Tag Archives: Christianity
Being Christian
Mystic: Howard Thurman Being Christian Friday, July 26, 2019 Today I invite you to reflect on your own sense of identity—both as an individual and as part of a collective—as you read Howard Thurman’s thoughts on race and relationships: The burden of being black and the burden of being white is so heavy that it… Continue Reading Being Christian
Why Are You Here?
Mystic: Howard Thurman Why Are You Here? Thursday, July 25, 2019 Today, as you read this second excerpt from Howard Thurman’s book Jesus and the Disinherited, hold an open heart and mind. In other words, read with a contemplative stance. The meditation ends with a question that I’ll hope you’ll sit with—as Thurman and his… Continue Reading Why Are You Here?
A Subtle Peril
Mystic: Howard Thurman A Subtle Peril Wednesday, July 24, 2019 Howard Thurman lovingly critiqued Christianity, which has often ignored the direct teaching and witness of Jesus in relationship with those who are oppressed. This excerpt is from one of Thurman’s most well-known books, Jesus and the Disinherited. I think this message is important today and… Continue Reading A Subtle Peril
The Mystical Heartbeat
Introduction to Christian Mysticism The Mystical Heartbeat Friday, July 19, 2019 Today I share again from Carl McColman’s book Christian Mystics: The first Christian mystics appear in the Bible, figures like John the Evangelist and Paul of Tarsus. But mysticism didn’t end when the Bible was written. Great mystics appear in every century of Christian… Continue Reading The Mystical Heartbeat
Goodness of God
Introduction to Christian Mysticism Goodness of God Thursday, July 18, 2019 Spiritual director and author Carl McColman explores the etymology of the word “mystic” and the difference between a saint and a mystic. Carl is a wise and holy man still among us. The Greek root for mystic and mysticism is mueo, which means to… Continue Reading Goodness of God
Incarnational Mysticism
Introduction to Christian Mysticism Incarnational Mysticism Sunday, July 14, 2019 Years ago, someone asked if I could sum up all my teachings in two words. My response was “incarnational mysticism.” The first word, “incarnational,” is Christianity’s specialty and should always be our essential theme. We believe God became embodied. The early Fathers of the Church… Continue Reading Incarnational Mysticism
Breaking Down Walls
Unity and Diversity Breaking Down Walls Thursday, June 6, 2019 Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is senior minister at Middle Collegiate Church, a multiracial, welcoming, and inclusive congregation in New York City. We were honored to have her speak at our Universal Christ conference this March. Today I’d like to share a short excerpt from her… Continue Reading Breaking Down Walls
Cross-cultural Discipleship
Unity and Diversity Cross-cultural Discipleship Wednesday, June 5, 2019 If God is always Mystery, then God is always in some way the unfamiliar, beyond what we’re used to, beyond our comfort zone, beyond what we can explain or understand. Many first learn to love and know God through the familiar, human face of Jesus and… Continue Reading Cross-cultural Discipleship
One in Love
Unity and Diversity One in Love Sunday, June 2, 2019 The primary problem is that our identities are too small. We tend to rely most on our smaller, cultural identities and ignore our larger, common identity as members of the body of Christ. . . . Indeed, adopting a common identity is the key to… Continue Reading One in Love
Going to the Depths
Meeting Christ Within Us Going to the Depths Wednesday, May 29, 2019 Christianity’s foundational belief is always incarnation. Yet Christians in the West have focused on abstract ideas instead of actual transformation into our own incarnate humanity. Now that very humanity has grown tired of disembodied spiritualities that allow no validation or verification in experience.… Continue Reading Going to the Depths
