Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how individualistic our society has become. Basically, “individualism” is a way of thinking. It’s living like your own immediate needs and wants are more important than the needs of the wider community. It’s a Me-Myself-and-I way of life. I’m not saying your own needs aren’t important. But they’re … Continue reading Consider others better than yourselves
humility
Humility: He asked him to step on his neck
St. Francis is one of great heroes of the faith. He died in 1226. I’ve always been inspired by his example of humility, sincerity, love, poverty and charity. There’s a little known story about an interaction he had with someone named Friar Bernard. Apparently, Francis had a negative thought about the Friar. Upon realizing this, and … Continue reading Humility: He asked him to step on his neck
Getting in the way of God’s way
Here is what Jesus preached in Matthew 4:17: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” The “kingdom of heaven” refers not only to life after death, but to the quality of our lives before death. In this sense, the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God” are the same. Maybe it’s obvious, … Continue reading Getting in the way of God’s way
The cardinal virtue
The cardinal virtue is humility. It stands opposite pride and ego. So the more you cultivate humility, with God’s help, the more you prepare yourself to be a more loving person. In fact, and just in case you need some extra motivation to cultivate humility in your life, check out James 4:6: “God opposes the … Continue reading The cardinal virtue
Christ-centred or self-centred
Jesus defined the greatest command like this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mark 12:29-31). Obviously, love is massively important. But many of us don’t love like we … Continue reading Christ-centred or self-centred
Are people getting harsher?
Is it just me or do people seem to be getting harsher? It’s not uncommon to see people lash out at others online, on the news, or even in your own home! That’s why gentleness can seem strangely out of place. And welcome. Gentleness is one of the characteristics God grows in his people. “But … Continue reading Are people getting harsher?
Don’t be a sore… winner?
“Don’t be a sore loser.” It’s a way of saying you shouldn’t sulk around when you lose. Don’t be so sore about your loss that you draw attention to yourself and dampen the victory and accomplishment of somebody else. But today I’d like to alter that phrase a bit: Don’t be a sore WINNER. A … Continue reading Don’t be a sore… winner?
Who is an expert, really?
Several years ago my wife and kids and I were up in Bracebridge, Ontario visiting some family. My daughter got a strange bug bite. And since it looked weird we went to the local walk-in clinic. I was totally impressed by the doctor. First, he listened and didn’t speak down to us. Second, he was … Continue reading Who is an expert, really?
When condescension starts
One of the things I’ve noticed in our modern society is that it’s easy for civility to go out the window. I realize that the internet has helped with a lot of things, but one of my concerns is that people do and say things online that they would never do and say in person. … Continue reading When condescension starts
Clinging to mistakes
Someone once said, “Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.” I think there’s incredible wisdom in that statement. But what does it mean? The last I checked, we humans don’t like to be wrong. But we sometimes are. Even still, we will defend decisions, words or actions … Continue reading Clinging to mistakes
