Last week I posted on John Beadle, the English Puritan who wrote the first book on journal keeping as a spiritual discipline back in 1656. It is an odd book — Beadle could have used a good editor. It is also a wise book — he has excellent advice that can make journaling a fantastic […]
One Key Step toward a Life of Gratitude
In 1656, English Puritan John Beadle published a book on keeping a journal as a spiritual discipline: The Journal or Diary of a Thankful Christian. To his knowledge and mine, his book was the first on the topic. Ever since, I suppose, Christians have fallen into two camps: Those who like to write in journals and those […]
Want a Simple, Focused Christian Life? — St. Anthony of Egypt
Today is the memorial of St. Anthony of Egypt (c. 251-356), aka “Anthony the Great,” the prototypical “desert father.” I wanted to share a story about him that shows his character and priorities. Someone asked Abba Anthony, ‘What must one do in order to please God?’ The old man replied, ‘Pay attention to what I […]
Why I Love St. Teresa of Avila
It is my Breviary that most often reminds me of various saints being commemorated by the Church around the world. So when I have a day or two when something bumps my attention away from praying the Divine Office, someone I love as dearly as St. Teresa of Avila can sneak by completely unnoticed. Her […]
Praying On Your Smart Phone: Review of 4 iOS Apps for the “Divine Office”
Wouldn’t St. Benedict be surprised to find people praying the Divine Office on their smart phones? Okay, he would be surprised if he even heard about smart phones. Or not-so-smart phones. Or telegraphs for that matter. As I describe in my book, Kneeling with Giants: Learning to Pray with History’s Best Teachers (InterVarsity Press 2012) the practice of […]
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