Knowing God And Knowing Myself
I read this quote from St. Paisios and my heart both lept for joy and sank into despair: "Completely have trust in God, leave everything in His hands, and believe that His love will act for your own benefit." What joy and what an awesome invitation. But I can't accept this...
Let’s Lose the Drama, Please!
Why all the drama? OK, I have to confess, I am no fan of drama for drama's sake, and I'm in the house with two daughters who excel in drama! "She touched me" "She's looking at me" WHAT? She's "looking at you? Really? I guess I didn't get the...
The Temporary Tent and the Eternal Temple
I remember reading Aesop's Fables and Mother Goose stories to my kids when they are little and actually would sit still while I read to them! These stories contained cultural lessons that have been passed down for generations. Humpty Dumpty, Old Mother Hubbard, The Hare and the Tortoise, The...
No Longer From A Human Point of View
C.S. Lewis, in The Weight of Glory, writes: It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you say it now, you would be...
The Promise Fulfilled
It is said that a captured Islamic terrorist once told his interrogator during his questioning that, though he has been captured and will probably never be free again, he was convinced that his Islamic army will eventually win the war. His questioner asked why he thought that, and the...
A Better Possession
American fantasy author Jeaniene Frost said, "Some things are worth the cost of their consequences." And looking back in history and even in my own life, I can attest to the truthfulness of this statement. The challenge is knowing when to pay the price for what you value. All of...
Power TO Serve!
It's amazing how quick folks get upset if they feel like they are being bossed around. I had a couple come to see me once about how to raise their child and they informed me they had decided to not say anything about God to the child so that...
A Culture of Shame
Have you ever heard of "imposter syndrome?" Yeah me either, until I discovered it was something that a lot of leaders struggle with. I was being coached by a professional leadership coach and he started talking to me about this common struggle leaders face. Turns out even the most...
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives
It shouldn't be surprising to any of us. How we think, what we think, when we think, and when we don't think, shapes our choices, our priorities, and our actions. It seems that this observation is self-evident, and yet I have to confess that I haven't really examined how...
Smells Like Heaven!
It was embarrassing. But, in my defense, it was an automatic response. I was walking with some friends at a mall and we were passing by a candle shop. The aroma coming from the shop hit my nose and I immediately made the sign of the cross in front...