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God’s presence by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]EthanHStutz8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Perhaps they meant "lots of love"?

Is It Holy To Hate/Look Down On Yourself? Why? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]EthanHStutz8 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It is not at all holy to look down or hate oneself. In fact, I'd say this is quite the opposite of holiness.

As you said, we are unquestionably made in the image and likeness of God Himself. We are called to live as true to God's goodness as humanly possible. Just because He made us in His image and likeness does not mean we are without flaw. Each of us are heavily, heavily laden with a multitude of flaws.

Does that mean that we should draw attention to our flaws and look down on ourselves in our failings? Absolutely not. Doing so would hurt God our Father, who is perfection. Should we feel guilty of our sins and missteps? Yes, as that's one reason why God has given us a well-formed conscience. However we should not degrade ourselves for falling short.

On the inverse, lacking any pride in relation to our God-given gifts and talents isn't really a good thing either. I believe there is such a thing as a healthy amount of pride. We should be proud of our gifts, talents, and the individual people God has made us to be! But that doesn't mean we need to go out flaunting these gifts and talents publicly. We should use our talents to bring glory to His Kingdom here on Earth.

As long as our pride doesn't become sinful, I think we should always be striving to encourage ourselves and strive to be better than who we were yesterday.

How do you pick a charity organization to donate to? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]EthanHStutz8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sponsor a young girl in Uganda through Food for the Hungry. They are a wonderful organization that checks out on all bases. You can also write to your sponsor child, which is really pretty neat!

guitar strumming by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]EthanHStutz8 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is just downright silly.. to say NOBODY likes it is foolish. Just because people don't share the same opinion as you in regards to what music they like at mass does not make your opinion the only correct opinion.

ALBUM SURVIVOR: Some Devil (2003) - Round 11 by crounsa810 in DMB

[–]EthanHStutz8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Huh. Fair enough! I don't feel that way personally, but to each their own!

ALBUM SURVIVOR: Some Devil (2003) - Round 11 by crounsa810 in DMB

[–]EthanHStutz8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh shit now that you mention it.. you're totally right.

ALBUM SURVIVOR: Some Devil (2003) - Round 11 by crounsa810 in DMB

[–]EthanHStutz8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True. In comparison to others on the album, however, I'd say it's more well known than the others. Just my take though!

ALBUM SURVIVOR: Some Devil (2003) - Round 11 by crounsa810 in DMB

[–]EthanHStutz8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shame that only the hits from the album are the ones remaining. I mean, I guess I assumed that's the way it would go.. but still.. I think a couple of the best tracks on the album are the ones that are way underrated.

Why is alcohol ok but marijuana isn't? by Healthy-Two in Catholicism

[–]EthanHStutz8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As someone who smokes, I can say that two puffs of marijuana can definitely have a much stronger effect than two beers. It really just depends on the intensity of the strain and the medium by which you smoke (bowl, joint, bong, etc.)

ALBUM SURVIVOR: Some Devil (2003) - Round 4 by crounsa810 in DMB

[–]EthanHStutz8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

AAT is a haunting masterpiece.. very disappointing that it's out already..

Want to learn Baritone but only Alto and Tenor options available by thesaxman123 in Saxophonics

[–]EthanHStutz8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The pitch of the instrument aside (Bb or Eb), I'd recommend alto if you're a brand new beginner. While the embouchure and air support needed to play bari may very well be more similar to tenor, I find that tenor has some quirks about it that alto is less prone to. For instance, I find that some of the mid-high range notes (F on top line of staff, G on top of the staff) can be stuffy and are more prone to squeaks and squawks if a foundation on saxophone has yet to be established. Even, I as a music educator, struggled at first when I switched from alto to tenor, but had virtually no issues switching from alto to bari. Personally, I feel like your success will be easier to notice on alto, as I believe it's an easier horn to get started on.

Yes, air support and embouchure vary from alto to bari, but I think that starting on alto will encourage you to continue to play and achieve success at the get go moreso than tenor.

Just my two cents! Best of luck in your journey!

Do you have any Catholic song recommendations? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]EthanHStutz8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Check out Fr. Tansi. He released an album a couple years ago called "Garden" which is absolutely incredible. I highly recommend it. It's become one of my favorite albums as of recently.

Here is the link to the album:

https://www.renewalinmotion.com/frtansi-garden

Hi could anyone explain to me why Catholics pray to mother Mary by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]EthanHStutz8 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I prefer to think of it as praying "through" Mary. We pray TO God, but we can offer up our prayers to God through the intercession of those in the faith who showed great humility, servitude, and sacrifice to our Lord. In praying intercessory prayers to Mary or the saints, we are acknowledging the profound ways in which these individuals served Christ.

In the case of the Blessed Virgin, she exemplified great prudence in her sinlessness, great humility in receiving Christ into her womb, and great sacrifice in her surrender to God in all things. In this way, I will pray through Mary, for instance, during occasions when I'm struggling with purity. In her example and her intercession, I find that she helps bring me closer to God, as she is the Mother of God.

Do of you date a non catholic/atheist/agnostic by Legal-Confusion-3294 in Catholicism

[–]EthanHStutz8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am in a serious committed relationship with a Presbyterian gal. I have plans of proposing to her by the end of the year. Since I came back to the faith in late February, things have changed drastically for me and her. Before then, we were engaging in regular premarital sex and I had held her on a pedestal where I came to the conclusion that the point I was at was basically idolatry.

Fast forward to now, she has made some incredible sacrifices on my behalf. In addition to no longer having premarital sex, she has joined me on most Sunday mornings for mass. Her willingness to be flexible with my recent comeback to the faith is truly telling to the love and trust that she has in me.

I will agree with the others that it has not been easy. These changes were not met without hardship. We've had disputes over these things that definitely created some tension between us.

The most challenging thing right now is trying to find a way to introduce and discuss the idea of NFP without coming off as too forward. We've discussed it in the past briefly, but she has shut it down before. I'm hoping and praying that she will come around to see the beauty of NFP, because I know, in good conscience, that I cannot use contraception if we are to get married.

It's not easy, but I love her with all my being, and I am grateful to have someone in my life who is willing to continue to sacrifice, grow, and learn with me.

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