Tag archive for ‘discipleship’
What’s your church like?
Our parish was founded about eleven years ago by a priest and a three families from California. We had inquirers’ meetings in homes for a few months, then set up a chapel and began having daily services.
Don’t defend your ideas – spread them
How to protect your ideas in a world where ideas spread? Don’t. Instead, spread them. Build a reputation as someone who creates great ideas.
Not cut out for religion
I ask you, what’s the answer, and you just ask me questions, and I’m like, “hello, I thought you were God?” Can’t I just download you, pay-as-I-go to decode you – a quick fix listen on my iPod?
My church or The Church?
Ray Ortlund at Christ is Deeper Still writes:
“My passion isn’t to build up my church. My passion is for God’s Kingdom.”
Ever heard someone say that? I have. It sounds large-hearted, but it’s wrong. It can even be destructive.
Suppose I said, “My passion isn’t to build up my marriage. My passion is [...]
Happiness linked to self-discipline, research says
A Greek word for self-discipline is the root of the Christian idea of “asceticism.” Behavioral people call it “delayed gratification.” Scripture calls it denying oneself and taking up the cross. Nobody ever became an Olympic athlete, a musician, or even an effective professional or a good spouse, without practicing the skills and habits they mean to embody.
At the beginning of Lent
Contrary to what many think or feel, Lent is a time of joy. Unless we understand this quality of joy in Lent, we will make of it a monstrous caricature, a time when in God’s own name we make our life a misery. This notion of joy connected with effort, with ascetical endeavour, with strenuous effort may indeed seem strange, and yet it runs through the whole of our spiritual life, through the life of the Church and the life of the Gospel…
In the Temple of Broken Hearts
The Way, through tests, introspection, and suffering, is hard and has many pitfalls. There is a strong temptation to look for happiness and consolation right from the beginning. If we experience disillusionment or disappointment, then we might start fearing that our journey to God might turn into torment and punishment…
Give me a word
A brother came to see Abba Macarius the Egyptian, and said to him, “Abba, give me a word, that I may be saved.”…
Ancient Cynic, Christian Monastic Beliefs Old But Very Modern
Cynicism was a school of ethical philosophy that provoked extremes of admiration but also hostility. Because of the behavior of some followers of Cynicism, it has brought to light some of its teachings of great contemporary significance — teachings parallel to those of Christianity, Christian monasticism in particular. It is interesting that the revival of interest in Cynicism coincided with the emergence of Christianity.
The Spiritual Father in Orthodox Christianity
One who climbs a mountain for the first time needs to follow a known route; and he needs to have with him, as companion and guide, someone who has been up before and is familiar with the way. To serve as such a companion and guide is precisely the role of the “Abba” or spiritual father…
Pursuing God
An old man was asked: ”How can a fervent brother not be shocked when he sees others returning to the world?”
Men and Church
In a time when churches of every description are faced with Vanishing Male Syndrome, men are showing up at Eastern Orthodox churches in numbers that, if not numerically impressive, are proportionately intriguing. This may be the only church which attracts and holds men in numbers equal to women. As Leon Podles wrote, “The Orthodox are the only Christians who write basso profundo church music, or need to.”
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