The Word of the Day
The Cross Puts the Honor of This World to Shame (Sat. Sept 3)
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The word of the day is “shame.”  If we hope to sit at the table of the Kingdom to come, can we also seek to sit in the seats of wisdom, power, and honor in the kingdoms of this world? Today in our reading of 1 Cor 1:26-29, Paul writes, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (OSB vs. 27). Today, we consider the contrast between two kinds of honor and shame, and we find that we must decide which we will reject and which we will seek. In our reading, Paul…
Glory to God for All Things
God and the Box
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It is a commonplace that you “cannot put God in a box.” It is an affirmation of the transcendence of God and of the limits of human understanding. It is also a common rhetorical ploy to shut down a theological discussion. But, let’s think a little more about the box. I am deeply averse to statements that begin: “God cannot.” They are often little more than bad theological reasoning. For example, “God…
A Lamp for Today
Lighting Up the Apocalypse 35: The Thousand Years and "Unto Ages of Ages"
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Rev. 20:1-15; Psalm 85:10-11; Isaiah 66:24 Revelation 20 leads us not only into the vivid climax of the Apocalypse, but into two heated debates among those who name Christ. The chapter describes the subduing, the final hurrah, and the total demise of Satan (with those who adhere to him), the living rule of the saints, and the final judgment in which Hades and death are obliterated. As these elements are described in…
Faith Encouraged
Knowing God And Knowing Myself
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I read this quote from St. Paisios and my heart both lept for joy and sank into despair: “Completely have trust in God, leave everything in His hands, and believe that His love will act for your own benefit.” What joy and what an awesome invitation. But I can’t accept this invitation to trust God if I don’t spend the time to get to know Him. How can I trust someone I…
The Word of the Day
Trust Builds and Restores Relationships (Fri. Sept. 2)
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The word of the day is “confidence.” Love creates relationship. But the loving bond between us grows in the fertile soil of trust. Paul affirms this insight in today’s reading of 2 Corinthians 7:10-16. Paul has changed his feelings toward his congregation in Corinth. He writes, “Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything” (vs. 16). The Greek word for “confidence” is a form of the word meaning “to show boldness” (Strong’s #2292). That is, the apostle is now encouraged, heartened, and emboldened in his relationship with the Corinthians. These feelings of secure affection toward another depend on mutual trust. In a relationship of fidelity, no one needs to be hesitant, uncertain, and guarded–that is, distrustful. But those who are confident of each…
Faith Encouraged
Let's Lose the Drama, Please!
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Why all the drama? OK, I have to confess, I am no fan of drama for drama’s sake, and I’m in the house with two daughters who excel in drama! “She touched me” “She’s looking at me” WHAT? She’s “looking at you? Really? I guess I didn’t get the “drama” gene, because nothing sets me off quicker than high decibel whining and drama! Can’t stand it! Whew, glad I got that off…
The Word of the Day
The Regret That Goes Nowhere and the Sorrow That Leads to Repentance (Thurs. Sept. 1)
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The word of the day is “sorrow.” There are two kinds of regret for the wrong we have done. In our reading of 2 Corinthians 7:1-10, Paul teaches the distinction between these two kinds of remorse: “worldly sorrow “and “godly sorrow.” The first is feeling sorry for us. We regret that we have been found to be imperfect and liable to the consequences of our fault. The second is the grief of knowing that we have offended our God. We will learn from our reading that “worldly sorrow” has no remedy, but “godly sorrow” leads to repentance and divine forgiveness. The background of our reading is that Paul had sent his co-worker Titus to check on the situation at Corinth. Surprisingly,…
Remembering Sion
Remembrance and the Spiritual Life
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I have often thought that, in many ways, the spiritual life comes down simply to remembering the things that we know — and yet so often forget. As a spiritual father, it frequently seems to me that my role consists not so much in teaching others something new as in reminding them of the truths they already know, and which they need at that particular moment to bear in mind. Nor am…
Faith Encouraged
The Temporary Tent and the Eternal Temple
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I remember reading Aesop’s Fables and Mother Goose stories to my kids when they are little and actually would sit still while I read to them! These stories contained cultural lessons that have been passed down for generations. Humpty Dumpty, Old Mother Hubbard, The Hare and the Tortoise, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and so many others gave me a way to tell morals and lessons in a fashion that has been…
The Word of the Day
On Associating with Those Who Are Outside the Circle of Faith (Wed. August 31)
