Nathan R. Hale

A personal blog

hello

Year: 2018

  • Eucharist is the moment

    The eucharist is the moment at which the past event comes forward to live again in the present, and the future moment of the Lord’s return comes backwards in time to challenge us in the present.

    N. T. Wright, Paul for Everyone: 1 Corinthians, p. 150

  • The simple way to practice centering prayer

    Centering prayer is about cultivating an awareness of the presence of God and an attitude of submission to his will. In other words, it is practicing consent to the loving action of God to conform you ever more to the image of Christ. (more…)

  • A Prayer for Father's Day

    Heavenly Father,
    you entrusted your Son Jesus,
    the child of Mary,
    to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.
    Bless all fathers
    as they care for their families.
    Remember too all those who have help fill the void
    when fathers pass early or are absent:
    grandfathers and uncles, brothers and cousins, teachers,
    pastors and coaches and the women of our families.
    Give them strength and wisdom,
    tenderness and patience;
    support them in the work they have to do,
    protecting those who look to them,
    as we look to you for love and salvation,
    through Jesus Christ our rock and defender.

    Amen.

    Adapted from prayers by Rev. Chuck Currie and others at https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/Fathers-Day-Prayers.cfm

  • What I believe about immigration and giving up the right to bear arms, in brief

    I am in favor of Christians treating illegal immigrants humanely, hospitably, and fairly (and advocating for the same) as a witness to the future universal Kingdom, imperfectly present now in the Church, where the gates will never be shut at the end of the day (Rev. 21:25)

    I am not in favor of the breaking of reasonable, just civil laws without extreme extenuating circumstances.

    I am in favor of Christians voluntarily giving up their right to bear arms (and advocating for the same) as a witness to the future universal Kingdom, imperfectly present now in the Church, where swords will be beaten into plowshares (Is. 2:4)

    I am not in favor of a blanket condemnation on all forms of self-defense or any penalty (ecclesiastical or civil) toward those that choose not to voluntarily give up their right to self-defense.

  • Christians are weak and lawless

    Christians are indeed by definition weak and lawless according to worldly standards.

    Our weakness is in loving our enemies and caring for the stranger, even though it’s risky.

    Our lawlessness is a rejection of any authority that would seek to usurp the Lordship of Christ who commands us to do those things.

    But we are not weak, we only appear that way.

    Jesus appeared weak on the cross to many, like a lamb led to the slaughter, but he defeated death there once and for all. This is how God works through Christ, and how he works through us–Christ’s Body on earth (2 Cor. 12:9-11).

    And we are not lawless.

    Only now we live not by laws grounded in lies and worldly commitments. These always result in suffering and death for others. No, we are empowered to live according to a different kind of law that leads us–through death to ourselves–to life. This is the law of love, which comes from the Spirit (Rom. 8, 13:10)

  • 7 observations regarding social media in the present time

    Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash

    Social media is both more important and less important than we often give it credit for as communications medium.

    I submit the following observations for your consideration.

    (more…)

  • My GTD system, June 2018

    • Capturing
    • Clarifying 
      • GTD workflow
    • Organizing ideas and next actions in a useful way
      • Trello
      • OneNote
      • Google Calendar
      • Microsoft OneDrive (current/work files)
      • Google Drive (Personal archive)
      • Physical file cabinets at home and office
    • Reflecting
      • Weekly review checklists

    Previous tools and techniques

    • Capture: Field Notes + Pilot G2 Mechanical Pencil (full write up)
    • List management: Trello (full write up)
    • Calendar: Google Calendar
    • Email: Archive + Trello
    • Physical Tickler
    • Files: Dropbox (church), Google Drive (personal), OneNote (research), Physical file cabinet (1 personal +  1 work)

     

     

  • The essential books

    This is a “living post” and will be updated over time. You’ll find a curated list of books here that have proven themselves life-changing and helpful over time.

    • How to be filled with the Holy Spirit by A. W. Tozer. A deeply biblical yet accessible work that avoids much of the popular hype surrounding the charismatic gifts, while embracing fully the person and work of the God the Holy Spirit.
    • The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. A definitive work on spiritual growth and the spiritual disciplines.
    • The Meaning of Marriage  by Tim Keller. Probably the best overall book on marriage from Christian perspective out there. Read my full review.
    • Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Where you want to start if you’re questioning Christianity on any level.
    • Worship Old & New by Robert Weber. Academic, but important for understanding the meaning and development of Christian worship over time.
    • My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Undoubtedly one of the most profound devotional works of all time.

  • Growing in gratitude

    This 5-day, Bible-based devotional ebook is designed to help you:

    •  Learn how to live a life infused with joy
    • Enjoy living in authentic community
    • Discover St. Paul’s “secret” to contentment
    • Experience the presence of God
    • Understand your greatest calling in life

    (more…)

  • Meditation made simple

    Learn Christian meditation in 15 minutes or less per day for 21 days, and make it a life-giving habit that lasts.

    We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship. – C. S. Lewis

    Learn to to become silent, to be still, to practice solitude. Learn to become truly self-aware. Learn to listen to God. Experience joy and peace and community that lasts.
    (more…)