Rumination Journal

“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.” —Matthew 7:1-5 I have a condition. And it appears to be chronic. I have an impairment regarding how I view others and how I view myself. But God, through the Holy Spirit and God's Word, is making me aware of my condition and what I must do to treat it. Below are several Scripture passages God has led me to regularly meditate upon, as well as my notes on these Scriptures. I admit there are days when “God’s treatment” tastes alright, and there are days when “God’s...

But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed. —Luke 5:15-16 Around A.D. 275, following the death of his wealthy parents, a young man named Anthony gave all his family wealth to the poor, consigned his unmarried sister to a Christian community, and began a life of devout seclusion. He eventually attracted disciples which he organized into a community. And while Saint Anthony of Egypt was not the first Christian hermit, he became known as the "Father of Monasticism," and was the inspiration for similar communities. Monasticism is a religious way of life in which one renounces worldly pursuits to devote themself fully to spiritual work. Many monastics live in monasteries to separate themselves from the secular world. The Christian monk embraces the monastic life as a vocation for God. His goal is to attain eternal life in God’s presence...