Saturday, September 17, 2011
Treat People The Right Way
"Count no day lost in which you waited your turn, took only your share and sought advantage over no one." - Robert Brault
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Education
From the book, "Blue Highways: A Journey into America
":
Let us keep that mind. Look around, see the world around you. Learn about it, educate yourself. Life is where the real education begins.
":
"I want to show them that there's only one place they can get an education - in the school of thought. Learning rules is useful but it isn't an education. Education is thinking, and thinking is looking for yourself and seeing what's there, now what you get told was there. Then you put what you see together." (390)
Let us keep that mind. Look around, see the world around you. Learn about it, educate yourself. Life is where the real education begins.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
God's Grandeur
A poem by Gerald Manley Hopkins:
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not neck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs -
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Screwtape Letters: Chapter 6
Each week I will summarize a chapter from The Screwtape Letters
.
In this chapter Lewis talks about how we must be concerned with the things we can control, and the things present in our life. We have a tendency to focus on the things that are out of our control, or the things that "might happen," and this can cause us to neglect the here and now.
Lewis talks also about what we think of when we picture "carrying our cross," which Jesus tells us is necessary if we want to follow Him. When we think of it, we might think of the fears that we have, or the things that might happen but we are trying to mentally prepare ourselves for.
But then, at the same time we are preparing ourselves, we are complaining about some work project, or how we think we should make a little more money, or that so and so said something rude to us. And on and on. But those are the crosses we are called to carry, those are the things where we must simply submit to the Lord's will.
Let us then focus on the things that are in our control, the trials that we currently face in our life and just can't seem to get over or stop thinking about. Let us focus on the things we can change, and the people we can help. Then we will be doing the will of God and carrying out His plan.
.In this chapter Lewis talks about how we must be concerned with the things we can control, and the things present in our life. We have a tendency to focus on the things that are out of our control, or the things that "might happen," and this can cause us to neglect the here and now.
"He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them." (28)
Lewis talks also about what we think of when we picture "carrying our cross," which Jesus tells us is necessary if we want to follow Him. When we think of it, we might think of the fears that we have, or the things that might happen but we are trying to mentally prepare ourselves for.
But then, at the same time we are preparing ourselves, we are complaining about some work project, or how we think we should make a little more money, or that so and so said something rude to us. And on and on. But those are the crosses we are called to carry, those are the things where we must simply submit to the Lord's will.
Let us then focus on the things that are in our control, the trials that we currently face in our life and just can't seem to get over or stop thinking about. Let us focus on the things we can change, and the people we can help. Then we will be doing the will of God and carrying out His plan.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Prayer of St. Francis
This is a good reminder of how to live life:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Monday, July 11, 2011
We Have a Responsibility to the Earth
You have possibly heard a quote along the lines of, "We did not inherit the earth from our grandparents, it is on loan to us from future generations."
After reading an article in National Geographic about Namibia (where almost half of the landmass consists of national parks, communal conservancies, and private wilderness reserves), it strikes me that we have a definite responsibility to take care of the Earth.
The Earth and creation will only be beautiful for as long as we sustain it. We can do this by not littering (few things drive me so nuts as when someone rolls down their window and tosses out garbage!!), or using energy efficiently. I am sure that you have heard countless suggestions and ways to keep the Earth clean.
If you are going to enjoy the outdoors (and you should), you must be respectful of it. Leave no trace, and all of that. I am sure everyone has heard it all before, but it is easy to not really pay attention. But it is so important to follow those rules, so that the wildlife, the plants, the landscape, all of it can remain beautiful.
If we don't care of our plane, who will? It is all of God's creation, and as much as we can be in awe of the beauty that is out there, we need to do our best to ensure that our children and their children on down the line have that same opportunity.
After reading an article in National Geographic about Namibia (where almost half of the landmass consists of national parks, communal conservancies, and private wilderness reserves), it strikes me that we have a definite responsibility to take care of the Earth.
The Earth and creation will only be beautiful for as long as we sustain it. We can do this by not littering (few things drive me so nuts as when someone rolls down their window and tosses out garbage!!), or using energy efficiently. I am sure that you have heard countless suggestions and ways to keep the Earth clean.
If you are going to enjoy the outdoors (and you should), you must be respectful of it. Leave no trace, and all of that. I am sure everyone has heard it all before, but it is easy to not really pay attention. But it is so important to follow those rules, so that the wildlife, the plants, the landscape, all of it can remain beautiful.
If we don't care of our plane, who will? It is all of God's creation, and as much as we can be in awe of the beauty that is out there, we need to do our best to ensure that our children and their children on down the line have that same opportunity.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Scripture Sunday: Psalm 145: 1-3
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
Today we look at one of the Psalms dedicated to the greatness of God, and glorifying Him in our lives.
A priest in a homily regarding this Psalm said that these were the thoughts of a person who is "child-like" (as opposed to childish)... someone that gives praise to God and glorifies Him.
If we live our lives with this attitude, it will make us more joyful people. If only we could fully trust in the goodness of the Lord, how many worries would simply melt away? Let us not always try to understand everything in the world, but rather enjoy the beauty and grandeur of it. Let yourself be swept away in its greatness.
Today we look at one of the Psalms dedicated to the greatness of God, and glorifying Him in our lives.
"I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever. Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever. Great is the Lord and worthy of high praise; God's grandeur is beyond understanding." (Psalm 145: 1-3)
A priest in a homily regarding this Psalm said that these were the thoughts of a person who is "child-like" (as opposed to childish)... someone that gives praise to God and glorifies Him.
If we live our lives with this attitude, it will make us more joyful people. If only we could fully trust in the goodness of the Lord, how many worries would simply melt away? Let us not always try to understand everything in the world, but rather enjoy the beauty and grandeur of it. Let yourself be swept away in its greatness.
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Screwtape Letters: Chapter 5
Each week I will summarize a chapter from The Screwtape Letters.
In this chapter they are discussing a war that is going on in the world. Initially, Screwtape is happy because he believes it an ideal time to make the person "bad," but Wormwood warns him to not think it so easy.
It reminds us that there can be good through any circumstance and any trial. Even terrible things such as war, we can learn and grow from them. We know that God means to bring out a positive in any situation. We must look at all of the hardships in life, and all of the bad things around us, as opportunities to grow closer to God and grow in virtue.
There is another line in this chapter that really hits home for me:
This was good for me to read because I am still at the point in life where it seems like (in my mind) I will live forever. And most definitely that can lead to a sense of complacency, and that I will have forever to do the things that I want, to help who I want to help, and become the person I want to be.
But the funny thing about life is that we don't actually have all of that time. Things can change in an instant... the only certainty in life is that it won't go as planned. It reminds me of a quote from Steve Jobs Commencement Speech (emphasis mine):
Today is the day to start doing the things you really want in life, to become the person you've always wanted to be.
.In this chapter they are discussing a war that is going on in the world. Initially, Screwtape is happy because he believes it an ideal time to make the person "bad," but Wormwood warns him to not think it so easy.
It reminds us that there can be good through any circumstance and any trial. Even terrible things such as war, we can learn and grow from them. We know that God means to bring out a positive in any situation. We must look at all of the hardships in life, and all of the bad things around us, as opportunities to grow closer to God and grow in virtue.
There is another line in this chapter that really hits home for me:
"And how disastrous for us is the continual remembrance of death which war enforces. One of our best weapons, contended worldliness, is rendered useless. In wartime not even a human can believe that he is going to live forever." (27)
This was good for me to read because I am still at the point in life where it seems like (in my mind) I will live forever. And most definitely that can lead to a sense of complacency, and that I will have forever to do the things that I want, to help who I want to help, and become the person I want to be.
But the funny thing about life is that we don't actually have all of that time. Things can change in an instant... the only certainty in life is that it won't go as planned. It reminds me of a quote from Steve Jobs Commencement Speech (emphasis mine):
"When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
--------
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma–which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
Today is the day to start doing the things you really want in life, to become the person you've always wanted to be.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
How To Quit Your Job
A lot of people don't like their jobs. They would love to quit, do something else, retire, or any number of things. But they don't, usually because they can't (or don't think they can) afford to quit their job. Sometimes, they are right.
However, the disappointing thing is that most people in this situation don't actually do anything to try and change their life. This generally is because they have a fundamental misunderstanding about money, and the affect that it has in their life.
After reading Your Money or Your Life
, it has driven the point very hard into me - our society does not understand money and what it does to people. We are ruled by materialism, and it is making a lot of people lead unhappy lives. We live in a society where "more is better," and where it is looked down upon to live a simple life where you don't need new gadgets.
This type of attitude seems to make people think (in my opinion) that they need certain things, or that their life will be happy if they can only afford [new car, huge house, etc]. No longer is it enough to simply take care of your needs, we need more and more stuff (even if it doesn't make us any happier).
Of course, this has an averse effect on our life in the big picture. If we buy more stuff we don't need, we will have less money for savings, for retirement, for having some money just in case we decide we want to pursue a different direction in our career.
In the long run, we buy things we don't need (or really even want) with money that would be better used for savings, which means we have to work more and longer at a place we don't like. Seems kind of funny, no?
If you find yourself in a situation where you are dissatisfied with your career and your job, you have a choice. You can look for another job, and you can also rein in your spending as best as you can, to put yourself in a better position for you to make changes.
After all, cutting back on some non-necessities sounds a whole lot better to me than continuing in the rat race you never wanted to run in the first place.
However, the disappointing thing is that most people in this situation don't actually do anything to try and change their life. This generally is because they have a fundamental misunderstanding about money, and the affect that it has in their life.
After reading Your Money or Your Life
, it has driven the point very hard into me - our society does not understand money and what it does to people. We are ruled by materialism, and it is making a lot of people lead unhappy lives. We live in a society where "more is better," and where it is looked down upon to live a simple life where you don't need new gadgets.This type of attitude seems to make people think (in my opinion) that they need certain things, or that their life will be happy if they can only afford [new car, huge house, etc]. No longer is it enough to simply take care of your needs, we need more and more stuff (even if it doesn't make us any happier).
Of course, this has an averse effect on our life in the big picture. If we buy more stuff we don't need, we will have less money for savings, for retirement, for having some money just in case we decide we want to pursue a different direction in our career.
In the long run, we buy things we don't need (or really even want) with money that would be better used for savings, which means we have to work more and longer at a place we don't like. Seems kind of funny, no?
If you find yourself in a situation where you are dissatisfied with your career and your job, you have a choice. You can look for another job, and you can also rein in your spending as best as you can, to put yourself in a better position for you to make changes.
After all, cutting back on some non-necessities sounds a whole lot better to me than continuing in the rat race you never wanted to run in the first place.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy Independence Day!!
God Bless the USA, and God Bless our soldiers.
I for one am not thankful enough for the privilege and joy that it has been to grow up where I have, and live where I do. I am truly blessed to live in America!
Hope you have a safe and blessed holiday, filled with family, fun, fireworks, and barbecues! :)
I for one am not thankful enough for the privilege and joy that it has been to grow up where I have, and live where I do. I am truly blessed to live in America!
Hope you have a safe and blessed holiday, filled with family, fun, fireworks, and barbecues! :)
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Scripture Sunday: Romans 4: 19-21
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
God has promised us that if we follow Him, we will have eternal life. He has also promised us that He works for the good for those who believe in Him. Do we really believe this? Do we believe it even when it seems like this are going the exact opposite of how we want them to go?
