Tag Archives: hypocrisy

The Myth of Religious Violence

Posted on April 18, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

It’s widely thought that religion is the major cause of war. However, William T. Cavanaugh, in his book, The Myth of Religious Violence, points out how superficial this perception is. Indeed, the authoritative Encyclopedia of War reports that of all … Continue reading →

Posted in Loving your enemies, Religion, War | Tagged | Leave a comment

It’s easy to see the big sins of others

Posted on March 29, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

The world’s worst ever ecological disaster happened in nineteen eighty nine when the oil tanker Exxon Valdez dumped most of its crude oil into Prince William Sound in Alaska. The whole world watched in anger at such criminal negligence. However, … Continue reading →

Posted in Indifference, Sin, Spiritual blindness | Tagged | Leave a comment

Passed preaching but failed Christianity

Posted on March 16, 2016 by vincentsmithauthor

Using Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan, a professor of theology arranged for ten of his students, for their final assessment before becoming ordained ministers, to record a short talk on radio. Each was released from class at ten minute … Continue reading →

Posted in Christlikeness, Faithfulness, Preacher, Self Deception, Servant leadership | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Acedia, an aversion to spiritual things

Posted on June 6, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

William Bennet, speaking at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, said: ‘There is a coarseness and a cynicism to our era…The ancients called it acedia, an aversion to spiritual things and an undue concern for the external and the worldly… I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bigotry, Cynicism, Materialism, Speaking the truth, Spiritual blindness, Spiritual Darkness | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Nursing a grudge won’t make it get better

Posted on April 2, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s an old story about two monks who came to a river crossing and found an old woman sitting there afraid to venture into the water. Much to the annoyance of his companion, one of the monks volunteered them to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bitterness, Feelings, Hurting ourselves, Pain, Renewed Minds, Resentment, Troubles | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

It’s not enough just to observe

Posted on March 20, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

Some years ago Photojournalist Kevin Carter won a Pulitzer Prize with a picture of a starving Sudanese child crawling toward a feeding center while a vulture stared at him. That image drew international attention to both Sudan’s suffering and to … Continue reading →

Posted in Compassion, Indifference, Pain, Suffering, Sympathy and Support | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Losing one’s perspective

Posted on March 20, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

One stifling summer day in San Antonio, Texas, a baby was accidentally locked in a parked car. The mother and the aunt ran around the car in near hysteria, while a neighbour tried to unlock the door with a clothes … Continue reading →

Posted in Gratitude, Ingratitude, Life, Life's journey, Perspective | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

You’re on your own now, Buddy

Posted on February 26, 2015 by vincentsmithauthor

They tell me that in America you can buy a St Christopher statue that can be wired up to your car’s odometer, and St Christopher, who is the patron saint of travellers, promises to look after you as you drive … Continue reading →

Posted in Sin, St Christopher, Temptation | Tagged | Leave a comment

The essence of a great prayer

Posted on December 15, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

The essence of a great prayer is not in the majesty of its phrases but in its honesty; like the one that says: Dear God, So far today I’ve done all right. I’ve kept my mouth shut, I’ve not gossiped … Continue reading →

Posted in Peace, Prayer, Sincerity | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

One peg is all it needs

Posted on October 23, 2014 by vincentsmithauthor

There’s a story from Haiti about a man who wanted to sell his house but only got one offer for it, which was much less than he wanted. So he agreed on a purchase price of one thousand dollars, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Devil, Resisting the Devil, Sin | Tagged , , | Leave a comment