Friends

true friends are those who know the worst in you, believe the best in you and love you all the same.


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Doors

what matters are not the closed doors but the ones that are open


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Life

a purpose-driven life is a life of love and obsession


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The Star

Ideals are like stars,

we will not succeed in touching them with our hands,

not yet....

But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters,

we can choose them as our guides,

and following them,

we will reach our goal,

one day.

HT: Punna

Presence of God

Earth is crammed with heaven,
and every common bush afire with God,
but only he who sees
takes off his shoes.

Elizabeth Barret Browning

The Power of Temptation

The power of temptation is not in its appeal to our baser instincts; if that were the case, it would be natural to be repulsed by it. The power of temptation is in its appeal to our idealism.

Helmut Thielicke,
Our Heavenly Father (Harper and Brothers, 1960)

The Power of Temptation

The power of temptation is not in its appeal to our baser instincts; if that were the case, it would be natural to be repulsed by it. The power of temptation is in its appeal to our idealism.

Helmut Thielicke,
Our Heavenly Father (Harper and Brothers, 1960)

Become Totally Fire

Abba Lot once came to Abba Joseph of Panephysis and said, "Father, as far as I can say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace, and as much as I am able I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?"

Abba Joseph stood up and spread out his hands towards heaven. Each of his fingers was lit with flames. He said to Abba Lot, "If you will, you can become totally fire."

Become Totally Fire

Abba Lot once came to Abba Joseph of Panephysis and said, "Father, as far as I can say my little office, I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace, and as much as I am able I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?"

Abba Joseph stood up and spread out his hands towards heaven. Each of his fingers was lit with flames. He said to Abba Lot, "If you will, you can become totally fire."

The Doctor

Whoever takes up medicine should aeriously consider the following points: firstly, that he must one day render to the Supreme Judge an account of the lives of those sick men who have been entrusted to his care.

Secondly, that such skill and science as, by the blessing of Almighty God, he has attained, are to be specially directed toward the honour of his Maker, and the welfare of his fellow-creatures; since it is a base thing for the great gifts of Heaven to become the servants of avarice and ambition.

Thirdly, he must remember that it is no mean or ignoble animal that he deals with. We may ascertain the worth of the human race, since for its sake God’s Only-begotten Son became man, and thereby ennobled the nature that he took upon him.

Lastly, he must remember that he himself hath no exemption from the common lot, but that he is bound by the same laws of mortality, and liable to the same ailments and afflictions with his fellows. For these and like reasons let him strive to render aid to the distressed with the greater care, with the kindlier spirit, and with the stronger fellow-feeling..

Thomas Sydenham
Medical Observations, 1st edition, Preface.
Translated by R. G. Latham in Works, Volume 1.

The Doctor

Whoever takes up medicine should aeriously consider the following points: firstly, that he must one day render to the Supreme Judge an account of the lives of those sick men who have been entrusted to his care.

Secondly, that such skill and science as, by the blessing of Almighty God, he has attained, are to be specially directed toward the honour of his Maker, and the welfare of his fellow-creatures; since it is a base thing for the great gifts of Heaven to become the servants of avarice and ambition.

Thirdly, he must remember that it is no mean or ignoble animal that he deals with. We may ascertain the worth of the human race, since for its sake God’s Only-begotten Son became man, and thereby ennobled the nature that he took upon him.

Lastly, he must remember that he himself hath no exemption from the common lot, but that he is bound by the same laws of mortality, and liable to the same ailments and afflictions with his fellows. For these and like reasons let him strive to render aid to the distressed with the greater care, with the kindlier spirit, and with the stronger fellow-feeling..

Thomas Sydenham
Medical Observations, 1st edition, Preface.
Translated by R. G. Latham in Works, Volume 1.

Prayer of the Heart

Prayer of the heart...consists principally of a person placing his mind within the heart and, without speaking with his mouth, but only with inner words spoken in the heart, saying this brief and single prayer: 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.'

St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain

Prayer of the Heart

Prayer of the heart...consists principally of a person placing his mind within the heart and, without speaking with his mouth, but only with inner words spoken in the heart, saying this brief and single prayer: 'Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.'

St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain

Where is the Need, You Ask

There is your brother, naked and crying! And you stand confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.

St. Ambroise

Where is the Need, You Ask

There is your brother, naked and crying! And you stand confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.

St. Ambroise

Random Musings on Chicago Hawaii 2008 trip (1)

One of my joys of travelling is that I have time to read. Although I do complain about plane delays, I also enjoy the long flights. Squashed into the seats and packed like sardines, there are however, certain benefits for me. For one, during the journey, I am totally in the hands of the pilot and the crew. I am not expected to save anyone's life, or salvage anyone's soul, or to change the world; squashed in this tin can in the sky. There is nothing I can do about it. I just let go and enter the moment. The food and drinks come at regular intervals. Though there are in-flight entertainment, I normally do not use then . I prefer to read or write. I find the hours of the journey great because it allows me time to read uninterrupted. Above are the books I read for this trip.

.

