Who is Jesus?

Imagine walking down the street ‘minding your own business’ and a stranger approaches you. Something has drawn them to you. It may have been how you behaved. It may have been how you spoke. They ask, “Who is Jesus?” Do you know how you would answer? In today’s Gospel lesson we hear the crowd approach…

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Hard to Believe

I am often asked how some believe, and others refuse to believe. From our vantage point of view Jesus Christ is God. From others’, it is impossible to believe no matter what ‘evidence’ is given. To truly believe, we must use our free will. If it is not free, then belief is an obligation. The…

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Christians Don’t Flaunt Freedom

There is a troubling trend in American Christianity to flaunt our freedom in front of everyone. I’m not sure what the reason is, but the desire for constant attention from ‘the opposition’ brings hatred rather than respect. If only we learned more lessons from the ancient Church. In those days, Peter went to the house…

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Conversion Stories

For those of us who have been Orthodox since our birth the concept of ‘giving a testimony’ is foreign. Since we have always been in the Church, we don’t understand why anyone would need to explain their faith. We’re here because we have always been here, but not everyone. In those days, while Peter was…

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Jesus Christ is the Answer

As Orthodox Christians we live in a world filled with questions. How did the earth come into being? How were humans created? If there is a god, why is there so much violence and hate in the world, my favorite. Jesus Christ is the Truth, and the truth answers all questions. In those days, the…

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When God Calls

Something about which we can all agree, is that living the Christian life is not easy. It requires faith, discernment and constant effort to remain true to God’s calling. One of the hardest, in my estimation, is learning how to hear God when He does call. In those days, at Caesarea there was a man…

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Does Your Life Convert Others to Christ?

What do people see when you watch you walk down the street, or face difficulties in your life? Do they see someone who grumbles or someone who praises God? What do people think of your response to life’s ‘ups and downs’ when they see you in the marketplace? Today is the Feast of Saint Christopher…

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A Common Starting Point

If you have ever had a conversation about religion with someone who wasn’t Orthodox Christian, then you have likely struggled like the rest of us. “Where should I begin?” Is it necessary to start with Genesis, or can we start someplace else? In those days, an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and…

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God’s Plan for Your Life

It is a regular conversation among Christians with statements like, “God has a plan for you.” In my experience this is often associated with major life changes or even avoided tragedy. It is very true. God does have a plan for each of, but it may not be the plan we had in mind. The…

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Whom do you Desire to Please?

Two signboards of different colors

We all like to be liked. There is no pleasure in being disliked, that’s for sure. As Christians though, we find ourselves between a rock and hard place. We are either liked by people or we are liked by God. There is a difference. About that time, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some…

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