WASHINGTON, D.C.—In a shocking study put out by the Central Intelligence Agency today, CIA head Jack Ryan exposed Santa Claus' true identity—the "Big Brother" Orwell so often wrote about in the dystopia 1984.
Author: spiritfilledgirl
Media and Mistletoe: Books, Bible Plans, Music, and Movies for Christmas
As the snow or rain falls softly on the dewy ground and Christmas draws nearer, there's nothing like a little bit of audible and readable art to bolster the advent message. Just as monumental as Christmas is the absence of Christ's incarnation before the manger—or for that matter, the absence of any direct sign from God in those 400 years between the Old Testament and the New.
Through His Eyes: A Teen Sister’s Point of View on Autism
Hi everyone! Today's post will be a bit different from usual. It's an article I submitted months ago to a popular autism awareness organization, only never accepted. I do believe, however, its message must be shared, so the passion and morals of this story outweighs my typical adherence to theology, literature, and poetry. Let it sink… Continue reading Through His Eyes: A Teen Sister’s Point of View on Autism
Literary Wisdom: “Inferno” by Dante Alighieri
As the year began to close, I ventured into the world of epic poetry—and what a beautiful thing it has been! With many thanks to Homer's Odyssey and Milton's Paradise Lost, I finally learned what it was like to sail through the mythological, monster-ridden Mediterranean Sea and to fly on the wings of angels, whirling through space and… Continue reading Literary Wisdom: “Inferno” by Dante Alighieri
Escaping the Snare of Christian Intellectualism
"I have found that nothing is more dangerous to one’s own faith than the work of an apologist." ~C.S. Lewis, "Christian Apologetics" When I first read this statement, I thought C.S. Lewis as almost completely oblivious to the role of reason in the Christian faith. I love the methodology of a good logical argument, the… Continue reading Escaping the Snare of Christian Intellectualism
Five Favorite YouVersion Bible Plans
As we struggle to grow our spiritual lives under the especial temptations of the digital age, sometimes the most helpful thing to do is to find a Bible plan we can carry with us on our mobile devices. If we do so, our phones, which usually is and can still be a distraction, might just… Continue reading Five Favorite YouVersion Bible Plans
November/December 2018: A Preview
Hello, everyone— I'm so excited to close off another year on Defy Augury! It has been truly wonderful to write for you all:) In the meantime, here's an update on what books I've been reading and what posts I've been planning for the end of fall and the beginning of winter. Enjoy! Books I've Read: Over… Continue reading November/December 2018: A Preview
Three Books That Will Forever Transform Your View of the Gospel
Sometimes people sharing the truth of the Gospel can be frustrating. So many people pass by virtual folks on the Internet or men and women on the street and say "Jesus loves you" or "Here's how Jesus saves you from your sin" without ever explaining themselves. It can seem like all unbelievers have heard that before and all believers long to hear something "deeper."
The Myth of the “Efficient” Christian Life
One of the biggest temptations for modern-day American Christians is to make their practices of Christianity more "efficient." As a twenty-first century Christ-follower, I can provide personal evidence for this hypothesis. It's hard enough to pick up the Bible, harder still to start reading it, and much harder still to read it for a significant… Continue reading The Myth of the “Efficient” Christian Life
Soliloquy No. 1: On Original Thinking
soliloquy |səˈliləkwē| noun (plural soliloquies) an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play. ~New Oxford American Dictionary Less than a year ago, I decided to write what I call a "free" Shakespearean soliloquy—one that has some kind of rhythm, is written in… Continue reading Soliloquy No. 1: On Original Thinking