In the Old Testament, God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, even though they were old and well past child-bearing age. Yet Abraham never resolved in his belief that God would come through, because he knew that God does not renege on His promises.
We must have the same attitude at all times. If we work for the glory of God, we must always have the belief that God in turn is working for good for us. Even at times when it seems hard to believe, or when life is against us, or we lose something we love. Those are the times where it is hardest to believe that God means good by it, but we must follow the example of Abraham.
Do we believe God is capable of keeping His promises?
God has promised us that if we follow Him, we will have eternal life. He has also promised us that He works for the good for those who believe in Him. Do we really believe this? Do we believe it even when it seems like this are going the exact opposite of how we want them to go?
"He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body as (already) dead (for he was almost a hundred years old) and the dead womb of Sarah. He did not doubt God's promise in unbelief; 6 rather, he was empowered by faith and gave glory to God and was fully convinced that what he had promised he was also able to do." (Romans 4: 19-21)
In the Old Testament, God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, even though they were old and well past child-bearing age. Yet Abraham never resolved in his belief that God would come through, because he knew that God does not renege on His promises.
We must have the same attitude at all times. If we work for the glory of God, we must always have the belief that God in turn is working for good for us. Even at times when it seems hard to believe, or when life is against us, or we lose something we love. Those are the times where it is hardest to believe that God means good by it, but we must follow the example of Abraham.
Do we believe God is capable of keeping His promises?
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Screwtape Letters: Chapter 4
Each week I will summarize a chapter from The Screwtape Letters
This chapter deals with prayer. Oftentimes we find our prayer simply meandering... our mind focuses on something else, and all of a sudden we are not really praying, we are thinking about what is on our to do list. It is then that we stop listening to God for advice, and simply try to follow our own path, which does not lead us anywhere.
Lewis writes:
For me, this definitely is true at times. I will go in with the intent of praying, and leave not really sure I actually listened to what God was trying to tell me. I let myself be distracted and therefore miss the prayer itself.
We must focus on aligning our wills with God when we pray. Focus on talking and listening to Him, and what He wants to tell us. When we are able to zone into this... and not simply think about what we have to do when we stop praying, that is when prayer can and will have a transformative affect on our life.
This chapter deals with prayer. Oftentimes we find our prayer simply meandering... our mind focuses on something else, and all of a sudden we are not really praying, we are thinking about what is on our to do list. It is then that we stop listening to God for advice, and simply try to follow our own path, which does not lead us anywhere.
Lewis writes:
"He may be persuaded to aim at something entirely spontaneous, inward, informal, and unregularized; and what this will actually mean to be a beginner will be an effort to produce in himself a vaguely devotional mood in which real concentration of will and intelligence have no part." (20)
For me, this definitely is true at times. I will go in with the intent of praying, and leave not really sure I actually listened to what God was trying to tell me. I let myself be distracted and therefore miss the prayer itself.
We must focus on aligning our wills with God when we pray. Focus on talking and listening to Him, and what He wants to tell us. When we are able to zone into this... and not simply think about what we have to do when we stop praying, that is when prayer can and will have a transformative affect on our life.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Using Your Gifts
All of us have been given certain talents and gifts in our lives. Sometimes we recognize them early on, sometimes we don't realize we have them until later in life. No matter, when we know what they are, we should work hard to utilize them to make others lives better.
If we do not give all that we can, or use our gifts as best as we can, we are sacrificing the gifts that we have been given. We are then not becoming the people that we can and should be.
For example, if your talent is writing, but you never write (not even letters to friends), you are not using that gift for all that it could be. Even if you are giving your best to enriching the lives of others through writing personal letters, you are using your gift. If your gift is music but you never play, you are sacrificing your gift.
This quote, I believe, can bring about good reflection. What is your gift or gifts? Are you using them? In what ways could you use them even more?
"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine
If we do not give all that we can, or use our gifts as best as we can, we are sacrificing the gifts that we have been given. We are then not becoming the people that we can and should be.
For example, if your talent is writing, but you never write (not even letters to friends), you are not using that gift for all that it could be. Even if you are giving your best to enriching the lives of others through writing personal letters, you are using your gift. If your gift is music but you never play, you are sacrificing your gift.
This quote, I believe, can bring about good reflection. What is your gift or gifts? Are you using them? In what ways could you use them even more?
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sing Of Mary
If this is not one of the most beautiful songs you have ever heard, well, you have heard more beautiful songs than I :)
Monday, June 27, 2011
Remembering Our Dreams
I am reading a book called "Your Money or Your Life" (which I very highly recommend!) and there is a great part in the book where it talks about fulfillment and dreams. I will quote from the book (all emphasis mine):
I think those are powerful thoughts, powerful questions.
Spend some time thinking about them. Not only right now, but tomorrow, and next week, and periodically throughout your life. Focusing on these things, and how to make them a reality, can change your life in amazing ways.
" (which I very highly recommend!) and there is a great part in the book where it talks about fulfillment and dreams. I will quote from the book (all emphasis mine):"For many of us, however, 'growing up' has meant outgrowing our dreams. The aspiration to write a great book has shrunk to writing advertising copy. The dream of being an inspiring preacher has evolved into being an administrator and mediator between the factions of the congregation. Instead of really knowing who their patients are, how the patients live or the challenges in their lives, doctors today are plagued with back-to-back fifteen minute patient visits and malpractice suits. The dream of traveling around the world becomes two weeks a year of hitting the tourist traps. Living a fulfilling and meaningful life seems almost impossible, given the requirements of simply meeting day-to-day needs and problems. Yet, at one time or another practically every one of us has had a dream of what we wanted our lives to be.
Wherever you are, take a few moments now to reflect upon your dreams. So many of us have spent so many hours, days and years of our lives devoted to someone else's agenda that it may be hard to get in touch with our dreams. So many of us have whittled away at our uniqueness so that we could be square pegs in square holes that it seems slightly self-indulgent to wonder what kind of hole we would be inclined to carve for ourselves. Indulge yourself now. Stare out a window. Shut your eyes. And envision what would be a truly fulfilling life for you. To help you get started on your journey, ask yourself the following questions:
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- What have you always wanted to do that you haven't done yet?
- What have you done in your life that you are really proud of?
- If you knew you were going to die within a year, how would you spend that year?
- What brings you the most fulfillment - and how is that related to money?
- If you didn't have to work for a living, what would you do with your time?" (109-110)
I think those are powerful thoughts, powerful questions.
Spend some time thinking about them. Not only right now, but tomorrow, and next week, and periodically throughout your life. Focusing on these things, and how to make them a reality, can change your life in amazing ways.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Scripture Sunday: 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
Preaching the Gospel does not mean merely telling people what it means or what it says. It does not mean simply reciting the teachings of Christ, and then failing to live them out. St. Francis of Assisi expressed this thought when he said, "Preach the Gospel at all time, if necessary use words."
In a similar vein, St. Paul talks about this in his first letter to the Thessalonians. He writes:
The Bible calls us to love others as we love ourselves, and we cannot do this if we do not share ourselves with them and invest in them. This means spending time with others, making them a priority in life, and giving them the very best of ourselves.
Notice that St. Paul still talks about still sharing the gospel of God with others. If we want a relationship to be as fruitful as possible, Christ still has to be at the center of it. It is easy to think that just by spending time with some person we are sharing ourselves with them and having a great friendship, but that is only part of the equation. We need to share Christ with them.
In your friendships and relationships today, I would challenge you to think if you are living this out. I know I could be better in many ways when it comes to this. If we love another person (as we are called to do with everyone), then we need to share with them our lives, and our faith. This will show them how beloved they are to us.
Preaching the Gospel does not mean merely telling people what it means or what it says. It does not mean simply reciting the teachings of Christ, and then failing to live them out. St. Francis of Assisi expressed this thought when he said, "Preach the Gospel at all time, if necessary use words."
In a similar vein, St. Paul talks about this in his first letter to the Thessalonians. He writes:
"With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
The Bible calls us to love others as we love ourselves, and we cannot do this if we do not share ourselves with them and invest in them. This means spending time with others, making them a priority in life, and giving them the very best of ourselves.
Notice that St. Paul still talks about still sharing the gospel of God with others. If we want a relationship to be as fruitful as possible, Christ still has to be at the center of it. It is easy to think that just by spending time with some person we are sharing ourselves with them and having a great friendship, but that is only part of the equation. We need to share Christ with them.
In your friendships and relationships today, I would challenge you to think if you are living this out. I know I could be better in many ways when it comes to this. If we love another person (as we are called to do with everyone), then we need to share with them our lives, and our faith. This will show them how beloved they are to us.
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Screwtape Letters: Chapter 3
Each week I will summarize a chapter from The Screwtape Letters
This chapter is a our relationships with other people, especially close friends and relatives. I have found this especially true in the circumstance of young adult moving back in with the parents, or even being home for a holiday break. All of a sudden, everything bugs you, especially when it is done by your parents.
Who has not experienced something similar to what Lewis describes here?
Lewis hits this so perfectly on the head in my opinion that I can hardly think of anything to add. This is a very easy trap to get into, especially with parents and those people who we spend a lot of time around. We must be careful to make sure that we see the splint in our own eye.
We must also make a thorough self-examination, and honestly look at our lives and the way that we are living. We do not want to fall into the trap that Lewis explains:
If we are going to grow and improve as people, we must be able to honestly assess our faults. Spend some time in prayer and contemplation on this. If we don't know what areas we struggle, we will be unable to grow in them.
Do these things apply to your life?
This chapter is a our relationships with other people, especially close friends and relatives. I have found this especially true in the circumstance of young adult moving back in with the parents, or even being home for a holiday break. All of a sudden, everything bugs you, especially when it is done by your parents.
Who has not experienced something similar to what Lewis describes here?
"In civilized life domestic hatred usually expresses itself by saying things which would appear quite harmless on paper (the words are not offensive) but in such a voice, or at such a moment, that they are not far short of a blow in the face... Your patient must demand that all of his utterances are to be taken at their face value and judged simply on their actual words, while at the same time judging all his mother's utterances with the fullest and most oversensitive interpretation of the tone and the context of the suspected intention." (17-18)
Lewis hits this so perfectly on the head in my opinion that I can hardly think of anything to add. This is a very easy trap to get into, especially with parents and those people who we spend a lot of time around. We must be careful to make sure that we see the splint in our own eye.
We must also make a thorough self-examination, and honestly look at our lives and the way that we are living. We do not want to fall into the trap that Lewis explains:
"Aggravate that most useful human characteristic, the horror and neglect of the obvious. You must bring him to a condition in which he can practice self-examination for an hour without discovering any of those facts about himself which are perfectly clear to anyone who has ever lived in the same house with him or worked in the same office." (16)
If we are going to grow and improve as people, we must be able to honestly assess our faults. Spend some time in prayer and contemplation on this. If we don't know what areas we struggle, we will be unable to grow in them.
Do these things apply to your life?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
On The Power of Reading
I love reading and literature, in part because it feels like you are experiencing something new with each book or story that you read. You are (in a sense) reliving what the author has experienced, or what the author thinks and believes.
