simply, Christian

"Great holiness..."

Josemaria Escriva on little things

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Great holiness consists in carrying out the little duties of each moment.

--St. Josemaria Escriva (h/t Hallow)

Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash

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August 14, 2019

review: Less of More by Chris Nye

"We can stand anything God and nature can throw at us save only plenty. If I wanted to destroy a nation, I would give it too much, and I would have it on its knees, miserable, greedy, sick." -- John Steinbeck
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Chris Nye opens his new book Less of More with this prophetic quote from John Steinbeck...and I was immediately . . .

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June 14, 2019

"The hope which Christians have..."

from Blaise Pascal

The hope which Christians have of possessing an infinite good is mingled with real enjoyment as well as with fear; for it is not as with those who should hope for a kingdom, of which they, being subjects, would have nothing; but they hope for holiness, for freedom from injustice, and they have something of this.

--Blaise Pascal, . . .

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May 10, 2019

I am an angel of death

a chaplain's reflection

Clad in my crisp, blue Service Dress, I creep unnoticed through Houston rush hour traffic.

Today, I am an angel of death.

To get into a gated community and a secure apartment complex, I wait in the shadows off to the side until I can pass through the gate and enter the door without alerting anyone at my destination.

. . .

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April 18, 2019

review: Upside-Down Spirituality by Chad Bird

the 9 Essential Failures of a Faithful Life

Earthy spirituality. Grace-drenched. Christ-focused.

If I had to sum up Chad Bird's new book, Upside-Down Spirituality, those would be the words that first came to mind. This book is a candid critique of how many contemporary, American Christians define success--a critique that turns these ideas of success on their heads in . . .

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April 13, 2019

unprofitable, dangerous, vain, and doubting...

thoughts on prayer, social media, and the news cycle

Today's prayer of the day in the prayer book For All the Saints comes from Samuel Johnson, an 18th century Anglican. I find it especially fitting for Lent, in general, and the perpetual chatter of today's news and social media, in particular:

O Lord, my Maker and Protector...while it shall please Thee to continue me in . . .

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March 18, 2019

prayer to be used by God

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O Lord, I give myself to Thee, I trust Thee wholly. Thou are wiser than I--more loving to me than I myself. Deign to fulfill Thy high purposes in me whatever they be--work in and through me. I am born to serve Thee, to be Thine, to be Thy instrument. Let me be Thy blind instrument. I ask not to see--I ask not to know--I ask . . .

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Posted in: lifeprayer

January 30, 2019

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