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The word of the day is “yoked.” Despite our intentions, others influence us. Relationships involve “give and take.” Thus, if we engage with others who have different beliefs, values, attitudes, and habits than we have, we must be on guard lest their outlook affect us, even unwittingly. On the other hand, it may be that by our association with them, we might find that we can influence them. Today in our reading of 2 Corinthians 6:11-16, St. Paul admonishes his congregation, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (vs. 11). Paul’s directive may be  unpopular in our “pluralistic society.” Yet, he had a point for us to consider as we seek to live faithfully amid the diversity of peoples…
Faith Encouraged
No Longer From A Human Point of View
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C.S. Lewis, in The Weight of Glory, writes: It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you say it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare.…
The Word of the Day
Living in the New Order of the Resurrection (Tues. August 30)
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The word of the day is “new.” We live in an old world whose days and months, and years keep spinning around like a top. But like the child’s toy, the earth’s rotations will eventually come to an end. Today in 2 Corinthians 5:15-21, St. Paul speaks of the results of Christ’s death and resurrection. He writes, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (vs. 17). The Greek word for creation is derived from the word “kosmos” (Strong’s #2889, 144). This familiar word refers to the harmonious order of the universe that God has fashioned. In this sense, the apostle writes that those who are “in…
Faith Encouraged
The Promise Fulfilled
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It is said that a captured Islamic terrorist once told his interrogator during his questioning that, though he has been captured and will probably never be free again, he was convinced that his Islamic army will eventually win the war. His questioner asked why he thought that, and the terrorist replied: “You will lose to us because you think in years and decades, and we think in centuries. We will win because…
The Word of the Day
We Can Have the Same Conviction as Paul (Mon. August 29)
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The word of the day is “all.” Many say that Christ died “for me.” But that thought does not necessarily motivate those are “saved” to seek salvation for anyone else. It might lead the “saved” to be content that the promise of eternal life is “for me.” But in our reading of 2 Corinthians 5:10-15, Paul writes, “We judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all (OSB vs. 14-15). Today we examine Paul’s motives for his zealous preaching of the Gospel. And we find that its root is his absolute certainty of the divine judgment to come and of the love of God who desires the salvation of all. We then will ask how…
No Other Foundation
A Continued Pentecost
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In the late Metropolitan’s Kallistos Ware’s classic The Orthodox Church, he describes the Church as “a continued Pentecost”. This is true, but it is important not to misunderstand his meaning. It is possible to understand the description of the Church as “a continued Pentecost” as meaning that the Church is an earthly organization founded by Jesus Christ and now run by clergy, an organization which exists as part of this world and…
The Word of the Day
What Does not Hinder the Gospel but Advances It (Sun. August 28)
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The word of the day is “hinder.” We are social creatures. What we do influences others and what they do influence us. Today in our reading of 1 Corinthians 9:2-12, Paul reveals is the single-minded motive for his labor among the Corinthians. He insists “I endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.” Today, we consider what it means to “hinder the Gospel.” We learn from Paul the wisdom of modesty that does not pose a stumbling block to faith of others. In today’s passage, Paul defends his right to be called an apostle. Some at Corinth are saying that he is not an apostle because he does not act like the others. Further, they claim that Paul…
Eastern Christian Insights
Gaining the Strength to Grow in Forgiveness by Growing in Humility: Homily for the Eleventh Sunday of Matthew and Our Righteous Father Moses the Black in the Orthodox Church
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Matthew 18:23-35       The Lord often taught in parables, which are very short stories that convey a particular point. They can spark our imagination and challenge us to see ourselves in a new light. Christ’s parables call us into question and get to the heart of the matter of where we stand before God. The first servant in today’s parable begged for more time to pay an…
The Word of the Day
How Faith Is Confirmed (Sat. August 27)
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The word of the day is “confirm.” When the apostle Thomas surrendered his doubt and confessed the Risen Christ to be his Lord and God, Jesus responded, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). This blessing from the Risen Christ comes to us who believe through the Word of His disciples (John 17:12) who were eyewitnesses to the events of our salvation (Luke 1:2 and 2 Peter 1:16). Today in 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, St. Paul assures the Corinthians that Christ “will confirm you to the end, so that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (OSB vs. 6). Today we will…
