Practicing Sabbath
Practicing Sabbath By Tammie Grimm It can be startling to discover that for all the spiritual practices or means of grace we can name, none are listed in the Ten Commandments. Prayer, which is considered to be primary by many people of faith isn’t mentioned once....
But I Prayed about It!
But I Prayed about It! By Stephen Rankin There once was a man who went to talk with his pastor about a personal family catastrophe that he had managed to cause. A Christian friend of his pitched an investment idea to him that promised to bring a return three or four...
Learning How to Love Again: Augustine’s Cure for the Modern Soul
Learning How to Love Again: Augustine’s Cure for the Modern Soul By Jonathan A. Powers In the long history of the Christian Church, few figures stand as tall as Saint Augustine of Hippo. Throughout his ministry Augustine proved himself to be a brilliant thinker, a...
Don’t Take Calling God “Father” for Granted: Gregory of Nyssa on the Lord’s Prayer
What if the most familiar words in Christian prayer are also the most daring? Drawing on Gregory of Nyssa’s fourth-century sermons, J. Warren Smith invites us to rediscover the theological depth, humility, and bold grace involved in addressing the holy God of the universe as “Our Father.”
The Ancient Faith for Today
What is it about the faith of the ancient church that so many find compelling? What antidote does it offer to counteract the disintegrative effects of late modernity? And what alternative does it offer the church today as we seek to walk and grow in Jesus Christ?
An Appreciation to Steve Beard
An Appreciation to Steve Beard -- By James V. Heidinger II -- In October of 2024, the Good News renewal movement celebrated 57 years of renewal efforts within the United Methodist Church, and marked the end of its ministry. With the Global Methodist Church having...
Thomas Oden’s Remarkable Reversal
By James V. Heidinger II- We can learn much from the remarkable theological journey of the late Professor Thomas C. Oden, who taught for more than 30 years as a professor of theology and ethics at the theology school at Drew University. Dr. Oden, a longtime colleague...
Yesterday & Today: Church of God in Christ
Yesterday & Today: Church of God in Christ -- By John Mark Richardson, Sr. -- The Church of God in Christ (COGIC), a Holiness-Pentecostal denomination, has a deep spiritual heritage dating back to over 128 years. It has become one of the largest denominations in...
Transformational Love of God: Christian Perfection
Transformational Love of God: Christian Perfection -- By Wendi. J. Deichmann -- For centuries Methodists have enthusiastically sung the hymn, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” the lyrics of which poetically articulate the Wesleyan doctrine of Christian perfection....
Justified by Faith: Why the Details Matter — A Lesson from Making Bread
Justified by Faith: Why the Details Matter — A Lesson from Making Bread -- By James R. Morrow -- How hard could it be? I had just tasted one of the best slices of homemade bread I’d ever eaten. Perfect texture, with a delightful taste (especially when slathered in...
Grace-fueled Discipleship
Grace-fueled Discipleship -- By Tammie Grimm -- Did you know John Wesley never used the word “disciple” to refer to persons who seek to follow Jesus? It’s true. Yes, he did use the word “disciple,” however, it was only in reference to the persons who were companions...
The Grace that Awakens
The Grace that Awakens -- By Bill Ury -- A beloved mentor of mine would shake up a room when he would talk about the free grace of God and the sinner’s response by saying, “God has a problem!” He would go on to discuss the fact that Jesus would not misuse his love to...
