Normal versus abnormal? — Weird world we live in

People always seek to justify themselves. It is easier to justify one’s self than it is to admit that one could be wrong. We have been this way since Adam and Eve.  The whole description of the confrontation with God in the Garden of Eden begins with a scene of denial and self-justification. But, if the denial and justification go far enough, eventually the whole structure of what is true about... [Read more]

The dangers of a convert’s blog

Well, yet again with another Pithless Thoughts comic. This one made me chuckle because of the Episcopal Assembly currently going on. I am a convert; I admit it. And, I understand the convert tendency to be looking not simply for the Church of the Apostles but also for total doctrinal agreement by all involved and complete accord on all issues of practice. But, that has never been the reality of the... [Read more]

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Speaking the truth in love — Pithless Thoughts

Why is it that the ruder a Christian is, the more that they are likely to insist that they are simply “speaking the truth in love?” Contrast the modern American attitude with that of the Early Church Fathers. What was the Early Church Fathers’ attitude towards speaking the truth in love, towards what we would probably call “constructive criticism?” He, therefore, who... [Read more]

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The greatest threat to the Church comes from sin within

Pope Benedict XVI says the Church’s child abuse scandal shows that the greatest threat to Catholicism comes from “sin within” the Church. Today we see in a truly terrifying way that the greatest persecution of the Church does not come from outside enemies, but is born of sin within the Church. . . — Pope Benedict XVI We have needed this type of statement from a Church leader... [Read more]

The Sheep and the Goats — Keith Green

Keith Green was one of my favorite Christian artists. I was a young Jesus People believer. He, Second Chapter of Acts, and other groups of that type formed my early Christianity, in worship and in outlook. I still remembered how crushed I felt when he died in a plane crash. I know that there were several of us in the fellowship to which I belonged who asked God why he would allow such a powerful singer/preacher... [Read more]

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Bridegroom service and the meaning of hypocrisy

Yesterday’s Gospel reading for the Holy Week Bridegroom Services included the following passage from the Gospel according to Saint Matthew: Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.... [Read more]

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The Imperfect Lady, our Mother, the Church

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Yesterday, I answered a note from a person who asked me about the Church, and it... [Read more]

St. John of Kronstadt on confession

Since we are approaching Lent, let’s keep working on the idea of confession, but from a better author than I. How does one prepare oneself for confession? Listed below is one resource from St. John of Kronstadt. As you read it, realize that he has taken a standard confession format, but expanded it widely. He has turned into more than a simple confession into something that calls us to reflect... [Read more]

Internetmonk on confession

As we are preparing for Lent, the first thing we should often think about is personal confession. Below is an article from Internetmonk on some self-examination he did. This post was originally published by him in 2008. ==== Some Christians love to talk about the sins of Obama or gays or the mainstream media, but get really animated when I suggest we need to talk about our own, even if they are listed... [Read more]

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Christian charity–some practical lessons

The below is from Matushka Ann. I do not know who she is. This was sent to me by email, but it rings rather true. ===== How do we give alms? What should we do when we are offended? And more specifically, how can or should we help our monastic institutions, our own parish, our neighbor? I can only pass along what I’ve heard from others, and seen others do. But we have an obligation to share the... [Read more]