An Unfamiliar & Unpopular Word Changes Everything

Keith KettenringAncient Paths, Bible Insights, Christian Living

Now that your Lenten journey for 2022 is finished, one reflection remains before you move on to other posts about your experience of being God’s humility project. Through your experience at Holy Cross Monastery and transitioning into the pandemic-riddled Lenten season of 2020, you entered a deepening experience of transformation guided by the Apostle Paul from the book of Philippians. … Read More

Losing in order to Gain Jesus Christ

Keith KettenringAncient Paths, Bible Insights, Christian Living, Uncategorized

For modern Christians who tolerate such diverse understandings and expressions of Christianity, a surprising aspect of being a true Christian is to watch out for deceivers, heretics, false teachers and teachings. You’ve often succumbed to this kind of person in your ignorance. Yet, St. Paul warns you to “look out for dogs, look out for evildoers, look out for those … Read More

I’m Done Trying To Help People

Keith KettenringAncient Paths, Bible Insights, Christian Living

In light of recent events and meditations on Jesus’ humility, you have been challenged to re-evaluate your understanding and practice of “ministry.” Quite simply, you’re moving from a model of “help” to a model of “service.” In your life and ministry, you unintentionally equated the two actions. You never gave their distinctions much thought. Help and service looked the same … Read More

A Calling to a Mysterious Place

Keith KettenringAncient Paths, Bible Insights, Christian Living

God is calling you to a new place. That sentence is in the present tense. The “is” has been happening for a couple of decades and continues until now. You probably will experience this for the rest of your life. It’s a calling that keeps on calling. Perhaps it will never end, even in eternity. “God is faithful who has … Read More

Is It Possible for Christians to Disregard God’s Grace? Apparently, St. Paul Thinks It Is.

Keith KettenringAncient Paths, Bible Insights, Christian Living, The Uncommon Journey

If we truly understand what being a Christian is, then it’s a no-brainer to become one. Freeing Christianity from insipid moralistic codes and confusing theological constraints and focusing our soul towards Jesus Christ and our union with Him, the gloriousness of what it is to be in Christ is slowly revealed to us. (Don’t gloss over that last sentence. It’s … Read More

10 Psalms the Valiant Warrior Experiences When Fighting the Enemy

Keith KettenringAncient Paths, Bible Insights, Christian Living

Today, take courage to battle. As a Christian you have, in the Triune God, the inner support, spiritual resources, personal help, and actual presence necessary to engage your enemies. You do not need to fear defeat. Let the truth of these Psalms give you boldness and courage to struggle with whatever comes your way. Three Realities to Help Us Understand … Read More

Battling the Passions Towards Victory: Dispassion

Keith KettenringAncient Paths, Christian Living, The Uncommon Journey

Wednesday morning, during the intercessory prayer portion of my time with God, the names of three couples jumped off the prayer list. They are all former church leaders (pastor, elder, deacon) all securely married two years ago, who are now divorced or going through a divorce. God’s mercy can be experienced whether married or divorced. However, I know each of … Read More

Stirring the Secret Sauce of Christian Living

Keith KettenringAncient Paths, Bible Insights, Christian Living, The Uncommon Journey

Every Spring, with the harsh winter behind her, Kathy begins to prepare her little plot of land for delicious vegetables. She tills and feeds the soil and makes sure the garden is protected from pesky deer. She can taste the greens and peas, tomatoes and peppers, cucumbers and squash as she plants the seeds and starter plants. Heavenly showers and … Read More