How to keep from becoming "lukewarm"

[trevor72694]

I was in Church today and the "Luke Warmodox" thread came to mind.

Like most of us, when I was a few years younger and just discovering Orthodox Christianity, I was the very definition of "hyperdox" - extremely zealous, naive and pretentious.  I experienced a pretty thorough burn out and return to faith process, which helped me to see how silly I was.  However, I now see that I was being extremely lukewarm about my faith and such, probably as a result of my burnout.

When people here on OCnet criticize the "hyperdox," they are often members of the other extreme.  I hadn't noticed this in myself until I saw that satirical thread.

How do we keep from being too "lukewarm?"  What are some other tell-tale signs of being this way?  How can we find the happy medium between "hyperdoxy" and being lukewarm? 

 

[TheTrisagion]

I wish I knew.  :-\

I just do my best to be moderate in my spiritual walk, so I am not binging and slacking off, but rather keeping the same basic prayer/devotional schedule and being consistent with it regardless of how I "feel".

 

[Alpo]

When people here on OCnet criticize the "hyperdox," they are often members of the other extreme.  I hadn't noticed this in myself until I saw that satirical thread.

An encyclopedic definition of judging. How can you who is and who isn't lukewarm?

 

[Asteriktos]

Pick three or four from this list each day:

- Limit sleep (not excessively, but don't oversleep)
- Fasting (again not excessively, but as the Church directs)
- Attend as many services as you can (Vespers, Liturgy, weekday Liturgies, etc.)
- Partake of the sacraments often
- Scripture Reading
- Do some/all of the cycle of prayers (Hours, Midnight office, etc.)
- Do a vigil (e.g. pray from the Psalter, pray akathists, etc.)
- Prepare properly for communion and confession
- Recite the Jesus Prayer
- Read the Church Fathers and other spiritual literature
- Do prostrations or bows, perhaps adding something (e.g. "Lord have mercy on me, a sinner")
- Meditate on Scripture passages and think about how they are applicable to your daily life
- Memorize certain Scripture passages such as certain Psalms so that you can pray them at any time
- Giving alms
- Restricting entertainment (for a short time, or for a lengthier period) so as to better concentrate on more important things
- Admiring God's creation

:angel:

 

[Peacemaker]

Step 1) Throw your computer and t.v. out the window. (if you live in a one story home, put the computer and television in the shower and turn the water on, first unplug it and proceed to step two)


Step 2) Pray unceasingly


Step 3) Thank God for everything, even those things which seem horrible


Step 4) If you can't stop your tongue from idle talking and gossip, leave all your friends, sell all you have and live in a studio apartment. (If you don't think you can do that, move to the desert and find a cave)