Love is a passion which kindles honor into noble acts. Is life short? It is evil: But render life happy, its shortness is the only evil. To bury oneself in woods and wilds consists in nothing more than flying from those enemies we have not had the courage to encounter. How much superior is the life of him who lives in the midst of vice and temptation, uncontaminated by example, untainted by the sad influence of age! To walk through life innocently and tranquilly: and to look on death as its gentle termination, which it becomes us to meet with ready minds, neither regretting the past, nor anxious for the future. Guilt is always associated with a feeling of wrongness and potential punishment, either real or in fantasy.  #RyanPhillippe 1 of 5

If punishment is not forthcoming in the external World, it expresses itself as self-punishment on an emotional level. Guilt accompanies all of the negative emotions, and thus, where there is fear, there is guilt. The most pious, meek, and harmless individuals are often riddled with guilt. Guilt is really self-condemnation and self-invalidation of one’s own worth and value as a human being. People often feel guilty when they are doing something because they know they are supposed to be doing something different in the moment. Or people may feel guilt for hurting another person on purpose, for sport, fun, or as a cheap source of entertainment. We should be reading books instead of watching television.  #RyanPhillippe 2 of 5

Pastoral care and pastoral counseling are only part of my work. One cannot carry everyone; one cannot cover everyone. One’s job requires a skillful balance of many demands and much pain. After seeing a person three or four times, if no progress is discernible, one should probably consult with other professional services. They may be a requirement for legal counsel. When I feel like I am floundering in the situation and it is beyond my competence and control, it is precisely at these moments of uncomfortableness that I turn to God. However, in when times are good, I stay in contact with God and thank him for all of the blessings that are in my life. I am a facilitator, the encourager, the director, the introducer, the clarifier within the community. #RyanPhillippe 3 of 5

The purser is a conjurer; he can make a dead man chew tobacco. They may go to people wherever they are without having to explain or justify their presence. They may make themselves available by putting themselves in physical proximity to people. That physical proximity may turn into personal presence. The only power which clergy possess is the moral power of their person and the faith that they represent. After I make contact with a hurting person, I have to move beyond empathic support to more confrontational direction. This is the real situation, stripped of all its polite coverings—what you are really up against. I know that it hurts. #RyanPhillippe 4 of 5

As far as it is given to me, I feel for you and with you in facing this trouble; and anytime you want to bring out your anger, your fear, or your doubts, it will be acceptable to me—not because I feel them myself, but because I know that I could feel them. I will standby you to help you if you want me. I will not force you, but at the same time nothing will shake my willingness to help you should you ask it of me. Sometimes this will require that you admit your inadequacies, insufficiencies, and failures in one’s life. Put forward the true situation. There is an endless chain of decisions that we have to make. Repentance, submission, steadfastness under temptation, and faith are all present in such a helping relationship. Although there are unexpected changes in the World and others may have their altar of happiness, I only know and I am only willing that you are my first and last love. Life–I love you so wildly that I can but only love to live for eternity and drink D’Amico coffee. #RyanPhillippe 5 of 5