Authentic Christianity
Living the Word of God in our daily life.
Related topics: Bible Literacy, Book Reviews, Theology, Worldviews
jesus stands for stephen: a sermon on a reading from acts 7
The Reading: Acts 7:55-60 Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered...
finding home in the episcopal church
First, let me say that I'm grateful for my many years worshiping and serving in the non-denominational, charismatic church. But I think I've found home in the Episcopal Church. Everywhere I turn, I keep finding such incredible depth, tradition, and beauty. And I...
ananias of damascus: a sermon on a reading from acts 9
The Reading: Acts 9:1-20 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might...
a letter to the people of the Church in my community
As a student of the Living Word, a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a seeker of Truth, I, Dan, write this to the people of the Church in my community. Whether you attend casually, serve in the church at any level, or shepherd over any part of the...
i have written no essay today
And I am sorry. I wanted to give you metaphors that sing, but I have only this empty page and a blinking cursor. I feel embarrassed by this blank page, as if it exposes something of which I am deeply ashamed. It seems to matter more than a blank page should. This...
when hope comes with an ultimatum
I remember 1987 as the year of desperation. It was also the year I graduated from college. Working part-time as a hostess in a restaurant to pay for tuition, I realized I was employed by the primary industry keeping the economy alive in Tulsa, Oklahoma during a...
shifting blame
It's fairly common in a situation to want to shift the blame to the other person. Instead of looking for solutions, we are busy saving face. My first reaction is to point the finger. It's a knee-jerk reaction. When I have had time away from the situation, I think...
the chameleon kid
For sure and for certain, I am a daughter of the King of kings, a princess of the most high God. My eternity is set, I don’t doubt that for one fine frog’s hair second; but, my here and my now, in this current stance, right smack-dab where I am, this earthly...
lessons from the slum congregation
"There is not an honest pastor in the land who is not deeply aware of the slum conditions that exist in the congregation and, therefore, the unending task of clearing out the garbage, finding space for breathing, getting adequate nourishment, and venturing into the...
like something trying to get born
It's bright this morning, crisp and early. The kind of morning you feel that something new is trying to get born. Last night, we rifled through the backpacks at Wal-Mart and after much deliberation, picked out four of them. They are still stiff, smelling of that...
the aerodynamic mystery of you
I sit in the porch rocker and soak up the silence. It’s a discipline I’m learning is essential to embracing the mysterious wonder of God but it does not come naturally to me, leaving room in my life for encountering the quiet without distraction. At home, the phone...
will you refuse to do nothing?
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. That quote by Ghandi is written on my heart - imprinted on my heart. Like a tattoo. God has gifted me with a huge passion for making a difference in the world. Not just an ordinary difference, but a big...
surrender the bone
Before I say a word about this month’s theme of “free,” you should know that I lived as a secret slave to alcohol for more than twelve years. By day I wrote Christian books on topics like marriage and prayer, and by night I got blotto drunk. I can’t think of...