Posts Tagged ‘Fasting’
How Much do You Love
As Americans we are independent thinkers and actors. We choose our own destiny. We make our own rules. We ignore what others think about our choices and beliefs. What if I told you this was not a Christian manner of thinking? What if I told you being independent was wrong? If we believe that our…
Read MoreEveryone’s Savior
Are you saved? Orthodox Christians have been struggling over this question for years. We struggle not because we fear judgment. We struggle because confuse judgment with salvation. We are all saved and yet we are all judged. Before you get upset that I am teaching ‘universal salvation’ take a moment and read what Saint Paul…
Read MoreWorks Seal Your Faith
So many non-Orthodox accuse the Church of depending upon works to get into heaven. Our life of fasting and worship ‘regulations’ are interpreted as works. Interestingly, feeding the poor is never accused against the Church. The truth is, neither feeding the poor nor fasting with a thousand prostrations are used by the Church as ‘works’…
Read MorePatience Saves
Our world moves quickly. Deals are made in ‘fast time’ using communication technology ‘at the speed of light’ without consideration of consequences. Our fast-paced life might work in the secular business world, but fast-paced spirituality can lead to shipwreck. IN THOSE DAYS, when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul…
Read MoreFalse Accusation
There is a venerable tradition in our country of innocent until proven guilty. That doesn’t stop people from accusing, nor jumping to conclusions. As Americans, we have a system that is designed to protect us against false accusations. As Christians, there is no protection. IN THOSE DAYS, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea…
Read MoreSaved by Grace
Do you believe? Do you have to ‘do works’ to be saved? Why do we have to go to Church? Why do we have to fast? Why are there so many rules in the Orthodox Church? Aren’t we supposed to be saved by grace? What’s the deal? IN THOSE DAYS, some believers who belonged to…
Read MoreReveal Christ through Your Kindness
All Christians desire to be an example of Christ. We pray. We attend Church services. We even fast. All these things Christ did, but still our lives do not inspire others to see Christ. Maybe it is because we do not reveal Him in our daily lives, but only in private Church services. Today is…
Read MoreRun to the Light
There was a study of the healing power of light in which it was discovered that patients who were positioned near windows healed faster than patients away from natural sources of light. What is true about light in our physical health is also true in our spiritual health. The Lord said to his disciples: “God…
Read MorePlans Change
The saying, “The best laid plans of mice and men,” struck me today. No matter how much we plan, we cannot control other people. We can only control ourselves. Sometimes even our family will betray us along the way. That’s ok because God is on our side. When Isaac was old and his eyes were…
Read MoreGet Past Your Ego
We all struggle with our ego. We think we are better than others when we are not. We think we are worse than others when we are not. Good or bad, we often think of ourselves before others. Even the Disciples had difficulties with their ego. What makes us think we are so different? At…
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