Posts Tagged ‘Acts of the Apostles’
I was hungry and you gave me a dollar
Many years ago, I was blessed to volunteer at a downtown mission center in Denver, Colorado. The mission center offered clothing and food supplies to the homeless and indigent population surrounding the ‘old church’ in the city. I learned a great deal from the nun who was director. She used to say to me, “God…
Read MoreChrist is STILL Risen
What an amazing week we all had together. Even if we were in different cities on different continents, our journey through Holy Week and Pascha was a common journey together in Christ. We fasted together and then we celebrated together. Now, we’re exhausted. For our lack of sleep and celebration yesterday, Christ is STILL Risen…
Read MoreDoes Your Life Convert Others?
We’ve all heard about the recent trend of people converting to Orthodox Christianity. Seekers, many of whom are frustrated with their own Christian past, begin to watch videos, and read books and blogs about Orthodoxy. What happens when they show up at your parish? Will the seekers find a church filled with faithful followers of…
Read MoreDon’t Be Afraid of Correction
It is part of every aspect of our lives. School, work, family responsibilities, all have times when we are corrected by those who know better. If we refuse the correction, we ultimately do not progress nor succeed. So, why do we hate to be corrected in matters of our faith? IN THOSE DAYS, when Paul…
Read MoreCould You Be Like Stephen?
We talk a lot about martyrs in the Church. We are encouraged to be martyrs to our friends and neighbors for Christ. Sometimes we are even called to die, like martyrs, for the faith. My question today isn’t if you are willing to be a martyr. Are you able to be a martyr? Today is…
Read MoreGreatness Comes from Struggle
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Anything worth having doesn’t come easy.” This saying attributed to Zig Ziglar, captures a profound truth about life. We cannot expect great things to happen unless we work hard. Nothing is more true when it comes to our salvation. In those days, there was a disciple at Damascus named…
Read MoreSometimes You Must Walk Away
Standing up for your beliefs can be exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Will those around me respect my defense or rally against me? In a split second we are forced to face death, even if metaphorical, or praise. Sometimes, we just walk away. IN THOSE DAYS, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at…
Read MoreWilling to Die Vs Wanting to Die
Living in a world that is antagonistic to our faith can be confusing. The world powers fight against Christ and His Church daily. We don’t see the fight as the ancients did, but the fight is there, nonetheless. The ancients were willing to die for Christ but never wanted to die. IN THOSE DAYS, the…
Read MoreChrist is Always Risen
Today is the Leave-taking of Pascha. It is the last day of Pascha for this year. It is the last day on which we greet each other with Christ is Risen. That does not mean Christ is not risen. He is always risen, but today we move on to the next feast of the Church.…
Read MoreSoldiers for Christ
Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a day to remember the soldiers who died in combat. They gave their lives for those who they would never know. They went to far off lands to defend freedom and never made it home. We honor them today as Americans and Christians. IN THOSE…
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