Posts Tagged ‘1st Corinthians’
Edify the Church
In every aspect of our life, we have an established goal. Even when that goal is to retreat for some peace and quiet, we always have a purpose in our choices and actions. When we work, when we play, even when we socialize, we always have a purpose. So, what is your purpose when you…
Read MoreThe Future
The Church is always reminding us that we do not have any guarantees for the future. We may not live to see tomorrow, let alone decades from now. We are taught as Christians to focus on today, so we are prepared for whenever God calls us home. But we can’t ignore the future. Brethren, love…
Read MoreCommon Life
In every Divine Liturgy we proclaim our common life in Christ when we pray, “Let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.” We do not commend our unison lives to Christ. We commend our life, singular, to Christ. That should mean something. Brethren, let any one who thinks…
Read MoreDon’t Allow Yourself to be Tripped Up
I was once taught the first step to any sin is to believe I would always be able to ‘say no’ to temptation. Instead of counting on my willpower, I was taught to do whatever I could to set up protections against temptation. That way I would increase my chances of avoiding sin. Brethren, God…
Read MoreRemain or Repent; Which is it?
It has become popular to use the expression, “God made me who I am,” as an excuse toward all sorts of behaviors the Church teaches against. “God doesn’t make mistakes,” is another excuse. I say excuse, because we never want to remain how we are if we don’t like who we are. Brethren, in whatever…
Read MoreMind Your Business
We all like to think we are successful Christians. We all like to think we ‘know what we’re doing’ when it comes to how to live our Orthodox Christian Faith. If that weren’t bad enough, we all also like to think we ‘know better’ than other people how to be ‘good’ Orthodox Christians. The sad…
Read MoreHidden Blessing
We live in a society based heavily on rewards. When we excel at work, we get a raise or promotion. When we excel in sports, a trophy adorns our house. When we excel in the spiritual life, things are different. God knows our achievement but rewards us secretly. Brethren, “What no eye has seen, nor…
Read MoreHow Much do You Love
As Americans we are independent thinkers and actors. We choose our own destiny. We make our own rules. We ignore what others think about our choices and beliefs. What if I told you this was not a Christian manner of thinking? What if I told you being independent was wrong? If we believe that our…
Read MoreSpiritual Maturity
There is an old joke that says, “Everything I needed to know, I learned in kindergarten.” It is a joke because even teenagers know they didn’t know enough after kindergarten to ‘get along’ in the world. How much is enough? High school? College? It isn’t about learning. It is about maturity. If all we needed…
Read MoreTurn the World Upside Down
Living in the 21st Century has its privileges. It also has its challenges. We have ‘all the best’ technology in the history of mankind. Some would argue we also have the worst moral compass in centuries. Both may be true, or at least arguably true. I think it is time for a change. Brethren, God…
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