Earlier this week in my post Death is Overthrown I mentioned that I was reading Way of the Ascetic by Tito Colliander. I've been pondering on this very short section of his book, On Times of Darkness, all week. I shared how comforting it was to know that "even the saints have had their dark… Continue reading Take Comfort
Tag: Books
You Must Not Sorrow
As promised, let's take a look at what St. Seraphim had to say about idleness and despondency. Continuing in the same paragraph we read yesterday about acquiring peace St. Seraphim touches on despondency. In the same way the Saint warned about struggles with despondency, "You should throw off despondency, and strive to have a joyful… Continue reading You Must Not Sorrow
Meet Ann
I thought I'd introduce to you one of the women who first helped me start down this path, this journey to joy. She was the first to challenge me. She was the first who seemed to be in my thoughts and know me. To know what needed changing. Meet Ann. Ann Voskamp. I can't remember… Continue reading Meet Ann
Full of His Glory
My hubby and I, together with some friends, are reading a book I read a couple years ago, Everywhere Present by Stephen Freeman. As I've been reading through it a 2nd time I remembered how much I loved chapter 3, We Live in an Altar. It is so rich and full. The premise of the… Continue reading Full of His Glory
Joy is Thankfulness
One year ago today (and I didn't do that on purpose), I wrote a post about the book “Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica”. It is the sort of book that you will read on and off for the rest of your life because there is so… Continue reading Joy is Thankfulness
All of Creation Agrees
On Friday evening, May 17th and Saturday the 18th, I attended a conference where Fr. Stephen Freeman was one of the keynote speakers. He is the author of Everywhere Present and a blog and podcast called Glory to God for All Things at Ancient Faith Radio. Dn. James and I were excited to hear him… Continue reading All of Creation Agrees
5 Ways to Force Yourself Out of the Doldrums
Do you ever feel stuck? Stuck in the doldrums? I like to use this word but what does this word even mean? Did you know that “doldrum” is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage? In maritime usage it is the place in the ocean affected by low pressure in an area around the… Continue reading 5 Ways to Force Yourself Out of the Doldrums
The Aim of Love
One day as I was culling emails I came across an email from my godmother. She sent this little note to all her god-daughters. It is a quote from a book and a wonderful reminder to us all that above all love is the answer and love is what truly brings us joy. 11/21/14Dear Goddaughters,I… Continue reading The Aim of Love
Why Saints
I know some of my readers are probably unsure about why I quote saints, why I write about them and why my last maxim talks about emulating saints. I feel the need to justify myself I guess and since this weeks Maxim is about saints I figured before the week is up I would write… Continue reading Why Saints
Maxim 17
Welcome to Maxim Mondays! Today we are on week 17 and Fr. Thomas Hopko instructs us to "Cultivate communion with the saints." He says, Learn who the holy people were in Christian history. Learn who they were who taught, who suffered, who died, who lived a Christian life. And emulate them. As St. John of… Continue reading Maxim 17
Kindler of Joy! 