Anyone that drives on some of the major highways in DFW can see a number of bilboards carrying the logo: “Would Jesus discriminate?/Why would we”. The astonishing thing however, that almost made me loose control of the vehicle, is the big picture of Christ along with the words “Jesus affirmed a gay couple” Continue reading
Why we commemorate the Saints Joachim and Anna?
I always asked myself why we commemorate the Saints Joachim and Anna at the end of almost every church service. Beside the Savior and the Theotokos only the “holy and righteous ancestors of God” are never omitted from any daily dismissal. Continue reading
An answer to a Priest about the World Crisis – by St. Nikolai (Velimirovic)
You ask me, O man of God, where did today’s crisis come from and what does it mean? Who am I to be asked about such a great thing? “You should only speak when what you have to say is better than silence,” says St. Gregory the Theologian. And even though I believe that silence would be better… Continue reading
Education and true knowledge – What our children are missing in school today
Another school year started this week. Future scientists, engineers, doctors begin their journey today, a journey through rationality and logic in the hope of pushing further away today’s science barriers. During the following school years these children will be taught mathematics, physics, chemistry and other subjects that will reveal to them, step by step… “how Continue reading
Fasting and the revelation of our shortcomings
Most of the Orthodox people have a hard time fasting. Every beginner realizes sooner rather than later that fasting is difficult, and the discipline of the stomach is not easy to master.
The struggle of fast has however another curious secondary effect: the amplification of all our other shortcomings. When we fail in fasting we feel guilty and unworthy. Continue reading
The struggle of prayer – a short practical guide
If you ask anyone in church about prayer they will most likely us a descriptor like: a pleasant experience, a conversation with God, a link with the absolute or other general terms, all positive in nature. Things are different however when, during Confession, a Father Confessor asks the same question. He will most likely hear more about lack of time, loss of focus, procrastination and struggle in general. The truth is that prayer is easier said than done. Continue reading
Who’s affraid of the Theotokos?
I recently posted a status on Facebook referring to the fast of the Dormition of the Mother of God. A few minutes later I got a reply from a non-denominational protestant friend: “I did not know that God had a mother”. This is a very typical response from this audience since they do not have any particular place for the Virgin Mary in their theology or worship. Continue reading
Keeping our children safe online
One of the growing parental problems is the control of our children internet access. With a variety of explicit materials and predators lurking the net more and more parent grow worry about their children accessing the internet. More so with new technology like iphods, iphones, mobile internet, social networking the breadth of the problem has grown exponentially… Continue reading
Orthodox Books on Kindle
I was very skeptic when Amazon has issued their “paper like” e-reader device. Beside the technology shortcomings I was sure this would be used to promote airport bestsellers and other reading material ready for the intellectual garbage bin. However, I have to admit that the success of the device, which is nice by the way, has attracted some serious publishers… Continue reading
How to live an ecological life in Christ
Raising awareness of our spiritual footprint
There is a lot of talking these days about the environment and the impact our civilization will have on the planet for generations to come. A lot of damage has already been done and we are here now Continue reading