Stories
Viewing stories about faith
Liturgy: “I, Scum of the Earth”
We are despicable creatures of the earth, but God extended his grace to us and allows us to not dwell on how low we are, but on what we can become and what we can do.
Liturgy: “God’s way over your own way”
I was born with a rebellious streak. The Bible says we are all sinful, and therefore I often have an ongoing struggle to choose God’s way over my way.
Liturgy: “When I couldn’t be consoled by my mother’s hug…”
A year ago, I went to sleep with what felt like a cold and woke up with the inability to lift my arms and legs. What followed was a few ups and many downs, literal falling downs, and mental and spiritual downs. I never thought that the simple act of removing the lid from my lip balm or walking up the stairs would suddenly become a miracle to accomplish.
Liturgy: “Things Hoped For”
Sometimes we hope for things for a long time, we wait, and we pray, and we continue to fix our eyes on the object of our desire, expectant and watchful. These times of waiting can be difficult, our hearts are set on these things we want, and yet no matter how much we yearn for them, how much we pursue them, we continue to wait.
Liturgy: “Doubt, Impostor Syndrome, and the Source of Confidence”
God has desired us, chosen us, and made a covenant with us. Through the sacrifice of Christ, He has ensured that our “house” is “right” with him and will be for eternity. When we acknowledge our dependence on Him, there is no need to question or try to “fake” our status.
Liturgy: “A new world is being born”
Birth is a violent act causing trauma for both mother and child. It does not come without pain and yet it is a pain that women like Hannah long for with a desperation that makes them forgot about social convention and respectability while they pour out their soul before God.
Liturgy: “Faithfulness”
What comes to mind when I first think of this word is God’s response to the people of Israel in the Old Testament—how He continually forgives and renews His promises to His people even though they continually fail at holding up their end of the covenant and turn to other gods.
Liturgy: “Stuff God can use: fear, guilt, insecurity, and laziness”
God has shown me, in the years since, some of the depths of my brokenness. Every attempt to be good, to follow God’s law, has shown me how much more deeply I need to be changed.
Liturgy: “That he might become a merciful and faithful high priest”
It’s easy to get lost in the narratives of the Bible. With so many characters, stories of triumph and failure, and commentary on the action it’s important to step back and realize what the totality of Scripture is about—Christ.
Liturgy: “Not for Children”
God cannot be tamed, made safe for children, forced to fit our theories. To quote a priest from the classic football film Rudy: “Son, in thirty-five years of religious study, I have only come up with two hard incontrovertible facts: there is a God, and I’m not him.”