An article I read a while back explains this feeling better than I can. Charles Pierce wrote:
Reading is a great way to experience the world and the thoughts of those you would otherwise never get the chance to interact with. This is why reading is so great.
Any book recommendations?
“To read a writer is for me not merely to get an idea of what he says, but to go off with him and travel in his company.” - Andre Gide
An article I read a while back explains this feeling better than I can. Charles Pierce wrote:
"When Dan Jenkins wrote about an Oklahoma game, he could make you think, well, screw Paris in the '20s — Norman, Okla., is the only place to be. While I was at The National, I finally made it to Norman. I realized that what had made Norman great was that Jenkins was there."
Reading is a great way to experience the world and the thoughts of those you would otherwise never get the chance to interact with. This is why reading is so great.
Any book recommendations?
Monday, June 20, 2011
Story of Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler is a basketball player that played at Marquette for the past few years, and he looks to be drafted in the NBA Draft in a couple of weeks. But that is not what makes him special.
I read this article on him the other day, and it is amazing the things he has overcome.
Check it out and get inspired.
I read this article on him the other day, and it is amazing the things he has overcome.
"His story," one GM said. "is one of the most remarkable I've seen in all my years of basketball. There were so many times in his life where he was set up to fail. Every time, he overcame just enormous odds. When you talk to him -- and he's hesitant to talk about his life -- you just have this feeling that this kid has greatness in him."
Butler is fine with that interpretation. But there's another one that he fears.
"Please, I know you're going to write something. I'm just asking you, don't write it in a way that makes people feel sorry for me," he said. "I hate that. There's nothing to feel sorry about. I love what happened to me. It made me who I am. I'm grateful for the challenges I've faced. Please, don't make them feel sorry for me."
Pity hasn't gotten Butler anywhere in life. Courage has.
Check it out and get inspired.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Scripture Sunday: Matthew 10:8
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
No matter how generous and giving we are, we can never outdo God when it comes to generosity. He will always one up us. Still, we must recognize the amazing gifts that we have been given, and do our best to give of ourselves to other people. Jesus tells us:
By virtue of being given life, we have received much. We have received the ability to live, to love, to learn, and everything else that comes along with being human. If you are reading this right now, you have been given the mental capacity to read and understand, and you have been given the technology to access this. When we look at things in this light, it is shocking how much we have been given!
Everyone will have things they complain about in their life (me too), but it is important to recognize all of the gifts and graces we do have. In that vein, we know that everything we have we are given from God, and therefore not everything is ours to keep, and we must give to others.
Our smile, our personality, our love... these are all things we must give. Our time, our talent, our treasure... again, these are things that we must share with others, so that they in turn might grow as people and share their gifts.
When you are tired, and don't want to go that extra mile, just try to remember this verse... without cost you have received, without cost you are to give.
No matter how generous and giving we are, we can never outdo God when it comes to generosity. He will always one up us. Still, we must recognize the amazing gifts that we have been given, and do our best to give of ourselves to other people. Jesus tells us:
"Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." (Matthew 10:8)
By virtue of being given life, we have received much. We have received the ability to live, to love, to learn, and everything else that comes along with being human. If you are reading this right now, you have been given the mental capacity to read and understand, and you have been given the technology to access this. When we look at things in this light, it is shocking how much we have been given!
Everyone will have things they complain about in their life (me too), but it is important to recognize all of the gifts and graces we do have. In that vein, we know that everything we have we are given from God, and therefore not everything is ours to keep, and we must give to others.
Our smile, our personality, our love... these are all things we must give. Our time, our talent, our treasure... again, these are things that we must share with others, so that they in turn might grow as people and share their gifts.
When you are tired, and don't want to go that extra mile, just try to remember this verse... without cost you have received, without cost you are to give.
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Screwtape Letters: Chapter 2
Each week I will summarize a chapter from The Screwtape Letters
, a book by CS Lewis in which a senior demon named Screwtape is writing to his nephew, Wormwood, giving him advice on leading a man to damnation.
In our religious life, we will often have moments where we feel most on fire for our faith, most sure of it, and most excited to really live it out. It can happen in the initial turning of our hearts toward God, or in many of the silent turns toward God that we will make in our religious life. Often, this time of excitement is replaced by our normal everyday lives. Our resolve is gone, we are back into the same habits.
This is what Lewis talks about in chapter 2 of The Screwtape Letters. Lewis writes:
We must also keep our focus on God and His teachings, not on how well everyone around us is following them. Remember, all are sinners, we cannot let the sins of fellow Christians make us question the faith in anyway. This can be our tendency.
I think this is a big reason why people who are not Christians have a problem with the faith, or think that the faith is not true - they see those people that profess to be Christians doing wrong, or living unholy lives. For our own part, we cannot let this fact detract us from our faith. Those Christians around us will continue to sin - that does not make the faith any less true.
Lastly, we must remember that our aim is to be perfect as Jesus is perfect. It is not to simply be a more ardent follower of Christ than our neighbor, which might not even be that hard depending on who we hang out with. Again, Lewis:
This is a trap that is easy to fall into, especially if you do not know many Christians. We may see those around us living a life of sin, and believe that by simply going to church once a week we are living a holy life. Not so fast. We must strive to do God's will every day at all time, no matter how those around us act, no matter how good we may think we are.
A lot of great lessons from chapter 2 of The Screwtape Letters.
, a book by CS Lewis in which a senior demon named Screwtape is writing to his nephew, Wormwood, giving him advice on leading a man to damnation.
In our religious life, we will often have moments where we feel most on fire for our faith, most sure of it, and most excited to really live it out. It can happen in the initial turning of our hearts toward God, or in many of the silent turns toward God that we will make in our religious life. Often, this time of excitement is replaced by our normal everyday lives. Our resolve is gone, we are back into the same habits.
This is what Lewis talks about in chapter 2 of The Screwtape Letters. Lewis writes:
"In every department of life it marks the transition from dreaming aspiration to laborious doing." (13)
We must also keep our focus on God and His teachings, not on how well everyone around us is following them. Remember, all are sinners, we cannot let the sins of fellow Christians make us question the faith in anyway. This can be our tendency.
"Provided that any of those neighbors sing out of tune, or have boots that squeak, or double chins, or odd clothes, the patient will quite easily believe that their religion therefore be somehow ridiculous." (12)
I think this is a big reason why people who are not Christians have a problem with the faith, or think that the faith is not true - they see those people that profess to be Christians doing wrong, or living unholy lives. For our own part, we cannot let this fact detract us from our faith. Those Christians around us will continue to sin - that does not make the faith any less true.
Lastly, we must remember that our aim is to be perfect as Jesus is perfect. It is not to simply be a more ardent follower of Christ than our neighbor, which might not even be that hard depending on who we hang out with. Again, Lewis:
"What he says, even on his own knees, about his own sinfulness is all parrot talk. At bottom, he still believe he has run up a very favorable credit balance in the Enemy's ledger by allowing himself to be converted, and thinks that he's showing great humility and condescension in going to church with these "smug", commonplace neighbors at all." (14)
This is a trap that is easy to fall into, especially if you do not know many Christians. We may see those around us living a life of sin, and believe that by simply going to church once a week we are living a holy life. Not so fast. We must strive to do God's will every day at all time, no matter how those around us act, no matter how good we may think we are.
A lot of great lessons from chapter 2 of The Screwtape Letters.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Fr. Mike Schmitz on The Meaning of the Body
Here is a great clip from a really great priest... Fr. Mike Schmitz talking about the meaning of the body (pages from Theology of the Body).
It is a short clip, only 2 minutes, so you have no excuse not to watch it...
It is a short clip, only 2 minutes, so you have no excuse not to watch it...
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
How can I change the world?
It is very easy for me to get caught up in everyday life and the busyness of it. It can seem like there is never enough time for things like writing and reading. It is often during these times that I might wonder if anything I am doing is actually helping to make those around me better people, or if I am doing anything to help the world.
It is daunting, on the surface. The world is a big place, and it's easy to think that there is no way we can affect 6 billion people, and therefore we cannot change the world. Fortunately, in practice, things are not as hard as we make them seem.
You need to look at where your talents are, where your passions are, and this is how you can affect the world. There are countless other people with the same skills that I have, and personality traits that I have... but likely there are some ways that I can affect people, or at least the people that I know, in a way that nobody else can. This is how I can change the world.
You don't need to come up with a great invention, or become a political leader in order to change the world. You simply have to love other people, and try to make their lives better. You have some unique talent or skill that will allow you to do this, you just have to find it.
It is daunting, on the surface. The world is a big place, and it's easy to think that there is no way we can affect 6 billion people, and therefore we cannot change the world. Fortunately, in practice, things are not as hard as we make them seem.
You need to look at where your talents are, where your passions are, and this is how you can affect the world. There are countless other people with the same skills that I have, and personality traits that I have... but likely there are some ways that I can affect people, or at least the people that I know, in a way that nobody else can. This is how I can change the world.
You don't need to come up with a great invention, or become a political leader in order to change the world. You simply have to love other people, and try to make their lives better. You have some unique talent or skill that will allow you to do this, you just have to find it.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Have We Lost Ourselves?
All around us society is focused on things like money, sex, and power. We are always trying to make more money, TV and movies are trying to push the envelope on what they can show, and relationships are becoming less about what you can do for another person and more about what they can do for you.
But our lives are meant to be so much more, we are meant to live for more. These are the sentiments expressed by the band Switchfoot
and their song "Meant to Live."
If we are simply striving to make more money, amuse ourselves, and live a selfish life, then we are missing the point of life, and the things that we were meant to live for and strive to be. It seems as if somewhere along the way our society has lost itself.
What were we made to live for? Loving one another, seeking the best in others and striving to lift them up, looking out for the needs of others more than ourselves, and treating others like we would want to be treated. It is when we do these things that we can live happy and fulfilling lives, that we can change others and change ourselves.
What is your life lived for right now? Is it in line with the things that we were made for?
But our lives are meant to be so much more, we are meant to live for more. These are the sentiments expressed by the band Switchfoot
and their song "Meant to Live.""We were meant to live for so much more/
Have we lost ourselves?"
If we are simply striving to make more money, amuse ourselves, and live a selfish life, then we are missing the point of life, and the things that we were meant to live for and strive to be. It seems as if somewhere along the way our society has lost itself.
What were we made to live for? Loving one another, seeking the best in others and striving to lift them up, looking out for the needs of others more than ourselves, and treating others like we would want to be treated. It is when we do these things that we can live happy and fulfilling lives, that we can change others and change ourselves.
What is your life lived for right now? Is it in line with the things that we were made for?
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Scripture Sunday: Isaiah 43:2
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
Today we look at a verse when God tells us that He is with us always, no matter where we go or what we see. It comes from Isaiah.
God's message to us here is very clear... there is nowhere we can go where we are beyond the reach of Him. There will be many times in our life where will we feel down, or unworthy, or that we are "too bad" for God to save us, He tells us that is not the case.
We must always be willing to turn to God, to let Him help us. When we are in danger, or in despair, remember that God will not let us drown if we just turn to Him. Through all of the difficult time in life, we have to allow God into our hearts.
Next time you feel like you are past the point of redemption, simply remember that God will be with you, saving you from the fire. There is no need to be afraid.
