Living Our Lives in Total Commitment Christianity is a religion of asceticism, instructing us to store up our treasures in heaven, where the benefits have eternal value. Throughout the New Testament we read of the importance of struggle, where focus on the acquisition of a humble and contrite heart is
Draw nigh to God While pumping gas in Seattle, recently, I had a man who was on the opposite side of the pumps, ask me how one could begin a relationship with God. Within about four minutes of pumping gas in our own cars, he said he’d really like to
Being Sensitive to Other Peoples Crosses We humans are an odd species. We are capable of great sensitivity and compassion, yet can also be capable of much cruelty. The outpouring of aid and support received by Japanese citizens, following the terrible earthquake and tsunami that caused untold suffering, and great
Loving God in Happiness and in Unhappiness If we abandon ourselves to God, and allow Him to make His dwelling place in our heart, we will be filled with love, and our joy will know no bounds. In good health, and in sickness, we will know the love of God.
“And do not be called teachers” “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts
My longtime friend, Hieromonk Mark Our Home Grown Philanthropic Selves As any history buff knows, these times we are living in can sometimes seem like reruns. News reports are filled with stories of wars, disasters, dictators, attacks on the innocent, increased crime, and the ever present persecution of Christians in
Patriarch of Coptic Church, Dead at 88 It was with great sadness that I heard the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Shenouda, head of the Coptic Orthodox Church. I had the great honor of sitting next to him, many years ago, during a banquet given in his
We Are All in This Together As we struggle in this life, it is good to remember that we are all together. We find our place of silence, where we encounter God, but even in this place set apart, we are together. In our journey to God, our common goal
click on photos to enlarge The Importance of Preparing for the Divine Liturgy That the Church requires us to prepare to receive the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ, prior to the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, by saying the Pre-communion Prayers, is a given. Although not
Sharing Orthodoxy with the staff of Trinity Lutheran College The Struggle for Holiness We are powerless to change those bad habits that dominate our lives without help from God. However we may attempt to change behavior, we can not do battle with the passions unless we surrender ourselves in humility