It’s hard to know sometimes whether I’ve forsaken my sins or some of them have forsaken me. Continue reading “An Old Man’s Prayer”
Tag: Oasis
Introvert
Six times per year I get an e-mail that make my little ole heart go pitter-pat, pitter pat: the latest issue of Mars Hill Audio Journal is available for downloading. Continue reading “Introvert”
Westminster vs. The Fathers
The most familiar Calvinist synopsis in the U.S. probably is the Westminster Catechism, a product of British Calvinism. Having been an ardent Calvinist for 20 years, I nevertheless was stunned this morning to see how stark is the contrast between the “let’s keep God at arms’ length” approach of Calvinism and the radical teaching of the Fathers.
Where and how to fight
It is not as important to slay your enemy outside the city as it is not to let him into the city. Continue reading “Where and how to fight”
The paradoxes of knowing God
“You cannot know God – but you have to know Him to know that.” Fr. Thomas Hopko.
“The God whom we seek to know is not the same thing as the “God of our understanding,” much less the God of our imagination. Knowing God is eternal life (now and always).”
Victimless sin?
I assume there are still people around who inveigh that there should be no “victimless crimes” — no legal threat if you’re “only having a little fun” or “only hurting yourself.” Well, maybe. But there are no victimless sins. Continue reading “Victimless sin?”
Whaddya mean, “sin”?
In conversation with others, I have adopted the reflex of avoiding the word “sin” because of how it is (mis)understood in the Christian West Continue reading “Whaddya mean, “sin”?”
Playing Chicken
I once watched a chicken on top of a blackboard running around inside a circle that had been drawn on it with white chalk. I watched him for a long time as he ran to and fro and hesitated to jump over the white line, which he probably perceived to be a living creature or a high wall. Continue reading “Playing Chicken”
Fruitfulness from Barrenness
I was tired and harried when I saw Father Stephen’s lastest blog post. For instance, “God brings forth fruitfulness from barrenness – it is a theme of His work of salvation.”
Yeah, yeah, Father; that’s nice. But why did you have to drag it out so long?
I’m glad I went back fresh this morning, Continue reading “Fruitfulness from Barrenness”
Misery loves company
A soul which has been caught to serve the enemy’s will then serves as a snare for other souls, for it conceals the grief of sin with its apparent delight.
Ephraim the Syrian, A Spiritual Psalter, Third Stasis.
Tipsy Teetotaler ن 