can be easily abused - even oppressive. The tyranny of expectations holds the potential to sabotage every area of our lives - from the daily pulse of everyday existence to our relationships with others and our participation in community life. »more
Because poverty of spirit heads the Beatitudes, the Church Fathers argued for humility as the foundational virtue. Poverty of spirit is certainly crucial to spiritual formation. But what exactly is it? Four words get to the heart of this virtue - lowly, empty, open, filled. These four postures can be illustrated with four hand movements. »more
There is no greater disaster in the spiritual life than to be immersed in unreality, for life is maintained and nourished in us by our vital relation with reality. The truly spiritual life is not an escape from reality but a total commitment to it. Acceptance is the virtue that allows us to gratefully embrace all God's gifts. »more
Life can be confusing. But in the midst of confusion, uncertainty, and complexity, there is one thing of which we can be sure: God causes all things to work together for our good. God is actively involved in all things in our lives and will not waste a single moment. Thus, every day offers the possibility of further progress in christlikeness for those willing to embrace God's ultimate purpose. »more
A map is a tool to ascertain your current position in respect to your desired destination. Maps not only record travel over land, but also progress in the journey of life. Just as we map physical growth, we can also map spiritual growth. In this article I present a "faith map" that incorporates insights from the last two thousand years of the Christian spiritual tradition. »more
Learning to reflect God's heart for the world will involve developing a Christian mind, nurturing christlike affections, and discovering and embracing God's will in the world. »more
It is impossible to be labeled as a glutton, a drunkard, a friend of sinners, and even a demon-possessed person (like Jesus was) when one is a separatist. Our call is not to maintain a spotless reputation in the Christian subculture but to be a shining light in a dark world. »more
Worldliness is trivialized when it is reduced to a laundry list of do's and don'ts. Worldliness is completely misunderstood when fear of it is used as a reason to separate from the world. »more
Paradox is the language of mystery. We learn to personally participate in the mysteries of God by practicing paradoxes - by "living paradoxes." »more
While the world hungers for mystery and transcendence, the church settles for practical principles and dead moralisms in the name of "relevance." We fail to realize that the way to be truly relevant to our world is to give mystery the prominence it deserves in our proclamation and practice. »more
We are to "grow up" by "growing young" for "spiritual childhood is not only the way to Heaven, it is Heaven's very life." I would like to help you "grow young" by nurturing a childlike faith - the mark of true greatness in God's kingdom. »more
"The greatest problem lies in trying to integrate everything, to invest all with meaning, see it all as part of a larger, more meaningful life." Hear about the 10 truths that pervade my teaching. »more
The secret of heaven according to Mitch Albom's the five people you meet in heaven is this: "that each affects the other and the other affects the next, and the world is full of stories, but the stories are all one." »more
PowerPoints, Resources, and Book Recommendations from Teknon's 2004 Fall Retreat. »more
All who start well do not finish well. What makes the difference?
Patient endurance. »more
Top Ten Experiential Truths That Shape My Teaching »more
