Why does a church exist? What is the purpose that drives a church community to continue from generation to generation? What is the motivating force that causes people to adhere and perpetuate this or that ideology, theology, practice, and behavior? And, why does a faith community survive from one generation to another? Big questions. And I caution you against quick answers, because they are usually too shallow to actually answer the questions…
My mother taught me “Son, always put your best foot forward.” She meant for me to always show the best of who I am and what I am to everyone. Good advice, especially on your initial job interview! Modern marketing is based on this foundational idea. We are inundated with commercials and marketing messages that tout this or that product, idea, event, action, as the “must have/experience/possess/believe/embrace” object or idea of the…
Today is the last Sunday of Great Lent, and the Church calls us to remember St. Mary of Egypt and her lifelong repentance. The wisdom of a life of humble repentance is always the path of perpetration for the joy of Pascha. Next Sunday y is Palm Sunday and the spiritual and physical rigors of Holy Week. Let us finish this time well and once again enter Pascha ready to rejoice!
“But I don’t understand!” How many times have I said these very words concerning something I was going through in my life? If I had a nickel for every time I said this or heard this, especially from my children, I’d be very wealthy. The truth Is I really don’t understand many things. As I look around my society, the people and the place I love so very much, I don’t understand…
“OK, so let me get this straight? You just threw yourself in front of the punch and took it for the guy? And loo, the only thing you got out of it was a black eye!” My buddy just didn’t understand why a fellow officer would put himself in harms way for a “civilian” during a domestic dispute call. After all, what was in it for him. But of course my buddy…
Dear Friends, Our devotional will return tomorrow. Until then, please keep the parish I serve in your prayers. We have had a rash of thefts from our property and it has been a bit of a discouragement for my precious parishioners. Your prayers are appreciated. Here’s a recent story from our local news: Playground Equipment Stolen
There’s a prevailing notion that the mere granting of mental assent is believing. But is that really true? Does simply saying you think something is true make it so? I know we live in a society that likes to reduce things to “manageable” things. We want to reduce achievement to “imagine the possibilities.” We want “positive thinking” to replace the hard work of following through. We want the mere good intentions we…
Here’s a brain teaser for you: One special place sets you free to make all places special; but if all places are special without one particular place being special then no place is special! Huh? Sorry this comes on a Monday morning, but it never hurts to get the intellectual juices flowing early! It’s the concept of “sacred space” that is at the heart of most serious theology. The revelation that a…
We live in an age where “marvelous” and “wonderful” have been tamed. We hear these words and immediately get excited about the “good” things happening! But this definition that “marvelous” and “wonderful” always mean “pleasant” and “positive” things is a reflection of our own shallow age. Through centuries of human existence, these words have also conveyed dread and fear. A “Marvel” and something that causes “wonder” can flow equally (and usually more…
It is said that the greatest chess players “see” at least 4 moves ahead at all times. This is why they can anticipate their opponents’ moves and be ready for them. This is also a huge advantage in military strategy. The best generals know their adversary so well that they can anticipate the moves of their adversary and then plan for a counter strategy. In fact, it has been said that the…
