From St. John Chrysostom: "For the cross destroyed the enmity of God towards man, brought about the reconciliation, made the earth Heaven, associated men with angels, pulled down the citadel of death, unstrung the force of the devil, extinguished the power of sin, delivered the world from error, brought back the truth, expelled the Demons, destroyed temples, overturned altars, suppressed the sacrificial offering, implanted virtue, founded the Churches. The cross is the will of the Father, the glory of the Son, the rejoicing of the Spirit, the boast of Paul, “for,” he says, “God forbid that I should boast save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” [Gal 6:14]. The cross is that which is brighter than the sun, more brilliant than the sunbeam: for when the sun is darkened then the cross shines brightly: and the sun is darkened not because it is extinguished, but because it is overpowered by the brilliancy of the cross. The cross has broken our bond, it has made the prison of death...
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Make the Words Your Own: An Early Christian Guide to the Psalms by Benjamin Wayman http://www.paracletepress.com/make-the-words-your-own-an-early-christian-guide-to-the-psalms.html The Psalms have been used since the beginning as an early guide to the faith for Christians. The early church Father Athanasius has given us a guide to these psalms to help us in our journey of faith. Benjamin Wayman, professor of religion at Greenville College in his introduction outlines the major points of Athanasius life, including the fact that in 367 he penned the earliest guide to the Psalms. With intractable wit and devotion, Athanasius is a sure guide in helping us through the Psalter. In the introduction, Wayman points out that, “Athanasius instructs us to personally apply the Psalms, the practice of which conforms our lives to Christ. Through praying the words of the Psalter “ as our very own ,” we learn a new language that makes possible a new life in...
40 Days with the Holy Spirit by Jack Levison http://www.amazon.com/40-Days-Holy-Spirit-Fresh/dp/1612616380/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427816036&sr=1-1&keywords=40+days+with+the+holy+spirit+jack+levison If you know Jack Levison, you know that he is chalk full of good writing on the Holy Spirit. In his new book, 40 Days with the Holy Spirit , he boils down some very good devotions for us to meditate on the Holy Spirit. The book combines scriptural passages, prayers, even exercises for us to work through, giving us a fully orbed view of the Holy Spirit. Overall, the book is simple yet profound, small but weighty, challenging yet understandable. Jack gives us grace here, challenges us to see the Spirit’s work as overwhelming, but also reigns us in to see how the Bible comes alive with witness to the Spirit. Jack gets to the uneasiness of sonship and slavery by writing, “I’m not so sure I understand this contrast becau...
Heaven’s Muscle by Bren Hughes http://www.amazon.com/Heavens-Muscle-Unleashing-Spirit-Within/dp/0990890813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427814352&sr=8-1&keywords=heaven%27s+muscle The road from faith to doubt and back again is paved with many potholes and divots. Bren Hughes, former pastor and lawyer, writes about his journey in his new book entitled Heaven’s Muscle. Feeling the overwhelming effects of legalism from his youth, Bren had to grapple with a faith that was not bound by rules and requirements but looked at grace instead. In the beginning of the book, Bren outlines when he sees as Good Religion and Bad Religion. Bad religion is the type of system is predicated upon obligation, shame, and guilt, hierarchies, and boundaries, infighting and doctrinal allegiance. Good religion on the other hand is characterized by a spirit of love, integrity, character, and doctrinal fidelity (19-25). Bren recounts how his upbringing squa...
Richard John Neuhaus: A Life in the Public Square by Randy Boyagoda http://www.amazon.com/Richard-John-Neuhaus-Public-Square/dp/0307953963/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427668027&sr=1-1&keywords=richard+john+neuhaus With an eye towards the most important details of Richard John Neuhaus’ life, author Randy Boyagoda has penned an informative and wide-ranging book on one of modern Catholicism’s most notable figures. With a sense of highlighting the main features of Richard’s ministry, his long career at First Things, and his engagement with the church at all levels, Randy gives the reader a well-rounded portrait of Neuhaus. Early on, Randy points out the way Richard’s experiences in school left an indelible mark on his life. Boyagoda recounts, “His very first teacher declared him “uneducable” and his parents pulled him out of school after this early, failed effort (34).” Yet, his father Clem nurtured his son’s insatiable desire for...
Why Easter? /Why Christmas? By Barbara Reaoch, Ilustrated by Carol Mccarty http://www.shepherdpress.com/product/why-christmas/ Easter and Christmas are two seasons that speak of the coming of Jesus, his death and resurrection, and the hope we have as believers. Yet, we often struggle to communicate these profound truths to our children. In steps Barbara Reaoch, with books on Easter and Christmas that reach the hearts and minds of children with biblically faithful lessons designed to help children trust in the Savior. The Easter book combines 28 lessons with beautiful illlustrations by Carol McCarty to get at the heart of the story of Jesus, his death and resurrection. Both books include times for scripture reading, truths, discussion, memory verses and singing. I particularly thought that the lesson for Week 3, Day 16 was very insightful and encouraging. At the end of the lesson on Jesus being taken to the Sanhedrin and to Pil...