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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Opus 2025-109: Retreat

I’m listening to a Catholic podcast while I peel potatoes.  It’s hosted by somebody named Matt Fradd and I’ve noticed him, but not really listened before.  It was a fascinating experience.

Fradd and his guest started off talking about how this American is going to Australia to speak at a purity conference.  He was talking about keeping yourself sexually pure, and so forth, and he was attacked by covens of witches.

It was interesting the way these men were talking like they were devout Protestant Christians, throwing in Catholic terminologies and jargon, but the vibrancy of the Holy Spirit in their lives was very real.  It was a broadening experience to listen to.

They got off on the talking about one of the “saints” in Australia, a man I’ve never heard of and don’t know his story.  Evidently he was being persecuted and was locked up in a prison, not allowed to say the mass, and given menial tasks.  They talked about how, while sweeping the cells, he prayed for people that he could hear screaming in other places, and he made it a spiritual time being locked up there. Then they said this,

“He turned it into a retreat.”
That thought made the listening worth while all by itself.  How often do we look at hard times as persecution and hardship?  I hope I never experience real persecution but I hope I have the maturity to use the time to get closer to the Lord, to turn it into a retreat.  I guess a ridiculous example of that would be listening to faith building podcasts while I do menial chores like peeling potatoes.

homo unius libri

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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.