In our “We Stand Together” Statement posted on June 6, 2020, we mentioned the formation of a reading group on Race and Christianity as one action step we could take to contribute to the conversation. As previously mentioned, we will read texts that you may have heard of but never got a chance to read or process with other Christians. …
Devotional: Apples or Oranges?
Apples or Oranges? * Brandon Knight, Ph.D. Asst. Professor of Communication William Carey University “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25: 11; ESV) In one of Jesus’ first acts of ministry, he meets a man struck with leprosy (Matthew 8:1-4). Lepers were supposed to remain outside the city gates but not …
Devotional: Way Too Much Coffee Talk
Way Too Much Coffee Talk* Renee Bourdeaux, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Communication, Northwest University Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. (Proverbs 19:20) After studying the listening of thousands of students and of hundreds of professionals, researchers came up with one general conclusion—immediately after listening to someone talk, the listener only remembers half …
What it Means to Take Ourselves Seriously
What it Means to Take Ourselves Seriously Mark Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Rhetoric, California State University, Sacramento (from the regular Column: “Meaningful-Faith: Words, the Word, and a Life of Substance”) The problem with having political or social power is that it often leads a person to take himself seriously. And of all the pathetic creatures on this earth, none are …
“Fruit of the Spirit – Peace, Pt. 2” Ep. 16 – with Dr. Paul Patton
In this podcast, Paul talks about envy as an obstacle to internal and communal well-being, and an enemy of the third Fruit of the Spirit, peace. In the cultivation of peace in the garden of our life, Patton asserts that the awareness of our own patterns of envy—weeds that can choke the precious plant of peace—should be acknowledged, monitored, and …
“Fruit of the Spirit – Peace” Ep. 15 – with Dr. Paul Patton
In this podcast, Paul talks about the third “Fruit of the Spirit,” peace, and how the “peace of Christ” is to rule or “umpire” in our heart. As “umpire of the heart” (Colossians 3: 15), such peace—or lack thereof—tells us if our word or action is in keeping with the love and wisdom of Christ. A lack of peace in …
Devotional: Joy in the Morning
Joy in the Morning Terri Lynn Cornwell, Ph.D. Virginia University of Lynchburg Scripture: Psalm 30:4-6 – New Revised Standard Version:4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the …
We Stand Together. A Message from CCSN’s Network Administrator
We Stand Together. A Message from CCSN’s Network Administrator. Dear Friends. The recent tragedies in the United States and subsequent violence around the country grieve us deeply. Racism is a sin. It is an abomination. It is symbolic and physical violence. We believe that Jesus Christ’s crucifixion—His own unjust death—calls us to bring all such violence to an end. We …
What Matters
What Matters Mark Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Rhetoric, California State University, Sacramento (from the regular Column: “Meaningful-Faith: Words, the Word, and a Life of Substance”) Social media has carved the eight minutes and forty-six seconds leading to the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd into an inescapable national monument. Conversations and exchanges of words that do not fit that definition …
Arguing: Its Meaning and Glory
Arguing: Its Meaning and Glory Mark Williams, Ph.D. Professor of Rhetoric, California State University, Sacramento (from the regular Column: “Meaningful-Faith: Words, the Word, and a Life of Substance”) I realize it is obvious, but we increasingly find ourselves in difficult days (like fish dropped into molasses) where the most obvious things (if we stay here, we will die) need to …