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When reality contradicts memory

Maybe it is my imagination, but lately I am seeing more and more cartoons with this type of theme. They are worried about the amount of time that our children spend indoors and the amount of time that they spend playing a game for entertainment or texting. More than one of the cartoons has the parent pushing the child(ren) outdoors to play and to enjoy the healthy exercise and interaction just like... [Read more]

Your sins can come back to pay you a visit

I have often jokingly told couples who are thinking of marriage that someday in the future, their sins will catch up to them when they have teenagers, particularly if they are daughters. I have also jokingly said that the reason that fathers, in particular, say so many “no’s” to their daughters and are so suspicious of any incoming boy is that all their sins have come back to visit... [Read more]

Tight shoes, Good Samaritan, and Roman Catholics

Do you remember what Our Lord Jesus said to the Samaritan Woman when they had their discussion about worship? “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither... [Read more]

The Pope’s Westminster Hall Address

Recently Pope Benedict XVI visited England. While there he addressed a rather large gathering of both religious and secular leaders at Westminster Hall. The leaders were from religion, politics, and academia. You can both watch and read his address here. What he said is important enough that I am going to pre-empt my next posting on “tight shoes” for one day. In a brief two minute period,... [Read more]

Do you ever feel just a little old?

OK, I will admit it. I could easily see myself having a conversation of this type. It brings up an interesting story that my wife tells me about a certain member of her family asking why Duran Duran had two first names. Unfortunately, if I were to tell the story she would have to kill me. So … have a good laugh today and keep the doctors at bay.  Read More →

Tight shoes, the Good Samaritan, and Our Lord Jesus Christ

It will be helpful to look at the ten northern tribes of Israel, nicknamed the “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.” As with most nicknames there is some truth and some exaggeration to it. For those of you who may not have heard that nickname before, let me give you a very short summary of a lot of history. After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became the next King of Israel. But, for various reasons,... [Read more]

careers

No Western Orthodox Patriarch and tight shoes

There is a most interesting fact that points to a very interesting idea. Do you realize that the Orthodox have never appointed a replacement Patriarch of the West? There are many Eastern Orthodox Churches in the West. There are many Metropolitans in the West. There are various jurisdictions in the West. But, there is no universally recognized autocephalous autonomous Church in the West. (I say universally... [Read more]

podcast

Tight fitting shoes and truth

Yesterday I said: But, this does not answer the deeper question. How do we know what is truth if our perception of truth is influenced by our culture? And, what mechanisms did God put in place to ensure that the truth would indeed be passed on? Right up front, I need to tell you that part of the answer is faith. But, that is an accurate statement not only for Christians, but also for every human... [Read more]

Tight fitting shoes and Ecumenical Councils

Three days ago, I posted a note on women wearing shoes, for the sake of fashion, that are so badly designed that the women end up with deformed feet. I commented on that post that: Rather, I am making the point of how powerful is the formative power of culture. Most of us do not realize just how powerful, how strong, culture is internalized. From the moment you leave the womb, even how you leave... [Read more]

Quantum mechanics and weird snake oil salesmen

I was very busy yesterday so have yet to be able to continue the comments that I made on shoes and cultures the day before yesterday. Instead, I will leave you with the beginning of an article that many of you might enjoy reading. Alan Boyle writes: Can the weirdness of quantum mechanics make you well, or make you wealthy? Presentations ranging from “The Secret” to “What the Bleep... [Read more]

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