Posts Tagged ‘Evangelism’
A New Way
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.…
Read MoreEpisode 456 – Give Hope to the People
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…
Read MoreChrist Working
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…
Read MoreRejoice in Your Own Salvation
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…
Read MorePlease Don’t Stay Away
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…
Read MoreNo Shame in Good News
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…
Read MoreChrist is in Our Midst
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…
Read MoreWho 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…
Read MoreHard 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…
Read MoreChristians 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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