Author: John

  • Leadership Principles: Part I

    Leadership Principles: Part I

    I had an interview with Amazon not too long ago (for those out there who are curious, yes I got an offer and no this specific offer did not end up working out). Besides the abnormal six hour length of the in-person phase, what struck me was their preoccupation with consistently asking me about what […]

  • Finding One’s Calling In Life

    Finding One’s Calling In Life

    I wanted to share this simple but powerful pamphlet I stumbled upon on my visit to St Vladimir’s Seminar by the late Fr Thomas Hopko. It is a refreshing take on answering the question “what’s my calling in life?” Although many of these are highlighted in the pamphlet itself, I wanted to share some of my […]

  • The Conveying of Life

    The Conveying of Life

    Take a look at the following passages from Scripture: “For because you did not do it the first time,  the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” 1 Chronicles 15:13 “Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; […]

  • Lessons From One Year In Korea

    Lessons From One Year In Korea

    It’s been almost a year since I entered Korea with my wife, only being married a few months at the time. As Moses was placed in the reeds by the river’s bank without his planning or consent, a series of divinely appointed events placed us in this foreign country for our first year of marriage. As our time here […]

  • Vulnerability: Wholehearted Living

    Vulnerability: Wholehearted Living

    “Courage (from latin: coeur): to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart.” Connection with others gives purpose and meaning to our lives. It’s how we were created. Even on a physiological level it’s how we’re wired neurobiologically. Too many of us have been conditioned to respond, “Good. How are you?” to […]

  • A Game of Chess

    A Game of Chess

    I’ve been playing a lot of chess recently. It’s a nice quick break when I need one and the variety of the game always keeps me coming back for more. (I’ve read that there are so many possible games that no one will invest the effort to calculate the exact number). There is something immensely enjoyable […]

  • Wanted-A Man

    Wanted-A Man

    Over the door of every profession, every occupation, every calling, the world has a standing advertisement: “Wanted–A Man.” Wanted, a man who will not lose his individuality in a crowd, a man who has the courage of his convictions, who is not afraid to say “No,” though all the world say “Yes.” Wanted, a man […]

  • The Church: Reading the Scriptures

    The Church: Reading the Scriptures

    The unfolding of your words gives light. (Psalm 119:130) We all know how important it is to read the Bible in our journey towards union with God. It’s right up there with fasting, praying, and partaking in the Eucharist. As St. Clement of Alexandria puts it, “for those who have chosen to major in holiness, there […]

  • The Necessity of War

    The Necessity of War

    The enemy is incredibly real and sinisterly powerful. He walks about like a roaring lion, is the prince of the power of the air, and is even called the son of the morning. He was created gloriously majestic but in the pride of his heart he wanted to ascend to the throne of the Most High and become like his Maker. […]

  • Meet Yourself

    Meet Yourself

    It is then, as appears, the greatest of all lessons to know one’s self. For if one knows himself, he will know God; and knowing God, he will be made like God -St. Clement of Alexandria It is of immense value to know yourself: If you know your strengths you can focus on those areas and […]