Note from CM: Yesterday, we marked the sixth anniversary of Michael Spencer’s death. Today I want to share my favorite Michael Spencer essay. An eloquent expression of the Christian life as viewed through the theology of the cross, this post represents Michael at his most honest and transparent. This perspective helped me move toward practicing myContinue reading “Best of Michael Spencer: When I Am Weak”
Category Archives: Spiritual Formation
Another Look: Redefining Greatness
Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be firstContinue reading “Another Look: Redefining Greatness”
Essential Practices: Praying the Psalms
Essential Practices One: Praying the Psalms It seems to me that there are some essential practices that attend our faith as Christians. By saying that, I do not wish to imply, or get into an argument about, whether they are obligatory or not. In some senses I think they are, and in others not. All I’mContinue reading “Essential Practices: Praying the Psalms”
Damaris Zehner: Our Addiction
Our Addiction By Damaris Zehner I once asked a recovering alcoholic why he had begun to drink to excess. “It dulled the edges of things,” he said; “anxiety about whether I was going to succeed at something or live up to my potential (I hated that phrase), depression about what I saw as failure –Continue reading “Damaris Zehner: Our Addiction”
Epiphany I: Our baptism is always with us
Epiphany I Our baptism is always with us One of the key themes of recent liturgical renewal is the insight that baptism is the root and foundation of the Christian life. In our baptism, we are united to Christ in his death and resurrection (Rom. 6). The Christian life is an ongoing experience of theContinue reading “Epiphany I: Our baptism is always with us”
Nouwen: With Open Hands (1)
I would like to take a few days to discuss some ideas on prayer from Henri Nouwen’s book, With Open Hands. Before we begin, I would encourage you, if possible, to get a copy. It is available for only $0.99 on Kindle right now if you have the ability to read ebooks. Click on theContinue reading “Nouwen: With Open Hands (1)”
Damaris Zehner: How to Question Your Faith: A Guide for Young People and Others
How to Question Your Faith: A Guide for Young People and Others By Damaris Zehner A conversation I had recently made me think about the scary process of – pick your metaphor – stepping off a cliff, walking in the dark, setting off across an uncharted ocean, or any other image that suggests the potentialContinue reading “Damaris Zehner: How to Question Your Faith: A Guide for Young People and Others”
For Advent — Fr. Thomas Hopko: 55 Maxims
Father Thomas Hopko (1939–2015) was a prominent teacher, speaker, and theologian in the Orthodox Church of America. Recently, I came across his list of “55 Maxims” and found them interesting and instructive. I think simple lists like this can be useful in penitential seasons like Advent. They help me focus and reflect on my life before God.Continue reading “For Advent — Fr. Thomas Hopko: 55 Maxims”
Another Look: Preparing for a New Church Year
Note from CM: In 2010, we did a series on “Church Year Spirituality.” November is the month when we complete the annual liturgical cycle and prepare for a new Church Year, which begins the first Sunday in Advent (Nov. 29 this year). Here is the first post from that series. We present it in orderContinue reading “Another Look: Preparing for a New Church Year”
A Parable of Wrestling
For your meditation and contemplation today, this parable told by Ron Rolheiser: In his autobiography, the renowned writer Nikos Kazantzakis shares a conversation he had with an old monk named Father Makários. Sitting with the saintly old man, Kazantzakis asked him: “Do you still wrestle with the devil, Father Makários?” The old monk reflected forContinue reading “A Parable of Wrestling”
The Internet Monk Archives 