Monthly Archives: August 2011

Contemplation (contemplatio) evolves into action (actio). In historic lectio divina, contemplation was the final phase, because it was understood that there is no way for the written Word to become the living Word without putting into practice what we have … Continue reading →

Through meditation (meditatio) we “enter into” the text.  Through contemplation (contemplatio) we allow the text to “enter into” us.  Contemplation, in one sense, completes the process which meditation begins. The word literally means “with” (con) “the template” (templari). In the … Continue reading →

We receive and accept “a word” from our reading (lectio) phase.  Now, we meditate (meditatio) in relation to it. My favorite definition of meditation comes from Evelyn Underhill:  “thinking in the presence of God.”  That takes a lot of the … Continue reading →

Prayer (oratio) winds its way through the entirety of lectio divina.  But after the initial prayer discussed in yesterday’s post, we move next to reading (lectio). We read systematically.  While there is nothing wrong with reading “here and there” in … Continue reading →

Lectio divina has four classic phases: oratio. lectio, meditatio, and contemplatio.  More-recent versions have added a fifth phase (actio) to be sure that we do not forget that the final aim of our reading is the amendment of life and … Continue reading →

One week from today, we will begin a group reading through the Bible, using John Stott’s Through the Bible–Through the Year as our common text.  We will use a modified version of group lectio divina.  So, I thought it might … Continue reading →

A week ago (August 16), I wrote a post about the “hiddenness” of the spiritual life.  I want to return to that theme in this post. In his daily devotional book, Bread for the Journey, Henri Nouwen wrote, “If we … Continue reading →

I’m glad that I married Jeannie for a lot of reasons.  But one is that she has helped me to see the world.  She’s lived in a lot more of it than I have, having grown up in an Air … Continue reading →

I’d like to think that this one post could bring an end to the saying, “People won’t go for that today,” but I doubt that it will happen.  But it should. The statement is absolutely false.  But we hear it … Continue reading →

The suicide of one of the husbands on “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” is a tragedy.  It is also a sign of something deeper happening in our culture. One of the persons who has worked in the “reality” television industry … Continue reading →

Since Wednesday is the day I focus upon issues related to clergy, I thought I’d share some insights I received from a recent phone call with a pastor friend of mine. A few months ago, he was appointed to a … Continue reading →

I recently read a meditation written by Henri Nouwen that reminded me of “the hidden life of Jesus.”  I still find it remarkable that Jesus spent 30 or his 33 years in obscurity, most likely working as a carpenter in … Continue reading →

The quadrennial presidential campaign inevitably raises questions and concerns around the relationship between politics and religion.  Several of the candidates have already given public witness to their faith commitments, and depending on what they are, the “right” or the “left” … Continue reading →

This past Thursday, many in the Christian church remembered the life of St. Claire, friend and contemporary of St Francis of Assisi. Many qualities characterized her life, but I was struck by her fortitude.  She remained faithful despite pressures from … Continue reading →

Recently, while reading about one of the saints, I was reminded that one of the practices in early Christianity was the practice of contemplating Christ.  There is more than one way to do this, but I offer you this simple … Continue reading →

We fight the conviction of the Holy Spirit because our ego interprets it as God “meddling” in our lives.  But the fact is, conviction is God’s attempt to redirect our lives away from the “edge” of spiritual cliffs, where (left … Continue reading →

Some months ago, I received an email containing a list of “dangerous people” in Christianity.  The author of the email was exhorting readers to henceforth have nothing to do with anyone on her list—note: “her” list. It was uncomfortable to … Continue reading →

It’s interesting how some things get “defined” when a noun is linked with a particular adjective.  Recently, I read a secular new’s source’s story that included the phrase “the narrow evangelical agenda.” Even if the writer was correct on the … Continue reading →

I admit that until about two months ago, I was a stranger to the thought and writing of Ayn Rand.  I had heard her name, but had not taken the time to become more familiar with her.  I am still … Continue reading →

Once upon a time, a massive earthquake struck just offshore where a group of people were playing volleyball on the beach.  After picking themselves up off the ground and determining no one was injured, they continued their game. A short … Continue reading →