Polycarp was sent to be burned at the stake. The flames arched around him and did not burn him, so he was then stabbed. These are his words: "Eighty and six years I have served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? You threaten me…
"Many times I have been at the point of death, and I have never been so content as at that time. Consequently, I did not pray for relief. Rather, I asked the Lord for strength to suffer with courage, humility, and love. Oh, how sweet it is to suffer with God! However great the sufferings…
First world Christians have a problem with suffering. We simply live too much with the idea of comfort. Now, I am not saying that we need to go be ascetics. Nope. But rather, we have this idea that we are supposed to be comfortable, that comfort is the normal state for Christians. If we are…
I am an INTP. Now, now, don't roll your eyes regarding "fake science". Actually, Jung was pretty accurate, IMO. As Bohr (I believe) said "All models are wrong, but some are useful.". I find that with the MBTI, once you get past the meme-y, fortune telling stuff and into actual cognition. In fact, I have…
Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 2 Corinthians 2:11…
An anime, a rom-com, and a youtube from a Catholic priest all walked into my head... 😀 I have been thinking about families and tribes and friends and groups and 'bands of brothers'. Are you and I actively seeking ways to help others in their quests, struggles, activities? Are we acting like a…
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 NASV A sacrifice of praise? How can it be a sacrifice when it fills me with such joy? When taking a minute to praise Him is like…
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth. My hands were on fire. The pain was so intense, there should have been blood, but there wasn't. In fact, bleeding…
5and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” 7It is for discipline that you endure;…
21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. 23I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better…
