I’m continuing the series of mini-articles in which I showcase interesting Christian YouTube channels that I stumble across and that have a positive impact upon me, with Christopher West’s channel.
An author, speaker and founder of the TOB Institute (The Theology Of The Body Institute), Christopher West Th.D., has been creating videos on YouTube for several years. Alongside his wife, Wendy West, he has an online podcast in which he has tackled a wide variety of Catholic Christian topics, but his focus is on aspects related to the theology of the body.
Check out a few of his videos and let me know in the comments if you found yourself impressed with the approach in which topics such as the Christian perspective on sexuality are discussed. I know I was.
Christopher West – What to do with your «sexual needs» as a Christian
Christopher West – Be real with God! How to pray authentically
In what is probably one of the best videos I’ve watched lately, Fr. Mike Schmitz from Ascension Presents’ YouTube channel addresses the topic of not feeling loved (by the people in your life) and how to handle it in a Christian worldview. I’ve found the Biblical example of Leah from The Old Testament particularly moving.
Let me know what you think about this topic. Do you agree with his advice? How do you think Christians should handle the emotions that stem from not feeling loved?
In this video, Fr. Casey Cole from Breaking In The Habit talks about how Christians can let go of their anxiety and trust in God’s word: “Be still and know that I am God”.
Breaking In The Habit – Letting Go of your anxiety
Every year, on the 28th of January, The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Italian Dominican friar and priest, philosopher, theologian, jurist, and Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas is best known today for his influential writings such as the “Summa Theologica”.
He is the Dominican order’s greatest glory. He taught philosophy and theology with such genius that he is considered one of the leading Christian thinkers. His innocence, on a par with his genius, earned for him the title of “Angelic Doctor.”
Find out more about St. Thomas Aquinas by visiting these websites:
I’ve recently come across a very promising and unique project developed by Matt Fradd and the team behind Cardinal Studios (a Philadelphia-based Ministry), aimed to help people break free from pornography addiction. It is called STRIVE and it is a program that combines religious and secular approaches to empower both men and women with the tools needed to battle porn addiction and win the war against pornography. I invite you to check it out and support the project by clicking the links in this post.
What is STRIVE? STRIVE is a powerful 21-Day Challenge (videos, written content, worksheets) by Matt Fradd that helps men understand why they go to porn in the first place, why they should break-free, and how to do so. It’s not a silver bullet, but a highly effective resource that equips men with the knowledge, tools, and accountability needed to quit porn and begin to live the life to which God is calling them.
Does it work?
Yes! We’ve received over 6,000 comments from men already whose lives are being transformed in ways they never thought possible. See reviews below.
What Does it Cost? FREE. For a limited time, the cost of STRIVE has been underwritten, so it is FREE for your men to register! STRIVE usually costs $49 for each individual. If 100 men at your parish sign-up, that’s a savings of almost $5,000!
How best to share STRIVE? We have several resources below to help you spread the word. The best way is through STRIVE Cards to hand out to men, and for your team to have on-hand. You can order those above in boxes of 250.
I came across this short list of Catholic one liners on social media, and I found it rather interesting, therefore I thought I should share it. I could not find its author, so I’m unable to credit the person who wrote them.
I would like to share with you a lovely Catholic deliverance prayer that I have come across recently – The Litany Of Trust. It was written by Sister Faustina Maria Pia from The Sisters Of Life. Also, check out the video where you can see Sister Faustina Maria Pia herself read the prayer and talk about it.
From the belief that I have to earn Your love … Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that I am unlovable … Deliver me, Jesus. From the false security that I have what it takes … Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute … Deliver me, Jesus. From all suspicion of Your words and promises … Deliver me, Jesus. From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You … Deliver me, Jesus. From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will … Deliver me, Jesus. From anxiety about the future … Deliver me, Jesus. From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past … Deliver me, Jesus. From restless self-seeking in the present moment … Deliver me, Jesus. From disbelief in Your love and presence … Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of being asked to give more than I have … Deliver me, Jesus. From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth … Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of what love demands … Deliver me, Jesus. From discouragement … Deliver me, Jesus.
That You are continually holding me sustaining me, loving me … Jesus, I trust in You. That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings, and transforms me …Jesus, I trust in You. That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You … Jesus, I trust in You. That you are with me in my suffering … Jesus, I trust in You. That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next …Jesus, I trust in You. That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church …Jesus, I trust in You. That Your plan is better than anything else … Jesus, I trust in You. That You always hear me, and in Your goodness always respond to me …Jesus, I trust in You. That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others …Jesus, I trust in You. That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked …Jesus, I trust in You. That my life is a gift … Jesus, I trust in You. That You will teach me to trust You … Jesus, I trust in You. That You are my Lord and my God … Jesus, I trust in You. That I am Your beloved one … Jesus, I trust in You.
Litany Of Trust by Sister Faustina Maria Pia from The Sisters Of Life
Recently, I’ve been going through a spiritual slump and I’ve been looking up encouraging stuff on the internet. Here are a couple of sermons that use “The Song Of Solomon”, one from a Protestant and the other from a Catholic, about what to do when God seems far away. I hope they will help you just as they have helped me, and maybe even more.
Every year, on the 14th of September, the Orthodox and the Catholic Churches commemorate the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
A blessed day and a celebration of the tremendous power of the Cross of our Lord, The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross reminds us how the power and wisdom of God have been revealed. By the Cross, we are reconciled to Christ, and we can find true and enduring peace. It is the Cross that directs us to Christ and to the way of salvation and eternal life.
The Feast commemorates the finding of the True Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by Saint Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine.
