Posts Tagged ‘relationships’
No Shame in Good News
Shame can be a powerful force. It can be good, and lead to repentance. It can be bad and lead to death. In a society that praises greed, power, self-reliance, and all sorts of immorality, shame can also be used by the devil to keep us away from God. Saint Paul thought otherwise. Paul, a…
Read MoreSometimes You Must Walk Away
Standing up for your beliefs can be exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Will those around me respect my defense or rally against me? In a split second we are forced to face death, even if metaphorical, or praise. Sometimes, we just walk away. IN THOSE DAYS, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at…
Read MoreWilling to Die Vs Wanting to Die
Living in a world that is antagonistic to our faith can be confusing. The world powers fight against Christ and His Church daily. We don’t see the fight as the ancients did, but the fight is there, nonetheless. The ancients were willing to die for Christ but never wanted to die. IN THOSE DAYS, the…
Read MoreHard to Believe
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…
Read MoreConversion Stories
For those of us who have been Orthodox since our birth the concept of ‘giving a testimony’ is foreign. Since we have always been in the Church, we don’t understand why anyone would need to explain their faith. We’re here because we have always been here, but not everyone. In those days, while Peter was…
Read MoreOne Disagreement Away from Enemies
I have watched best friends willing to die for each other, only to stop talking over a single disagreement. We put so much energy into our relationships that when they ‘go bad’ we are lost. Even family members can turn on each other if loyalties don’t align. In those days, Saul was with the disciples…
Read MoreDo You Need Signs to Believe?
As Christians we ask God for all sorts of things. We ask Him for health, peace, even a good job when we want a change. Sometimes we are even blessed by Him with greater blessings than what we ask Him. He does everything we need, but we still demand more. At that time, there was…
Read MoreWhom do you Desire to Please?
We all like to be liked. There is no pleasure in being disliked, that’s for sure. As Christians though, we find ourselves between a rock and hard place. We are either liked by people or we are liked by God. There is a difference. About that time, Herod the king laid violent hands upon some…
Read MoreOrthros Prayer Twelve
We have been reviewing the silent Orthros prayers. Some prayers ‘just say it all’ when it comes to our faith in God. Other prayers are more direct and specific. Today’s prayer is an all-encompassing prayer that finalizes the twelve prayers offered during the Six Psalms of Orthros. We praise You, we sing to You, we…
Read MoreOrthros Prayer Ten
It is too easy to think all Saints were always saints. Some of the greatest saints were among the ‘worst’ sinners. Today our Daily Lenten Journey will consider how we can pray for repentance and forgiveness of sins. During Great Lent the Church, because she loves us, elevates saints of great repentance. Since before Great…
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