Today we look at a verse when God tells us that He is with us always, no matter where we go or what we see. It comes from Isaiah.
"When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2)
God's message to us here is very clear... there is nowhere we can go where we are beyond the reach of Him. There will be many times in our life where will we feel down, or unworthy, or that we are "too bad" for God to save us, He tells us that is not the case.
We must always be willing to turn to God, to let Him help us. When we are in danger, or in despair, remember that God will not let us drown if we just turn to Him. Through all of the difficult time in life, we have to allow God into our hearts.
Next time you feel like you are past the point of redemption, simply remember that God will be with you, saving you from the fire. There is no need to be afraid.
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Screwtape Letters: Chapter 1
Each week I will summarize a chapter from The Screwtape Letters, a book by CS Lewis in which a senior demon named Screwtape is writing to his nephew, Wormwood, giving him advice on leading a man to damnation.
In Chapter 1, the message Lewis is trying to convey is clear - we need to fill our minds with higher things, and constantly be challenging ourselves. If we stand still in life and be content with the "ordinary," we are susceptible to a fall. Lewis writes:
The world that we live in is quite extraordinary. We seem to have lost that sense of wonder, and regard almost everything that we come across as being ordinary. We are content to live our little lives, and never challenge our brain to learn and grow, never try to see things in new ways.
Last week, I was on a flight... and there I was, flying above the clouds, looking down on the Earth... WOW! It just struck me how amazing, how incredible it was, that we can fly to different places around the world. We have the technology to build an airplane and fly it around the world safely. It blows my mind. Looking down on the clouds rather than looking up at them... how can that not fill you with wonder?
We should constantly be trying to learn more about the world in which we live in and try to see it and understand it in new ways. After all, since God created the world we live in, when we understand that better (and the things that happen in it better), we can understand Him better.
When are content with ordinariness, we are missing the point... we are missing the grandeur that is all around us, and we can even begin to miss God.
In Chapter 1, the message Lewis is trying to convey is clear - we need to fill our minds with higher things, and constantly be challenging ourselves. If we stand still in life and be content with the "ordinary," we are susceptible to a fall. Lewis writes:
"You begin to see the point? Thanks to processes which we set at work in them centuries ago, they find it all but impossible to believe in the unfamiliar while the familiar is before their eyes. Keep pressing home on him the ordinariness of things." (10)
The world that we live in is quite extraordinary. We seem to have lost that sense of wonder, and regard almost everything that we come across as being ordinary. We are content to live our little lives, and never challenge our brain to learn and grow, never try to see things in new ways.
Last week, I was on a flight... and there I was, flying above the clouds, looking down on the Earth... WOW! It just struck me how amazing, how incredible it was, that we can fly to different places around the world. We have the technology to build an airplane and fly it around the world safely. It blows my mind. Looking down on the clouds rather than looking up at them... how can that not fill you with wonder?
We should constantly be trying to learn more about the world in which we live in and try to see it and understand it in new ways. After all, since God created the world we live in, when we understand that better (and the things that happen in it better), we can understand Him better.
When are content with ordinariness, we are missing the point... we are missing the grandeur that is all around us, and we can even begin to miss God.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Theodore Roosevelt Quotes
Some quotes by one of the greatest Presidents our country has seen - Theodore Roosevelt.
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"Believe you can and you're halfway there."
"Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike."
"Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage."
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
"Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind."
"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."
"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground."
"Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."
"The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything."
"If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month."
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It was said that Teddy Roosevelt would read a book a day... what an inspiration!
More great quotes here!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Times They Gotta Change, But So Do We
So often we hear people (sometimes even ourselves) bemoan the state of society. When we hear of a murder, or a drug bust, or any of a number of other different crimes, we read about them and say, "What is our society coming to?"
And it is true. Society is (in my opinion) heading some negative places, and things are being acceptable that make me shake my head. But at the same time, we have to always change ourselves to in order to become better people.
It is easy to judge ourselves and our actions against the backdrop of society, or the people we know. We have to try and avoid that temptation. That leads to thinking such as, "Sure I didn't act very nicely there, but nobody else would have acted nice in that situation." Or, "Sure I don't set time for prayer everyday, but most people don't even go to church, so I am still doing good there." And so on and so on.
We have to judge our actions based against the best person that we can be, not against what everyone else is doing. If we are not living up to being the person we can and should be, it doesn't matter if we are still acting better than some or most people. We are still falling short of what we can be.
This is another reason why it is important to surround yourself with quality people that will lift you up higher. It will help you avoid this temptation and always make you strive to be a little bit better than you are, and a little bit better than you think you can be.
By the way, this is a lyric from a song called "Quiet as a Mouse" by Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos.
And it is true. Society is (in my opinion) heading some negative places, and things are being acceptable that make me shake my head. But at the same time, we have to always change ourselves to in order to become better people.
It is easy to judge ourselves and our actions against the backdrop of society, or the people we know. We have to try and avoid that temptation. That leads to thinking such as, "Sure I didn't act very nicely there, but nobody else would have acted nice in that situation." Or, "Sure I don't set time for prayer everyday, but most people don't even go to church, so I am still doing good there." And so on and so on.
We have to judge our actions based against the best person that we can be, not against what everyone else is doing. If we are not living up to being the person we can and should be, it doesn't matter if we are still acting better than some or most people. We are still falling short of what we can be.
This is another reason why it is important to surround yourself with quality people that will lift you up higher. It will help you avoid this temptation and always make you strive to be a little bit better than you are, and a little bit better than you think you can be.
By the way, this is a lyric from a song called "Quiet as a Mouse" by Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos.
"He said times they gotta change/
But so do we"
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Traveling
Hello world,
I have been doing extra traveling over the past couple of weeks, so I might miss a couple of posts! Between work and sandbagging, it has been kind of a crazy 2 weeks.
We will refund your money for any missed posts! Have a great day :)
I have been doing extra traveling over the past couple of weeks, so I might miss a couple of posts! Between work and sandbagging, it has been kind of a crazy 2 weeks.
We will refund your money for any missed posts! Have a great day :)
Friday, June 3, 2011
Love Will Set You Free
One of my favorite bands is Mumford and Sons, and one of the songs I particularly enjoy is Sigh No More
. They seem to at times have lyrics in their songs that are uncharacteristically deep when compared to other popular radio songs (and they sound good too, which is a nice perk).
For instance, in Sigh No More, they have this lyric near the end of the song.
Rarely in music have I seen lyrics so right on. They are so simple and so deep at the same time. We can look at them in a couple of different ways.
One is in relation to our relationship with those around us. If we are in a relationship where we feel like we are enslaved to someone (or vice versa) that is not a loving relationship. If that is true, then we are being used (or, again, doing the using), which is the opposite of love.
Love should do what the last lines of the lyric say - allow us to feel free and become better people, indeed the people who we are meant to be. For myself, I will be married in 4 months or so... and if I felt that my fianceé was holding me back from becoming who I was meant to be, or if I felt like I could not be myself around her, then I should not marry her, and what was shared between us would not really be love. (Fortunately, that is not the case, and October 8th will be the best day of my life! But I digress... :))
At the same time, we can look at this lyric in relation to our relationship with God. Oftentimes people (who don't really understand God) think religion is simply about rules. "I have a personal relationship with Jesus," they will say, "I don't need religion." And they will use that excuse to justify doing whatever they want.
But God's love is not about rules. He does not betray us. He does not tell us that we cannot get drunk, or have premarital sex, or lie to others as a way of enslaving us. It rather a way to set us free to live happy, fulfilling lives. It is like this, when you play a game of basketball, there are rules. If you play a pickup game anywhere, you won't be able to run with the ball and foul everyone. There are fouls and there is the rule of traveling. These things are not in place to enslave us or prohibit us from enjoying the game, but rather the opposite. They are there to allow us to be free to enjoy the game.
In the same way, God does not put things in our life as a way of making us "enjoy it" less, or make it seem like all we do all day is follow rules. Rather, he puts things there so that we can live more freely and fully.
Love shall you set you free and allow you to become the person you were meant to be. Anything less is simply not love.
. They seem to at times have lyrics in their songs that are uncharacteristically deep when compared to other popular radio songs (and they sound good too, which is a nice perk).For instance, in Sigh No More, they have this lyric near the end of the song.
"Love it will not betray you
Dismay or enslave you, it will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be"
Rarely in music have I seen lyrics so right on. They are so simple and so deep at the same time. We can look at them in a couple of different ways.
One is in relation to our relationship with those around us. If we are in a relationship where we feel like we are enslaved to someone (or vice versa) that is not a loving relationship. If that is true, then we are being used (or, again, doing the using), which is the opposite of love.
Love should do what the last lines of the lyric say - allow us to feel free and become better people, indeed the people who we are meant to be. For myself, I will be married in 4 months or so... and if I felt that my fianceé was holding me back from becoming who I was meant to be, or if I felt like I could not be myself around her, then I should not marry her, and what was shared between us would not really be love. (Fortunately, that is not the case, and October 8th will be the best day of my life! But I digress... :))
At the same time, we can look at this lyric in relation to our relationship with God. Oftentimes people (who don't really understand God) think religion is simply about rules. "I have a personal relationship with Jesus," they will say, "I don't need religion." And they will use that excuse to justify doing whatever they want.
But God's love is not about rules. He does not betray us. He does not tell us that we cannot get drunk, or have premarital sex, or lie to others as a way of enslaving us. It rather a way to set us free to live happy, fulfilling lives. It is like this, when you play a game of basketball, there are rules. If you play a pickup game anywhere, you won't be able to run with the ball and foul everyone. There are fouls and there is the rule of traveling. These things are not in place to enslave us or prohibit us from enjoying the game, but rather the opposite. They are there to allow us to be free to enjoy the game.
In the same way, God does not put things in our life as a way of making us "enjoy it" less, or make it seem like all we do all day is follow rules. Rather, he puts things there so that we can live more freely and fully.
Love shall you set you free and allow you to become the person you were meant to be. Anything less is simply not love.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
"If" by Rudyard Kipling
Just a great poem!
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Google Doodles
I came across a cool article about the top 5 Google Doodles from The Washington Post, and thought it would be fun to share.
It has videos of the top 5, and I would encourage you to check them out if you are looking for 3 minutes of entertainment. My favorite out of their top 5 is the one about John Lennnon:
Do you have a favorite?
It has videos of the top 5, and I would encourage you to check them out if you are looking for 3 minutes of entertainment. My favorite out of their top 5 is the one about John Lennnon:
Do you have a favorite?
Monday, May 30, 2011
Be Careful To Not Judge
I just read Into Thin Air
by Jon Krakauer, and it struck me about how different we look at things based on the results of the action.I thought of it because, on the surface, trying to climb Mt. Everest is, in a word, nuts. At 29,028 feet, it is the highest mountain in the world. If you make it to the top (or really, anywhere on the mountain), you will be battered with high winds and cold temps. The threat of frostbite, or altitude sickness, or any of a number of other things that you wouldn't want happening to you are pretty high. (They said in the book that if a person was taken from sea level to the top of Mt. Everest, they would be unconscious within a few minutes because they couldn't breathe, and a few minutes after that, they would be dead.
