“When we accept the offer of Jesus we experience the calm and serenity that Zaccheus experienced when salvation came to his house. This is the Peace of Christ.” The Repentant Sinner In 1886 Leo Tolstoy wrote a short story titled “The Repentant Sinner.” In the story a seventy yearContinue Reading
“In the sight of God it is not the quantity of our assets that is important but the quality of our being.” One of the most difficult things for us to do is to maintain a certain detachment from the world we live in. Popular culture is increasingly secular andContinue Reading
“Embrace your authenticity. Be the person God meant for you to be with all your quirkiness and eccentricities.” Beauty vs Authenticity In his book “Blink,” Malcom Gladwell recounts the story of the “Getty Kouros.” In 1984 the J.Paul Getty museum unveiled its latest acquisition, a two thousand year old marbleContinue Reading
“The Lord invites us to use our gifts and talents worthily and He will sustain our efforts by His grace.” Napoleon’s Mercy Napoleon Bonaparte is often portrayed as a violent man, a dictator alongside the likes of Hitler and Mussolini. But those who knew him, knew him to be aContinue Reading
“Each sings a song, and helps to make music for the world.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta What is the purpose of the gifts, talents, and abilities that have been bestowed upon us? Saint Teresa of Calcutta was once staying with a community of sisters working with the Aborigines of Australia.Continue Reading
“the Church does not speak of an ‘informed conscience,’ it speaks rather of a ‘well-formed conscience.’” The Mercy of God Is Endless God is always calling us, always waiting to show us His mercy. All we have to do is respond. Robert Robinson was an English clergyman who lived inContinue Reading
“It is very tempting for us to pass judgment based on partial information.” The Trapper There was once a trapper who lived in the Alaskan wilderness alone with his two year old son. On one occasion their food supply was running low and the trapper was forced to leave theContinue Reading
“God’s Word is written on our hearts and we express that Truth in countless ways.” The Invisible Iconographer In traditional Orthodox iconography the goal of the iconographer is to be invisible. Individual expression or style is not sought after because it is considered a distraction to prayer and devotion. ThisContinue Reading
“to be authentic means that an individual’s actions are consistent with their beliefs and desires in spite of external pressure” In his book “Blink,” Malcom Gladwell recounts the story of the “Getty Kouros.” In 1984 the J.Paul Getty museum unveiled its latest acquisition, a two thousand year old marble statueContinue Reading
“The gardener who intercedes on our behalf is Jesus, nourishing and working the soil of our hearts. This is the grace and mercy that He offers to us.” Napoleon’s Mercy Napoleon Bonaparte is often portrayed as a violent man, a dictator alongside the likes of Hitler and Mussolini. But thoseContinue Reading