I also am a devout Christian.
I drink almost no alcohol, eat seafood but no other meat, watch calories, salt, cholesterol.
I've had more than 13 years of college education, a doctorate degree, fluent in three languages and have an acquaintance with a fourth, have lived in Europe, travelled all over the world--most happily with my family--have studied music, skiing, sailing, tai kwan do, horseback riding, languages.
Right now, while exercising at the gym, I'm listening to an audio of Tolstoy's Anna Karanina. Recently I have finished listening to The Brothers Karamazov, An American Tragedy, Confessions of St. Augustine, Atlas Shrugged. A few nights ago I watched a splendid version of Tosca on the Medici channel.
My wife is brilliant, has advanced degrees, is a professional musician primarily Baroque, practices every day. We have been married for 65 years.
I also "meditate" regularly. This means that in addition to prayer, in which I make statements and ask for blessings, I listen to God's communication, which is more important inasmuch as God already knows, better than we do, all the secrets of our hearts.
The cosmos is God's holy scripture. Truth is there for all to read. Different people find truth and guidance in different places. Truth can come from anywhere when it is free to come.
I have found great power and guidance in Vedic teachings, notably the Bhagavad Gita, but Truth and wisdom are to be found everywhere.
Many years ago, when I was a seriously suicidal, deeply confused and troubled teen, I asked Jesus Christ to guide and protect me and promised to follow Him anywhere, even through the flaming gates of hell, if He would only promise to protect me from all evil and evil influences. I believe that He has kept that promise. I have also. I have found myself in many unexpected and surprising places, but never did I ever lose faith in Jesus Christ.
A wonderful older man helped me along this path, a psychotherapist, an ex-marine, who himself had had a varied and adventurous life. He once said to me that Jesus Christ was never far from him.
He is never far from me either.
I particularly love the Holy Trinity, Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit: All only one God.
I really am enjoying reading your post. What a life!
I’ve never written a Christmas message to put in my Christmas card, but if it do I’m going to ‘borrow’ some of what you wrote!
Happy New Year!
Anti-rant of the day!
So...Team Tolstoy or Team Dostoyevsky?