If you are planning on climbing Mt. Everest, you better be ready to pony up tens of thousands of dollars (for the permit to hike it) and block off a couple of months of your time (to get to the mountain and especially to get acclimated to the altitude). Oh, and even if you do everything right, if there is a storm at the top on the day you are trying to reach the summit, you will likely either not actually be able to make it, or you will die. If you do make it safely, you will not enjoy it. It will be a miserable time getting up and experiencing the conditions.
Now, picture a person that is not all that experienced in climbing, but is a go-getter and is able to afford the time and money that it takes to hike Everest. If that person dies while climbing, people around them will likely wonder what they were thinking. If they make it, they will be lauded for their toughness and determination. In reality, the difference between these two outcomes is often luck or chance. And yet we would likely look at the people differently.
In the same way, we need to be careful about judging people in all walks of life. Often, the reason they are where they are is because of some bad luck, or chance. This seems to be true all the time in how people view homeless people - they might think them simply bums that are afraid of hard work. In reality, for many homeless people there is a bad set of circumstances that led them to where they are. In other cases, it might seem as if the people almost never had a chance.
We can't know the circumstances of how people got to where they are and the people they have become. Because of this (among other things) we should strive not to judge these people, but to understand and help them.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Scripture Sunday: Matthew 5:14
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
Today we look at something that comes right after the Beatitudes in Matthew's Gospel, when Jesus is still preaching to the people.
I see this verse as a great inspiration to live out our faith at all times, and to have the light of Christ shine in us and through us at all times.
This verse says that we must use our talents and help and serve others. For many people, they see faith as a private thing, and don't like to discuss it all with anybody else. But Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world, and that we cannot be hidden. In short, if we believe that the Gospel is true (and if you don't, then you shouldn't be Christian), then we cannot keep that to ourselves. We should want to share it with others.
Of course, this doesn't mean that we need to shove religion in other people's face. Our goal is to share our faith and the joy we receive from it, and that in-your-face style is not a very effective method of doing that. But we must show our faith through our actions, and we must be open to talking about it if the situation arises.
We are the light of the world. Just as a city set on a mountain cannot be hidden, we cannot hide that light within ourselves from others.
Today we look at something that comes right after the Beatitudes in Matthew's Gospel, when Jesus is still preaching to the people.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden." (Matthew 5:14)
I see this verse as a great inspiration to live out our faith at all times, and to have the light of Christ shine in us and through us at all times.
This verse says that we must use our talents and help and serve others. For many people, they see faith as a private thing, and don't like to discuss it all with anybody else. But Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world, and that we cannot be hidden. In short, if we believe that the Gospel is true (and if you don't, then you shouldn't be Christian), then we cannot keep that to ourselves. We should want to share it with others.
Of course, this doesn't mean that we need to shove religion in other people's face. Our goal is to share our faith and the joy we receive from it, and that in-your-face style is not a very effective method of doing that. But we must show our faith through our actions, and we must be open to talking about it if the situation arises.
We are the light of the world. Just as a city set on a mountain cannot be hidden, we cannot hide that light within ourselves from others.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Destroy Your Enemies
The title of this post is obviously a bit misleading from what most people would think "destroying your enemies" would mean, but when I hear the phrase I like to think of the Abraham Lincoln quote:
The quickest way to like somebody is to get to know them. Everybody has positive things about them, and everybody has something to offer. If we focused on the positive instead of the negative of people, then we would have no enemies. If you don't like somebody, get to know them better.
Often we make a hasty judgment about a person, and then it can be difficult to change our first opinion of them. At least this is the case for me. Sometimes it seems like within 30 seconds of meeting somebody (sometimes even before I even hear them speak!) I have made a judgment about a person, and it may be tough for them to change my opinion of them. This is not their fault, it is mine. This is not a shortcoming of theirs, it is a shortcoming for me.
I am reminded of a story I read about Mother Teresa. In her personal writings, she talked about a fellow sister with whom she didn't personally like all that much, and with whom she did not feel much of a connection. However, when asked about their relationship, that sister said that they were very good friends. Such was the depth of Mother Teresa's love for those around us.
Even if we do not have any "enemies," everybody has those people in their lives with whom they don't really get along with well, who they don't like all that much, and whose personalities do not click well. Now, with how many of them would the other person think you are close friends? For me, the answer is zero.
Destroying your enemies and making them friends does not mean everyone that you "hate"... it means all of those people in our life who we have a hard time making a connection with or loving. Those are the people we should strive the most to love.
"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?"
The quickest way to like somebody is to get to know them. Everybody has positive things about them, and everybody has something to offer. If we focused on the positive instead of the negative of people, then we would have no enemies. If you don't like somebody, get to know them better.
Often we make a hasty judgment about a person, and then it can be difficult to change our first opinion of them. At least this is the case for me. Sometimes it seems like within 30 seconds of meeting somebody (sometimes even before I even hear them speak!) I have made a judgment about a person, and it may be tough for them to change my opinion of them. This is not their fault, it is mine. This is not a shortcoming of theirs, it is a shortcoming for me.
I am reminded of a story I read about Mother Teresa. In her personal writings, she talked about a fellow sister with whom she didn't personally like all that much, and with whom she did not feel much of a connection. However, when asked about their relationship, that sister said that they were very good friends. Such was the depth of Mother Teresa's love for those around us.
Even if we do not have any "enemies," everybody has those people in their lives with whom they don't really get along with well, who they don't like all that much, and whose personalities do not click well. Now, with how many of them would the other person think you are close friends? For me, the answer is zero.
Destroying your enemies and making them friends does not mean everyone that you "hate"... it means all of those people in our life who we have a hard time making a connection with or loving. Those are the people we should strive the most to love.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
John Wooden's Three Rules
A couple of weeks ago, I posted an article which contained a video of John Wooden speaking about his definition of true success. In the same talk, he also said he had three rules that he practically almost always followed and gave to his players and students. They were:
1. Never be late
2. No profanity
3. Never criticize a teammate
Certainly, whether you are looking at these rules from sports or in life, the practical application is there. If you follow these rules, you will likely be more successful, more liked, and more respected than if you do not.
Being on time, often, is a matter of respect. By not being late, you are respecting that other people have things to do and places to be, and they do not like waiting for you because you are running late. In life, there are few quicker ways to lose respect than being late.
Never criticizing is another issue of respect and teaching. There is no good that will come out of criticizing someone else. It is not constructive, and often the person on the receiving end of it is not actually getting anything out of what you are telling them, they are upset about being negatively chewed out.
This is not a comprehensive list of ways to live your life, but it is certainly a start. If you follow these rules, you will be treating others with respect, and in turn they will treat you the same.
1. Never be late
2. No profanity
3. Never criticize a teammate
Certainly, whether you are looking at these rules from sports or in life, the practical application is there. If you follow these rules, you will likely be more successful, more liked, and more respected than if you do not.
Being on time, often, is a matter of respect. By not being late, you are respecting that other people have things to do and places to be, and they do not like waiting for you because you are running late. In life, there are few quicker ways to lose respect than being late.
Never criticizing is another issue of respect and teaching. There is no good that will come out of criticizing someone else. It is not constructive, and often the person on the receiving end of it is not actually getting anything out of what you are telling them, they are upset about being negatively chewed out.
This is not a comprehensive list of ways to live your life, but it is certainly a start. If you follow these rules, you will be treating others with respect, and in turn they will treat you the same.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Scrubs "My Old Lady" Ending
I am a fan of Scrubs, and for my money the best episode of the series came in the first season, called "My Old Lady."
One thing the episodes talks about is always learning from your experiences, and from taking time for yourself to understand your dreams, goals, and life. It is about taking chances and making decisions. It is about getting to know people and trying to understand them.
This is the reason why I believe it is the best episode of Scrubs.
One thing the episodes talks about is always learning from your experiences, and from taking time for yourself to understand your dreams, goals, and life. It is about taking chances and making decisions. It is about getting to know people and trying to understand them.
This is the reason why I believe it is the best episode of Scrubs.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Give Me Your Eyes
One of my favorite Christian songs is by Brandon Heath, titled "Give Me Your Eyes." In the song, Heath talks about trying to see others and the world as God would see them.
What would we see if we could see with the eyes of God? Instead of seeing someone that annoys us, we see someone that we need to get to know better. Instead of seeing a beggar, we would see someone desperate for love and attention. And so on, countless examples could be given.
Instead, we usually see them through the eyes of our self-serving selves. People come into and out of our life every day, going different places and doing things, and we barely take notice. We don't try to think of their needs and the ways that we can love them and make the world a better place. Indeed, we don't think about them at all.
But how much different would we, would the world be if we make a concerted effort always to see each other through the eyes of God? To reach out and try to help people, and understand them and what they are looking for in life. We would learn empathy and compassion, and grow in all of the virtues that come from serving others.
Lord, give me Your eyes.
"Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so i can see
Everything that i keep missing
Give me your love for humanity"
What would we see if we could see with the eyes of God? Instead of seeing someone that annoys us, we see someone that we need to get to know better. Instead of seeing a beggar, we would see someone desperate for love and attention. And so on, countless examples could be given.
Instead, we usually see them through the eyes of our self-serving selves. People come into and out of our life every day, going different places and doing things, and we barely take notice. We don't try to think of their needs and the ways that we can love them and make the world a better place. Indeed, we don't think about them at all.
But how much different would we, would the world be if we make a concerted effort always to see each other through the eyes of God? To reach out and try to help people, and understand them and what they are looking for in life. We would learn empathy and compassion, and grow in all of the virtues that come from serving others.
Lord, give me Your eyes.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Scripture Sunday: Psalm 19: 8
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
Today we look at a refreshing and reassuring Bible verse from the Book of Psalms. It is from Psalm 19:
Here we know that the Lord will never betray us, He will not make a mistake that hurts us. His law is perfect, and if we let it, it will refresh our lives. If we have the right attitude about His teachings, it will enrich us, not bring us down or make us look at things as a burden.
We know also that we can trust the Lord and His teachings, as well as the things He has put in our hearts. No matter how simple we are, how common we think we are, if we are open to the Word of God, it will bring wisdom and hope into our lives.
Let us keep this verse in mind and allow the Lord to refresh our lives, our souls, and our minds.
Today we look at a refreshing and reassuring Bible verse from the Book of Psalms. It is from Psalm 19:
"The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the Lord if trustworthy, bringing wisdom to the simple." (Psalm 19:8)
Here we know that the Lord will never betray us, He will not make a mistake that hurts us. His law is perfect, and if we let it, it will refresh our lives. If we have the right attitude about His teachings, it will enrich us, not bring us down or make us look at things as a burden.
We know also that we can trust the Lord and His teachings, as well as the things He has put in our hearts. No matter how simple we are, how common we think we are, if we are open to the Word of God, it will bring wisdom and hope into our lives.
Let us keep this verse in mind and allow the Lord to refresh our lives, our souls, and our minds.
Friday, May 20, 2011
There Is No Progress Without Change
There is a quote that says something along the lines of madness being doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Or another, similar sentiment was expressed to my junior high class, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always be what you've always been."
Both points are saying the same thing as the title of this post... there is no progress without change. If you want your life to change, or you want to improve some area of your life, chances are you are going to have to do something different.
Many of us would like to magically be better at some things, whether it is personality traits (we would like to be more giving, more caring, more patient, etc) or skills (such as cooking, or being organized and clean). But we aren't willing to actually taking any steps towards making that happen. We tell ourselves that "next time we will be better." But, if you don't make any type of change, next time will not be better.
