Browsing Blezard, Rob
My season of sacrifice and self denial
IT’S PERSONAL BLOG:
I can truly relate to what Jesus is saying in this Sunday’s Gospel lesson, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me“ (Mark 8:34b). Deny myself? Oh yeah! During Lent I’m all about self denial. (Photo by Randy OHC, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
Ash Wednesday: When stewards take stock
‘It’s Personal’ Blog
Meditate on the sobering words of Ash Wednesday: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” You’ll find the source of good stewardship of life — our mortality. (Photo by On the White Line, used by Creative Commons license.)
Resolutions you can really use
‘It’s Personal!’
Most people forget their New Year’s Resolutions as soon as they break them. It’s too bad, because resolutions to be a better steward of your life really can help you. Here is some advice for how to keep them from getting stale or forgotten.
(By Overthehill, via Bigstockphoto.com. )
Poor, dumb critters!
What’s wrong with us? As a species, we persist in lifestyles that are making us stressed, fat and sick. We continue to smoke and drink. We use violence as the primary way to resolve conflict. Through overconsumption, we continue to waste resources and energy. (Photo by Treehouse 1977, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
Blue jeans virtues
I live in blue jeans during my nonworking hours, but as the New Year approached, my “good” pair of Levi’s were conspicuously scruffy and literally falling apart. But holding off on buying a new pair helped me experience two much-needed stewardship virtues.
(Photo by Anirav, via Bigstock.com.)
Resolve to ask, seek and knock in 2012
Have you made your usual resolutions for 2012 — lose weight, stop smoking, spend more time with family, pay off the credit cards and so on? The usual resolutions address your physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. But how about your spiritual wellbeing? This year resolve to grow in faith — that is, to draw closer […]
Giving That is Blessed, Indeed!
“IT’S PERSONAL” BLOG
What did Jesus mean when he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”? Is all giving covered? Paul, who quotes Jesus in Acts 20:35, gives us some important hits in the context. (“In Paris Texas” photo, used by Creative Commons license. Thanks!)
‘The Perfect Gift’ for Anyone
IT’S PERSONAL BLOG
Stop driving yourself crazy looking for “the perfect gift” for someone who already has everything they need and want. Here is something perfect for everyone! (Photo by Deklofenak, via Big Stock Photo.)
A recipe for home stewardship
IT’S PERSONAL BLOG – As a privileged, yuppie newspaper reporter in the 1980s, I was surprised to learn that the Salvation Army Citadel in my city was offering cooking classes for residents of its poorest neighborhood. I envisioned gourmet lessons a la Martha Stewart or Julia Child. What? Boeuf bourguignon avec champignons for the down […]
‘Diet for a Small Planet’ reconsidered
IT’S PERSONAL Blog – Exactly 40 years ago Frances Moore Lappé proposed a groundbreaking solution to a then-looming food crisis – eating less meat. Lappe’s book, Diet for a Small Planet criticized the vast stores of grain that are fed to animals for meat production. The book has sold millions of copies and is considered […]
