Category: Faith
Impeachment
by RetsamsGhost
It is difficult to apply spiritual principles to our civic responsibilities. A common refrain from many believers is to cast off politics or ignore when the party that they support historically loses its way. Pope Francis recently discussed teaching the faithful discernment when it comes to voting. He stated it is our responsibility to get beyond the superficial and be intellectually informed and honest. … Read More Impeachment
Pro Life versus Choose Life versus Pro Choice
by RetsamsGhost
The devil is in the details. The devil resides in each of these camps inciting, tempting, plotting, and relishing with great enthusiasm the ineptitude of mankind to confront the consequences of life and death decisions. Mankind has both the science and the legal authority to end life. Abortion, death penalty, and end of life care decisions tear families and communities apart as the life … Read More Pro Life versus Choose Life versus Pro Choice
The Confrontation with an Atheist
by RetsamsGhost
They are as sure of the absence of God as you are in God’s existence. In rare cases, the passionate atheist and fervent believer can meet the eye to eye and wrestle, often to a stalemate, thru the evidence for and against the existence of God — and part after thorough and exhausting discussion, being better human beings. Religious affiliation is of no consequence … Read More The Confrontation with an Atheist
Employment Catasphrope
by RetsamsGhost
This article below was in a facebook book group called Human Reform politics. It is scary. And it is powerfully real. There are people out there that are foolish and cause their own misery when it comes to maintaining a job. There are more people out there, though by many that have lost employment by market forces beyond their control, medical crisis, or other … Read More Employment Catasphrope
The Responsible Self by Richard Niebuhr
by RetsamsGhost
On an unwieldy pedestrian day in Egremont, Massachusetts, I picked up a book by H. Richard Niebuhr entitled “The Responsible Self, An Essay in Christian Moral Philosophy. Everyone recognizes Niebuhr as the reported author of the “Serenity Prayer” that is now infamously associated with Alcoholics Anonymous. The book was old, dirt cheap, and inscribed “Clinton Lee Barlow, Harford Seminary Foundation, Spring, 1968.” Cannot seem … Read More The Responsible Self by Richard Niebuhr
Suffering and Providence
by RetsamsGhost
The Sad Joyous Truth: Finally, you have found my blog page; you itinerant idiot. For those of you who have been here before do not pat yourself on the back. In all likelihood, you are much worse off now than when you last visited. Tell me it isn’t so, honestly, can you do that today? I don’t think so. Catherine has written to me … Read More Suffering and Providence
The Golden Ticket
by RetsamsGhost
Imagine that the world’s religious leaders announced a contest that Five Tickets would be randomly distributed in places of worship the world over this weekend. These very special five people would receive an all-expense-paid trip ticket to tour and the greatest mystical revelation that has been kept secret for centuries. The leaders of the major faiths have been given a revelation to select five … Read More The Golden Ticket
The Rabbit Hole
by RetsamsGhost
A recent article sent me down the Rabbit hole of the intersection of politics, psychiatry, and spirituality. It has laid bare for me the difficulty of how to share the spiritual path in a secular society as well as how to live the spiritual path oneself. Here is the journey: The Martial Personality (MP) archetype was recently explored in the Psychiatric Times by Ronald … Read More The Rabbit Hole
Noa
by RetsamsGhost
I am up too late tonight. I am somewhat in the valley of my mood range despite having no outward claim to be disgruntled, angry with my creator, or otherwise disenfranchised. To the contrary, I have many gifts to be grateful for, including among them adversities that have ensured I am well grounded in humility and empathy for my fellow man and sometimes even … Read More Noa
Tears
by RetsamsGhost
“She passes through this Word, enduring with true gentle patience every pain and trouble that I permit her for her own good. She accepts it courageously, choosing my way over her own. And she suffers not only patiently, but gladly.” Pg. 163 At first glance, my human instinct is to repel this idea with many objections: What word? Gentle patience with every pain? Someone … Read More Tears
The wicked in Life
by RetsamsGhost
You know you can name a few people that come to mind. Wickedness or evil by another name is alive and well. We can name it, identify it, codify it in our laws and social norms, and perhaps even struggle intimately with our very own wicked thoughts and actions. Also if we are free of the latter are we not prone to judge the former? Today … Read More The wicked in Life
10
by RetsamsGhost
Prayer last night (day 9 of lent) bought me a little Ignatian Examen prayer. I simple started my prayers the way I normally do and reviewed my day for any remnants of the following all too human tendencies: My fears My attachments My need for control Illusions of entitlement Each of these may not be readily apparent at first glance or very familiar friends … Read More 10
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