Anger is by nature designed for waging war with the demons and for struggling with every kind of sinful pleasure. Therefore angels, arousing spiritual pleasure in us and giving us to taste its blessedness, incline us to direct our anger against the demons. But the demons, enticing us towards worldly lusts, make us use anger to fight with men, which is against nature, so that the mind, thus stupefied and darkened, should become a traitor to virtues.

Abba Evagrius the Monk

to pray for the world. No judgements. No fears. Please God, fill in the blanks as only You can.

What is grace? It is the blessed power of God. . the power that cleanses, sanctifies, enlightens, that helps in doing good and withdraws from evil, that comforts and gives courage in misfortunes, sorrows, and sickness; that is a pledge of receiving the everlasting blessings, prepared by God in heaven for His chosen ones.

St. John of Kronstadt

Four services, four shows. I’m tired to the bottom of my feet but grateful to God for the strength to make it through. Constant repetition has made the music flow. Services in different jurisdictions has been the best possible education. I have no idea where all of this goes, but today is good, tired and all.

Here’s a sketch of “Shoulder to the Plow” last night at the Dunn Brothers Coffee Shop. I’m on the right.

for the people of Syria and remember that the Orthodox Christians there live with the potential for this on an ongoing basis.

Now if there’s one continent that would seem to confirm the secularization thesis, it is Europe. As Europe advanced, it did become more secular, and atheists have always assumed that the U.S. would go the same way, but it just hasn’t happened. Consequently, atheists have realized that they must become more aggressive in promoting their agenda. So what we are seeing here in the 21st century is something new. You could almost call it “missionary atheism” or “evangelical atheism”—an atheism that seeks for the first time to win converts.

Read more here…

with Shoulder to the Plow and Friends this past Friday Night at the Dunn Brothers Coffee Shop in Oakdale, Minnesota. The song was written by Gabe Komjathy and I’m doing the bass work. Hope you like. Live venue with small recorder so there may be sound issues.