I don't like to admit my limitations. In fact, one of my besetting sins is seeing a Speed Limit sign and thinking of it as more of a "suggestion." Knowing my limitations is important information for me. Most of the time I have to learn the hard way!
But we humans have to come to the…
"3 Easy Steps to a Happy Life" or "The Path to Getting Rich" or "How To Beat The Odds in Vegas" Over and over again we are inundated with this or that "formula" to "be happy" or "rich" or any number of wonderful things that will finally make us content.
And these formulas or advice books…
In one of the retreats that I give around the country, I have a particular presentation about how to heal the weaknesses of our modern age. I use examples from sociology, psychology, science, and even religion. But then I get down to the timeless and purposeful answer from Orthodoxy: GO TO CHURCH! It usually gets at least…
It was an old suit, but I loved it! It had both sentimental value and the added benefit of actually fitting me! But my dear bride said it had to go! Sure, it had a few stains but I thought they were hard to see. Yes, there was a tear inside the jacket, but I…
I love this Armed Forces Motto: “The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle.” Isn’t that great? In other words, when you put the time into preparing for battle, the more ready you are to face the fight. And what is true for physical fighting is also true for the spiritual…
I really like to write and I enjoy public speaking, but I had a hint of my tendency to wordiness when my first time in seminary produced a comment from one of my favorite professors. I had just finished a fairly intensive philosophy paper for his class and was really sweating the grade he would…
I was embarrassed. I was ashamed. I had wandered into the wrong place. Everything about me screamed "he doesn't belong here!" And it was confirmed when a waiter came to escort me out!
There is nothing quite as cutting to anyone than to be made to feel unwelcome or unwanted. The stigma of being the "outsider" is…
He told me “Never say ‘never.'” Of course, at the time I missed the humor in that contradictory command. But, still, there is wisdom there. Whenever I counsel couples or anyone having challenges in their relationships (aren’t we all?), I tell them “Avoid the words ‘always’ and ‘never.'” And that’s because those statements are “usually”…
"Until you have eradicated the evils in your heart, do not obey it, because the heart seeks to increase what it already has stored inside." St Mark the Ascetic, On the Spiritual Law
We prideful humans can't understand the power of this wisdom without the "foolishness" of the Cross of Jesus Christ.
Look at our lesson today…
Ever thought about giving up? Yeah, I know. What time is it? I confess to struggling with this temptation all the time. And the temptation to give up seems to come in all sorts of shapes and sizes; from small things to big things. Plus, it seems we live in a modern culture that celebrates…