Faith Faces the Fire

 

Readings 090126

People attack people of faith —  

and it has always been so.  

When it comes from those with no faith,  

it is ignorance.  

When it comes from different faiths,  

it becomes part of a radicalized culture.  

But I struggle most  

when Christians attack Christians —  

when those called to love as Christ loves  

wound others in the name of Christ.  

It is ignorance.

It is prideful.

They become radicals too,  

but not in the way the Gospel calls us to be.  

Scripture tells us the natural man 

cannot grasp the things of God.  

To him, spiritual truth feels like foolishness  

because it cannot be measured  

by worldly wisdom.  

The cross — humility,  

sacrifice,  

grace —  

stands against the self‑reliant mind.  

And so the world reacts.  

They cling to their truth,  

not the truth —  

the truth even the demon recognized  

when he cried out,  

“I know who You are — the Holy One of God!”  

Darkness recognizes holiness,  

but it does not welcome it.  

So here is the pattern:  

those who rely only on human reasoning  

reject what the Spirit reveals.  

But those who live by the Spirit  

see with a different sight,  

judge with a different heart,  

and walk with a different courage.  

So when attacks come —  

even from fellow Christians —  

remember:  

the Spirit within you  

is stronger than the noise around you.  

Stay rooted.  

Stay gentle.  

Stay faithful.  

For the One who sent you  

is the One who strengthens you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

Steady my heart;

when voices around me grow sharp.  

Teach me to see with Your Spirit

and not the world’s eyes.  

Guard my love

so it does not turn into judgment.  

Let Your grace be the measure

of every word I speak.  

And keep me faithful to the One

who strengthens me.

Amen

Nothing but Christ

 

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I was asked to become a deacon 

by the church, the people of my small community—  

and now I serve with other parishes,  

other congregations,  

other hearts seeking God.

I don’t worry about what to say,  

the Holy Spirit guides my words,  

and gives the witness others need.  

But sometimes—quietly—I wonder what people think.  

This accent, this drawl.  

This voice which is far from velvet.  

I can’t sing—my wife says I hit a note  

every now and then.  

I fight my weight,  

fight to find clothes that fit,  

and I wear suspenders  

just to keep my pants pulled high.

Yet Scripture whispers:  

I did not come with sublimity of words or wisdom.  

I came in weakness,  

in fear,  

in trembling—  

so that faith might rest  

not on human wisdom  

but on the power of God.

I’m not comparing myself to Jesus,  

or even Paul.  

But I remember what the people of Nazareth said:  

“Is this not the son of Joseph?”  

Even the familiar can carry grace.  

Even the ordinary can bear the message.

So I stand as I am—  

accent, suspenders, trembling voice—  

and I proclaim Christ crucified.  

Because God chooses the simple things  

to reveal His glory.  

And if He can use me—  

He can use anyone.

Prayer

Lord, 

You call the humble to speak Your truth. 

Let my voice, rough and real, carry Your grace. 

In weakness, 

let Your strength be known. 

In trembling, 

let Your Spirit move. 

May every word rest on the power of God.

Amen