“Happy are the poor, the mourners, the hungry, the thirsty…” (Jesus’ Sermon(s) on the Mount)
The Cambridge Dictionary defines a paradox as a “situation or statement that seems impossible or is difficult to understand because it contains two opposite facts or characteristics.”
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, the Christian life is the epitome of a paradox. And inasmuch as I try to comprehend the incomprehensible or blend Christ-following with world-following, I will forever be in a confused or compromised state. Lean into the paradox. Loving one’s enemies, turning the other cheek, even receiving the abundance of God’s riches free of charge, with no contribution on my part, will always seem upside down.
For your reading accompaniment: “He Never Said a Mumbling Word”
I stumbled on this worship “project” called Bifrost Arts the other day. Very thoughtful and reverent. This catchy song is about the silence of Christ as he was being interrogated.
How old?
At 100 years old, President Jimmy Carter passed away recently. His life may have had a greater impact after his time serving at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue than during it. What a supreme role model Carter was in serving the marginalized, volunteering tirelessly, teaching Sunday School, and caring for the poor during the last 50 years of his life! “I will show you my faith by my works.”
At 1700 years old, the Nicene Creed still stands as THE standard for “mere Christianity.” With all our denominational differences, the Nicene Creed is huge because it is the historical doctrinal statement that is accepted by the Roman Catholic, Evangelical, Anglican, and major Protestant churches. This Creed (whose Council originally commenced in 325) calls believers to worship the one true God as revealed in the Bible and manifested in the person of Jesus, who was both fully God and fully human.
And at 0 years old…welcome, Gen Beta! Those born in 2025 and beyond will be given that classification with all its trademarks and tendencies. Many Gen Betas will live to see the 22nd century! And let’s face it, they will have to deal with much of the good and the bad that we in the previous generations left for them. So, in advance, Gen Betas—sorry.
Speaking of former generations, just to jog your memory, here we are:
◾ Greatest Generation: 1901–1927
◾ Silent Generation: 1928–1945 (age 80+)
◾ Baby Boomers: 1946–1964 (age 61–79)
◾ Generation X: 1965–1979 (age 46–60)
◾ Millennials: 1980–1994 (age 31–45)
◾ Generation Z: 1995–2009 (age 16–30)
◾ Gen Alpha: 2010–2024 (age 15 and younger)
Those personal little habits
Tee-totallying, anyone? Dr. Vivek Murthy, America’s Surgeon General, has issued a new warning that alcohol consumption may increase a person’s risk of cancer.
I’ll have a Venti, black please. A new study extols the benefits of coffee drinking. That fine nectar from Señor Valdez (look that one up) helps us with everything from stress to the aging process, even our mortality rate!
Never enough books. Perhaps reversing a trend, Barnes and Noble opened almost 60 new stores around the country in 2024. They are planning for 60 additional ones to open this year. For us book and bookstore lovers, that is good news indeed. A couple of my favorite local (Cleveland-area) bookstores are Loganberry Books in Shaker Heights and Appletree Books in Cleveland Heights.
Speaking of books
Several books on my nightstand and to-be-read list include:
The Everlasting Man: A Guide to G.K. Chesterton’s Masterpiece by G.K. Chesterton with commentary by Dale Ahlquist
(A brilliant, comprehensive work on the history of mankind and the pinnacle place of Jesus therein by this early-20th century Catholic writer.)
Divine Generosity by Richard Mouw
(An interesting take on the scope of personal salvation from this learned yet gentle scholar. Mouw helps the reader trust in God’s justice while still believing in his love and the wideness of his saving mercy. If you have not read his little classic, Uncommon Decency, you really should.)
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
(The subtitle says a lot: “How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.”)
Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters by Miranda Zapor Cruz
(I’ve not read this yet, but Cruz, both in her title and in her calling for Christ followers to recognize their “dual citizenship,” makes me think this is both a timely book with a timeless appeal. She follows several Christian traditions, including Augustine, who reminded us that we live as citizens of the City of God while contributing to the City of Man.)
Prayer of St. Ambrose (member of the Nicene Council)
Lord, teach me to seek Thee,
and reveal Thyself to me when I seek Thee.
For I cannot seek Thee unless Thou teach me,
nor find Thee except Thou reveal Thyself.
Let me seek Thee in longing,
let me long for Thee in seeking.
Let me find Thee in love,
and love Thee in finding. Amen.
