Archive for November 2023
Secular Christmas
Anyone who knows me knows I love Christmas music. I am not the one complaining if it plays ‘too early’ on the radio. In fact, with the benefit of modern music streaming services, I find myself listening to Christmas music not just at Christmas. I also enjoy Christmas decorations and Christmas sweaters, even the ‘ugly’…
Read MoreDesire Peace
The older I get, two things tend to solidify in my heart. I am more convinced than ever that the ancient stories of Christian martyrdom are true. I also believe that people will stop at nothing to attain their heart’s desire. What I have not been able to figure out yet is just why things…
Read MoreFamily Bonds
Being Christian in contemporary America can be difficult enough without your family being against you. The last thing we think is possible is families not being supportive of our faith in Christ. It would be bad enough if our family didn’t believe. It is that much harder when they actively work against our journey to…
Read MoreUnqualified Thanksgiving
Today is Thanksgiving Day in America. It is supposed to be a day to give thanks to God for our blessings. It was created by the government to help our nation focus on what really matters. Everything we have is from God, and we should be thankful. The only problem is our thanks tend to…
Read MoreMarble and Gold
Many people complain that the Orthodox Church adorns our church buildings with majestic marble and gold. “Jesus was a simple carpenter,” they say. What these same people forget is that it was God who commanded the absolute best materials be used to build the temple. God didn’t stop at gold and marble. He demanded the…
Read MoreLightning Strikes
Growing up in Colorado, it was a normal summer experience to watch storms in the distance. They were brilliant displays of light I could watch for hours. Then suddenly, the storm was above our heads, and we ran for shelter. In the Great Plains, storms tend to shift without notice. You never know when you…
Read MoreJealousy is Unbecoming
We want what we do not have. We don’t want others to have what we have. We want more of what we have. We want others to have less than we have. These simply expressions of jealousy are common to every person I have ever met. At some level, we all struggle with jealousy, even…
Read MoreChristmas Repentance
What does repentance have to do with Christmas, you ask? It has everything to do with Christmas. Our society has long since forgotten that Christmas is not about sales and decorations. It is about welcoming the King of Glory into the world as a baby. We do it all for our salvation. I ask a…
Read MoreFair Warning
Throughout our childhood years we learn to listen to those in authority. If we do not, we learn the consequences of not doing what we are told. Our parents, teachers, and even clergy give us ‘fair’ warning. If we do not change our behavior, we will have consequences. Eventually we learn, or we suffer. At…
Read MoreChristian Reputation
Whether we are Christian or not, we all understand the effect of our reputation. If we are known to be cruel business dealers, people won’t do business with us. If we are known to be honorable and fair, our business will flourish. The same is true for our faith and our Churches. Brethren, you became…
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