Episode 466 – The Response of Faith

A priest speaking during a religious ceremony with a book in hand.

When we encounter God for ourselves and believe in Him, the only natural response is for us to go and invite our family and friends to “come and see” for themselves. When Christ met Saint Andrew, the First-Called Apostles, the first thing Saint Andrew did was go and tell his brother Simon (Peter) to “come…

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Thankful for Your Cross

Wooden cross floating on calm blue water.

As we continue our focus on the Cross of Christ this week, it is important to also focus on our cross. While Christ picked up His Cross for us, we also must take up our cross for Him and for our salvation. The Cross, His and ours, brings life for those who believe. Brethren, now…

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A New Way

Old way left, new way right arrows.

The ‘original’ name for the Church was “The Way” because it expressed not only the ‘way’ to heaven, but a way of life. God came to show us a new way of living, not one bound by rules and regulations, but by love and grace. Sometimes I think the Church should have kept the name.…

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Episode 456 – Give Hope to the People

People along with the priest worshiping in the church

When we are faced with people with needs, we must understand that God has already given to us what we need to help them. Sometimes the needs are physical, but more often the needs are spiritual and emotional. So many of our friends need hope and peace, that can only come from God. We have…

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Christ Working

Work Zone sign under blue sky.

Looking back on the past twenty years since my ordination, and more than thirty years of ministry, I am constantly reminded that everything I was blessed to ‘accomplish’ was in fact not my accomplishment. Everything I have ever done good has been the work of Christ. It is very tempting to ‘take credit’ for all…

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Rejoice in Your Own Salvation

Group of people joyfully jumping on beach.

It might be normal to look at others and judge them as worthy or not of salvation. It isn’t good, but it might be normal. We spend too much of our time focusing on the lives of others we forget to look in the mirror. If we did, we might not be so quick to…

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Please Don’t Stay Away

Handwriting 'come back' with pen.

After more than thirty years in ministry I have painfully watched many walk away from the Church. One Sunday becomes one month becomes years without attending Sunday Liturgy. Then one day you can’t remember that last time you were in Church. This blog is for you. If it has been a long time since you…

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No Shame in Good News

Man sitting with head in hands.

Shame can be a powerful force. It can be good, and lead to repentance. It can be bad and lead to death. In a society that praises greed, power, self-reliance, and all sorts of immorality, shame can also be used by the devil to keep us away from God. Saint Paul thought otherwise. Paul, a…

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Christ is in Our Midst

Checkbox with "Found" selected, "Lost" unchecked.

The traditional greeting among Orthodox Christians is much more than a greeting. To be able to say, “Christ is in our midst,” is only possible because the Holy Spirit has revealed the truth of God to us. We cannot see Christ among us, but through the Holy Spirit we know He is here. The Lord…

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