It seems we humans have an ingrained "love"of fighting, defending ourselves, and drama. We are really good at it. Just look at the conflicts that are raging today in our world. We seem to love to fight, and that, in itself, should be a sign of a deep brokenness...
There's just no substitute for contemplation. But it seems our modern world is moving at such a break neck speed that contemplation is impossible! That's why authentic faith is the "last, true, rebellion" and the hardest and most rewarding path to being truly human! Listen to what Abba Evagrius says...
For years I batted around words like "faith" and "believe" with such frequency and then discovered that I really wasn't sure what these words meant! Imagine my surprise while, as a pastor, and a graduate with a degree in Pastoral Theology that I had to humbly admit, I didn't...
"Did you hear..." That's the beginning of a moment that rarely turns out good! And that's because this is usually the beginning of a conversation that is more gossip than true. But we do love to gossip, don't we? Unfortunately, there are real consequences to spreading stories, especially when...
It's just who I am. I remember my time at an Evangelical Protestant school for my undergraduate degree, and the 2 years of homiletical classes (how to give a sermon). It was a bit gruelling and my professor was particularly tough on me. One day, I was walking with...
There is a story about a great man. He had searched the world over for wisdom. He had gone to gurus, and sought out great religious leaders and learned philosophers. But still his heart ached for more. Sure, he learned great and awesome ideas, and heard wonderful words, but...
I love the scene in "A Few Good Men" when Jack Nicholson's character looks at the military lawyer questioning his leadership of his troops in Guantanamo. It's at a pivotal part of the drama. The commandant, Colonel Jessup, was a rough and tough Marine leader. He was a strong...
"Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?" You can almost hear the sneer in this question to Jesus in the passage for today! And, frankly, it's a good question. You see, as a Church, we Orthodox place a great deal of confidence in the consistent witness...
I know it is a bit "old fashioned" and it may be hard for those of this generation to understand, but the timeless message of the Faith is that we are called to battle and tame the passions SO THAT they are our servants and never our masters! So...
I can't tell you how many times I've had to "eat crow" over some idea I had or position I held that turned out to be, oh not necessarily "wrong" but "too small" or "too narrow" for the subject at hand. It's made me a bit gunshy at times...
