Contentions are Nothing New

Candles lighting

Lately there has arisen some tension in the Greek Orthodox Church over a baptism that took place in Greece. I will not speak directly to that situation today, but it came to mind when I read today’s reading from the book of Acts. If you are worried about the tensions that are currently circulating, or…

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What do you know?

children putting hands on each other shoulder

I’ve been a ‘news junkie’ for most of my adult life. I watch the news on tv. I used to read newspapers, but I read the news online. I try to listen to ‘newstalk’ on the radio rather than music. I used to think it made me knowledgeable about the world. The only thing to…

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Women have Important Roles in the Church

Doctor teaching pregnancy women

Women Have Important Roles in the Church It is so easy to speak of women’s rights as if they are a new phenomenon in the world. One might think women and men have always been ‘at war’ over gender roles. While it is true that gender roles have changed in society over generations, it is…

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We Can Learn from Nature

Plants - We can learn from nature

I hear it a lot. Humans are part of nature. This is true, but what we do with this information is what matters. Some, those whom I might consider modern-day pagans, think that means that nature is sacred and be treated as such. For others, those of us who are Christians, understand that God created…

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Good Works for God

Candles lighting

As Christians we are expected to do good for the glory of God. We are also told to be humble. The two ideas sometimes conflict when we are in public. If we do good in public, then people will congratulate and honor us. That is bad for our humility. If we refuse to do good…

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Look Inward

A close shot of lady eye

There has been a lot of talk lately in the Orthodox blogosphere about repentance and those who are presumed to live unrepentant lives. I cannot wrap my mind around how anyone in this world can know the state of repentance of anyone else. There is a reason Christ told us to look at the log…

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Sacrificing Children

children putting hands on each other shoulder

News coverage has calmed a bit in recent days about the current battle over abortion in America. I’m not really sure why there is such a debate since ‘both sides’ claim to care about children. Children are often the pawns in the war against evil. They are often the ones sacrificed. Today is the commemoration…

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What Will They Say About You?

Candles lighting

We all strive to be remembered by those we love. In every funeral we pray for eternal memory, but that more accurately means that we pray God always remembers our loved ones. We know we will remember them, but will we be remembered, and how will we be remembered? One tradition I have personally maintained,…

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