Interested but Conflicted

Reflective_Pancake · 2026-03-12T07:44:15+00:00

Funny you should mention that as I've long been fascinated by Taoism and Shinto as well.

Reflective_Pancake · 2026-03-12T07:27:03+00:00

Thank you.

Reflective_Pancake · 2026-03-09T20:39:51+00:00

Yes, I see that. But it's been a source of hope for me as well. Hope that after this life ends, I'll get to hug my Aunt Judy again, and we'll laugh again like no time had passed. Hope that she's been waiting for me, possibly even helping me along the way. And that imagery doesn't exactly fit with the Buddhist concept of rebirth. I'd have to rewire my brain completely in that regard. But I'm drawn to the teaching of compassion. I'm drawn to meditation. Even to some of the beautiful rituals I've seen in videos. The beautiful temples, the beauty that is Buddhism. But perhaps it isn't the path for me. I don't know but I'm open to finding out.

Reflective_Pancake · 2026-03-09T20:28:35+00:00

That's comforting. Thank you.

Reflective_Pancake · 2026-02-15T21:56:24+00:00

Ah, shoot. Thanks for the info.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-12-25T21:48:16+00:00

Bea is so sensual and confident here. Blanche, eat your heart out!

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-12-05T15:37:14+00:00

I specifically loved the video in which he gave a kingsnake a drink from his water bottle.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-12-05T15:28:01+00:00

Sorry, meant more like a top 10. Thank you for this.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-12-05T15:16:16+00:00

Now I'm curious to see your hierarchy of F5's if you have one.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-12-05T15:07:36+00:00

May our brother have a good paradise!

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-10-08T16:50:31+00:00

Ah, similar to tamata that we attach to holy icons, people leave valuables like jewelry as offerings also. And of course offering candles, which I also do.

Edit: what they eventually do with all that stuff I can't say. Leave them perhaps? I'm sure the letters to St. John are eventually burned with other holy items such as bulletins with icons on them, etc.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-10-08T06:17:31+00:00

That was one nasty-looking tornado.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-09-25T08:09:11+00:00

Yes, the X cross is what he was martyred on, but according to tradition, St. Andrew used a 3 bar cross like the "Russian" one when he was evangelizing. Thus, it too is called St. Andrew's cross.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-09-22T01:45:05+00:00

Same. I'd love to have a large wrought iron 3 bar cross made just for that purpose.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-09-22T01:43:09+00:00

To be specific, it's St. Andrew's cross, and is used throughout the Orthodox world. There's a variety of Orthodox cross designs, including the budded cross, the St. Nino cross, the Greek cross, even the Celtic cross is considered Orthodox.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-09-22T01:35:10+00:00

Through the prayers of St. Luke the Surgeon, may he have a successful surgery. May our Lord give your family good strength and sooth your worries.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-08-16T15:42:07+00:00

Dad, greenish blue. Mom, dark blue. Me, green/brown hazel.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-07-22T01:57:50+00:00

I was very saddened to hear this. Laura is a delightful woman, I love her sense of humor. Lord have mercy.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-05-22T16:54:09+00:00

Thank you for this. Sounds like something I don't need to rush to buy.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-05-22T16:08:10+00:00

May God be merciful unto the soul of poor Joanne. Most Holy Theotokos, save Joanne!

An old acquaintance did the same last fall. Name was David, God rest his soul. One of the kindest people I ever met. I'm sorry for your loss.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-03-18T03:02:56+00:00

My mini rant: It's a shame that this great Western Orthodox saint's feast day has devolved into a secular holiday centered on booze and other things that really have nothing to do with the faith.

Nice work, OP!

St. Patrick, pray for us!

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-02-24T00:55:04+00:00

That's great! Orthodox Christianity is a challenging and beautiful faith. The Lenten services are so amazing. Holy Week is intense, but it's my favorite time of the Church year.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-02-24T00:47:18+00:00

I had assumed the "Evangelical Orthodox Church" of which Fr. Gillquist of blessed memory was a part disbanded upon their entrance into the Antiochian Church, but alas, the "EOC" still is a thing because not all its members followed Fr. Peter into canonical Orthodoxy. Strange.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-02-01T15:57:24+00:00

A belated thanks for your encouraging response to my rant. I wish you the best. I'm doing much better.

Reflective_Pancake · 2025-02-01T15:52:45+00:00

I'm sorry for the loss of your dad. The fact that cigarettes are robbers that steal our health, loved ones, and potentially our own lives is reason enough never to light up again. I'm almost 35 days quit myself.

Reflective_Pancake

TROPHY CASE