Do you think we’re shaped more by our experiences or by who we are?
I am shaped by my choices. My choices are influenced by nature and nurture but I can choice to make a chose outside of context.
I cannot experience necessity (I am not locked into a certain choice) – I am free in the moment.
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:1-12
[last lines]Brian Johnson: [closing narration] Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. But we think you’re crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us – in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain…
Andrew Clark: …and an athlete…
Allison Reynolds: …and a basket case…
Claire Standish: …a princess…
John Bender: …and a criminal.
Brian Johnson: Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.
How often do I simply see people in “the most convenient definitions”? Putting someone in a box is easier than encountering the “you”.
Anyway …
I would be an Australian drop bear. Not sure why. It is the first thing that come to mind.
Maybe it is about not existing and being a joke that describes me?
I heard someone say today, “biology proves that men and women are different”.
Well, I say, “biology proves that I am different.” I am different from other males and other human beings. My life is one of a kind.
And tomorrow? I have no proof (biological or otherwise) of tomorrow. Biology (or any science) can only make statements about the past. The rest is a guess! Tomorrow I may cease to be either male or female. I may simply cease to be!
Anyway …
What’s a piece of technology you’re convinced will exist in 20 years?
Just to reveal my age, and movies I watch, I think flying cars. And glasses that act as rear view mirrors.
Tbh: I am a little afraid of what technology will exist. Yes, I am old. But rather than making my life easier, technology stresses me and makes me want to run away (to a forest somewhere). My hope is that humanity discovers itself, becomes less dependent on technology, and more free to be human.
Something WordPress reminded me of writing. So I share!
Let me preface this by saying I am no philosopher, theologian, or sociologist. I think “modern society” lives with the belief that “if I can measure …
Measure and create
To be humble means to consider ourselves deserving, for our sins, of every humiliation, injury, persecution, and even blows; and to be meek means patiently to endure injustice, abuse, et cetera, and to pray for our enemies.
If you wish to be truly humble, then consider yourself lower than all, worthy of being trampled on by all; for you yourself daily, hourly trample upon the law of the Lord, and therefore upon the Lord Himself.
When any one, out of kindness, praises you to others, and they transmit these praises to you, do not consider them as a just tribute of esteem really due to you, but ascribe them solely to the kindness of heart of the person who thus spoke of you, and pray to God for him, that God may strengthen him in his kindness of heart and in every virtue; but acknowledge yourself to be the greatest of sinners, not out of humility, but truthfully, actually, knowing as you do your evil deeds.
A deep feeling of spiritual poverty, a lamentation at the existence of evil, a thirst after salvation, are to be found in every straightforward and humble soul.
Receive every one who comes to you, especially with a spiritual purpose, with a kind and cheerful aspect, although he or she may be a beggar, and humble yourself inwardly before everybody, counting yourself lower than he or she, for you are placed by Christ Himself to be the servant of all, and all are His members, although like you they bear the wounds of sin.
There is absolutely nothing for a Christian to be proud of in accomplishing works of righteousness, for he is saved, and is being constantly saved, from every evil through faith alone, in the same manner as he accomplishes works of righteousness also by the same faith. “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that (faith itself) not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man may glory.” So that no one can be proud of anything.
Spiritual poverty consists in esteeming oneself as though not existing, and God alone as existing; in honouring His words above everything in the world, and in not sparing anything to fulfil them, even one’s own life; in considering God’s Will in everything, both for ourselves and others, entirely renouncing our own will. The man who is poor in spirit desires and says with his whole heart: “Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” It is as though he himself disappears; everywhere and in everything he wishes to see God – in himself and in others. “Let every thing be Thine, not mine.” He wishes to contemplate God’s holiness in himself and in all His kingdom, also His will; also to see Him alone entirely filling the human heart, as it should be, because He alone is all-merciful and all-perfect, all-creating; whilst the enemy -the Devil and his instruments, and those who oppose God – are thieves in the kingdom of God, and adversaries of God. To him who is poor in spirit the whole world is as nothing. Everywhere he sees God alone giving life to everything, and ruling everything; for him there is no place without God, no moment without God; everywhere and at every minute he is with God, and as though with Him alone. He who is poor in spirit does not dare and does not think of trying to comprehend the incomprehensible, to discover God’s mysteries, to philosophise on the highest; he believes in the single word of the Lord, the Life-giver, knowing that every word of His is truth, spirit, and eternal life; and in the words of His Church, ever instructed in all truth by the Holy Ghost, he believes as a child believes his father or mother, not requiring proofs, but perfectly relying upon them. He who is poor in spirit considers himself the very last and the most sinful of all, reckons himself worthy of being trampled under foot by every one.
St John of Kronstadt
tbh, the Deposited Book. I have used it for my daily prayer since before I was ordained. This current edition is new since my last one fell apart (literally!). I have tried other books but I always come back to this one. It has everything I need in one book!
But also Fear and Trembling. And The Metamorphosis. And The Confessions. Also, I Am Dynamite!. And maybe Beyond Good and Evil.
And also the book I am currently obsessed with Monasticism: The All-embracing Gift of the Holy Spirit by Archimandrite Zacharias Zacharou. I only have an ebook copy. It is an impressive book! (Also, by the same author, Hesychasm: The Bedewing Furnace of the Heart.)
I could go on. Anyway …
a fool and his prayer book 