We give thanks to the Lord for the past twelve years of publishing Living Bulwark, the online magazine of the Sword of the Spirit. This is our 100th issue.
In October 2006 we launched Living Bulwark as an online magazine of the Sword of the Spirit, our network of some 75 Christian covenant communities worldwide and its related outreaches. Most of the work for Living Bulwark is done by volunteer contributors and part-time volunteer helpers from the Sword of the Spirit. Many of the articles are written by community members and members of Kairos student outreaches, as well as contributions from Sword of the Spirit leaders, teachers, and authors.
Statement of Purpose
Our Statement of Purpose expresses our aim to serve in fostering renewal of Christian life and mission:
Living Bulwark is committed to fostering renewal of the whole Christian people: Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. We especially want to give witness to the charismatic, ecumenical, evangelistic, and community dimensions of that renewal. Living Bulwark seeks to equip Christians to grow in holiness, to apply Christian teaching to their lives, and to respond with faith and generosity to the working of the Holy Spirit in our day.
Purity of Heart, Joy in the Lord, and Living a Chaste Life in the Lord
This issue focuses on the theme of purity of heart, joy in the Lord, and the virtue of chastity. The three are related and aim to root us in a life of holiness and godly living and ongoing renewal through repentance, accountability, and the readiness to grow in Christian character and fruit of the Holy Spirit. All disciples of the Lord Jesus are called to live a life of the beatitudes – the fundamental teaching of Jesus given in his Sermon on the Mount discourse in Matthew 5 and Luke 6. Steve Clark gives a very insightful summary of Jesus’ teaching on the beatitudes in this issue’s lead article.
May this issue encourage you to strive for greater holiness and transformation in Christ-like character through the grace and work of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us and through the encouragement and example of faithful Christians who can support us on the way.
Sincerely in Christ,
Don Schwager
Editor
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Don Schwager is a member of The Servants of the Word and the author of the Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation website.This article was taken from Living Bulwark October 2018. Used with permission.