If we want to improve some area of our life, we have to consciously work towards making that a realistic possibility. If we don't, if we just continue to hope that it gets better, we are going to be hoping for a long time.
Both points are saying the same thing as the title of this post... there is no progress without change. If you want your life to change, or you want to improve some area of your life, chances are you are going to have to do something different.
Many of us would like to magically be better at some things, whether it is personality traits (we would like to be more giving, more caring, more patient, etc) or skills (such as cooking, or being organized and clean). But we aren't willing to actually taking any steps towards making that happen. We tell ourselves that "next time we will be better." But, if you don't make any type of change, next time will not be better.
If we want to improve some area of our life, we have to consciously work towards making that a realistic possibility. If we don't, if we just continue to hope that it gets better, we are going to be hoping for a long time.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
The Story of Joe Delaney
Joe Delaney was an NFL running back in the 1980s, playing two seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs (including winning the Rookie of the Year award. But that is not why he is so well remembered.
On June 29, 1983, Delaney died while trying to rescue three kids from drowning in a water hole in Monroe, Louisiana. He didn't know how to swim.
To say that Delaney's actions are a great example and role model would be an understatement. When someone else was in trouble, he didn't hesitate to help, even if he didn't exactly know how. He put his life on the line without hesitation to try and help others who were in trouble.
How often do we find ourselves in situations where somebody we know needs help, but we are not sure how to help them? For many people, the response then is to try and push the responsibility off to someone else, and hope that someone else can help them. But we need to take the lesson of Joe Delaney, and jump in with whatever help we can provide. It may not be perfect, but some help is better than no help.
I will end with a quote from Rick Reilly's article on Joe Delaney, which is very much worth a read (and also short):
On June 29, 1983, Delaney died while trying to rescue three kids from drowning in a water hole in Monroe, Louisiana. He didn't know how to swim.
To say that Delaney's actions are a great example and role model would be an understatement. When someone else was in trouble, he didn't hesitate to help, even if he didn't exactly know how. He put his life on the line without hesitation to try and help others who were in trouble.
How often do we find ourselves in situations where somebody we know needs help, but we are not sure how to help them? For many people, the response then is to try and push the responsibility off to someone else, and hope that someone else can help them. But we need to take the lesson of Joe Delaney, and jump in with whatever help we can provide. It may not be perfect, but some help is better than no help.
I will end with a quote from Rick Reilly's article on Joe Delaney, which is very much worth a read (and also short):
Anyway, the point is, next time you're reading the sports section and you're about half-sick of DUIs and beaten wives, put it down for a second and remember Joe Delaney, who, in that splinter of a moment, when a hero was needed, didn't stop to ask why.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Little Acts of Kindness Matter
I watched a video of a speech by a volunteer firefighter, who told of a couple key lessons he learned from going into a burning building.
One thing he learned was that you should never wait to make a difference in someone's life. There is no need to wait to give until you can "afford" to... if you are waiting for the perfect time, it will never come. Give what you can, it will be enough.
The other important message is that little acts of kindness really do matter. We may think that when we do something little to help another person that it is not actually helping, but that couldn't be further from the case. A little act of kindness can go a long way.
As the saying goes and as we know is true, kindness is contagious. When you perform a kind act or send a smile someone's way, they are more likely to do the same for someone else. They will be put in a better mood, and they will put others in a better mood because of it.
The time is always right to help out another person, whether it is with a big act or a small act.
One thing he learned was that you should never wait to make a difference in someone's life. There is no need to wait to give until you can "afford" to... if you are waiting for the perfect time, it will never come. Give what you can, it will be enough.
The other important message is that little acts of kindness really do matter. We may think that when we do something little to help another person that it is not actually helping, but that couldn't be further from the case. A little act of kindness can go a long way.
As the saying goes and as we know is true, kindness is contagious. When you perform a kind act or send a smile someone's way, they are more likely to do the same for someone else. They will be put in a better mood, and they will put others in a better mood because of it.
The time is always right to help out another person, whether it is with a big act or a small act.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Steve Jobs Commencement Speech
I shared this video once upon a time, but with graduations happening around the country within these couple of weeks, I thought it would be appropriate to share the best commencement speech I have ever heard.
Best of luck to those moving on to their next stage in life... it is scary, but pretty darn rewarding too!
Best of luck to those moving on to their next stage in life... it is scary, but pretty darn rewarding too!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Scripture Sunday: Mark 4: 40
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
Today is a story of Jesus calming a storm at sea, and the fear of the Apostles of the storm before Jesus calms it. He says to them,
From the first time I contemplated this verse, I have thought it could apply to all of us today in all types of situations. In the Bible story, the Apostles are scared because it is storming. Even though Jesus is right there with them, they do not have the faith that He will provide and keep them safe. Of course, despite their doubt, Jesus does calm the storm and keeps them safe.
In the same way, there are many situations where we are scared and do not have faith that Jesus will provide and keep us safe. There are many times where we face doubt and uncertainty, and our first instinct is not the trust the Lord. And yet, despite our doubt, the Lord is always there for us.
When we doubt the Lord and have trouble trusting, the Lord asks us, "Why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?" For if we had true faith and confidence in the Lord, there would never be time for alarm or doubt.
Today is a story of Jesus calming a storm at sea, and the fear of the Apostles of the storm before Jesus calms it. He says to them,
"Then he asked them, 'Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?'" (Mark 4:40)
From the first time I contemplated this verse, I have thought it could apply to all of us today in all types of situations. In the Bible story, the Apostles are scared because it is storming. Even though Jesus is right there with them, they do not have the faith that He will provide and keep them safe. Of course, despite their doubt, Jesus does calm the storm and keeps them safe.
In the same way, there are many situations where we are scared and do not have faith that Jesus will provide and keep us safe. There are many times where we face doubt and uncertainty, and our first instinct is not the trust the Lord. And yet, despite our doubt, the Lord is always there for us.
When we doubt the Lord and have trouble trusting, the Lord asks us, "Why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?" For if we had true faith and confidence in the Lord, there would never be time for alarm or doubt.
Friday, May 13, 2011
John Wooden on True Success
The other day I came across this talk by John Wooden on what he sees as true success... it is a great video of the inspiring and wise old coach, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone.
In the video, Wooden gives his definition of success. He says that success is:
Notice that his definition of success has nothing to do with achieving more fame or money than another person, a point which he makes in the talk. Instead, it is concerned with doing the best that you are capable of, and being satisfied with yourself and the life that you are living.
People see success as being in competition with other people, but Wooden says, "Never try to be better than anyone else." Rather, be the best you that you can be. At the end of the day, you need to be able to look yourself in the mirror and be satisfied, and that will not happen over the long-term if you are reaching for more fame, money, or popularity than other people. Those goals are fleeting, and are concerned with pride, not the true sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that comes from real growth as a person.
What is your definition of success? You need to evaluate that first, because that is what you will judge yourself on. If you have a warped sense of what being successful means, chances are you will be focused on the wrong things, and this will severely stunt your growth as a person.
Wooden had it right with his definition of success. True success is becoming the best person that you are capable of becoming. It has nothing to do with so many of the earthly things that we usually judge success on. If we truly are able to embrace this definition of success and live our life based on it, how much happier we would be.
In the video, Wooden gives his definition of success. He says that success is:
"Peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you're capable."
Notice that his definition of success has nothing to do with achieving more fame or money than another person, a point which he makes in the talk. Instead, it is concerned with doing the best that you are capable of, and being satisfied with yourself and the life that you are living.
People see success as being in competition with other people, but Wooden says, "Never try to be better than anyone else." Rather, be the best you that you can be. At the end of the day, you need to be able to look yourself in the mirror and be satisfied, and that will not happen over the long-term if you are reaching for more fame, money, or popularity than other people. Those goals are fleeting, and are concerned with pride, not the true sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that comes from real growth as a person.
What is your definition of success? You need to evaluate that first, because that is what you will judge yourself on. If you have a warped sense of what being successful means, chances are you will be focused on the wrong things, and this will severely stunt your growth as a person.
Wooden had it right with his definition of success. True success is becoming the best person that you are capable of becoming. It has nothing to do with so many of the earthly things that we usually judge success on. If we truly are able to embrace this definition of success and live our life based on it, how much happier we would be.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
No Margin of Error
For everyone, there are people that we might not get along with, or simply might not enjoy their company. Sometimes we might not really care about making them a better person, or acting nicely towards them. There are people we might see as lost causes, or as being beyond redemption.
However, in the eyes of Jesus, there is nobody that matches that description. A reflection I once read said:
I don't think anyone would read this and be shocked by what it says, but I doubt there are a lot of us that are really living this out. We don't go the extra mile for those we don't care as much about, and generally are only interested in them so far as we can get something from them.
How different the world and people would be if they saw each soul and each person as a unique person created by God to be loved and known. If we treated everyone with the respect that we would treat those we most admire.
How do we treat others?
However, in the eyes of Jesus, there is nobody that matches that description. A reflection I once read said:
"There is no margin of error that's acceptable to Him, no percentage of lives that don't matter. He makes an astonishing claim: It's not God's will that even one soul be lost. Everyone counts. Everyone. So the next time it seems expedient to write off somebody, or some group, as not worth our time, resources, and compassion, remember the percentage that interests Jesus when it comes to salvation: 100%."
I don't think anyone would read this and be shocked by what it says, but I doubt there are a lot of us that are really living this out. We don't go the extra mile for those we don't care as much about, and generally are only interested in them so far as we can get something from them.
How different the world and people would be if they saw each soul and each person as a unique person created by God to be loved and known. If we treated everyone with the respect that we would treat those we most admire.
How do we treat others?
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
How do you receive information?
When we think about communication, we usually think about the ways in which we share information... but what about the reverse? How do we receive information?
This is more, I think, than simply being a good listener or being a bad listener. It has to do with body language, which can have such a large effect on the person sharing the information.
We discussed this during marriage preparation... sometimes another person is going to have to share bad news, or disappointments, or ways in which they have failed. If they don't share these things, then it is not really much of a deep friendship. However, whether they share or not share might be largely dependent on how well you receive information.
It means that you have to make the other person feel comfortable, and that you are interested in hearing what they have to say and doing what you can to help them, rather than judging them if their information is not happy. If you are able to do this, then you will both be more comfortable with each other, and your friendship (or, in the case of marriage) or love will grow.
This is more, I think, than simply being a good listener or being a bad listener. It has to do with body language, which can have such a large effect on the person sharing the information.
We discussed this during marriage preparation... sometimes another person is going to have to share bad news, or disappointments, or ways in which they have failed. If they don't share these things, then it is not really much of a deep friendship. However, whether they share or not share might be largely dependent on how well you receive information.
It means that you have to make the other person feel comfortable, and that you are interested in hearing what they have to say and doing what you can to help them, rather than judging them if their information is not happy. If you are able to do this, then you will both be more comfortable with each other, and your friendship (or, in the case of marriage) or love will grow.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Comings of Christ
When we think about the coming of Christ, we think about his first coming, being born in Bethlahem, and the Final Judgment, but there are other, hidden, important comings of Jesus.
