Category: Christian Psychology
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Yearning for the Yoke: Theosis, Self-Realization, and the Sacred Yes
Yearning for Your yokeDeep soul seeks light from your graceSpirit whispers Yes! ~Thomas Maples The Anatomy of Yearning: Why We Crave More Than the World Can Offer During the COVID-19 lockdown, I found myself wanting more than my vocation required. I felt as though I was carrying an invisible yoke, a weight on my shoulders.…
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To Witness God’s Work: A Guide to the Spirit’s Gift of Wonder and Wisdom
To Witness Your WorkWonder and Wisdom Lead MeSpring of Spirit’s Gift ~Thomas C. Maples Cultivating Holy Wonder: The Psychology of Spiritual Awe “We shall not cease from exploration / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time.” — T.S. Eliot,…
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Temperance: Finding Peace in the Age of Excess
Temperance to groundFaith unlocks the yearning heart. Pure Spirit to Spring~ Thomas C. Maples Temperance: The Sacred Architecture of Restraint For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. ~2 Timothy 1:7 Temperance; can you sense its presence? If you listen to the inspirational gurus on…
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The Rhythm of Redemption: Life as a Practice of Return
Seeking redemption Inner voice calls upon me Grace springing within ~ Thomas C. Maples Redemption in the Integrated Self Have you ever felt that life is a practice? As I ponder this, it runs counter to my experience, which screams that people seek perfection. But sometimes, the true value in life comes from moments of…
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Obedience and the Blessed Heart: A Catholic Perspective on Love, Will, and Offering
Obedience and will—where does it begin? One of my favorite subjects to write about is happiness. It is a cornerstone of the entire industry that supports my livelihood: the practice of psychotherapy. People yearn for happiness, but when they focus their will solely on that end, they fail to realize they are setting their psyche…
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Nurturing Grace: The Divine Equation of Love
Soul Eat’s Living Bread,Strong Spirit gives gentle rest,Grace falls upon me.~Thomas C. Maples The Divine Equation: From Vertical Ascent to Inner Wellspring When Christ gave us the Great Commandment, He established the divine equation for love, proclaiming the ultimate truth—a truth that can be closely related to Nuturing Grace in our daily lives. Embracing and practicing…
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Love: The Essence of God’s Plan
I’ll Follow Your Call Libations of LoveLike a Fall Dew ReflectionI’ll Follow Your Call Love and the Alphabet of Virtues In the alphabet of virtues, this is the one I most looked forward to writing: Love. What a gift we have been given. For it is in the very act of loving that the gift of giving is as…
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Embracing Kindness: A Source of Hope
To Spring darkness fadesKindness falls on open heartFaith will guide the way~Dr. Thomas Maples Miracles are possible in a world where kindness is the primary focus. Acts of kindness can bring about positive change, but only if we cultivate their presence individually. It is only then that we can lay the foundation for truly miraculous…
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Joy: The Search for Light in Dark Times
Sunrise breaks the dark Slow drawn shadows slip away Joy calls open heart Joy: How to Find Light in the Dark There is much emphasis placed on joy these days. However, in its singular emphasis, I often find this focus to be a major impetus for deeper spiritual, emotional, and physical development. Do we inhabit…
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Finding Unshakable Hope in Today’s World
Unshakable HopeMy eyes wonder unto theeGod my guiding light ~Thomas C. Maples The Shaken Nature of Hope Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. ~Desmond Tutu In a world often overshadowed by division, what serves as your guiding light? As I grow older, I’ve come to understand…
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Faith and Courage: Steps to Embrace Change
Soft steps, full heart A Spring of courage ignites Sacred journey’s start ~Dr. Thomas Maples It takes courage to step outside of the shell we place ourselves within. Yet, like the hermit crab, if we do not move from the confines of that shell we have already grown in size too, we will simply limit…
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Inner Bliss: A Psychology of the Self-Discovery
A gentle spring kissThe ocean breeze gently guidesSmall steps, inner bliss~Dr. Thomas Maples He loves me, he loves me not? She loves me, she loves me not? Ever wonder what finding inner bliss feels like? I believe this exercise in patience may hold a clue for those who yearn to create that inner most sense…