Posts Tagged ‘1st Timothy’
Contentment and Godliness
I was encouraged as a young man to never shop for myself this time of year. Not only was it possible someone ‘might’ give me what I was buying, it also encouraged me to be content with what I already have. Being content and not shopping for myself is not easy during the holidays. In…
Read MoreFamily Responsibilities
This time of year, our hearts and minds are on our families. We call them and visit them for the holidays. We plan to honor them with Christmas presents. We are devoted to family, but what happens when families fall apart? What happens when families are left to fend for themselves? This time of year,…
Read MoreTruth in Love
Speaking the truth can sometimes be awkward or even dangerous. Saints were martyred because they spoke truth. Holy men and women lost their fortunes because they lived the truth. Even we are forced to discern, daily, whether it would be good to speak the truth or not. In today’s reading from Saint Paul’s First Letter…
Read MoreGod Was Seen Among His People
When people say ‘seeing is believing’ they are expressing more than just doubt. Something that can be seen is real and tangible. With our human perception and sensory system, we all eventually believe what can be ‘revealed’ to us. Well, God was revealed to His people. TIMOTHY, my son, those who serve well as deacons…
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 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 MoreEveryone’s Savior
Are you saved? Orthodox Christians have been struggling over this question for years. We struggle not because we fear judgment. We struggle because confuse judgment with salvation. We are all saved and yet we are all judged. Before you get upset that I am teaching ‘universal salvation’ take a moment and read what Saint Paul…
Read MoreNo Guarantees
Our consumer society has a way of convincing us to purchase products we don’t even desire. Retailers and manufacturers proudly assert a money back guarantee if we are not satisfied. All we need to do is change our mind. Salvation does not come with a money back guarantee. The Lord said, “Not every one who…
Read MoreHow Dare You Reach Out
There is an expectation of Christians in general, but especially clergy, that we associate only with believers. If we are seen talking, let alone eating, with nonbelievers our faith is called into question. How could we let ourselves be dragged so low, and hang out with ‘those’ people? In those days, while Peter was still…
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