Posts Tagged ‘prayer’
Not What but Why
Many comedians like to joke about every child’s ‘first’ word. “Why?” Though rarely our first word, once we learn to speak, we are always wanting to know information. Why is the sky blue? Why did my goldfish die? Knowing why something happens gives us comfort. It is no different in our spiritual journey with God.…
Read MoreJudgment is the Lord’s
We look around at the actions of others and, before we even realize it, we have judged them. At just a glance, we have determined in our mind whether one person deserves our attention. We rush to judgment that ‘others’ are failing Christ when we are the failures. Judgment is among the most difficult behaviors…
Read MorePrestige is Nothing
We desire it. We honor it. We think we are better because of it, so we chase it our entire life. In the end we are placed in the same grave as those who never achieved it. In the end it is just our bones and theirs. Prestige is nothing compared to what comes next.…
Read MoreAre You Distracted by Everything Around You?
It’s never been easy being a Christian. What was true two thousand years ago is still true. We are surrounded by distractions around every turn. It could be wealth. It could be power. It could just about anything that takes our attention away from God. Most of all, we are busy. We live in a…
Read MoreJudgment Cannot be Avoided
From the time we are small children, we try to hide from judgment. Even an only child will hide from his parents when they discover the broken lamp. “No. It wasn’t me.” We do all sorts of things to avoid judgment, but experience teaches us that it still comes. Brethren, we must all appear before…
Read MoreOur Everything is a Gift for God
When we think of gifts, we think of material things such as money or toys. We rarely think of the gift of time or loyalty. We never think of our bodies as a gift, especially for God. The reality is that everything we have, and that includes our bodies, is a fitting gift for God.…
Read MoreThe Saints are Alive and Working
Many Christians struggle with praying to the Saints for help. Some say that praying to Christ is enough. Others insist we should pray to the Father ‘in the name of Jesus’ and our prayers will be answered. As Orthodox we know all prayers, even the prayers of the saints, help. Today is the Feast of…
Read MoreWe Cannot Remain Children Forever
When we are children, our parents protect us from danger. They guide us through decisions we don’t understand. They even make decisions for us we are unable to comprehend. In every way our parents shape us. Eventually we must grow up. We can’t remain children forever. When we are in first grade, we learn basic…
Read MoreFaith is an Internal Thing
Is it good works or faith that saves us? This has been the debate for centuries among Christians. My answer has always been, “Well, even atheists feed the poor.” If atheists do good works, does this mean faith saves us? Then again, “Faith without works is dead.” Hmmmm Brethren, he is not a real Jew…
Read MoreHave I Changed Yet?
Today is the Leave-taking of Pascha, the last day of the Feast. It is the final day we greet each other and sing Christ is Risen, until next year. Last year in my blog “Christ is Always Risen” I wrote about reviving the fervor of Pascha. Today, I still wonder about my fervor. Every year…
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