If a climb discouraged the butterfly, she would never be high enough to catch the breeze. Complaining In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:18 I always thought it would be strange to give thanks in all circumstances. If I'm having a bad day, … Continue reading Complaining
Humanity
A Christmas Sneeze
We humans do many things we don't mean to do, some of us more than others. But I have known no man who has escaped the Sneeze. Though it comes in various forms--the Sneeze of Suspense, the One That Sneaks Up On You, explosive, silent, painful, relieving--all sneezes are uncontrollable. You can learn to yawn … Continue reading A Christmas Sneeze
Time Redeemed
"What was the matter with Niggle? His heart was in the right place.""Yes, but it did not function properly," said the First Voice. "And his head was not screwed on tight enough: he hardly ever thought at all. Look at the time he wasted, not even amusing himself!"Leaf by Niggle, J.R.R. Tolkien Time Redeemed Time is … Continue reading Time Redeemed
Time
Inspired by a homily by Fr. Thaddeus Hanes. Money Once a man inherited a very large sum of money from his rich, eccentric relative. A strange stipulation was on the inheritance. Every morning at 5:00 a.m., the man was to receive from the bank $86,400 in cash. He was to use the money as he … Continue reading Time
Gossip
Anyone who will gossip to you, will gossip about you. Unknown Gossip When we think of gossip—idle talk, speaking about someone when we shouldn't—we usually concentrate on the worst kind: defamation. To defame is to speak evil of another. One person may defame another for the sake of comparison; he may want people to think … Continue reading Gossip
Restless Hearts
You have made us for Yourself, [O Lord,] and our heart is restless, until it rests in You. Confessions, St. Augustine of Hippo St. Augustine lived in the 4th century in North Africa. This quote from the beginning of his spiritual autobiography makes two bold statements: "You have made us for Yourself" and "our heart is … Continue reading Restless Hearts
Dialectical Learning
Some truth lives more in the doing, some in the knowing. I went to a college that used discussion as the main mode of learning for the students. To prepare for class, we would all read the same text of a great thinker, one who wrestled with the deepest questions of human existence. We would … Continue reading Dialectical Learning
The Four Temperaments
One of the oldest pseudo-psychological personality systems is called the Four Temperaments. Although the temperaments were originally connected to medicine, we now use them simply to understand ourselves and one another. It is a way of comparing and contrasting people's motives and preconceptions about the world. Most important of all, it is a way for … Continue reading The Four Temperaments
What People Think
When contemplating an action, should we care what people think? It is a question we all ask ourselves. Because we are relational beings, we need each other. We have a natural desire for unity. We want everyone to agree all the time, so we often find ways to compromise. Compromise is good and healthy, but … Continue reading What People Think
Grace Overflowed
The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21 Grace Overflowed The speed of evil Evil rushes towards us so quickly. For a while, everything … Continue reading Grace Overflowed