We must be constantly alert and aware of the comings of Jesus in our everyday lives, whether it is through things like the friendship of others, the beauty of the earth, the fulfillment of a goal, or any of the number of other things that could help lead us closer to Christ.
Being aware of these comings of Christ can help us recognize the way that He works in our lives, which helps us to grow in virtue and appreciate the gifts and blessings and graces that we receive on an everyday basis.
This can also help us to do as Jesus would do, and to live our lives like He did, treating everyone we meet with love and respect. When we are aware of the arrivals of grace that Jesus brings to us, we can't help but grow in virtue as we know that Jesus is with us always, helping us and supporting us.
How has Jesus come to you today?
"St. Bernard of Clairvaux spoke of three 'comings' of Christ: as the child of Bethlahem and the final Lord of history, as well as the quiet daily arrivals of grace in which we recognize the face of Jesus."
We must be constantly alert and aware of the comings of Jesus in our everyday lives, whether it is through things like the friendship of others, the beauty of the earth, the fulfillment of a goal, or any of the number of other things that could help lead us closer to Christ.
Being aware of these comings of Christ can help us recognize the way that He works in our lives, which helps us to grow in virtue and appreciate the gifts and blessings and graces that we receive on an everyday basis.
This can also help us to do as Jesus would do, and to live our lives like He did, treating everyone we meet with love and respect. When we are aware of the arrivals of grace that Jesus brings to us, we can't help but grow in virtue as we know that Jesus is with us always, helping us and supporting us.
How has Jesus come to you today?
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Scripture Sunday: James 1: 2-4
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
Today we look at one of my favorite and one of the most comforting passages in the Bible, in my opinion, and it comes from the start of James.
Through this passage James tells us not to despair or get down when we go through various trials in life (as we all will), because if we let it, it will simply be a test of our faith that will produce perseverance, and allow our faith to grow stronger.
Often there is no real growth unless we go through some type of hardship and struggle to get there. This will allow us to see what we are truly made of, and the amazing things we capable of and able to endure. However, we will only be able to grow properly from it if we have the right attitude, which is why James says to let our perseverance be perfect. If we take the lessons from the hardship, our faith will strengthen and we will become better people.
This passage has been a great help for me in times of difficulty, and has given me the courage and strength to move forward and try to become a better person because of the difficulty. I hope it can do the same for you!
Today we look at one of my favorite and one of the most comforting passages in the Bible, in my opinion, and it comes from the start of James.
"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1: 2-4)
Through this passage James tells us not to despair or get down when we go through various trials in life (as we all will), because if we let it, it will simply be a test of our faith that will produce perseverance, and allow our faith to grow stronger.
Often there is no real growth unless we go through some type of hardship and struggle to get there. This will allow us to see what we are truly made of, and the amazing things we capable of and able to endure. However, we will only be able to grow properly from it if we have the right attitude, which is why James says to let our perseverance be perfect. If we take the lessons from the hardship, our faith will strengthen and we will become better people.
This passage has been a great help for me in times of difficulty, and has given me the courage and strength to move forward and try to become a better person because of the difficulty. I hope it can do the same for you!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Sarah Kay: "If I Should Have A Daughter..."
Great speech by Sarah Kay, founder of Project VOICE... she is a great and exciting speaker. I really enjoyed this speech! Very inspirational and powerful. It is 18 minutes long, but time goes quick... I wish it had been longer.
"You will put the star in starting over and over, and no matter how many land mines erupt in a minute, be sure your mind lands on the beauty of this funny place called life."
Thursday, May 5, 2011
100 Reasons To Love Spring
Spring is upon us. Temps are warming up, outdoor activities are increasing, and we have officially been in the season of spring for a few weeks now.
Spring might be my favorite season of them all.... How do I love spring? Let me count the ways...
1) You can once again hear the birds chirping outside.
2) Apples are good all the time, but there is something about eating an apple outside in the sun that is especially refreshing. This is possible once again in the spring.
3) The baseball season begins...
4) It is lighter earlier and later in the day, meaning more time to play outside and enjoy the natural light.
5) Hearing the sound of the rain outside as you are trying to fall asleep.
6) The flowers have begun to bloom...
7) Great temperatures for things like running, hiking and biking outside... not too hot, but warm enough that you will be comfortable.
8) The beginning of barbecues, which means the smell of the barbecue.
9) Winter meltoff means you can see more flowing water and (better yet) waterfalls.
10) The excitement and anticipation that spring brings... there is the thought and hope of new life and of summer adventures.
11) The NCAA Tournament finishes up in spring... best sporting event of the year!
12) The smell of the outside world as things are starting to grow.
13) When in school, there was always spring break! Which meant different things to different people, but for me it meant the Pay It Forward Tour, which means going on a bus across the country with other students doing service projects. I couldn't recommend that highly enough!
14) Things start to turn green outside, and green is the best color ever!
15) The crack of a wooden bat on a baseball diamond and the snap of a baseball as it hits the glove.
16) When you wake up to leave in the morning to go to work or see the sunrise, it is actually an enjoyable temperature out.
17) Going outside on the deck and reading a book in the sunlight. No better way to read!
18) How you can even handle the occasional cold days, because you know that the warmth of the rest of spring and summer is coming.
19) Rolling down the windows in the car and letting your hair blow in the wind.
20) The Cherry Blossoms in Washington D.C.
21) Going for a hike in the mountains and still seeing snow-capped peaks in the distance.
22) Shorts weather!
23) Wearing a baseball cap outside instead of stocking cap.
24) Planting flowers and a garden.
25) Opening the windows in the house and smelling the freshness.
26) Being out on a baseball diamond chewing sunflower seeds.
27) Going for a walk.
28) Finally being able to leave the windows open at night to hear the sounds of the world.
29) Seeing the birds flying across the sky and in the trees.
30) There is still a variance in the weather... some days will be chilly (but not too cold), and some days will be warm (but not too hot). But all of the unpredictably is still in a comfortable range.
31) Hiking to a lake and actually see the lake, not just the ice covering (though ice is cool too...)
31) The bugs haven't had time yet to make themselves comfortable all over your house.
32) The more sunlight will make you a happier, more vibrant person, especially if it has been a long and dark winter.
33) Don't need tennis shoes or boots if you don't want them, you can go outside in just your sandals.
34) Finally you can get thunderstorms again and enjoy the pouring rain, the awe of lightning, and the boom of thunder.
35) When you get off of work, it is actually still light outside!
36) Getting out and playing golf and tennis, if those are your sports.
37) Depending on where you live... since spring is when people start taking more vacations, you have a chance of being visited by friends and relatives.
38) No more days of wearing winter coats... at least until next year.
39) Instead of just watching basketball on TV, you can get outside and play it!
40) Longer days of sunlight mean more time to enjoy your favorite activities outside.
41) 0-0 records for everyone in the MLB. "Hope springs eternal..."
42) "Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." - Doug Larson
43) Sitting outside, drinking sweet tea, and enjoying the weather.
44) The start of softball season.
45) Simply the anticipation of summer puts people in a happier mood.
46) Knowing that the first day you can reasonable wear shorts (and even if you can't really do it reasonably), you will... just because that will make it feel more like spring!
47) Going to the park and tossing a football or frisbee around.
48) Being able to go to playground (especially the swings).
49) Just after the sun goes down, when it is still light enough to see, and the air is crisp and refreshing on a spring evening.
50) No more days of slick driving conditions.
51) Hearing the shouts of kids as they play the first soccer games and practices of the season.
52) How everything outside and even the clothes that people wear are brighter.
53) The celebration of Easter every spring, a time to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus!
54) The greater likelihood of seeing wildlife out and about (depending on where you live).
55) Being able to go for a bike ride and feel the wind blowing in your face.
56) Being able to play volleyball in the sand.
57) Going to the park and just walking around or messing around, having fun and getting the fresh air.
58) Opening the windows or shades in the morning to get natural light instead of turning a light on.
59) It actually sounds good to go out and get some ice cream.
60) "Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day." - W. Earl Hall
61) The smell of rain, either before or after the rain.
62) Taking pictures outside, capturing the beauty of the Earth.
63) Seeing people out going for runs, inspiring you to want to do the same.
64) The refreshing taste of water when you are out doing something in the sun.
65) It is the start of being able to go for a swim outside (and not freeze too much).
66) Being able to plant a garden or flowers.
67) Playing baseball - whether it is just playing catch, taking batting practice, or shagging fly balls in the outfield.
68) Being able to wear flip flops outside, giving your feet some needed fresh air.
69) Seeing a butterfly perched on a tree branch right before it takes off in flight.
70) "If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom." - Terri Guillemets
71) How you love a rainy day because you know the Earth needs it and it provides a nice atmosphere to enjoy the indoors.
72) How much easier it is to get exercise when you can go outside and do it instead of going to dreary inside of the gym.
73) If you have to go to work early in the morning, it will actually get light on your drive, waking you up for the day and inspiring you to get better work done.
74) Laying in the grass and watching the stars.
75) The start of camping season, getting out and enjoying the outdoors and embracing a more rugged way of life (if only for a night).
76) Planning vacations, knowing that you can plan a whole day doing stuff outside, and you won't get too cold.
77) Seeng wildflowers when you are out in the wilderness.
78) If you are a paper deliverer, you can walk or bike from house to house instead of having to drive from house to house!
79) The sound of crickets at night (as long as they are not in your house).
80) "[Spring is] when life's alive in everything." = Christina Rossetti
81) Seeing leaves back on the trees as they spring to life.
82) Pickup basketball games... outside.
83) If you are near the mountains, you can still enjoy the majesty of the snow-covered peaks in the distance, only without being in the cold yourself.
84) Everyone starts to get green grass, rather than brown, dead grass.
85) As long as you are not walking in a high traffic area (in which case I do not recommend this), you can go for a walk and read a book... at the same time!
86) Going for a long bike ride through the neighborhoods... nowhere to go or be, just seeing where the road takes you.
87) The NBA playoffs... when all the best athletes in the world show up to play.
88) Taking long drives and roadtrips, with the windows down, the roads clear, and the radio up.
89) If you are lucky enough to have a porch or deck, sitting out and reading a favorite book, drinking some lemonade.
90) "An optimist is the human personification of spring." - Susan Bissonette
91) You don't have to pile on all of the blankets when you crawl into bed at night.
92) Since people tend to be in a more joyful mood once the winter is over, and happiness is contagious, everyone is more joyful!
93) You can fly a kite! (or, perhaps more accurately, try to fly a kite...)
94) You can enjoy the myriad of activities that a lake or river offers, such as boating, waterksiing, going to the beach, or simply swimming.
95) The feeling of "newness" that comes with everything. With new life comes new hopes, new dreams, new ambitions, and new motivations.
96) Being able to see one of the most beautiful sights in creation, the sunrise... when it is warming enough that you won't be shivering with cold.
97) Playing two-hand touch or flag football.
98) Instead of having to drive everywhere, you can walk or bike to get from place to place. Being environmentally friendly and getting exercise at the same time.
99) If you live in a safe enough area, you can go for walks at night when the moon is out and the world is more peaceful.
100) Did I mention hearing the chirping birds outside? :)
Spring might be my favorite season of them all.... How do I love spring? Let me count the ways...
1) You can once again hear the birds chirping outside.
