Willie > Recent Status Updates

Just reading Prometheus Bound for now (pp 173-221

Commenting on Psalm 102:20 (103:20 MT) they say:

“all” is not found in the MT. Thus the Sages of the Midrash conclude that “Bless the Lord, his angels, O mighty warriors...” refer to the earthly angels, that is, the righteous who “do His word,” those who declare they will “do His word” even before they “hear His voice” (Ex 24:7). (continued in the comment box due to space)

Commenting on Psalm 102:20 (103:20 MT) they say:

“all” is not found in the MT. Thus the Sages of the Midrash conclude that “Bless the Lord, his angels, O mighty warriors...” refer to the earthly angels, that is, the righteous who “do His word,” those who declare they will “do His word” even before they “hear His voice” (Ex 24:7).

Commenting on Psalm 102:20 (103:20 MT) they say:

“all” is not found in the MT. Thus the Sages of the Midrash conclude that “Bless the Lord, his angels, O mighty warriors...” refer to the earthly angels, that is, the righteous who “do His word,” those who declare they will “do His word” even before they “hear His voice” (Ex 24:7).

Commenting on Psalm 102:20 (103:20 MT) they say:

“all” is not found in the MT. Thus the Sages of the Midrash conclude that “Bless the Lord, his angels, O mighty warriors...” refer to the earthly angels, that is, the righteous who “do His word,” those who declare they will “do His word” even before they “hear His voice” (Ex 24:7).

"The Pope created the new calendar, and an idolater created the old calendar." !!

He started a book about virtuous laity: "Instead of talking about peoples' bad behavior, it's better to highlight the real stars." " I know a lot of examples. They have reached purity, and, since the word of God is pure, they understand the Gospel and can receive Divine enlightenment. In their thoughts, they only condemn themselves." They always blame themselves and justify others.

Encouraging words

It's mind boggling to see how often the elder was clairvoyant!

I was sick this weekend and decided to read this book which was written by two ex JW's who became Orthodox. The original book was written in Greek. So far, it's a story about two friends, one who was born in the Organization and the other who converted as a young man.

I'll be heading to Czech before too long, and it was good to read for the first time about their first saint, Hieromartyr Gorazd, Bishop of Slovakia and the Czech Lands.

The husband's body is the property of his wife. Therefore, the husband must do whatever it takes to keep her property intact and not give in to adultery. Chastity is the first goal of marriage.

It is interesting that Chrysostom put that first. I didn't understand it until now that chastity includes being sexually pure even in marriage.

Unbelief in God is what kept the Israelites out of the promised land, but not only them, Moses also could not enter, all because of unbelief. How easy it is to not completely trust God daily. Be careful, and quit falling into unbelief.

Apostle Philip's daughter, Hermione, while tortured, "no sound came out of her lips except verses from the Psalms."

It is impossible for the heart to be cleansed unless all the other senses and powers of the soul (and body) are cleansed. Why? Because they are connected. The five external senses are connected to the center which is the heart. Like five lines coming out of a center point, from the outside the five appear to be many and separate, but when observed from the inside they appear to be one.

"So much more beneficial is the prayer of the widows and the poor than any amount of laughter and dancing. The latter gives pleasure for one day; the former brings lasting benefit."

This prayer included weeping.

A great book for setting up Outlook for email and task management. Everyone has some plan that works for them. Out of all the ones I've tried, this one has been the most effective for me.

This replaces your current ToDo list.

Turn to the prayer with controlled breathing especially when you are confronted with warring thoughts; when you are engaged in battle for your soul.

Beginners, and spiritually advanced when they want to return to taking hold of the Jesus Prayer, upon inhalation hold the breath just long enough to say one full Jesus Prayer. This focuses the mind.

Join this prayer with the seven daily prayers of the Church (of course, you read these!)

When distracted by the world and unable to pray, seek to set time apart at night, when all is quiet and dark, and pray the prayer.