Archive for Reflections
Complacency: The Most Dangerous Word I Know
Complacency is dangerous because, as the definition says, we have some ‘sense’ of security- but there is impending danger. In the spiritual life, there is no standing still – only moving forward or going back.
Garbage in, Garbage Out
Last month, I met with three people who have had an obvious and lasting effect on the way I live my life: a doctor, nurse, and dietician. The doctor and nurse, upon examining certain symptoms of what ails me, gave me a simple solution: drop some weight. The dietician informed me that ‘some’ meant between [...]
Oh Lord, it’s Hard to be Humble…
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to work for a priest that I am quite comfortable calling a living saint. I won’t name him here- he would likely be embarassed – but it is a conclusion I share with many others who know him. At first glance, Father is a quiet, unassuming man [...]
I Am Third
I AM THIRD. If you ever have the privilege of spending some time in a house of the Madonna House Community – like the Marian Center in Edmonton – you may come across a sign hung on the wall which simply says “I am third.“ It comes from a book entitled Sobornost: Experiencing the Unity [...]
Sexual Purity Part VI: Growing Strong through Fasting
This final tip is the most challenging, but the one of most effective ways to stay sexually pure:
Fast.
Yes, I’m talking about giving something up. Fasting isn’t just for Lent. In the sermon of the mount, Jesus said, “When you fast,” not “if you fast.” (Matthew 6:16) Jesus spent lots of time fasting. Don’t we want to be like Him? Fasting should be a regular part of our spiritual lives.
Sexual Purity Part V: Mercy
The very name of Jesus in Hebrew, Yeshua, is literally translated as “I Save”. It’s what He does. It’s what He wants to do. It’s what we need to let Him do in our lives when we fall into sin.
Sexual Purity Part IV: Trust
I’ve been on holidays for all of July- and haven’t had a lot of time to sit down and write blog posts… I’m too busy doing home renovations and playing with my kids to write anything substantial. So I am borrowing from the best- one of my favorite youth ministers, theology professors, musicians, and bloggers [...]
Sexual Purity Part III: Avoid
I’ve been on holidays for all of July- and haven’t had a lot of time to sit down and write blog posts… I’m too busy doing home renovations and playing with my kids to write anything substantial. So I am borrowing from the best- one of my favorite youth ministers, theology professors, musicians, and bloggers [...]
Sexual Purity Part II: Flee
If you’re in a situation with your boyfriend or girlfriend and things are starting to get out of control, get up and walk away. I’m not kidding. The only other option is sin. Don’t just lie on the couch together. Get up and go for a walk around the block. If you’re sitting at your computer and are tempted to look at pornography, turn off the computer, get up and walk away. I mean, it’s really difficult to look at pornography on your computer when you computer is turned off and you are in another room.
Sexual Purity: Whatever
So when you start thinking thoughts that will lead you to sexual impurity, think… whatever. Think about Jesus Christ. Think about a friend. Think about something good or noble in your life. Don’t focus on eliminating the bad, but replace the bad with the good.