Tag: christianity
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Order in Mind, Life, and Dress
When I was a freshman at Free Will Baptist Bible College (now Welch College), Dr. Judy Simpson, my English professor, taught me a lesson that has never left me. She graded our essays not only on grammar but on our ability to organize our thoughts around a theme. She often reminded us, “A messy mind…
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Empathy Is Not a Sin: A Biblical Response
In recent years, a curious argument has emerged in certain Christian circles: that empathy itself may be a kind of sin. Voices like Allie Beth Stuckey, Joe Rigney, Pete Hegseth, and J. D. Vance warn that empathy can cloud our judgment, compromise our convictions, and even lead us into affirming sin. They argue that empathy…
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Facing Reality with Eyes of Faith
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:32 Jesus never asked us to close our eyes to the pain of the world. In fact, in three powerful passages of Scripture, we are reminded again and again that the Christian life is not about painting a rosy picture,…
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Being a Bridge Builder in Springfield: Living as Salt, Light, and Temperate Spirit
In a world that often feels divided and hurried, it can be easy to feel powerless to make a difference in our own communities. Yet, Scripture offers timeless guidance on how each of us can have a meaningful impact. Jesus calls his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the…
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Temperance as a Fruit of the Spirit: Lessons from F. D. Maurice and John Stuart Mill
Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22–23 that one of the fruits of the Spirit is temperance—or self-control. This fruit reminds us that Christian maturity is not just about passion or conviction, but about living with balance, restraint, and wisdom that serves the good of others. When I think of temperance, I see how it shone—though…
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Rediscovering the Kingdom: From Adam Smith to F. D. Maurice
When we hear the phrase “the kingdom of God is here now,” many of us imagine a spiritual ideal, a distant reality yet to come. But Jesus’ teaching often emphasized a present, active kingdom — a call for justice, mercy, and love to transform society today. Surprisingly, there’s a historical thread linking this vision of…
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Selfless Love
Selfless love is at the heart of discipleship and spiritual growth. Here’s how it is often understood: 1. Rooted in Christ’s Example Jesus embodied agapē love — the Greek word for unconditional, sacrificial love. He reached out to the marginalized, forgave enemies, healed the sick, and gave himself fully for others without asking what he…
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God is Love
💜 Love at the Center: Understanding 1 John 4:7–10 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us,…
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Membership in God’s Family
There are certain verses in Scripture that stay with us throughout life. We return to them again and again, and each time we discover something new. For me, Galatians 3:28 is one of those verses. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you…
The Curious Pilgrim 