Posts Tagged ‘Acts of the Apostles’
A Closed Loop Opens
Here we are at the beginning of another Lectionary Cycle of the Church. One thing that strikes me every year is how quickly my mind returns to Holy Week as I am reading the Scriptures. While the Book of Acts looks forward to the new developing Church, the Gospel of John returns to the beginning.…
Read MoreIn the Face of Truth
We are still basking in the glow of the Resurrection and already the Church is reminding us of our mission. The Resurrection is to be shared with everyone, not kept as ‘the best kept secret’ from our neighbors. This is one reason why we greet everyone with Christ is Risen until the Feast of Ascension.…
Read MoreChained Down by Sin
The Devil made me do it. I couldn’t help myself. You have no idea how strong the temptation was that made me sin. These are all common excuses for sin. We have all used them because we have all been weak. We have all sinned, but there is a better way. About that time, Herod…
Read MoreStorms of Faith
It doesn’t matter where you live. Storms are a regular part of everyone’s life. It might be blizzards in the north, hurricanes in the south, even sandstorms in the desert. All human life is plagued with storms that cannot be avoided. When it comes to faith, storms are as real as a hurricane in Florida.…
Read MoreHistorical Perspective
If you grew up in the Church and attended Sunday school, chances are pretty good that you were told we were the Church that never changes. You were told that every time someone came up with a teaching that was wrong, the entire Church came to an agreement through divine inspiration. You may not want…
Read MoreThere are no Free Agents in the Church
It is not uniquely American, but very prevalent in American Christianity. It is a symptom of what is called non-denominationalism. It has become popular for anyone who wishes to establish a church and name himself or herself pastor. This was not always the case, nor should it be. In those days, Barnabas and Saul returned…
Read MoreA Church for All
As Orthodox Christians we proclaim to know and follow the true faith of Christ as given to the Holy Apostles. The faith that was kept by the Holy Fathers. The faith that, for many of us, was chosen for us by our parents and grandparents. The faith that has established the universe. Yet, still so…
Read MoreMiracles for a Purpose
Christ is Risen! Our society spends countless dollars on healthcare. We pride ourselves on a system that has the capacity to heal just about any illness that affects us, save a few. It is no wonder then that when a member of our family approaches death, we become frantic that ‘something’ must be done. We…
Read MoreGod Does not Play Chess
Christ is Risen! I hear it all the time. “God sent him to me for a reason.” Another one is, “God brought us together for a reason.” I will admit that I am not fond of this expression. To me, it sounds like God is plucking someone up from one location and placing him down…
Read MoreGenuine Repentance
Christ is Risen! It has been a long-time source of frustration for me. I watch from a distance on TV news. Politicians along with their respective detractors accusing each other of being fake. Policies change with the wind for the sake of garnering votes. Statements are retracted after receiving ‘bad press’ only to be reworded…
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