We are all called to become Saints

[Dorothea]

So, my question to you all is how do we do that living in the world?

 

[jckstraw72]

put ourselves below everyone else, and always repent.

 

[Dorothea]

put ourselves below everyone else, and always repent.

Thank you, jck. That's helpful.

 

[mercyforall]

I try to pray, hope and not worry. I try to have love and tolerance and not judge. Not in some kind of p/c hippy love way either. Just standing firm in the faith and also being merciful and kind to others. None is possible in the "world" of course without constant prayer. "Lord Jesus Son of God have mercy on me a sinner"

 

[Dorothea]

Hi, mercyforall. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[27B6]

...

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I'm learning to throw away idols, Dot, politically especially, like you have done.....throwing away the ideaologies of the Republican and Democratic Party, first of all.

Secondly, I'm trying harder each day to HATE the world. And by that, I don't mean the Earth or the people of the world, but the "widsom" of this world that tells us "if it feels good, do it," "you only live once, carpe diem!" as well as "it's all about me" and "$$$ and fame, saving face, and image as well as reputation are what it's all about."

With my job, especially this last week, which was a REALLY BAD ONE, where I got no support from my principal while three students have been utterly disrespectful and inappropriate, watching parents not give a da$%, etc. Right now, I have a chip on my shoulder against the vast majority of modern parents. They just don't know how to parent AT ALL. And I'm trying to let go of this chip.

I'm also trying NOT to be a triumphalist Orthodox obsessed with other communions and what is lacking in them and full in mine.

I'm trying to forgive enemies and people who have sullied my reputation or image or hurt me.

I'm trying to focus on being a good dad and husband and son to my parents.


In short, I'm not very good at being Orthodox, just plugging along day by day praying and hoping....

 

[rusmeister]

In addition...
By actually making time for prayer and Scripture reading, and by working on crushing the passions (when we realize what ours actually are).

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Yes. Tremendously important. And living in a world that encourages and brainwashes us to embrace our passions with fiery abandon, you couldn't be more correct!

In addition...
By actually making time for prayer and Scripture reading, and by working on crushing the passions (when we realize what ours actually are).

 

[Dorothea]

Gurney, I can imagine the challenges you face on a daily basis. I'm sure there are days where you feel that at least something good came out of whatever situation and/or one of your students did something gracious. Your job is a tough one but such an important one, and I admire you for it. It takes special people to be teachers and for that matter, nurses, so both you and your wife's vocations are such honorable callings, if you will.

I struggle with much of the same things you do and just keep plugging forward because I've found I cannot go back to the way I was. It's not who I am anymore, and for the most part, that's a good thing. I've got to work on my pride, self-love, judging others, etc. make sure I'm not making something an idol, trying to remember to have Him in my thoughts and heart each part of the day, and yes, increasing my prayer time and having a good routine.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

You're too kind, Dot. It is a weird job. I live in the trenches. The parents largely could care less. The system is broken and refuses to ever call a spade a spade to these parents. The lack of morality in their homes is a direct cause of the sins in these kids I see and their lack of drive, ambition, love of learning, or hope for the future. And honestly, everyone each year tells me I have the best kids at the school!

I preach a lot of Christ to my kids and risk my neck so much, you'd be blown away. And it's an Orthodox vision.

I definitely put my neck out there.

The infrastructure, the administrators, they're just worthless.

And after almost 15 years of this job, giving 110% each day, when I hear Republicans blast teachers and want to take away our pensions, union, and collective bargaining, my hatred for them is intense! They don't see what I see or how hard I work. And my loathing for them has become an idol.

My loathing for Obama and his culture of death and guy agenda is equally powerful.

I'm trying to keep THOSE both in check!

The Lord says, don't worry! The lillys of the field and such....but what do we do? We worry. And I commit the sin of despair some days looking around at all the icky tattooed weirdos, the piercings, the irreverent bumper stickers, the vulgarity in not only men but women, the sloth, the sin, the apathy, and I, just like you say, get judgmental.

Life gets old. My home is my little castle. When I'm in my back yard trimming my grape vines and turn and see Luke, Veronica, and Caleb playing on top of the clubhouse I built them, and Kate standing not far away, I feel so blessed. it's my bunker and fortress away from the society that drives me NUTTTTS!

May God bless us all this Great Lent and give us a new heart like His---pure!

Gurney, I can imagine the challenges you face on a daily basis. I'm sure there are days where you feel that at least something good came out of whatever situation and/or one of your students did something gracious. Your job is a tough one but such an important one, and I admire you for it. It takes special people to be teachers and for that matter, nurses, so both you and your wife's vocations are such honorable callings, if you will.

