Practice
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. — 1 Corinthians 9:25
Some people seem to have never been denied anything, while most of us have faced plenty of denial. Our parents have said no. Our bank accounts say no. Rules and laws say no—denied! Yet how often do we tell ourselves no, especially when saying yes would be perfectly acceptable? The Teacher challenges us to deny ourselves. We are called to practice putting our appetites on a diet—not to earn favor or avoid punishment, but to cultivate self-control and make space for spiritual longing to grow.
Faux Confidence
I trust sincere question-askers more than careless statement-makers. People are complicated. Life is complex. The universe is vast. God is far greater than his creation. We come to know by being curious, approaching subjects with humility and a taste for discovery.
God Loves Sinners?
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8
Love is the gift of self. Here, Paul says that God gave the gift of himself to us while we were still sinners. There is never any question about God's love for us. He is love; he can only ever be love. The question is, do I love God? Will I give the gift of self to him?
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
- justice
- scripture
- spiritual life
- advent & christmas
- poverty & compassion
- imagination & creativity
- technology & ai
- knowing God
- human dignity
- faith & trust
- incarnation & cross
- kingdom of God
- community
- reconciliation
- spiritual formation
- epistemology
- prayer
- gratitude
- culture
- creation & nature
- discipleship
I practice the spiritual discipline of rescuing earthworms on paved surfaces. It's a reminder to me that I can pause what I'm doing, get a little dirty, and help. Also, that I've been given the responsibility to care.