2) Apples are good all the time, but there is something about eating an apple outside in the sun that is especially refreshing. This is possible once again in the spring.
3) The baseball season begins...
4) It is lighter earlier and later in the day, meaning more time to play outside and enjoy the natural light.
5) Hearing the sound of the rain outside as you are trying to fall asleep.
6) The flowers have begun to bloom...
7) Great temperatures for things like running, hiking and biking outside... not too hot, but warm enough that you will be comfortable.
8) The beginning of barbecues, which means the smell of the barbecue.
9) Winter meltoff means you can see more flowing water and (better yet) waterfalls.
10) The excitement and anticipation that spring brings... there is the thought and hope of new life and of summer adventures.
11) The NCAA Tournament finishes up in spring... best sporting event of the year!
12) The smell of the outside world as things are starting to grow.
13) When in school, there was always spring break! Which meant different things to different people, but for me it meant the Pay It Forward Tour, which means going on a bus across the country with other students doing service projects. I couldn't recommend that highly enough!
14) Things start to turn green outside, and green is the best color ever!
15) The crack of a wooden bat on a baseball diamond and the snap of a baseball as it hits the glove.
16) When you wake up to leave in the morning to go to work or see the sunrise, it is actually an enjoyable temperature out.
17) Going outside on the deck and reading a book in the sunlight. No better way to read!
18) How you can even handle the occasional cold days, because you know that the warmth of the rest of spring and summer is coming.
19) Rolling down the windows in the car and letting your hair blow in the wind.
20) The Cherry Blossoms in Washington D.C.
21) Going for a hike in the mountains and still seeing snow-capped peaks in the distance.
22) Shorts weather!
23) Wearing a baseball cap outside instead of stocking cap.
24) Planting flowers and a garden.
25) Opening the windows in the house and smelling the freshness.
26) Being out on a baseball diamond chewing sunflower seeds.
27) Going for a walk.
28) Finally being able to leave the windows open at night to hear the sounds of the world.
29) Seeing the birds flying across the sky and in the trees.
30) There is still a variance in the weather... some days will be chilly (but not too cold), and some days will be warm (but not too hot). But all of the unpredictably is still in a comfortable range.
31) Hiking to a lake and actually see the lake, not just the ice covering (though ice is cool too...)
31) The bugs haven't had time yet to make themselves comfortable all over your house.
32) The more sunlight will make you a happier, more vibrant person, especially if it has been a long and dark winter.
33) Don't need tennis shoes or boots if you don't want them, you can go outside in just your sandals.
34) Finally you can get thunderstorms again and enjoy the pouring rain, the awe of lightning, and the boom of thunder.
35) When you get off of work, it is actually still light outside!
36) Getting out and playing golf and tennis, if those are your sports.
37) Depending on where you live... since spring is when people start taking more vacations, you have a chance of being visited by friends and relatives.
38) No more days of wearing winter coats... at least until next year.
39) Instead of just watching basketball on TV, you can get outside and play it!
40) Longer days of sunlight mean more time to enjoy your favorite activities outside.
41) 0-0 records for everyone in the MLB. "Hope springs eternal..."
42) "Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." - Doug Larson
43) Sitting outside, drinking sweet tea, and enjoying the weather.
44) The start of softball season.
45) Simply the anticipation of summer puts people in a happier mood.
46) Knowing that the first day you can reasonable wear shorts (and even if you can't really do it reasonably), you will... just because that will make it feel more like spring!
47) Going to the park and tossing a football or frisbee around.
48) Being able to go to playground (especially the swings).
49) Just after the sun goes down, when it is still light enough to see, and the air is crisp and refreshing on a spring evening.
50) No more days of slick driving conditions.
51) Hearing the shouts of kids as they play the first soccer games and practices of the season.
52) How everything outside and even the clothes that people wear are brighter.
53) The celebration of Easter every spring, a time to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus!
54) The greater likelihood of seeing wildlife out and about (depending on where you live).
55) Being able to go for a bike ride and feel the wind blowing in your face.
56) Being able to play volleyball in the sand.
57) Going to the park and just walking around or messing around, having fun and getting the fresh air.
58) Opening the windows or shades in the morning to get natural light instead of turning a light on.
59) It actually sounds good to go out and get some ice cream.
60) "Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day." - W. Earl Hall
61) The smell of rain, either before or after the rain.
62) Taking pictures outside, capturing the beauty of the Earth.
63) Seeing people out going for runs, inspiring you to want to do the same.
64) The refreshing taste of water when you are out doing something in the sun.
65) It is the start of being able to go for a swim outside (and not freeze too much).
66) Being able to plant a garden or flowers.
67) Playing baseball - whether it is just playing catch, taking batting practice, or shagging fly balls in the outfield.
68) Being able to wear flip flops outside, giving your feet some needed fresh air.
69) Seeing a butterfly perched on a tree branch right before it takes off in flight.
70) "If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom." - Terri Guillemets
71) How you love a rainy day because you know the Earth needs it and it provides a nice atmosphere to enjoy the indoors.
72) How much easier it is to get exercise when you can go outside and do it instead of going to dreary inside of the gym.
73) If you have to go to work early in the morning, it will actually get light on your drive, waking you up for the day and inspiring you to get better work done.
74) Laying in the grass and watching the stars.
75) The start of camping season, getting out and enjoying the outdoors and embracing a more rugged way of life (if only for a night).
76) Planning vacations, knowing that you can plan a whole day doing stuff outside, and you won't get too cold.
77) Seeng wildflowers when you are out in the wilderness.
78) If you are a paper deliverer, you can walk or bike from house to house instead of having to drive from house to house!
79) The sound of crickets at night (as long as they are not in your house).
80) "[Spring is] when life's alive in everything." = Christina Rossetti
81) Seeing leaves back on the trees as they spring to life.
82) Pickup basketball games... outside.
83) If you are near the mountains, you can still enjoy the majesty of the snow-covered peaks in the distance, only without being in the cold yourself.
84) Everyone starts to get green grass, rather than brown, dead grass.
85) As long as you are not walking in a high traffic area (in which case I do not recommend this), you can go for a walk and read a book... at the same time!
86) Going for a long bike ride through the neighborhoods... nowhere to go or be, just seeing where the road takes you.
87) The NBA playoffs... when all the best athletes in the world show up to play.
88) Taking long drives and roadtrips, with the windows down, the roads clear, and the radio up.
89) If you are lucky enough to have a porch or deck, sitting out and reading a favorite book, drinking some lemonade.
90) "An optimist is the human personification of spring." - Susan Bissonette
91) You don't have to pile on all of the blankets when you crawl into bed at night.
92) Since people tend to be in a more joyful mood once the winter is over, and happiness is contagious, everyone is more joyful!
93) You can fly a kite! (or, perhaps more accurately, try to fly a kite...)
94) You can enjoy the myriad of activities that a lake or river offers, such as boating, waterksiing, going to the beach, or simply swimming.
95) The feeling of "newness" that comes with everything. With new life comes new hopes, new dreams, new ambitions, and new motivations.
96) Being able to see one of the most beautiful sights in creation, the sunrise... when it is warming enough that you won't be shivering with cold.
97) Playing two-hand touch or flag football.
98) Instead of having to drive everywhere, you can walk or bike to get from place to place. Being environmentally friendly and getting exercise at the same time.
99) If you live in a safe enough area, you can go for walks at night when the moon is out and the world is more peaceful.
100) Did I mention hearing the chirping birds outside? :)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
On The Death of Bin Laden
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Where True Happiness Lies
In "Story of a Soul," St. Therese of Lisieux offers this insight on where happiness can be found. Rather, where happiness IS found.
"I realized very clearly that happiness has nothing to do with the material things which surround us; it dwells in the very depth of the soul." (79)
To take a look at this, all you have to do is to thing about the things which make you happiest. Odds are they will not be things like your TV, or your car, or your computer. If those are the first things you think of, be wary! Your happiness is very fleeting, because those things will not provide you with long lasting, sustaining happiness.
For truly happy people, their joy and happiness lies in their loved ones, their experiences, and the things to which they dedicate their life. These are the things which provide a more fulfilling happiness, one which cannot be taken away by the loss of possessions or circumstance.
For me, it is easy to find that the things that make me happiest are not my material possessions. They are things like going for a hike with my fiancee, reading a good book, getting a letter in the mail or writing a letter, coming upon a beautiful site in the outdoors, Adoring Our Lord, or making someone else smile or laugh.
None of these things are dependent on material possessions or wealth, but they come from the very depths of the soul. They come from those free gifts given to us by God, through the natural beauty of the earth, our friends and loved ones, or our own curiousity.
What brings you happiness?
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Scripture Sunday: Philippians 2: 5-11
Every Sunday on this site I will take some time to look at a passage from the Bible that I like and think is great... though they could obviously be presented by themselves without further mention, I will throw my two cents in on what the verse(s) mean to me.
Today is one of the best passages in the Bible about Jesus that we find outside of the Gospels. It is from Paul's letter to the Phillipians.
There is much to be learned from here, more than could be explored in a simple blog post.
We know that Jesus is the ultimate guide for humility. Even though he was God, he still took the form of a human person and all of the suffering that came with it. He was obedient to the will of God, even though that eventually meant that He would die on the cross.
How obedient are we to God and His will for our lives? How often do we think that we can act as God, either by our thoughts or our actual actions, when try to do things that we know are contrary to what God would want for us?
We also learn that if we do the will of God, we will be with Him in heaven. The passage says that because of Jesus' obedience, he was greatly exalted by God. If we do the will of the Lord and become the best people that we can be, we too will be rewarded by the Lord.
Do we use Jesus as our guide in our decisions?
Today is one of the best passages in the Bible about Jesus that we find outside of the Gospels. It is from Paul's letter to the Phillipians.
"Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus,
Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found in human appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father." (Philippians 2: 5-11)
There is much to be learned from here, more than could be explored in a simple blog post.
We know that Jesus is the ultimate guide for humility. Even though he was God, he still took the form of a human person and all of the suffering that came with it. He was obedient to the will of God, even though that eventually meant that He would die on the cross.
How obedient are we to God and His will for our lives? How often do we think that we can act as God, either by our thoughts or our actual actions, when try to do things that we know are contrary to what God would want for us?
We also learn that if we do the will of God, we will be with Him in heaven. The passage says that because of Jesus' obedience, he was greatly exalted by God. If we do the will of the Lord and become the best people that we can be, we too will be rewarded by the Lord.
Do we use Jesus as our guide in our decisions?
Friday, April 29, 2011
Lessons From Mere Christianity: Recap
I finished writing my series on Lessons for Mere Christianity... and here is a brief recap, or all of the links...
Introduction
Mere Christianity Quotes
- Charity
- Creating a Christian Society
- Help From Others
- Judging Others
- Living A Perfect Life
- Love
- Pride
- Self-Improvement
- Trust In God
- Turning It Over to God
- Using Our Gifts
- Virtue
Take a look and let me know what you think! If you haven't already, read the book
!
Introduction
Mere Christianity Quotes
- Charity
- Creating a Christian Society
- Help From Others
- Judging Others
- Living A Perfect Life
- Love
- Pride
- Self-Improvement
- Trust In God
- Turning It Over to God
- Using Our Gifts
- Virtue
Take a look and let me know what you think! If you haven't already, read the book
!
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