The Spiritual Exercises

One of the most influential Christian books of all time is The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius, written in 1522-1524. The author, Ignatius of Loyola, was a Spanish soldier who was injured in battle by a cannonball. While recovering, Ignatius was deeply impressed by a couple of books—one on the lives of the saints and … Read more

The Human Condition

We don’t know ourselves very well. The story of Peter declaring his loyalty to Jesus is an illustration of this reality. After Jesus told him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me three times” (Mk. 14:30), Peter responded, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (v. … Read more

Purity of Heart

I work with a lady who only eats one thing—boiled sweet potatoes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She has been on this special diet for several months and she says it is healing her body. To not get sick of eating the same thing, she approaches each meal like it is her first time eating … Read more

Suffering and Glory in 1 Peter

Peter is one of the most important characters in the New Testament. After Jesus and Paul, his name is mentioned more than anyone else’s. Born Simon son of John, Jesus changed his name to Cephas, which means “rock” in Aramaic. In Greek Cephas is Petros or Peter in English (John 1:42). In addition to being … Read more