Dear Reader,
The Anglican is my attempt to look at life and Scripture through the lens of an Anglican heritage, my experience and tradition. The Anglican way has always been one of balance, clarity, and charity; what C.S. Lewis liked to call “mere Christianity.”
So far we’ve walked through John 14, Psalm 22, Psalm 103, and more besides. Many of you have told me you like the rhythm: What it says. What it means. What it means for us. That’s how Christians grow. We hear it, read it, mark it, learn it, and then — as the old prayer says — inwardly digest the Word of God.
How Shall We Then Live?
The next series is titled “Twelve Virtues for our Time from The Book of Ruth: Ordinary People. Extraordinary God”
t will address the question that’s on every thoughtful person’s mind right now:
What can one person, or one family, do to push back the darkness of our world?
What in heaven’s name can one person do?
Francis Schaeffer asked it in his own way years ago: How shall we then live? And long before Schaeffer, Ezekiel recorded the same cry of the heart: “Our sins are heavy on us, we are rotting away because of them. How then can we live?” (Ezekiel 33:10).
It’s a very old question. But it’s also the question of this moment. Of our time.
And the answer is not complicated. God has not left us defenseless. He has given us the way of a virtuous life — ordinary obedience, everyday faithfulness. These are not grand gestures, but small acts. And those small acts bring blessing now and leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren.
That’s why we’re turning to Ruth. Four short chapters. 85 Verses. No prophets, no thunder, no miracles. Just ordinary people — Naomi, Ruth, Boaz — doing ordinary things: moving, working, trusting, marrying, childbearing, caring. And God used those ordinary acts to change the course of a nation and set the stage for David, and ultimately for Christ.
I’ll post twice a week — Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:12 AM Central — starting September 9th. I hope you’ll join me.
My opening two posts (next week) will not be so much about virtues, but about our identity:
The Strength of a Man:
Recovering masculinity in an age of confusion and “toxic” stereotypes
The Worth of a Woman:
Why biblical femininity is not weakness but dignity and courage
I have other posts to present from time to time, but this will keep us busy!
Working Titles for Each Article
This new series will draw out the human virtues of Ruth’s story:
The Strength of a Man: Recovering masculinity in an age of confusion and “toxic” stereotypes
The Worth of a Woman: Why biblical femininity is not weakness but dignity and courage
The Loyalty that Clings: Staying faithful in a world addicted to options and easy outs
The Kindness (Hesed) that Endures: How steadfast love outlasts hashtags and hollow sentiment
The Hospitality that Makes Outsiders Insiders: Opening doors in a culture of isolation and division
The Hope that Points to Christ: Why our future depends not on optimism, but on God’s promises
Romance Redeemed: Recovering covenant love in a culture that confuses lust with intimacy
Family Faithfulness: How God uses imperfect households to shape His future
There are other articles/virtues to develop from the text. But these will get us started.
Along the way, I’ll share a few reflections from my book The Ordinary Ways of God, pastoral vignettes from my own life and ministry, and insights from Scripture and church history.
For Paid Subscribers
I want to give my Paid Subscribers a lot of benefits, so here is what you will receive.
A free copy of my book, The Ordinary Ways of God — sent to every paid subscriber. (Downloadable link will come on Monday, Sept 8th. Series begins at 6:12 AM on Tuesday, September 9th)
Extended commentary — deeper dives into key themes like Boaz as kinsman-redeemer, the meaning of hesed, and the connection between Ruth and the genealogy of Jesus.
Additional pastoral notes — reflections that go beyond the main essay, exploring how these virtues shape church leadership, family life, and cultural renewal.
If you’re already a paid subscriber, thank you. If you’ve been waiting, this is the right time to step in.
An Invitation
I want to ask one more thing of you: invite a friend. Share this newsletter with someone you know who is hungry to grow in faith, or who is wondering what kind of life truly brings joy, strength, and stability in confusing times.
This is how the church has consistently grown — one person inviting another, one family sharing good news with another family.
Coming Next
Our first stop will be “The Strength of a Man”.
This will be a look at Boaz, described simply as “a worthy man.” What does that mean in a world confused about masculinity? And what might it mean for us today?
I hope you’ll walk with me on this journey.
Ordinary people. Extraordinary God.
Grace and peace,
The Anglican is the Substack newsletter for LeaderWorks, where I share insights, encouragement, and practical tools for clergy and lay Christians. I’m also an author of over a dozen books available on Amazon.
If you are a Paid Subscriber, thank you! Thank you for supporting The Anglican and the ministry of LeaderWorks. If you are not a subscriber, please consider becoming one today.
I can hardly wait to hear from you and Ruth.
Can’t wait!!