Category Archives: Devotional

Becoming A Spiritually Realized Person

For several months, I have been reading a daily devotional book entitled Becoming Fire: Through the Year with the Desert Fathers and Mothers by Tim Vivian. Each day highlights two or three excerpts from the desert Christians: a teaching, a … Continue reading

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Silent Night: Christmas 2025

This holiday season, I have been thinking a lot about the lyrics of some of the songs we hear and sing around this time of year. I’ve thought about that line from Joy to the World, what it really means … Continue reading

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Herald: Good News of Great Joy

When I was a child, we would drive past Cumberland Presbyterian Church every Sunday and every Wednesday on our way to our church. And every year, right after Thanksgiving, Cumberland Presbyterian would have an elaborate nativity display set out on … Continue reading

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Herald: While We Wait

We are told that good things come to those who wait. We’re told that patience is a virtue. But I have to wonder if we really believe that. Last year, Walt Disney World unveiled a new feature allowing visitors to … Continue reading

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Harsh and Difficult

One of the Desert Fathers, Hyperechios, said: “Monk (solitary one / alone one), do not show yourself to be harsh and difficult. Be mindful that no one who is harsh and difficult has persevered.” I need this word, because I’m … Continue reading

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Destroying Sinfulness

2025 will go down as the year I fell in love with the writings of the Desert Fathers. I have been deeply moved by the words of these hermits — a word transliterated to us from the Greek eremites, literally … Continue reading

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Macarius on How We Should Pray

Some people came to Macarius of Egypt (one of the desert fathers) and asked, “How should we pray?” The old man said to them, “You don’t need to keep saying the same thing; instead, stretch out your hands and say, … Continue reading

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The Knowledge to Acknowledge

Over the last few days, I have been reflecting on the story of Rahab from Joshua 2. Joshua sends two spies on a reconnaissance mission to the city of Jericho. These spies somehow end up at the home of Rahab, … Continue reading

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Forgetting Kindness

Kindness has always been esteemed in the pages of Scripture. It is the fruit of God’s Spirit within. Those who follow Christ are to clothe themselves in kindness. And there is an inherent danger in forgetting kindness, especially the kindness of … Continue reading

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A Risk Worth Taking

In a recent poll, participants in the United Kingdom were asked a simple question: “How can you tell if someone is a Christian?” You couldn’t be blamed if you guessed that participants would identify a practice like daily Bible reading … Continue reading

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