Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: inner struggle

5 Steps to fight the wickedness: Remind yourself (and Satan) that you are not helpless

Perform a simple act of defiance against discouragement, self-pity, and resentment. Who said this? “Any idiot can survive a crisis—it’s the little things that will make you crazy.” I remember reading it on a greeting card more than 30 years ago. The card attributed the quote to philosopher Albert Camus, but I have never been… Read More ›

Share

Wondrous

(rambling-ness-nonsense) Beauty surrounds and imbues every moment, on occasion hidden from immediate view , perceptions clouded by life’s uncertainties, the present lost in the inner cluttered borne. Faces old and young and those in-between, smooth skin, laugh lines, deep creases, one of times gifts, eyes wise with experiences or bright with life’s beginnings, or simply… Read More ›

Share

Inner itch

What is the gnawing that many feel, that drives us here and there like mad men and women as if we are trying to scratch an inner itch that simply cannot be reached? Why the self destructive behavior the thanatos principle in plain view for all to see(?), our world a place where death is… Read More ›

Share

The fight

The call can be strong even insistent in its pursuit yet I often ignore, or perhaps run from the freedom offered, as if I prefer my chains of petty concerns and fears to the wide open spaces offered to me by grace, locked behind a door that I have the key to, often not used…. Read More ›

Share

Will we manifest

When I was young, many years ago, though it seems like yesterday; I thought I was in control, centered, strong and together. I don’t know how I thought this, it seems amazing that I could have been so callow, yet I was young after all. As the years pile up, so does my experience with… Read More ›

Share

Who is good?

I do not consider myself a ‘good’ person, but perhaps one who struggles with being good and have never succeeded.  Without Christ Jesus and his grace I would be not even close to someone who struggles to be good.  His mercy and love is truly astounding and when pondered is overwhelming.  I do believe that… Read More ›

Share

Interior awareness

When people take seriously their interior life, they slowly become aware of how quickly they can react to outside stimulation. In trying to become a more approachable human being we over time become aware how we can keep that from coming true. So that is when conversion begins in earnest, especially if we also seek… Read More ›

Share

The struggle with self

It is a true honor to meet the many people who come to the Monastery to make a retreat and to be able to share and learn from them. I have yet to meet a man or a woman who is not going through some sort of deep interior struggle. Some may not always know… Read More ›

Share

Our inner world and prayer and trust in God

Prayer opens up many doors to our inner perception. When we seek to grow in love of God and do not just pray to get something from God, the good fruit can at times have a bitter taste to it. Yet we must experience the bitter along with the sweet on our inner journey towards… Read More ›

Share

One man’s struggle

I have a friend who has a lot to carry. He is bi-polar and has others ‘issues’ that could cause his life to be very chaotic. I met him 20 years ago when he started his journey of healing and was impressed by his courage and his ability to express himself. Over the years he… Read More ›

Share