u/BlackBay41

Hi all,

Preferably looking for a book that categorises the above. Even if it doesn't provide a ton of information, just a reference to deep dive from would be great too.

Thabks

Hello all,

Just curious if anyone here has studied the diploma with WSUK and can recall which additional reading was recommended or required for each of the 7 modules.

Thanks and God bless!

Hey all,

So a little background is that I'm 37, I was raised in an Agnostic home and in my late teens and early-20s I was swept up in the new-atheism wave that rose and fell fairly quickly. I wasn't just atheist, but anti-theist; I hated religion and thought the religious to be fools.

Around 20 I had depression set in pretty significantly. I was out of work for a few years and just coasting, completely isolating myself from all friends and virtually all family.

I began tentatively exploring philosophy, mostly as a means of alleviating issues with depression and anxiety. That was mostly mindfulness and then into Buddhism, and my first experience in trying to believe in anything that cannot be observed or proven, e.g. the supernatural aspects of the religion.

That was probably the gateway for me into theism. Not because Buddhism is theistic, but because it opened the door to belief in the previously unbelievable.

Coming to faith was a slow and begrudging process. The biopic of C. S. Lewis' faith journey 'The Most Reluctant Convert' resonates strongly with that period. I had stumbling blocks ever since. No amount of prayer, Scripture or secondary reading has ever made it 'click'.

Reformed denominations stuck out as soon as I encountered them. It felt like the most adjacent group I could find to my past life experience; studious, emphasis on knowledge, extensive doctrinal and theological works etc.

I believe God must exist, and the Christian faith is the most logical expression historically of that, but beyond that I struggle to feel anything other than appreciation for Christian culture, e.g. the music, architecture, observing worship etc.

Going to Church does nothing for me. Prayer does very little for me, and, ironically, it has pretty much only been the Jesus Prayer or Hail Mary that has brought any sense of comfort or connection with God.

Reading Scripture does help to some extent, but I prefer the more practical and black-and-white writing like Proverbs.

I just feel lost really. I've never truly felt like I belonged in the faith. I don't feel like I've ever fully believed, and even the story of Christ clearly compels others in ways that I don't experience. I don't feel like I have a relationship with God despite prayer and study for over a decade. I watch or read things about the Puritans and it is inspiring, and I wish I had that all-consuming faith and life-driving force, but no matter what I've tried, no matter the prayer, no matter the reading, no matter the formal theological study, no matter the number of Pastors I've spoken to, it just doesn't click.

Not sure what else I can do or try. I've been trying harder and harder for 13 years, I've tried doing more and more waiting for it to click but it never has.

Not sure whether I'm seeking prayer or advice or both. I'm reluctant seeking advice because it's almost always the same cliché soundbites, well-meaning as they may be, that don't help and have been tried countless times before.

Just a bit adrift in a tempest.

Have been having hip and referred pain for months. Had an x-ray yesterday and was told both hips have OA and bone growths causing limited movement and impingement of soft tissues.

Is there anything I can do? I'm doing exercises while I wait for physio to take over my care.

I've seen mixed reviews about glucosamine. Any advice appreciated.

Obviously hope everyone involved is safe and the damage is minimal, but I wonder how much this is going to affect wine supply and prices.

Hello all,

Brand new 146 burgundy (medium) arrived last week and the ink arrived today. I went with Toffee Brown as it was a nice colour and apparently a wet ink, but I am not sure if it's drier than I was expecting and perhaps why I am having starting issues.

Once the pen is engaged and going through the usual figure 8 testing patterns etc it's fine, but at times when I lift the pen and begin writing again less than a second later, it struggles. Down strokes in particular feel the worst, like I'm pulling a dull knife.

Any ideas? I am hoping it's just the ink. For what it's worth I tried smudging it about 5-10 seconds after writing and it was bone dry.

Hello all,

I hope you're all well and having a blessed start to the week.

I'm looking for some commentary recommendations for the book of James.

Any feedback sincerely appreciated.

Thanks!

It is concerning to say the least.

Curious what tips you guys have for calming down pain when inflammation is high.

​

Never had it this bad. Awaiting a scan to rule other stuff out but I've had IBS issues for a long time so assuming it's the root of this too.

​

This has been an ongoing issue for 6 weeks or so now. Advil helps sometimes, but otherwise it's constant low grade pain from above the pelvis on my right up and around to my kidney.

​

Any tips appreciated!

Hi all,

I'm probably in the minority as it seems most anime has the things I don't like, but any recommendations appreciated that don't have the cliche high-pitched squealing girls, overly dramatic expression etc.

I really enjoyed Death Note (the popstar girl in it is an example of what I'd like to avoid) so anything similar would be ideal.

Thanks!

I am curious myself, and also as it's a criticism from Protestants, I thought it may serve as educational to both parties.

It's no secret that there are countless beautiful prayers within Orthodoxy, and a prayer rule often includes many. My question though is how do we repeat these daily, in some cases dozens or hundreds of times (e.g. Jesus Prayer) a day, and not fall into that trap of vain repetition?

I've been concerned that sometimes I say righteous things with righteous intentions, but feel at times I am not fully alert and may be saying and doing things for the right reasons but ultimately resulting in unrighteousness, if that makes sense.

Thanks and God bless

Hello,

I want to preface by saying I have been considering joining the Church for some time now, but there are still a few things I struggle with, and would greatly appreciate some feedback from those that also joined as former Protestants.

First of all is Marian devotion. I really do struggle with this less in principle and more in practice. I see nothing wrong with reverence, but the prominence that Mary has in the Church still gives me pause to question whether joining the Church is the right choice. It isn't that I don't recognise that Mary is the mother of God, but if I am going to spend time in devotion or prayer, it's going to be with God exclusively; not God via, God exclusively. Frankly, I simply don't understand why anyone would, in my opinion, waste time praying via an intermediary rather than going straight to God. It's almost like turning up to a repair shop with a broken clock and the clockmaker beckoning you over from the back of the store and going to the sales assistant instead... surely it's best to go to the maker who has the most intimate knowledge and ability to fulfil your needs.

My understanding of Catholicism (the only other major Church which parallels this prominence) is that Marian devotion is optional, but to join without the intention or desire to embrace it is a pretty big question mark on the application for lack of a better term.

Is this the case in Orthodoxy?

Secondly, following on from above, is praying to saints. I have a lot of respect for the early Fathers of the church and the countless brilliant men and women of faith over the history of the Church, but again it feels strange appealing to them instead of God. Sometimes it feels like at the first sign of calamity, people's first question is which saint to petition. I struggle with that because again it feels like it both distracts from and diminishes God by petitioning others despite Him telling us we have a direct line to Him. I wear a St Benedict medal because his life and work inspires me in my own faith.

I don't have issues with icons insofar as they're visual reminders of godly people who can inspire us in our own walk, but like Marian devotion, the idea of kissing icons feels very off and something which should be reserved for God.

Finally, confession. I feel less convicted about this than the above two, but I suppose the same theme really is why go through an intermediary, and, how many go to confession seeking reconciliation from the Priest without seeking it from God privately too?

Lastly, I apologise if the wording of anything above comes across at all as lacking charity. It's not my intent to stir the pot or rile anyone up, I'm just looking for answers... I'm looking for my home. Nothing comes close to what Orthodoxy offers, but years of Protestant thinking makes it difficult to reconcile with the above and I am trying to work through it.

Thank you and God bless.