Moving Through Reformation History

Today, after a morning of the Masters students involved in Ignatian prayer and reflection, we moved into a cursory look at pre-Reformation and Reformation history.

For our Institute Masters students, this initial glance, along with extensive readings, will move us to consider the creative leader within the Church in this time frame, and to consider how they applied their creativity to their age, and to the deepening of shared faith. We’ll move all the way through the Reformation into the negro slave songs, into the contemporary worship movements (and cultural music movements) of today.

It is a humbling exercise to see ourselves, our own hearts, fleshed out in previous recorded history. May we never be frustrated by the fragile historical process of human beings stretching themselves to find faith in the midst of their unique cultural context.

It’s not easy being human; it’s not easy following Jesus.

But still, it seems clear to me, there is no escape from being human, and no other way I would choose.

RELEASES Jan. 24, 2023 | Brazos press

Endless Grace helps us rediscover the rich treasures of the Psalms—through free-verse prayer renderings of their poems and hymns—as a guide to personal devotion and meditation. It is the awaited companion volume to Sheltering Mercy (Ps. 1-75).

The church has always used the Psalms as part of its prayer life, and they have inspired countless other prayers. This book contains 75 prayers drawn from Psalms 76-150, providing lyrical sketches of what authors Ryan Smith and Dan Wilt have seen, heard, and felt while sojourning in the Psalms. Each prayer is a response to the Psalms written in harmony with Scripture. These prayers help us quiet our hearts before God and welcome us into a safe place amid the storms of life.

This artful, poetic, and classic devotional book features compelling custom illustrations and foil-stamped hardcover binding, offering a fresh way to reflect on and pray the Psalms. Co-written with Ryan Whitaker Smith, Brazos Publishing.

Pre-Order below, and join my email list, to get author notes and updates about the book and events around it. 

Get free eBooks and updates

Enter your email address to receive free ebooks, encouragements, updates, and news about events.
I'll only email you occasionally, and I always seek to send something that encourages you.