Hospitality to the Lonely

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It’s been 17 years since Robert Putnam’s best-selling book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community sounded the alarm about societal changes driving new levels of isolation and alienation; by now, most of us know that loneliness isn’t a problem to be laughed off. Researchers warn that we are in the midst of a loneliness
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Alexander Strauch on the Potential Impact of Christian Hospitality

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What does a practical “Christian spirituality” look like? That’s what I’m seeking to understand as I seek to follow the Lord more closely and to raise my kids to do the same.  The problem those of us in the Free Grace movement typically realize is that so much of today’s teaching about “spirituality” assumes a salvation-by-works gospel, which inevitably
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Burden Bearing (Galatians 6:1-6)

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I believe that Christian “spirituality” boils down to loving Jesus and loving your neighbor. There are some other elements, to be sure, but that’s the master theme.  And this isn’t an emotional-sentimental love. It’s a practical, get-your-hands-dirty kind of love. It’s a give a hungry person a sandwich, or better yet, give him a job, kind of love. Christians shouldn’t be known for their spiritually useless liturgical calendars (Gal 4:10) or esoteric
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Big Business, Little Service (Gal 5:14)

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Religious superstition is a huge industry. Who knows how many billions of dollars are spent every year on amulets, statues, candles, medallions, icons, relics, special foods, holy water, special breathing techniques, anointed oil, prayer cloths, grave soaking, and pilgrimages?  I’ve been watching Leah Remini’s documentary on Scientology, and I was shocked to find out how
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