Just an old man out standing in his field.

    Bishop Daniel E. Thomas celebrates the Ritual Mass for the Ordination of Several Priests on June 27, 2020 at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo, Ohio. Photography By: © Scott W. Grau

    Featured Post

    Uncategorized

    The Necessity of Continuous Conversion

    After 45+ years of ministry, in a variety of different Christian traditions, I’ve come to the deep conviction that every single person needs continuous conversion—especially when it comes to me. The core of this post I first penned twenty years ago, but I believe it now even more, given the rise of spiritual counterfeits, running unchecked on the digital blogosphere, bombarding us, our children, and our grandchildren. My spiritual background, which was an ever-evolving mixture of Lutheran, Congregationalist, Calvinist, Charismatic, and evangelical tenants, pretty much ignored the need for any kind of continuous conversion. From my first attendance at…

    Marcus Grodi's avatar by Marcus Grodi

    Latest Posts

    • Learning Contentment

      Thirteen years ago, after I’d just turned sixty, a friend asked me what I was going to do when I grew up? After a quick thought, I answered, “Well, the first twenty years of my life were pretty much all about me; then after a religious awakening in college, the focus of my second twenty Continue reading

      Learning Contentment

    • The Danger of NOT Becoming “Deep in History”

      As I sit retired before my fire. That’s how I ended my last post, and in sitting there, I became gradually convicted that I needed to write an addendum, I suppose a correction, for any misunderstandings that may have arisen from my personal witness to the danger of becoming too “deep in history” (if you Continue reading

      The Danger of NOT Becoming “Deep in History”

    • The Danger of Becoming TOO “Deep in History”

      I’ve admitted many times that the final straw that opened my heart to the truth of the Catholic Church was the reading of Saint John Henry Cardinal Newman’s two classic books: his Apologia Pro Vita Sua and particularly his Essay on the Development of Doctrine. His example and then challenge to become “deep in history” Continue reading

      The Danger of Becoming TOO “Deep in History”

    • The Operative Word

      The photo is the portion of our mature woods where this year we tapped six sugar maples, collecting over 80 gallons of fresh maple sap. Not being prepared yet to complete the process, we gave this away to friends to include in their active syrup production. But I had an interesting experience last night and Continue reading

      ,
      The Operative Word

    • A Single Purpose

      When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:1-2) This has long been a favorite and inspiring verse. Apparently the Christians in Corinth had already Continue reading

      ,
      A Single Purpose

    • Salvation Is Nearer Than You Think

      Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. (Romans 13:11) I’ve been slowly re-reading through St. Augustine’s City of God, and this morning I was awakened by this: For no sooner Continue reading

      Salvation Is Nearer Than You Think

    • Telltale Bookends

      I’m in the process of taking one more step towards trying to understand what so called self-imposed “retirement” is. So, I’m rearranging, upgrading, and organizing my small home Study. The goal is to make it so appealing, warm, comfortable, even inspiring, that I’ll slowly wean myself away from getting up every morning, and driving robotically Continue reading

      ,
      Telltale Bookends

    • The Face of Jesus?

      Do you see Him? I called my son Richard to come out of the basement, away from his computerized war game, and see. At first he didn’t, but then, in time, he saw, and said, matter-of-factly, “Wow”, and returned downstairs to his game. I called my wife Marilyn to come out and see! She looked, Continue reading

      ,
      The Face of Jesus?

    • His communication is true, because it is inspired by love.

      It was really cold out there this morning. None the less, I followed my usual routine. I first fed our four barn cats, and then cautiously walked down the frost-covered hill to fill the bird feeders. As I was inserting the suet squares into a wire cage, I heard in my mind the echoing chastisement Continue reading

      ,
      His communication is true, because it is inspired by love.

    • Good Fence Lines

      The fence line in the above photo has a Michenerian history, and as “just an old man out standing in my field”, my entire homesteading experience definitely has the same Michenerian bent. You may be wondering what the heck is a “Michenerian” bent? Before I explain, I want to thank those of you who have Continue reading

      ,
      Good Fence Lines