It is deeply concerning when the redemptive message of Jesus Christ is hindered by spiritual rigidity; when hearts grow unyielding and minds become closed to transformation. Inflexible ideas, doctrinal beliefs, socially conditioned prejudices, and religious institutions often evidence the calcification of the tissue of the body of Christ in the world.

Find people in your life who love you enough to tell you the truth. And stay grounded in your faith. That’s your North Star. There will be so many things pulling at you, but if you stay rooted in your calling, even in the hard times, you’ll make it through.

Each Friday in The Christian Citizen, we publish a Religion News Roundup with summaries of religion news stories and links for those who want to read more.

If negative space so benefits art, music, publications, talking and listening, imagine how much it must benefit the soul.  

I often think of Jesus being among the outcasts of his day when I encounter Algren’s work, except this time it’s not in first-century Palestine but rather in the streets and alleys of the city I love dearly.