tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post2146733038870163986..comments2023-08-04T06:55:11.148-04:00Comments on Forty Maxims: 26. Don’t compare yourself with anyone.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-59962551091700972622008-04-05T21:33:00.000-04:002008-04-05T21:33:00.000-04:00Sometimes in church I look around and see who's th...Sometimes in church I look around and see who's there, and every person I look at I think, "He is a better Christian than I am" "She is a better Christian than I am." Everyone I see has a purer love for God, and they try hard to be kind to others, they are generous and patient, and they actually pay attention to worship--while I am having a good day if I can finish a single Jesus Prayer without getting distracted in the middle. I give thanks to God for all of you. You inspire me. <BR/><BR/>I hope this kind of comparison is not the bad kind Fr Tom is talking about. It doesn't make me feel discouraged, but, in a way, amused at myself. I keep in mind the 23rd psalm, that God's mercy will pursue me all the days of my life--he just keeps on pursuing me, foolish as I am. And youall keep me hopeful that I can get better with time.Kh. Fredericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18034363142107476835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-85385667289524377542008-04-05T20:00:00.000-04:002008-04-05T20:00:00.000-04:00Thanks, Jeanine. It will be 10 years this Pascha ...Thanks, Jeanine. It will be 10 years this Pascha for the Mattinglys to be "Orthodox." And I am still learning 'how to be Orthodox.' Hopefully I'll still be learning until the day I die. <BR/><BR/>And Thank you so very much for helping me in the soprano section of the choir. <BR/><BR/>May you have a blessed Lent. And everyone you ask will tell you a little about a Pascha basket and each will be different. :-) The Holy Cross cookbook has some ideas.<BR/><BR/>Love in Christ.Debra Mattingly AACPLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16903887859603500256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-89117350062995206692008-04-04T11:19:00.000-04:002008-04-04T11:19:00.000-04:00P.S. I just also wanted to point out that if we d...P.S. I just also wanted to point out that if we don't think the Great Deceiver is taunting us at every minute just imagine the golden throated/angelic voiced Jeanine being<BR/>lead to despair over her gorgeous, God-delightful singing which leads the sopranos so perfectly every Sunday!!! Thank you again Jeanine for sharing your tender heart and your fabulous voice to God's Glory!!! It is a continual encouragement to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7908871735324286268.post-29996375449832003572008-04-04T11:11:00.000-04:002008-04-04T11:11:00.000-04:00Ironically when we compare ourselves with anyone e...Ironically when we compare ourselves with anyone else we are likely to always feel either defeated or prideful and in both situations the resulting action is one of the things we pray AGAINST in the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim,--faint-heartedness/spiritual lethargy/'what's the use' mindset which leads to stopping all attempts at progress. Regardless of whether we stop due to despair or feeling we have already 'arrived' and do not need further 'progress', both ways the Enemy of our Souls rejoices and the Savior of our Souls weeps. When we try to 'rank' ourselves compared to others may we always see an image of the Ladder of Divine Ascent, with the demons pulling off some even from the top of the ladder! Continuing to climb to the very end must be our goal regardless of who appears to be climbing near us at any given moment in time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com