Friday, January 28, 2005
Keep Your Mouth Shut
As i sat in my folklore and mythology class on Tuesday evening listening to students and the professor giggle about Christianity, i wondered as i often have, what is a Christian to do? I've often watched other offended or frustrated students stand and make an admirable attempt to defend or add some levity, but they seemed to step into a trap meant to catch an eager buffoon. The brave attempts of these well meaning souls seemed to validate the giggling laughter. I personally have thoughts and objections that i often would like to raise in the class, but suffer from an unusually bright red face when being stared down. These thoughts coupled with the idea that this isn't my classroom, platform or soapbox, so i'll let them have their say. I could go on, but i'll leave it at that and save the rest for the comment box...possibly.
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As i sat in my folklore and mythology class on Tuesday evening listening to students and the professor giggle about Christianity, i wondered as i often have, what is a Christian to do? I've often watched other offended or frustrated students stand and make an admirable attempt to defend or add some levity, but they seemed to step into a trap meant to catch an eager buffoon. The brave attempts of these well meaning souls seemed to validate the giggling laughter. I personally have thoughts and objections that i often would like to raise in the class, but suffer from an unusually bright red face when being stared down. These thoughts coupled with the idea that this isn't my classroom, platform or soapbox, so i'll let them have their say. I could go on, but i'll leave it at that and save the rest for the comment box...possibly.
(0) comments
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
I Love My Mother!
I don't thank God enough for the Church and all that it contains. My Spiritual Father, the sacraments, the saints, the faithful, the pragmatic and organic, mystical and ascetic faith. I have found so much comfort and strength in the Church that it is hard to believe there was actually a time when i feared Orthodoxy. A time when I had dreams where my field of vision contained nothing but blurred gold icons. I am thankful for the beacon and bulwark the Church is. Truly a city on a hill.
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I don't thank God enough for the Church and all that it contains. My Spiritual Father, the sacraments, the saints, the faithful, the pragmatic and organic, mystical and ascetic faith. I have found so much comfort and strength in the Church that it is hard to believe there was actually a time when i feared Orthodoxy. A time when I had dreams where my field of vision contained nothing but blurred gold icons. I am thankful for the beacon and bulwark the Church is. Truly a city on a hill.
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Monday, January 24, 2005
I get this CD out every six months and am always impressed with the depths it plumbs in a popular music medium. Strand me on an island and i'd be happy with 3 discs, Radio Head (Ok Computer), Bach (Mass in B Minor), and an MP3 of Bill Malonee!
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Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Fighting
I have to continually remind myself of the Gospel text for which this blog is named, the violent take the kingdom by force. Rather than struggling against something, struggling towards it. The perspective shift is simple and yet it makes such a great difference.
I am no ascetic, but I desire to enter the kingdom, I desire union with the Divine. By God's help and all the saints I shall.
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I have to continually remind myself of the Gospel text for which this blog is named, the violent take the kingdom by force. Rather than struggling against something, struggling towards it. The perspective shift is simple and yet it makes such a great difference.
I am no ascetic, but I desire to enter the kingdom, I desire union with the Divine. By God's help and all the saints I shall.
(0) comments