When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:17-18 Because we live in a fallen and broken world, everyone experiences this sense of brokenness in many ways. […]
Now as they went on their way, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to […]
The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 I’ve always been a baseball fan. And when I was young, I was a baseball player. Unfortunately, I was not a very good baseball player. And a […]
To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever any one dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am […]
One, two, three, now breathe! Not so easy living a post truth world is it? Hope is a foundational concept in Orthodox Christian theology. It is the belief that, despite the challenges and struggles we face in this world, there is always reason to remain hopeful because of the promises […]
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and […]
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 This afternoon and evening, the Church offers the sacrament of Holy Unction. When you ask many Orthodox people why they are going to church on Holy […]
The Lord said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Mark 8:34 Today marks the halfway point of the journey of Great Lent. This Sunday is called “The Veneration of the Holy Cross,” or in Greek “Stavroproskeneseos.” During services today, […]
Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Psalm 51:6 There is probably one percent of us that no one else knows about. Thoughts that are shameful, secrets we will never share, ideas that are out of character for us, fantastical notions that […]
But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they […]
Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, […]
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. Galatians 5:13 We’ve all seen movies that involve scenes from prison. Chains, bars, being controlled by others and fear mark the loss of freedom. When […]