Holy Words From Holy Cross

What is the purpose of prayer, the purpose of repentance, the purpose of many of the things Christians do?  Modern Christians are often captives of their own time, their thoughts and questions shaped by concerns unique to themselves.  But the Word of God is for all Christians in all times, in all places.  Is there wisdom in the historic Christian witness that we would be wise to glean as we face the challenges of our own day?

Do we "get saved" once or do we come again and again to Jesus in repentance of our sins and trust in His forgiveness?  Christians sometimes argue about these things, but maybe that is the wrong approach... what if we are using different words to describe similar experiences?  As we seek the Lord during Lent, it is worthwhile to pause and consider what we are engaged in as Christians practicing our faith...

I once heard someone say, "I want to walk with God, but I've got to wait until I'm ready."  Does God wait until we're ready before working with us, changing us, helping us become His agents of change and healing in a hurting world?  The Bible and Church history tells an interesting story...

Most people think the world could be improved, but we mostly think it could be improved if OTHER people would change something about themselves.  The life of Joseph from the Book of Genesis and the words of Jesus from today's Gospel reading teach us something radically--and critically--different.

"How can there be a God when there is so much evil and tragedy in the world?"  It is an honest question, and one with which Christians should reckon honestly.  It turns out that St. Paul did just that in his first letter to the church at Corinth.  How do we apply his insights in our own time with modern questions?

Why don't we experience the glory of God in an unmistakable way all the time?  What stands in our way?  How does God overcome our spiritual blindness?  The story of Isaiah's calling has some important lessons for us.

As Americans face the biggest game of the year, enormous amounts of money are being spent to get us to buy things... How much would you pay for the most valuable thing in the world?  It may be available for free...

When Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan, it served a different purpose than our own baptisms.  Why be baptized?  What benefits does it confer?  Is anything different after we are baptized INTO Christ?  The Scriptures tell us an important truth...

In order to forestall tyranny, the United States adopted a "separation of powers" wherein in no branch of government is supposed to wield ultimate authority.  Yet, in the Nicene Creed, Christians proudly proclaim that when Christ comes again "His kingdom shall have no end."  How does God combine the powers necessary for good government in the Person of Christ?  The gifts of the Magi point the way for us...

Many of us have a "bucket list," a set of things we wish to do before leave this life.  What is most essential to have on that list?  Our readings the Sunday after Christmas help us learn God's answer to that question.

When we discover our greatest strength, we discover our greatest weakness.  Can God do something with our weakness He could never do with our strength?

Most of us reach Christmas day less prepared than we wish we were.  The world was far from prepared for Jesus, and in some ways still is.  What is the blessing of being UNprepared?

The more things change, the more they stay the same... and one thing that has always been true of human nature is that some people are never satisfied.  They want it their way, but God insists on having it His way.  Why wouldn't God just give them what they want?

Most of human striving is for recognition and privilege.  In what circumstances are we all equals?  How does God make us equal?  John the Baptist's preaching was harsh, but it also holds the answer to this key human question.

Why do some people put their head in the sand when trouble looms?  The new atheists accuse religious people of refusing to look reality square in the eye--and undoubtedly some are guilty of that--but is that the sort of faith Scripture calls us to?  Christian faith has real answers for real, painfully real, life.  How can a more fully-formed faith help you in your day-to-day life?

Most of us begin our prayers by asking God--or whatever we think of as God--for whatever it is we want.  Christian prayer is always addressed to the true God, the God who has revealed and named Himself in history.  When Christians ask God earnestly and humbly for anything, we know the character of the God whom we address.  How do we ask God for ANYTHING and know we are heard?

"What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?"  The Apostle Paul uses these words to remind us that even the hardest working person uses time, talent, and resources that they did not provide to themselves.  Each of us, to be honest with ourselves and others, has much for which to be thankful.  Giving thanks is a key ingredient of prayer, for it is a key ingredient of honesty.

Because we all sin, we all hide from God in ways large and small.  This is the very opposite of what true prayer is about.  Making confession a part of our daily prayer helps us truly open ourselves to the movement of God's Spirit and grow closer.

We adore those who love us, for love is an incalculable gift.  The greater the person who loves us, the greater the adoration we feel if have any self perception, for we know that such love cannot be earned.  How great is God?  How far will He go to secure our love and salvation?  Is prayer just asking God for things, or is it something more?

Why reform the Church?  Why reform ourselves?  Most people want to be a good person, but we fail daily to our highest aspiration.  In the cross of Christ, we find forgiveness... hope to try again without a deficit we can never overcome.