Perspective changes everything. Just take for example the modern tendency to hold up the anti-hero as someone to be admired or at least respected, and sometimes, even cared for.
This is especially true in several contemporary television series. From Tony Soprano to Walter White, it seems our modern media is desperate for us to see the "good side" of being evil. They seem to be telling us that "see, even though these characters break the law, they aren't all bad." On the other hand, we also live in a day when there are so many laws and regulations enacted that the average person can't help but break at least four laws before breakfast every day! If the police are looking to arrest someone, they usually can find some reason to do so. And our local police are increasingly looking like a paramilitary organization. Forgive me for being pretty nervous about "the straw that breaks the camel's back" in this clash of consequences!
Between the obsessive law-making of our modern world and the media's obsessive glamorization of law-breaking, one has to wonder if we've all somehow missed the point in today's society.
Paul Laurence Dunbar, an American poet of the early 20th century, wrote a wonderful poem called "Sympathy" and the third stanza is powerful in it's pathos and beauty and heart-breaking truth:
I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,When he beats his bars and would be free;It is not a carol of joy or glee,But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings –I know why the caged bird sings.
I came to the conclusion a long time ago that I loved public speaking. I loved it because it allowed me to flesh out my ideas and communication tools with real people and get real time feedback about the effectiveness of those tools. Plus, it drove down deep the very truths I was attempting to communicate into my own soul. Add to this the terrifying and encouraging words said by some when they told me something I'd said helped them change their lives, and, well, I was convinced this was what I was called to do.
There are two things that get more difficult as you age; the first is the ability to remember things, and the second is .... well, I forgot. I know, a corny joke, but there is a kernel of truth. This was driven home to me the other day when, for the umpteenth time, I forgot my glasses. As I was getting in the car with my daughters the next day, they both asked "Daddy, did you remember your glasses?" Great, now my daughters have taken on the task of helping me remember!
But, let's face it, it's easy to stay focused on those things we always enjoy, but a bit harder to stay focused on those parts of life that may be more "mundane" or "not as much fun." You know the things: "Where's my keys?" "Is it trash day again?" ""What was his name?" "is it time to pay that bill again?" "What was I suppose to do for that committee I volunteered for?" You know the stuff.
Today we hear the story of two debtors. One debtor owes a huge debt to his king, and when the king decides to collect what is rightfully his, this debtor falls to his knees and begs the king to have patience with him and he will repay the debt. The king knows the servant will never be able to pay, so, out of pity, the king simply forgives the man his debt.…
A letter from His Grace Bishop Gregory of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, liaison from the Assembly of Bishops of the U.S.A. to the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), concerning the Church’s joint ministry to our Orthodox college students:Dear Reverend Fathers:
As many of you know, the loss of our Christian youth is a staggering problem today in our country. Statistics show us that more than 80% of our young people are graduating high school, going to college and never returnlng to their faith group. l do not mean their parish or community, but their faith. In other words, more than 6 out of 10 Orthodox young adults will abandon Orthodoxy. This is a huge challenge for all of us.
Read the rest of this inspiring and helpful letter here: http://myocn.net/bishop-gregory-connect-college-students-church-late/
Trust is a foundational building block of any relationship. Without it there simply is no way to have anything more than some superficial connection. But trust requires risk. And we humans avoid risk most of the time. Jesus challenges us to risk trusting Him.
You can see our Sunday homilies each week by visiting the Sermons section of LifeEncouraged.org! Share this with your friends if you find it helpful. Thank you and God bless you.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oDmPWoxjws?list=UUexfCDc6_Cu6Scuq2Y-9HWQ]
You remember when you were a kid and Christmas seemed to take forever. My mom use to use that old tried and true way to get me and my brother to behave through the year: "Boys, Santa is watching and Christmas is just (fill in the blank) away!" Well the older I got the shorter that line would get me to behave! And Christmas seemed to come quicker and quick as my birthdays increased! Now it seems Christmas is every other week!
It is said that St. Anthony warned the believers with "A time is coming when people will go mad and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, “You are mad, you are not like us.”
