God’s Calming Presence

Wooden cross with "GRACE" text background.

In more than thirty years of ministry I have had the distinct blessing to be present with families during grief and tragedy. I will never forget the first time I experienced this blessing. I was called to a hospital after a serious motorcycle accident. I was blessed more than the family that day. About an…

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Episode 458 – Learn to Forgive

People along with the priest worshiping in the church

It can be difficult to forgive those who use their free will to hurt us. It might be difficult but as we learn in the lesson of the Master who forgave 10,000 talents teach us, we will only be forgiven the sins we commit against God if we forgive even the smallest sin someone else…

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Episode 457 – God is Holding Our Hand

People along with the priest worshiping in the church

When we are faced with the difficulties of life and tragic events, it can feel like we are drowning. In those moments when life feels unbearable, the Church reminds us that God is always right next to us holding our hand. He is always there to lift us up when we need Him. In those…

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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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Sin and Grace

By the Grace of God" sign display.

One thing we can all agree on is that we all sin. Although we don’t like to admit, at least publicly, we all know just how unbearable temptation can be, because we all fall. We all fall every day, and still Jesus forgave us and forgives us. Still, He saves us, despite our sin. Brethren,…

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Episode 448 – Let the Gospel Change You

People along with the priest worshiping in the church

There were thousands of people gathered in Jerusalem who witnessed the glory of Jesus Christ. They witnessed Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Despite seeing His glory with their own eyes, they didn’t understand God’s glory. We sit in Church. We see the glory of God. We proclaim our faith in Him. Still,…

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Lamplighting Prayer Three

Ornate altar with religious artifacts and candles.

Memory is a powerful thing. Just about anything in our environment can trigger a memory, good or bad. Even bad memories make us feel alive among the struggles of life. On the other hand, forgetting our memories can make us feel lost and empty. So, let’s talk about memory. O Lord our God, remember us…

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Orthros Prayer Nine

Open book with heart-shaped pages.

Reading the Holy Scriptures is a part of every Orthodox Christian’s day. Either in the morning or sometime during the day, we are encouraged by the Church daily to read the Bible. Today’s Daily Lenten Journey on Prayer looks at the prayer that reinforces our need for the Bible. Shine within our hearts, O Master…

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Orthros Prayer Six

Sun and meteors in contrasting skies.

No matter what we may think, God is never the source of bad things in our lives. Questions like, “Why is God punishing me?” only reveal our temptation instead of God’s actions. Everything God does for us and to us is for our benefit. If we think otherwise, we need to change our minds. We…

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