God Chooses You

Hand holding "Choice" sign with colorful arrows.

So, you’ve made your New Year Resolutions and now you’re wondering how to go about making them ‘come true’ before it’s too late. You plan for success. You write little reminder notes all over to keep you on track. Only one thing is missing. Is it what God wants for you? We try so hard…

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Obedience is a Choice

Two signboards of different colors

If you have followed this blog for any length of time you probably know my feelings about free will. It is not only a great gift of God, but it just might also be the hardest part of our Christian journey. God allows everyone the free choice to be obedient, and so should we. We…

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Whom do you serve?

Service signs pointing in different directions.

In my Homage to Freedom yesterday I wrote about the freedom from sin and temptation. As much as we are thankful for the freedom we celebrated yesterday in the Unites States, we should thank God for the freedom He has granted us, but with freedom comes choices. The greatest choice we make is to join…

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Homage to Freedom

Hands breaking free from handcuffs against sky.

Today is the celebration of freedom in the United States. It is a day on which all Americans celebrate a ‘system’ dedicated to freedom. The ‘system’ may not be perfect, but commitment to freedom is what keeps us going, day by day, year by year, generation after generation. The Declaration of Independence wasn’t the first…

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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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Soldiers for Christ

Silhouette of soldier saluting at sunset.

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a day to remember the soldiers who died in combat. They gave their lives for those who they would never know. They went to far off lands to defend freedom and never made it home. We honor them today as Americans and Christians. IN THOSE…

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Hard to Believe

Hands holding "Believe" against sunset background.

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

Man gesturing silence with finger on lips.

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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No Law Against Kindness

Wooden blocks spelling the word "Kindness".

I hear it all the time. Be kind. What does it mean to be kind? Is it kind to allow people to think they are something they are not? Is it kind to tell someone they are going to hell if they don’t change? Some say yes. Some say no. Brethren, the fruit of the…

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