Category Archives: Spiritual life

Trust and Obey

Posted on March 15, 2011 by jlh

In Discipleship Bonhoeffer observes that the Apostle’s Creed sums up Jesus’ entire life by one word: “suffered.” Commenting on “Blessed are the peacemakers,” he states: “Suffering willingly endured is stronger than evil, it spells death to evil.” (A Testament to … Continue reading →

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In the bleak midwinter

Posted on January 14, 2011 by jlh

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago. (Christina Rosetti) Haven’t posted in a couple weeks. … Continue reading →

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ANFECHTUNG—terror, despair, suffering, affliction, trial, test, tribulation—up close and personal

Posted on November 6, 2010 by jlh

Luther frequently experienced what he called Anfechtung (pl. Anfechtungen), translated “terror, despair, suffering, affliction, trial, test, tribulation.” Luther gave a three point process for doing theology: Oratio (Prayer) Meditato (Meditation) Tentatio (Anfechtung) A terrific article here in Concordia Theological Quarterly 47:1, … Continue reading →

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The tintinnabulation of the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells-

Posted on November 5, 2010 by jlh

Food for thought for all us theologians, Doctors of Divinity, &c. &.c. from Martin Luther: If, however, you feel and are inclined to think you have made it, flattering yourself with your own little books, teaching or writing, because you … Continue reading →

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Near to the heart

Posted on October 12, 2010 by jlh

Our neighbors have joined in praying for little Colby Minter. You can read about him and see him at Colby’s Page here. People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples … Continue reading →

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God’s insane abundance

Posted on February 6, 2010 by jlh

God is teaching me about economics Jesus-style. One of the most important passages in the Bible on the subject of giving is 2 Corinthians 8-9. Paul is collecting money from the Gentile churches of Macedonia and Asia Minor for the … Continue reading →

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Hollow cake

Posted on November 12, 2009 by jlh

I tried my baking skills the other day. I had an orange-cranberry muffin mix, which called for an added cup of water. Flush with the success of earlier efforts, I added a protein booster whey powder, a couple eggs, and two … Continue reading →

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Immanuel people

Posted on October 21, 2009 by jlh

Immanuel people are those who remind us that “God is with us.” 1600 years ago a child went missing, a sign child went missing, and  is still missing today for most folks. Child 1: Shear… “A remnant will return” When … Continue reading →

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Is the last best?

Posted on September 29, 2009 by jlh

Wedding at Cana, Vermeyen, 1530 Has it been worth it? Looking back over my life,  this is what I see: Long before the “conservative resurgence” that reshaped the SBC into its present form, I was born a Southern Baptist in … Continue reading →

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Mystery not mastery

Posted on September 23, 2009 by jlh

I would love to close this book with something more substantial than empty faith, unattached love, and hopeless hope. I would love to be able to make practical suggestions about how to identify and claim the transformative qualities of the … Continue reading →

Posted in religion, Spiritual classics, Spiritual life | Tagged , | 2 Comments