Glory to God for All Things
Into the Heart
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Met. Kallistos Ware famously shared the story of his conversion (at least its initiation) as he ducked into a Russian Orthodox Cathedral one afternoon only to encounter the service of Vespers in progress. His account contained no detailed analysis of what he saw. Rather, it was the story of a heart – a heart confronting the Holy in a profound manner. It is the sort of an encounter that can change your…
Faith Encouraged
A Better Possession
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American fantasy author Jeaniene Frost said, “Some things are worth the cost of their consequences.” And looking back in history and even in my own life, I can attest to the truthfulness of this statement. The challenge is knowing when to pay the price for what you value. All of our lives are filled with trading what we do for what we receive. And many times we want to live our lives…
The Word of the Day
The Inner Man and How It Is Renewed Day after Day (Fri. August 26)
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The word of the day is “inner.” In the rough stretches of our spiritual journey, we need a reason for our hope. Otherwise, we will be tempted to give up in despair. In today’s reading of 2 Corinthians 4:13-18, Paul explains why he does not lose heart. Just before this passage, the apostle recounts how he is persevering through countless ordeals. Now the apostle writes that he is “hard-pressed on either side, yet not crushed; …perplexed but not in despair; …persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed” (2 Cor. 4:8-9). But then he discloses the secret of his endurance. He writes, “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (OSB vs. 16). Today, we will…
Faith Encouraged
Power TO Serve!
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It’s amazing how quick folks get upset if they feel like they are being bossed around. I had a couple come to see me once about how to raise their child and they informed me they had decided to not say anything about God to the child so that he could make up his mind once he got older. Imagine their surprise when I pointed out that was not just foolish but…
The Word of the Day
The Veil That Obscures Spiritual Sight (Thurs. August 25)
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The word of the day is “veil.” The Son of God came down from heaven to bring “light to those who sit in darkness” (OSB Luke 1:79). For that reason, the Lord Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12). And in today’s reading of 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, Paul declares, “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (OSB vs. 6). Why the Light of Christ Does Not Give Everyone Spiritual Sight So why doesn’t everyone gain spiritual sight by the Light of Christ? When the sun rises,…
Walking an Ancient Path
The Scriptures I Never Memorized
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I still remember the circle of padded chairs and the industrial carpeting where our Wednesday night group met weekly for Scripture memory. I was a high school sophomore at the time, and our small gathering of teens met after Bible study. In our purses or backpacks we carried stacks of little 2×3” cards in protective blue vinyl holders—cards that helped us to “hide the word in our hearts,” as Psalm 119:11 instructed…
Faith Encouraged
A Culture of Shame
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Have you ever heard of “imposter syndrome?” Yeah me either, until I discovered it was something that a lot of leaders struggle with. I was being coached by a professional leadership coach and he started talking to me about this common struggle leaders face. Turns out even the most confident among us sometimes think we really aren’t up to the task. Instead of this being a weakness, I discovered my own struggles…
The Word of the Day
Nothing More Glorious in All of History (Wed. August 24)
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The word of the day is “glory.” The root of the Greek word “glorious” involves opinion and estimation (Strong’s #1391, 71-21). Thus, what is glorious is esteemed to be exceptionally honorable and worthy of a good opinion. What is “glorious” to us today? The Grand Canyon in Arizona? Niagara Falls in New York and Ontario? The U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C.? Or is it Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (Constantinople)? St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome? Or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem? Most Glorious in All History When we gaze at the beauty of any of these, we cannot help but be overtaken with a sense of awe, admiration, and wonder. Yet in today’s reading of 2 Corinthians…
Faith Encouraged
Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives
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It shouldn’t be surprising to any of us. How we think, what we think, when we think, and when we don’t think, shapes our choices, our priorities, and our actions. It seems that this observation is self-evident, and yet I have to confess that I haven’t really examined how and what I think nearly as often as I should. That’s why I want to recommend you read the book “Our Thoughts Determine…
