Category: Faith
Profit driven economies
by RetsamsGhost
If we were purely driven by animal instinctual needs and life and death were solely driven by survival of the herd decisions this would only be a sad consequence of natural selection and unfortunate gene mutation. It is a significant financial drain on the family and society to provide for a person with Down’s syndrome over a lifespan. It is evident, however, whether you … Read More Profit driven economies
Pope Francis under Siege, We are under Siege (and rightly so)
by RetsamsGhost
I want to be in Rome. I want to be by his side supporting and demanding a naive brand of Christianity with a firestorm of change that will create yet another schism in the church. Pope Francis, listen to me, but just five minutes, and act swiftly with your Papal Authority. After contemplation Pope Francis, tell me how foolish is my thoughts: Zero tolerance: … Read More Pope Francis under Siege, We are under Siege (and rightly so)
Transformation in Christ: Part X
by RetsamsGhost
Holy Sorrow: I have a pair of spectacles from my deceased brother that remain powerful to me long after his death. His death and the premature death of others close to me have challenged my faith in God as a pre-adolescent well into adulthood. Unexpected, unfair, violent, and premature deaths jolt our very core of an all-powerful God. I have been at times defenseless … Read More Transformation in Christ: Part X
Transformation in Christ: Part IX
by RetsamsGhost
Door Knockers: Two men in suits rang my bell today. There was no chime as the battery is dead. In a moment of weakness I ducked my head under a blanket and considered if they were politicians, Jehovah’ Witnesses, or unusual door to door sales men? I peered back out and the two were conversing casually patiently. Now the lead unwanted intruder into my … Read More Transformation in Christ: Part IX
Blasphemy of Alcoholics Anonymous?
by RetsamsGhost
Higher Power versus God Relapse versus Sobriety Misery versus Happiness The characters behind the scenes of the birth of Alcoholics Anonymous are numerous both at its inception as well as built on the pain, suffering, and deaths of alcoholics preceding them and to follow them. That being said Dr. Bob, Bill W., Anne Smith (Dr. Bob’s wife), Rev. Samuel M. Shoemaker[i], Frank Buchman and … Read More Blasphemy of Alcoholics Anonymous?
Radical Transformation: Part VII
by RetsamsGhost
Blessed Are the Peacemakers: (Chapter 13: Transformation in Christ by Dietrich Van Hildebrand) “It is a specific stigma of abysmal separation from God to maintain a quarrelsome and cantankerous attitude, a morbid delight in conflicts and bickering, a perverse pleasure derived from disharmony.” This is certainly a danger for every devout Christian who aspires to live a holy life and actively acts on … Read More Radical Transformation: Part VII
I, John
by RetsamsGhost
Imagine you are responsible for leading a community in both its daily civic life and in its spiritual commitment and dedication. You are held with great esteem by the community in and outside the church. You serve as an adviser for the politicians, a confessor for sinners, and a counselor and spiritual director for many. Your days run into each other with rapidity and … Read More I, John
Radical Transformation: Part V
by RetsamsGhost
Dietrich Von Hildebrand: Transformation in Christ (Chapter 9) On “Striving for Perfection” Who am I? What am I? Where am I today? Can you answer this question today? I believe most of us can. Give it a try. Briefly, write one or two sentences down now or just hold them aside for later reflection. Here is mine: “I am a clinical social worker, married, … Read More Radical Transformation: Part V
Radical Transformation: Part IV
by RetsamsGhost
Dietrich Von Hildebrand: Transformation in Christ (Chapter 8) On “Confidence in God” Many Christians have been waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ. It has been over two thousand years since he walked, preached, died and was resurrected. Our Jewish cousins have been waiting perhaps as much a four thousand years for the first coming. Jesus did not pass their mustard test of … Read More Radical Transformation: Part IV
Radical Transformation: Part III
by RetsamsGhost
Transformation in Christ by Dietrich Von Hildebrand: On Humility (Chapter 3: 149 – 188): Take a few minutes and consider your personal reaction to the word Humility or Humble. In American culture it can be seen as a great asset or great weakness. It is context dependent. The American Psychological Association[i] and Forbes[ii] business magazine see great utility in the trait of humility. It … Read More Radical Transformation: Part III
Pascal’s Wager – The Quandary of Faith
by RetsamsGhost
An opinion article in the NYT times entitled “Can We Learn to Believe in God?” by Agnes Collard takes a surface dive into the infamous Pascal Wager.[i]” Childhood morality and imagery of heaven and hell underlie this equation. The means and the ends of faith do not fall neatly into this theoretical trap. To seek God (or seek to learn to believe in God) … Read More Pascal’s Wager – The Quandary of Faith
Letter to my Son
by RetsamsGhost
My Son; It is January 1, 2018. I am comfortably seated in my recliner. Mozart is playing in the background thanks to my new music companion Alexa. God willing I will be 54 years old later this year. There is not much I need or want for myself today. I am neither rich nor abjectly poor. It is difficult to put to paper what … Read More Letter to my Son
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