Nathan E. Lewis

I met an honest Mormon today. My doorbell rang and I greeted two Mormon elders. The one in control of the conversation held the Book of Mormon prominently before him, asking me if I had ever read it. I told him that I owned a copy and that I had read it several times. He asked me, “Have you found it to be warm and engaging?” I kindly told him that I had discovered it to be a complex historical read, quite different from the earthy historical narratives of Moses and Samuel. I must have said too much betraying my level of biblical knowledge because he asked me, “Are you a Minister?” When I confessed that I was, he promptly told me that I was not under proper authority, the succession of the Prophethood, and so I was going to hell! How refreshing to finally meet an honest Mormon! Continue reading »

Click on the Photo to view nine families around the world complete with a listing of what they eat in a week and how much it costs them. When I was a child our family sang the following prayer at the dinner table: “For health and strength and daily food we give you thanks, O Lord.” With rising food costs at home and around the world, I am grateful for the food God has provided. Perhaps 2008 is a perfect opportunity for us to rethink how much we eat; what we eat; and the amount we are willing to pay for what we eat. Are any of you readers willing to tell us what you/your family spends on groceries in one week? Perhaps you don’t know. If you don’t know, then I would encourage you to keep record.

This past week, I joined the Order of the Stout Monks, meeting with five other men outside of Kelowna BC, near the Gray Monk Winery, to pray for each other, to hold one another accountable in personal behavior, to coach on strategic ministry ideas and plans, and to encourage each other with the word of God. Men, even those working as ministers of the gospel, need life-long friendship, encouraging support, and accountability in holiness and grace. The Stout Monks are committed to meet once annually for at least the next decade toward these ends. The name of the order, “The Stout Monks,” is taken from the legendary addition to the Rule of St. Benedict: “If any pilgrim shall come from distant parts with wish to dwell in the monastery, and will be content with the customs of the place, and does not by his lavishness disturb the monastery but is simply content, he shall be received for as long as he wishes. If, indeed, he shall find fault with anything, and shall expose the matter reasonably and with the humility of charity, the Abbott shall discuss it with him prudently lest perchance God hath sent him for this very thing. But, if he shall have been found contumacious during his sojourn in the monastery, then it shall be said to him, firmly, that he must depart. If he will not go, let two stout monks, in the name of God, explain the matter to him.” Continue reading »