Archive for September 2025
Thankful for Your Cross
As we continue our focus on the Cross of Christ this week, it is important to also focus on our cross. While Christ picked up His Cross for us, we also must take up our cross for Him and for our salvation. The Cross, His and ours, brings life for those who believe. Brethren, now…
Read MoreSubmit to the Church
It may sound strange, but the Church teaches us to ‘submit’ ourselves to the teachings of the Church. As Orthodox Christians we are not ‘free’ to choose what is true and not true about God. God gave us the Church not only as a gathering place, but to protect His truth. Paul, an apostle –…
Read MoreWho’s in Charge?
If you have followed this blog for any length of time you know I dislike the expression “God is in charge.” It isn’t because I think He isn’t, but because when we say God is in charge, we want Him to take over. We get lazy when God is in charge. Today’s Gospel lesson is…
Read MoreMary in a Martha World
From an early age we are taught to stay busy. Whether it is ‘morning work’ before school is even in session, or ‘working lunches’ looking for that promotion, taking a few moments for our soul is often the last thing on our minds every day. Today that changes. Today is the day we allow the…
Read MoreEpisode 459 – Climbing to Heaven Together
When we think of making our way up to heaven, we must first descend into our hearts. We must stop looking down on others as not being worthy. Christ descended to our level to show us the way to heaven. He came down to lift us up with Him. Our job is to get down…
Read MoreAuthority is for Building Up
We live in a world built by powerful people for powerful people. Just open any news source and read of the battle for power. One side claims the other side doesn’t deserve it. One side uses it to rule over the other. For many people life isn’t about working hard for the sake of hard…
Read MoreBind Sin to Destroy Sin
A Christian’s duty is to love God more than anything else in creation, but especially more than we love ourselves. When we sin, we turn away from God and toward ourselves. When we sin, we serve something other than God, but we must destroy sin. By ‘definition’, sin means to do something (anything really) that…
Read MorePrepare Yourself for the New Year
Happy New Year! As we enter another new year, I invite you to take a moment and answer a few questions about your spiritual progress. Nobody will know your answers but you. After reflecting on your answers, I invite you to make a plan for progress in the new year. There is no ‘staying the…
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