Archive for December 2024
Avoid the Fight
It can be so tempting to look across the room at two people arguing and think, “I can solve that.” Just then, the inevitable comes with each calling you to “Take my side. Tell him that he is wrong.” Now you’ve done it. You’ve inserted yourself into something you have to business. Timothy, my son,…
Read MoreAim High
We all have goals. We may not always meet our goals, but we all make them. In the next week or so, we will all make our annual New Year Resolutions. My advice for this year, is to aim high. Shoot for the moon. Don’t settle for just a little progress or you won’t succeed.…
Read MoreKilling God
We are still celebrating Christmas and already the world has begun to turn against God. Drive through town and you will see homes and businesses that just yesterday were glowing with Christmas lights, only today to be void of any celebration. People act like they hate God. When the wise men departed, behold, an angel…
Read MoreEpisode 440 – Not Sinless but Holy
When we hear the human lineage of Christ in Matthew 1.1-25, we hear about our human ancestors. The ‘list of names’ reminds us that God has never walked away from us, no matter how far we have strayed away from Him. The Feast of Christmas is a celebration of God’s saving act of becoming human…
Read MoreWhat is Perfection?
Are you a perfectionist? For some people, the idea of making a mistake or falling short of reaching a goal can be crippling. Whether it is at school, work or even at home, being a perfectionist is rarely a trait that inspires others to join us. What about Church? Timothy, my son, the saying is…
Read MoreSelective Strictness
It is a known characteristic of Orthodox Christianity that we live with a certain strictness. Our way of life since the first days of the Church has been shaped by faithful leaders guiding faithful followers to a life in communion with Christ. Strictness has always been a part of that life. That sense of strictness…
Read MoreToo Much Salt
Salt preserves. Salt adds flavor. Salt even brings out the best natural flavors of foods. When you add too much salt, food can be ruined and lose all its flavor. You can’t cook without salt, but you can’t cook with too much salt either. Salt requires balance. The Lord said, “Whoever causes one of these…
Read MoreYou Cannot Sneak into Heaven
As Christians we admit there is just one way into heaven. We can only ‘get into’ heaven through Jesus Christ. That is one reason I often speak about the importance of the truth of Who Christ is. There is another truth to accept. Since Jesus is the only way in, no other way will work.…
Read MoreThe Importance of BEING Orthodox
Whether you agree with recent statistics or not, you cannot deny the plentitude of groups calling themselves Christians. One recent statistic counts Christian denominations at more than 43,000 separate governing bodies of ‘churches’, all claiming to the be the ‘true’ Church of Christ. Brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling…
Read MoreWhat is Love?
There is a saying that you can’t define love. The reason for this isn’t that we can’t love, but that we don’t love the way we are supposed to love. There is another saying. “God is love,” so if we want to know what love is, then we must know God. At that time, the…
Read More