Consecration

Today the Church commemorates the consecration of the most glorious church of the Resurrection of Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. Built by Saints Constantine and Helen in the 4th Century, this Church stands as a reminder to the world that God was resurrected from the dead. Although the building has seen changes and…

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Works follow Faith

We’ve heard it before. “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2.20) As Orthodox Christians we are challenged all the time by our friends that works will not save us. Of course, what they mean is that fasting and prostrations won’t save us. They’re right, but not because they’re right. Fasting and prostrations are not works…

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Finding God in the World

Much has been said over the generations about our battle with the world. As Christians we are supposed to live in the world but not be of the world. We are expected to die to the world so we can live with Christ. Is the world totally void of value? As my Old Testament professor…

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Loving God

We say we will do anything for the ones we love. History is filled with dramatic love stories, many of which end in tragedy. We don’t mind the tragedy because it represents love. We like to imagine that we would endure tragedy for the ones we love. When push comes to shove, it is true…

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Come to Jesus

It doesn’t matter how much we struggle. Our hearts are drawn to Christ. It doesn’t matter how little recognize God. His love still penetrates our heart. The only thing that stands between us and spiritual healing is us. At that time, Jesus came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the…

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Watch Your Roots

A plant and its roots on soil

Whether we are ‘born’ into the Church or come to the Church later in life, one thing remains constant. We must have faith deep enough to hold us up against the battles with Satan and his angels. Our lives are spent on Earth, faced daily with temptations and burdens. Shallow faith is not enough to…

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Predestination

Candles lighting

What if I were to tell you I believed in predestination? Would you call me a heretic? Would you say I have abandoned the ancient faith? Maybe you would say I finally fell over the sola scriptura cliff. Of course, none of these accusations would be true. The truth would be that we are required…

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Everything is Forgiven

Forgiveness engraved on wet sand

One day I was speaking with someone who was very angry with God. His life had taken some very painful turns. Some of the turns were his fault, but others were ‘just’ circumstances of life. He felt that God wasn’t there for him. He didn’t want to go to Church. He didn’t want to pray.…

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Together we are Stronger

Together we are stronger sign

Intuitively we know this to be true. You remember from school, don’t you. It is easy to break one stick. It is nearly impossible to break a bundle of sticks. One lone column cannot hold up a wall, but dozens together can hold up buildings. What is true with sticks is true with people. Nothing…

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