A Day of Love

Different people making a heart figure

In the American cultural experience today is Valentine’s Day. Thought to be a celebration of a saint, if we’re honest, is just another secular holiday excuse to boost the economy of florists and candy manufacturers. It isn’t really about love. Brethren, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had…

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Are You Watching for Christ?

Look both ways when you cross the street. Watch the sky for bad weather. If you live in the mountains, watch for falling rocks. We spend our time always watching out for something that can hurt us. Do we ever watch our surroundings for Christ? The Lord said to his disciples, “Heaven and earth will…

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God Didn’t Return Last Night

Growing up, we are taught to live as if Christ is going to return at any moment. It could be tonight, is the lesson each year especially during Holy Week. Well….if you are reading this, He didn’t return last night, and He didn’t for your sake. Beloved, this is now the second letter that I…

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Nobody is Safe from Temptation

Temptation Ahead sign

As Christians we are told that God will protect us from evil. We grow up knowing that God is watching over us. So then, why do so many leave the Church and walk in sin? Temptation is the great equalizer. The stronger our faith, the stronger the temptation. The Lord said to his disciples, “When…

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Supplement Your Faith

Is it enough ‘just’ to believe? Why does the Church always ask me to ‘do more’? Why can’t it be enough that I believe in Jesus and was baptized? All the focus on attending church services, fasting, saying my prayers, reading the bible, and the sacraments. When is enough, enough? SIMON PETER, a servant and…

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The Unchanging Changing Church

Changes Ahead, Written On A Road With Sun In The Sky

Our Divine worship is ancient. Our Scriptures are original. Our way of life was established by the Holy Apostles. As Orthodox Christians we like to tell everyone we are the ancient Church that never changes. That isn’t exactly true and today is a reminder of why. Today is the Feast of Saint Photios the Great.…

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It is up to you

One of the difficulties of leadership is when people point fingers. They should do it. They should hear this. They should offer more. Leaders rarely hear people offering themselves. In the Church it sounds like, “I hope they heard your sermon today, Father.” It’s not about them. BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest…

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Episode 442 – Today I Could Die Happy

People along with the priest worshiping in the church

There are special days in our life when we feel so happy and content that we can’t imagine life getting any better. Saint Symeon had such a day when he saw Jesus Christ. “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace.” The Church invites us to consider what it might take for our hearts to…

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Nothing Can Separate You from God

It is too easy to feel alone in a world filled with billions of people. It is all too common. In the middle of struggle, we look around and feel alone. We feel nobody ‘has our back’ or that nobody understands what we are going through. We even wonder if God has forgotten us. Brethren,…

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Love Bears all Things

Different people making a heart figure

Today is the last day of January. It is a good day to evaluate our New Year Resolutions. Looking around your town you will probably notice much of life has reverted back to where it was in December. Fitness center parking lots aren’t full anymore, but neither are Church lots. Evaluating our spiritual progress is…

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