You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 Towards the beginning of this blog, I took up the question of happiness. I said there were three signs of happiness:1) Happiness is not simply a diversion from unhappiness.2) Happiness will make us … Continue reading Happiness
Life
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
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
The Problem of Melancholy
Rosalind: They say you are a melancholy fellow. Jacques: I am so; I do love it better than laughing. Rosalind: Those that are in extremity of either are abominable fellows. Shakespeare's As You Like It I have always known that I am partly melancholic. Melancholics are deep thinkers and feelers; they look for happiness in the worth and truth … Continue reading The Problem of Melancholy
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
Fairy Tales
I have a soft-spot for fairy tales. They are an authentic way to tap into the stories of my Anglo-Germanic heritage. When people compare life to a fairy tale, they are asking whether or not it measures up to some beautiful ideal. But really, fairy tales are more often stories of fear, death, and magic … Continue reading Fairy Tales
Faith
Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 ____________ Faith Faith is trust. Trust in One Who knows better than we do. It is humility in action. Riches I am rich. The Lord has blessed me abundantly. He has … Continue reading Faith
Excessive Prudence
Prudence What is Prudence? The word "Prudence" comes from the same root as "provident": to foresee. Prudence is the habit whereby we try to act as if we can see the future. There are three steps in trying to act as if we know the future. First, you investigate the circumstances, try to know all … Continue reading Excessive Prudence
Unity Like Dew
How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one! Like dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion. There the Lord has decreed a blessing, life for evermore! Psalm 133:1 and 3 Unity Like the Dew The rains have stopped. Summer has settled down for some heat. The land, … Continue reading Unity Like Dew
A Grain of Salt 