Strength in Trials

I get this question often. “Why do Christians have to struggle?” I get it. Nobody likes to struggle, but without struggle, we don’t grow. If everything was always easy, we would grow weak instead of strong. Without trials, our faith would fade rather than burn with passion. I was reminded about this today, because it…

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Episode 474 – Obstacles to God

A priest speaking during a religious ceremony with a book in hand.

There are many obstacles between us and God. Some obstacles are from the world trying to stop us from reaching God. Other obstacles are from God to protect us from ourselves. The most dangerous obstacles are from our own making, our sins that separate us from God. No obstacle can keep us from God if…

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Repetition Leads to Faith

Wooden board with the word 'REPETITION' written multiple times.

We should take notice when the Church repeats something. In the Liturgy, we repeat ‘Lord have mercy’ many times, along with other prayers. In the Scriptures, even the Holy Authors repeat stories within the text. So, when the Church repeats the same story over and over, we notice. Today is the Fifth Day of Christmas…

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Understanding Sin

Man frustrated while looking at laptop screen.

A popular trend in Christianity is to argue about sin. We argue about what it is, and what it is not. The funny thing is we fight about it to control the behavior of others and to justify our behavior. They sin, but we do not. If you have every been ‘there’ today’s blog is…

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Whose Side are You On?

Strength On Your Side" on brown background.

Nobody knows the struggle of the Christian better than those who have endured in the past. Countless martyrs and witnesses of the Faith in Christ have stood against demons and the world for their faith in Christ. Every one of them endured the fight and so can you. I meet a lot of people who…

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Beware of Temptation

Temptation Ahead sign

It is so easy we tend to forget the fight. It is so easy to think we have conquered sin because we don’t have any ‘big’ sins to confess. “Father, you know what I mean. I struggle just like everyone else. I don’t have any big sins to confess.” These are the words of someone…

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Not Your Call

People standing in line at a door.

It’s hard for everyone. We see behavior we don’t agree with, and we are tempted to judge someone. We think because we don’t ‘do what they do’ that somehow makes us the judge. Well, I have news for you. It’s not your call. It’s God’s. Brethren, it is not as though the word of God…

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Fear and War

Newspaper headline: "It's War!" on table.

The past few weeks have been anxious times for sure. As war rages in various parts of the earth we wonder if war will affect us, here at home. We are emotionally manipulated by politicians and the media to be in a constant state of fear of war. I am not afraid of war. The…

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Grant us Master Rest for Body and Soul

Child sleeping peacefully in a cozy bed.

With only two days left in our Daily Lenten Journey, today we conclude our review of the prayers of Great Compline. Following the prayer in front of the Theotokos, our attention is directly in front of the Icon of Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. And grant to us, Master, as we depart for sleep,…

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