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ruminations, fulminations, and cogitations on the spiritual life

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Christmas

Christmas Morning Musing

While I wait for the Rankin home to stir, a thought on the Christmas Day Gospel reading from the Book of Common Prayer: John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not

Stephen Rankin December 25, 2013 Christian Life 1 Comment Read more

Christmas, Doctrine and a Flourishing Christian life

(This post originated just prior to Christmas 2009.  It still seems relevant, so I’m reposting.) In my prayer time the other day I was pondering Psalm 43:3, “O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let

Stephen Rankin December 20, 2012 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, General, Ministry, The Church No Comments Read more

Tumulti Adventum (or Advent Frustration)

Advent may be one of the most difficult of church seasons to observe.  Every year we feel various pressures to skip it and go straight to Christmas.  People love singing Christmas carols, but the Advent hymns?  Not so much.  It

Stephen Rankin December 4, 2012 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, Religion, The Church, United Methodism No Comments Read more

A Prophetic Reminder from a Christmas Past

Well, I have taken quite a vacation from blogging, but for good reason, I hope.  I’ve been working on a book manuscript and have submitted a proposal to a publisher.  I’m waiting to hear.  But I’ve been thinking about this

Stephen Rankin December 9, 2010 Christian Life, Religion, The Church 4 Comments Read more

Christmas, Doctrinal Truth and Human Flourishing

(This post originated just prior to Christmas 2009.  It still seems relevant, so I’m reposting.) In my prayer time the other day I was pondering Psalm 43:3, “O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let

Stephen Rankin December 16, 2009December 20, 2012 Christian Life, Doctrine/Theology, Religion 2 Comments Read more

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Meet Steve

I serve as Executive Director of the Spiritual Maturity Project, a ministry some of us have recently started.  For 25 years I worked in higher education as a professor and chaplain and before that as a pastor.  I love to help people grapple with big and basic questions to grow into real ,grown-up Christian discipleship.

I ruminate on all manner of theological, biblical, historical, and cultural topics. I believe followers of Jesus need to be more like members of Issachar’s tribe, able to read the times. Read more

 

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