We can have joy, because we can know God’s strength in our weakness. Because God’s mercies are new every morning. Because as we walk through this valley of this shadow of death, we are never abandoned or alone. Our God goes before us, and He is...
READ MOREYou are going to have to come to terms with the partial nature of this life. Have you come to terms yet with the partial?
Are you able to hold on to your faith when only some prayers are answered?
It takes genuine maturity.
...
READ MOREThe battle of desire is not something that just takes place within us or even between us. It is also taking place against us, all the time. Our desire is under nearly constant attack. “We come into the world longing,” says Gil Bailie, “...
READ MORENow — to find God, I have to look where God is. This might help folks who report that God “seems distant,” or as a friend recently commented (with a touch of cynicism), “He doesn’t seem to come around much.” If I want to find a hawk I look up in...
READ MOREThe way to render a man happy, is to engage him with an object that will make him forget his private troubles. — Pascal
Don't be fooled by the apparent innocence of the object you've chosen as an idol; what is the function...
READ MOREI was reading the prophet Jeremiah a few weeks ago when I ran across a passage that referred to God as "the Lord Almighty." To be honest, it didn't resonate. There's something too religious about the phrase; it sounds churchy, sanctimonious. The...
READ MOREI think everyone prays at some point in their life, even if they’re not sure someone is listening. And I’ll bet that one of the most common prayers goes something like, Lord help me; give me strength.
I really like that prayer. It...
READ MOREYears ago some kind soul sent me a book on the devil. It was rather dated, from the 1960s I believe, complete with little caricature drawings of Satan as our adversary. I’m ashamed to admit my first thought was, I know plenty about spiritual...
READ MORESpiritual warfare often tries to work like a computer virus — it loves to transfer around to as many people as it can, infecting whole households or even churches. You can witness this with great clarity when you are standing outside of it. You...
READ MOREYou can tell a lot about a person by his effect on others. What is Jesus like to be around? What is the aftertaste he leaves in your mouth? Is this someone you’d want to take a long car ride with? We saw Zacchaeus’ reaction. Here are two more,...
READ MORETo be a human being is to be stained glass—beautiful in our brokenness, but a collection of many parts nonetheless. Someone once wrote, “You are every age you have ever been.” They were speaking poetically but also naming something literal. You...
READ MOREWritten centuries ago by St. Patrick, this is a profound and simple prayer for protection. We find ourselves returning to again and again:
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity.
Through...
Jesus sustains all creation by the mighty power of his command. Obviously, or Satan would have torn all creation to pieces long ago. Jesus—through whom all things were made—is currently, at this moment, holding all things together; he sustains...
READ MOREWe are seeking refuge as ordinary mystics growing into mature mystics who recognize that the refuge of God is dynamic and requires our participation—as when we consecrate our lives to God daily, when we stay in the truth, or when we crush the...
READ MOREIn Deuteronomy and in Hebrews we are reminded that our God is a jealous God, a consuming fire:
Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the...
READ MORELove is something we are going to have to firmly protect.
Now here is the problem—as soon as I say the word “love,” many different things come to your heart and mind.
Oh great, now I have to take care of everyone.
I guess I...
For you bless the godly, O LORD; you surround them with your shield of love.
–King David
You are safe and secure in the refuge of God. That is the major theme.
The minor theme is the war raging outside, which we...
READ MORERemember now—we are maturing in our understanding of how we actively participate as ordinary mystics in God as our refuge and stronghold; these passages are critical to God’s provision for us. “Trampling and crushing” are active and...
READ MORELet’s return to that gripping scene in the Judean wasteland. Imagine Jesus walking around his desert camp, fasting, praying, quoting Scripture, and no doubt declaring aloud Psalm 91, “El Shaddai is my refuge and fortress ...”
It’s...
READ MOREThe spiritual warfare of the hour we are living in is no different than what Patrick and his disciples faced. It might be worse because of the lateness of the hour, and it can be withering when you are under it. In those desolate moments, when my...
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