I struggle with much of the same things you do and just keep plugging forward because I've found I cannot go back to the way I was. It's not who I am anymore, and for the most part, that's a good thing. I've got to work on my pride, self-love, judging others, etc. make sure I'm not making something an idol, trying to remember to have Him in my thoughts and heart each part of the day, and yes, increasing my prayer time and having a good routine.

 

[27B6]

...

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Outstanding point, brother

It is always helpful to me to keep in mind that while knowledge adds, wisdom subtracts. In our world of great knowledge what is most lacking is that greatest of Aristotelean virtues, practical wisdom. May we each become a little less of ourselves each day, and a little more of Christ.

 

[Dorothea]

You're too kind, Dot. It is a weird job. I live in the trenches. The parents largely could care less. The system is broken and refuses to ever call a spade a spade to these parents. The lack of morality in their homes is a direct cause of the sins in these kids I see and their lack of drive, ambition, love of learning, or hope for the future. And honestly, everyone each year tells me I have the best kids at the school!

I preach a lot of Christ to my kids and risk my neck so much, you'd be blown away. And it's an Orthodox vision.

I definitely put my neck out there.

The infrastructure, the administrators, they're just worthless.

And after almost 15 years of this job, giving 110% each day, when I hear Republicans blast teachers and want to take away our pensions, union, and collective bargaining, my hatred for them is intense! They don't see what I see or how hard I work. And my loathing for them has become an idol.

My loathing for Obama and his culture of death and guy agenda is equally powerful.

I'm trying to keep THOSE both in check!

The Lord says, don't worry! The lillys of the field and such....but what do we do? We worry. And I commit the sin of despair some days looking around at all the icky tattooed weirdos, the piercings, the irreverent bumper stickers, the vulgarity in not only men but women, the sloth, the sin, the apathy, and I, just like you say, get judgmental.

Life gets old. My home is my little castle. When I'm in my back yard trimming my grape vines and turn and see Luke, Veronica, and Caleb playing on top of the clubhouse I built them, and Kate standing not far away, I feel so blessed. it's my bunker and fortress away from the society that drives me NUTTTTS!

May God bless us all this Great Lent and give us a new heart like His---pure!

 

[Dorothea]

It is always helpful to me to keep in mind that while knowledge adds, wisdom subtracts. In our world of great knowledge what is most lacking is that greatest of Aristotelean virtues, practical wisdom. May we each become a little less of ourselves each day, and a little more of Christ.

As our brethren have pointed out. Beautiful words of wisdom for us to indeed remember always.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

So, my question to you all is how do we do that living in the world?

Reading the Word and praying the Jesus Prayer/asking for God's Mercy daily. Fasting helps also - but I'm having to learn how to disconnect a lot from the world via actually studying more so the lives of other saints in Church history/how they handled the world in their times....as opposed to trying to drive without realizing I could be helped by others who went through it.

I'm having to guard my heart a lot lately against cynicism - as well as depression. Considering things like Ecclesiastes and the experiences of Solomon who literally had the entire world but found wisdom in God when it came to learning on how to not forget the ultimate end of life apart from God....that helps a lot when you begin to judge yourself based on where you're at in life and how much you do or don't have - or forgetting all that one has in Christ and therefore not being thankful for what the Lord has given to escape the world.

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2 Peter 1:10
​

Confirming One&#8217;s Calling and Election

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[​

a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

​

 

[ArmyMatt]

consecrate every moment to God, forgive and love everyone around you, no matter what situation, and repent.

 

[Mikeb85]

So, my question to you all is how do we do that living in the world?

We simply do our best.

Stay humble, pray lots, and show love to everyone we come across...

 

[truefiction1]

"Some people living carelessly in the world have asked me: 'We have wives and are beset with social cares, and how can we lead the solitary life?' I replied to them: 'Do all the good you can; do not speak evil of anyone; do not steal from anyone; do not be arrogant towards anyone; do not hate anyone; do not be absent from the divine services; be compassionate to the needy; do not offend anyone; do not wreck another man's domestic happiness, and be content with what your own wives can give you. If you behave in this way, you will not be far from the Kingdom of Heaven.'" -- Saint John Climacus

And I would just add: pray without ceasing, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner", and do it with attentiveness in order to curb the habitual meanderings of our own corrupt thoughts and desires.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Many wonderful posts here. Thanks, everyone.

Gurney, thank you for bringing Light to the children you teach. May God bless you for your faithfulness in the struggle.

Forgiveness, repentance, prayer. It's the same whether we're monastics or in the world.

Lord, have mercy on us all and save our souls.

Mary