Category: Virtues

Success in Dress! May the Lord Find Favor

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Dress for Success

Success seems to be defined by fashion magazine trends these days, and everyone wants to be successful! However, most of us are not fashion models on photo shoots. Rather, we’re everyday people trudging along in our communities, working, shopping and maybe, we exercise at the gym. Yet, how often do you see scantily clad people inappropriately dressed for a given occasion? Maybe its short shorts and a tank top in church, or a low cut blouse and tight jeans at work.

What we choose to wear makes a difference, not so much for others, but for ourselves, in the view…Read More…

Choice of Language Speaks Volumes!

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

No Cursing

Language choice is key. What you choose to say to others is important. Using foul language, for example, has no place in any society, except to display the poor character of the speaker. We hear off color jokes, privately told at the water cooler, as well as routines on Comedy Central (cable television). We overhear snide remarks made to a co-worker.  We hear defamatory lyrics that top the music charts. The choice to use foul language is pervasive; so also is the cultural norm to accept it as part of the fabric of our society – a stained fabric, but nonetheless, a fabric of our society.

How we speak makes a difference, not so much for others, but for ourselves, in the view of our own self-worth. Read more…

Action Divulges Our True Character

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Modesty

Action speaks louder than words! Everyone has heard this phrase, but have you given it much thought in relation to modesty? How you behave around others is an indicator of your true character. Even the things that you do in the privacy of your own home can divulge your true character. What you think is private may not end up that way.  A classic example is “sexting” – sending private pictures containing sexual poses to a supposed “lover” over the phone, only to see them splashed across Twitter and other social media sites.

How we conduct ourselves both privately and publicly, makes a difference, not necessarily for others, but more so for ourselves, in the view of our own self-worth. Read more…

Are You Decent? Is Your Soul Decent?

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Decent

Are you decent? That is a question we usually ask if we want to know if someone is dressed before entering a room. I’m asking the same question, but with a slightly different slant. Is your soul decent? By that I mean, are you of the caliber of virtue where you exhibit restraint over your actions, dress and language because you value your own self-worth? Do you value what God thinks of you and your behavior more than the prescribed cultural norms? Or do you try to “fit in” by being lewd, scantily dressed and/or use colorful language, because… Read more…

Be Still, Silent, Listen and Know God!

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Silence and Know God

Be still and know God! Easier said than done! Yet, to truly come to know God, we must become good listeners capable of discerning what He has in mind for us. Think about it: Do you ever really hear what another person has to say, if you are talking over them? Why should it be any different with God? We need to be still, silent, and listen for God’s guidance.

Here’s an exercise to get you started on the right path:

  1. Find a quiet place where you will be undisturbed for 15 minutes.
  2. Get comfortable.
  3. Mentally, tune out the chatter…Read more…

Listen to God? What’s in it for Me?

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Listen to God 2

Listen to God as He speaks to you. He has your best interests at heart. God wants only what is best for you. He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere at one time) and omniscient (all-knowing); three very good adjectives to describe why we should be silent and listen to Him and not to the questionable, noisy, broken chatter of this world! God knows what He is doing. We, as humans, certainly do not have the full picture regarding anything, but He does. God is there to guide us on our journey. If we would be silent and listen, we would… Read more…

Need Motivation to Exercise Self-Control?

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Put God First

Need motivation to exercise self-control? Perhaps you have tried to quit smoking, drinking, or taking drugs. Perhaps you have tried to lose weight, or not work so many long hours, only to be drawn back in to the temptation. You tell yourself that you can have all the motivation you could want and somehow, you still succumb to the temptation. Great starts, lousy finishes! You try again, only to see the cycle repeat itself.

I’ve been on that hamster wheel with my weight! So, I speak from experience. It wasn’t until this last time of weight loss, when I got…Read more…

Devil Knocking: Anyone Home?

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

Devil Knocking 2

The devil knocks at our doors every day! Every time we are unable to resist temptation, we invite Satan to rule our lives. It’s that simple. For example, too much of anything creates an unhealthy imbalance, whether it is food, drink, sex, drugs, work, you name it. Worse, if we engage in immoral behavior, we not only open the door, but we set the table for the devil to take up housing and we push God away. So, what is the remedy? Embrace the virtue of self-control. Use your God-given intellect to make prudent choices. The first choice that you… Read more…

Self-Control: Lacking or Fruitful in Your Life?

Posted: by Virginia Lieto

self-control

Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that exhibits its fruitfulness when we maintain a deep abiding relationship with Christ. As we celebrate Easter, and have now completed our Lenten sacrifices, I have to ask: How have you done with your Lenten sacrifice? Were you able to exhibit self-control and maintain your promise to Jesus in thanksgiving for the sacrifice He gave for you? Perhaps you gave something up, or perhaps you pledged to do something for others, or perhaps you elected to practice a specific virtue this Lent. Although Lent is over, you can still live up to your promise, for Jesus always gives us another chance, with each and every day that He gives us to live.

Jesus is our living example of one who bears fruit through the use of self-control. We only need to look at Matthew 4:1-11, where Matthew writes about the devil tempting Jesus three times during Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. Read more…