Posts Tagged ‘Hebrews’
It is up to you
One of the difficulties of leadership is when people point fingers. They should do it. They should hear this. They should offer more. Leaders rarely hear people offering themselves. In the Church it sounds like, “I hope they heard your sermon today, Father.” It’s not about them. BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest…
Read MoreWho Do You Trust?
It may be a parent or best friend. It may be the wealthy business owner who ‘took you under his wing’ to teach you. It may even be your local priest. But whoever it is, there is someone close to you to advise you and to hear your deepest secrets, and you trust everything they…
Read MoreThe Blessings from Obedience
We talk a great deal about obedience in the Orthodox Church. For many this is misinterpreted to be about control instead of blessings. In a secular world committed to self-made empires, the idea of being obedient is the furthest thing in our minds, but the most blessed option. BRETHREN, one does not take the honor…
Read MoreGift for the Future
For most Christians, at least for most Christians living in America, dwelling on the past is considered closed minded. We are taught to look to the future. Sayings such as “The youth are the future of the church,” draw our attention to the future but we cannot have a future without a past. Brethren, all…
Read MoreNot Perfect but Patient
Four weeks of Great Lent have come and gone and you’re still here. You haven’t given up yet, but you’re close. Fasting and extra prayers are taking a toll on your endurance. Being flooded with temptation is testing your patience. You may even be thinking of giving up the fight. BRETHREN, we feel sure of…
Read MoreHalf-Way Evaluation
Today is the half-way point of Great Lent. You now realize the days go by quickly when you’re focusing on Christ. You also realize that Pascha will be here ‘before you know it,’ and you still have work to do. It’s time for evaluation. Let’s review what the Church has asked us to focus on…
Read MoreThe Power of Today
From the moment we become aware of our mortality our minds ‘live’ in the future. Will we have enough money to retire? How much life insurance do I need? Will I ever pay off my student loans? The preoccupation with the future means we ignore the present. The spiritual problem with ‘living in the future’…
Read MoreRemember Your Conversion
Whether we were ‘born into’ the Church of became Orthodox later in life, each of us has a conversion story. We can remember that day, or season, when we realized our faith in Christ was something that we were serious about. We also can remember days or seasons when that faith waned a bit, and…
Read MoreResolution of Peace
If you chose this year not to make a New Year Resolution, it isn’t too late. In fact, I may have found some inspiration for you this year. We cannot deny the world is filled with chaos and frantic souls searching for meaning in life. Money doesn’t comfort. Material comfort doesn’t soothe. We are all…
Read MoreHope Never Fades
Whether you have lived for one year or one hundred years, you know what it means to hope for something. When our hope is based on a promise, we remain laser focused. When the One Who makes the promise is God, our hope never fades. As Christians we have the benefit of reading the story…
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