Articles by Brian Harris
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We can too easily embody cultural expectations, often reinforced by common sayings that are accepted as wisdom or truth but turn out to be unhelpful, and sometimes even destructive. We are wise to question whether our cultural 'truth' matches Jesus' truth. -
Let's make virtue virtuous again
We no longer live in a world shaped by the assumptions of Christendom. This is a post-Christian era, and sadly we are seeing signs that we are in a post, post-Christian era. As followers of Jesus, we need to make virtue virtuous again, to be the good we long to see in the world. -
Holding out hope in dark times: a little can do a lot
In the midst of crisis, when powerful people play war games and masses suffer because of it, it is easy to feel impotent, a victim of circumstance. But there is hope. We need to look for, and recount, alternate stories that evidence hope. The quiet, "widows mite", stories of faithfulness and breakthrough in ordinary everyday living are needed, especially now. -
A thought for the new year: those who don’t move, don’t notice their chains
Are the chains that bind you holding you back from greater potential or holding you firm in loving embrace? Until we move we tend not to notice that we even have chains. The beginning of a new year is an opportune time to test whether we should stay comfortably where we are or if we need to rattle our chains to grow into who God intends us to be in Christ. -
Seeing others through the eyes of Jesus
"Immigrants are flooding in. They are taking our country over. It’s an absolute disgrace" is a common sentiment in many nations these days. Such attitudes are easily remedied by proximity, by being a good neighbor. Jesus emulates this in his encounter with the Samaritan woman. -
To judge or not to judge, now that is a question
Humans have a natural propensity to being judgmental. It is related to the knowledge of good and evil that we acquired. Is there a difference between judging and judgment? Yes there is, and its important that we explore it. -
To be human means to deal with both our divine and demonic tendencies
It is a remarkable thing to be human, to be made from God’s breath and in God’s image. In each human being you see the fingerprints of both the divine and the demonic. Put together our worst and our best tendencies, and everything in the middle, and we appear as confusing creatures. -
Seven disciplines to ensure your words become gifts
The proverb, “Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never harm you” has been proven wrong too many times as words have traumatized people, whether or not the speaker/writer intended to. The internet has lifted restraint on our communications and words are being easily weaponized. Here are seven disciplines to help followers of Jesus to use their words with Kingdom-minded intention. -
A lesson in cold dark nights on the side of Everest
As challenges increase in the world, knowing that facing struggle does not mean that life is out of control or terrible can provide great hope. It is hopeful to remember that a cold dark night on the side of Everest isn't a destination, it is a means to an end. Similarly, the stuff that life throws at us is a pathway to growth in Christ for the follower of Jesus. -
Eugene Peterson suggested that we be unbusy, subversive, and apocalyptic as we fulfil our calling
According to the late Eugene Peterson, an unbusy person may be highly productive but his or her attitude is such that there is always time to care for others and develop fruit that will last. This is both a subversive act in our day and age and a testimony to our apocalyptic hope. -
A time to be quiet and a time to speak and how to tell the time
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven... a time to be quiet and a time to speak. The writer of Ecclesiastes notes the times, but how should we know what the time is? Here are ten indicators for each to help discern when it is a time for quiet and listening, or a time for speaking and influencing. -
Adam raised a Cain when our children break our hearts
There may come a point in a parent's life when their child has disappeared and the relationship is strained to breaking point, but there is always hope in the love of God. Read on and find ten things to help when struggling with a difficult child.
