A person who doesn’t trust his own virtue takes affirmative steps to protect himself from a foolish fall. You don’t have to map out a full-blown “Pence rule” or “Modesto Manifesto” to take prudent steps to guard against your own fallen nature. This shouldn’t even be a matter of religious controversy. I’m reminded of these powerful and self-aware words from one of America’s most influential and thoughtful progressive atheists, Ta-Nehisi Coates:

I’ve been with my spouse for almost 15 years. In those years, I’ve never been with anyone but the mother of my son. But that’s not because I am an especially good and true person. In fact, I am wholly in possession of an unimaginably filthy and mongrel mind. But I am also a dude who believes in guard-rails, as a buddy of mine once put it. I don’t believe in getting “in the moment” and then exercising will-power. I believe in avoiding “the moment.” I believe in being absolutely clear with myself about why I am having a second drink, and why I am not; why I am going to a party, and why I am not. I believe that the battle is lost at Happy Hour, not at the hotel. I am not a “good man.” But I am prepared to be an honorable one.

The way I’ve put it in speeches to young Christians is simply this, “Make the easy choice so you don’t have to make the hard choice.” Saying no to the extra drink is much easier than halting a drunken flirtation.

And if a person gains fame, he cannot—he must not—believe the easy laughs, the shining eyes, or the copious flattery of starstruck fans. There are reciprocal responsibilities here. It would be far better if Americans didn’t treat celebrities (including religious celebrities) like Greek gods. It would be far better if celebrities didn’t start to believe that they belong on Mount Olympus.

Christian celebrities will continue to fall. But they don’t have to fall so often.

Read it all.

Post of the day: ⁦@DavidAFrench on celebrity. “I’ve known a number of Christian public figures who haven’t fallen … They’ve typically shared two common convictions. 1) They don’t trust their virtue. 2) They don’t believe they earned their fame.”⁩ https://t.co/Z7zpB62mVu

— Andrew Wilson (@AJWTheology) December 6, 2020

Thirsty for you, O Christ, let us drink of the Living Water. Hungry for you, let us taste the Bread of Life. Lost without you, let us hear the Shepherd’s voice. Amen [Methodist Church Uk website].

Today we celebrate Saint Anselm Of Canterbury, Benedictine Bishop and Doctor of the Church: https://t.co/hxjjpUvVDc pic.twitter.com/0ycrL9d5CC

— Spes Nostra EN (@Iubilaeum_en) April 21, 2016

Almighty God,
purify our hearts and minds,
that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again as
judge and saviour
we may be ready to receive him,
who is our Lord and our God.
Amen.

Advent is a time for renewal of hope and movement towards a beginning.🌟

Falling at the darkest time of the year, the symbols of darkness and light are powerfully at work throughout the season.

Church decorations are simple and sparse, and purple is the traditional colour used. pic.twitter.com/tR6sPqRTso

— The Church of England (@churchofengland) December 5, 2020

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

–2 Peter 3:11-18

Good Morning.
Later today so not as much art as normal but…Gordon Lees is the painter here. He’d done a lot of jobs in his life before he took up his paintbrush but I’m pleased he did ! All beautiful scenes of York in the snow pic.twitter.com/NvJH8MRY44

— helen warlow (@HWarlow) December 6, 2020