One of the preferred teaching tools in the Bible is the parable, an extended metaphor used to explain some truth about our relationship with God. Often these are left uninterpreted in the text and so it’s up to us to explore their depths. This can be frustrating as a reader who just wants to understand … Continue reading Potter’s Clay (A reflection on Jeremiah 18.1-11)
We in North America celebrated Labour Day on Monday. This means that culturally we’re transitioning into the Fall season. My thoughts have started to shift away from salads, shorts and sandals to stews and roasts, light jackets and layers and other trappings of the season that is on its way. This shift came to mind … Continue reading All is Kairos (A Reflection on Luke 5.33-39)
There may be no word in the English language more strongly attached to a certain time and place than “prudence” is to Victorian England. The very word conjures up images of prim women in drab, bustled dresses and large floral hats. It’s a word that just feels behind the times and out of step. If, … Continue reading Prudence
The other week in the post on the character strength of Perspective as good spiritual fruit, I brought up the old proverb about losing the forest through the trees. This saying came up again this morning as I was reading the Gospel. Jesus is in the middle of a diatribe against the “scribes and Pharisees,” … Continue reading The Forest and the Trees (A reflection on Matthew 23.23-26)
When I was on visiting family last month, my stepfather referenced this series of posts on character strengths and commented that he was interested to see where the post on bravery would go, since it isn’t a trait most of us have the chance to use often. Since this conversation, I’ve been eager to think … Continue reading Bravery
Matthew Root 