MSI Press Blog

  excerpt from Joshuanism   by Tosto -  The post/Christian God A profound moment in my journey to seek and know God took place in an art gallery. I was in Seattle, visiting a friend of mine. I had some free time, and John had some free time, so I decided to fly out and kick it in the Emerald City for a few days. This was during the height of my Christian experience when I was still green behind the ears and miles away from questioning any of the marvelous things I believed. In fact, I was working at a church at the time, directing the music and worship ministry. The trip west was a welcome diversion. John and I were strolling through the gallery, surveying the local talent, when a curious painting caught my attention. John went over to ask the docent something, and I stood in front of the unusual painting, studying it deeply. The painting, you see, was titled God . But the painting itself was quite simple. The artist only used two colors: a purple sphere on a black backgr...

  Today's excerpt comes from A Believer-in-Waiting's Encounters with God by Elizabeth Mahlou Silent Running Just when I begin to think that I understand perhaps a small slice of God’s grace, I find myself back at the beginning. Physical things happen to me that I do not understand. Mystical things happen to me that I do not understand. Where are these experiences supposed to lead me? Or, am I supposed to sit tight and let their transforming power alone affect me? I just don’t know. So, confusion reigns. While I am grateful to God for the unexpected and unexplainable healings, I have received, they, too, have left me in a state of confusion. Why would God intervene in my fate in this way? Am I supposed to be doing something in response? When it comes to mystical experiences, I find myself even more confused. Are these personal, intimate gifts for maintaining in a private relationship or are they joy and knowledge to be shared with others? If the latter, then I do such a poor jo...

  From Morning Prayer: O Lord, make haste to help me. “O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me.” The Liturgy of the Hours begins with this plea every single time — Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Night Prayer. The Church teaches us to start not with competence, but with need. And yet, anyone who has lived even a little knows: God does not always make haste. Tolstoy captured this with his quiet, devastating line: “God sees the truth, but waits.” ( Bog pravdu vidit, no ne srazu skazhet. ) We know this in our bones. We pray urgently, and heaven seems to move at a glacial pace. We ask for clarity, and receive silence. We beg for healing, and time stretches out like an unanswered question. So why keep saying it? Why keep asking God to hurry when God rarely seems to? 1. Because the prayer is about our posture, not God’s speed The ancient monks said this verse was the perfect summary of the spiritual life: I need help. I cannot save myself. I turn toward the One who...