Random Musings on Chicago Hawaii 2008 trip (1)

One of my joys of travelling is that I have time to read. Although I do complain about plane delays, I also enjoy the long flights. Squashed into the seats and packed like sardines, there are however, certain benefits for me. For one, during the journey, I am totally in the hands of the pilot and the crew. I am not expected to save anyone's life, or salvage anyone's soul, or to change the world; squashed in this tin can in the sky. There is nothing I can do about it. I just let go and enter the moment. The food and drinks come at regular intervals. Though there are in-flight entertainment, I normally do not use then . I prefer to read or write. I find the hours of the journey great because it allows me time to read uninterrupted. Above are the books I read for this trip.

.

Christianity Today, December, 2008

Benedictine Wisdom

Quotations to stir heart and mind.

Compiled by Richard A. Kauffman | posted 12/29/2008 09:56AM

THERE ARE TIMES when good words are to be left unsaid out of esteem for silence.
The Rule of St. Benedict 6:2

LANGUAGE IS A GIFT that can be used thoughtfully or thoughtlessly, humbly or proudly. Someone constantly aware of the presence of God will know when and how to speak.
Columba Stewart, Prayer and Community: The Benedictine Tradition

WHAT is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of his grace.
The Rule of St. Benedict Prologue 41

SPIRITUALITY without a prayer life is no spirituality at all, and it will not last beyond the first defeats. Prayer is an opening of the self so that the Word of God can break in and make us new. Prayer unmasks. Prayer converts. Prayer impels. Prayer sustains us on the way. Pray for the grace it will take to continue what you would like to quit.
Joan Chittister, In a High Spiritual Season

ALL GUESTS who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matt. 25:35).
The Rule of St. Benedict 53:1

IF WE COULD genuinely practice Benedict's brand of hospitality, welcoming each guest to our churches as the visitation of Christ, it might transform our guests as well as us. Instead of making the other into my image, I am invited to see the other as one who is made in God's image and for whom Jesus Christ died.
Dennis Okholm, Monk Habits for Everyday People

WHAT PAGE, what passage of the inspired books of the Old and New Testaments is not the truest of guides for human life?
The Rule of St. Benedict 73:3

WE NEED, as St. Benedict insisted, to read whole books of Scripture from beginning to end, quietly working our way through a Gospel or an Old Testament prophet, willing to be surprised, resisting the temptation to exercise total control over what we read.
Michael Casey, Wisdom from the Monastery

DAY BY DAY remind yourself that you are going to die.
The Rule of St. Benedict 4:47

AWARENESS of mortality exerts a unique power to focus the mind and heart on essentials.
Columba Stewart, Prayer and Community: The Benedictine Tradition

LOOK FORWARD to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing.
The Rule of St. Benedict 49:7

[W]E WILL ALWAYS be something of an exile in the present world. As lovely as it may be, it's not our final home, and worshiping God in spirit and truth always leaves us aware that there is more than what meets the eye.
Justin DuVall, from Praying with the Benedictines

read more

Christianity Today, December, 2008

Benedictine Wisdom

Quotations to stir heart and mind.

Compiled by Richard A. Kauffman | posted 12/29/2008 09:56AM

THERE ARE TIMES when good words are to be left unsaid out of esteem for silence.
The Rule of St. Benedict 6:2

LANGUAGE IS A GIFT that can be used thoughtfully or thoughtlessly, humbly or proudly. Someone constantly aware of the presence of God will know when and how to speak.
Columba Stewart, Prayer and Community: The Benedictine Tradition

WHAT is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Lord to supply by the help of his grace.
The Rule of St. Benedict Prologue 41

SPIRITUALITY without a prayer life is no spirituality at all, and it will not last beyond the first defeats. Prayer is an opening of the self so that the Word of God can break in and make us new. Prayer unmasks. Prayer converts. Prayer impels. Prayer sustains us on the way. Pray for the grace it will take to continue what you would like to quit.
Joan Chittister, In a High Spiritual Season

ALL GUESTS who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matt. 25:35).
The Rule of St. Benedict 53:1

IF WE COULD genuinely practice Benedict's brand of hospitality, welcoming each guest to our churches as the visitation of Christ, it might transform our guests as well as us. Instead of making the other into my image, I am invited to see the other as one who is made in God's image and for whom Jesus Christ died.
Dennis Okholm, Monk Habits for Everyday People

WHAT PAGE, what passage of the inspired books of the Old and New Testaments is not the truest of guides for human life?
The Rule of St. Benedict 73:3

WE NEED, as St. Benedict insisted, to read whole books of Scripture from beginning to end, quietly working our way through a Gospel or an Old Testament prophet, willing to be surprised, resisting the temptation to exercise total control over what we read.
Michael Casey, Wisdom from the Monastery

DAY BY DAY remind yourself that you are going to die.
The Rule of St. Benedict 4:47

AWARENESS of mortality exerts a unique power to focus the mind and heart on essentials.
Columba Stewart, Prayer and Community: The Benedictine Tradition

LOOK FORWARD to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing.
The Rule of St. Benedict 49:7

[W]E WILL ALWAYS be something of an exile in the present world. As lovely as it may be, it's not our final home, and worshiping God in spirit and truth always leaves us aware that there is more than what meets the eye.
Justin DuVall, from Praying with the Benedictines

read more