Sometimes stories from the desert fathers are too long to reflect on here, but I still want to share them. There is a lot to like about this story. It also reflects some of the more severe austerity of monastics, but there is enough here, I think, for readers to apply to their own contexts. I especially like the characterization of despair (and, by implication, hope). I also like the brief comment about “the venerable fathers, many of whom had overcome the devil though they lived in towns”—which somewhat contradicts the sort of spiritual elitism some impute to the fathers. This old man, at least, knew that salvation was available even to those who live in the world, even if the path there is harder to find and slower to travel. Continue reading
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Dylan
Dylan, his wife Kelly, and his children Brendan, Aidan, Erin, and Callaghan are Midwestern Americans, ethnically Scots, German, and Irish, and Greek Orthodox Christians. Dylan has a degree in theology and works as an editor. Kelly has a degree in theology and has her own business. The children have no degrees, but they still manage to contribute to the family in their own ways.
Blogroll
- Adding a Burden Jill and John Burden’s blog about their adoption journey.
- Cafe au Mommy A blog about parenting and family life by Heather Jacobs.
- Dylan Pahman writes. My professional website.
- Grandma's Bells & Whistles My mom’s blog.
- Koinonia Fr. Gregory Jensen’s blog.
- Life, God, and Other Mysteries Mary Vanden Berg’s blog.
- Lux Christi Gary Jenkins’s blog.
- Orthodox and Vegan Janalyn K. Salhaney’s food blog.
- Shelley Johannes My cousin Shelley’s website. She is an author and illustrator.
- St. Brigid's Holistic Labor Care Kelly’s business!