to reach out to our culture, plant churches, and serve our neighbors. America is a mission field, in fact it may be one of the largest mission fields in the world.
A Parish…
worth 2 billion dollars. Not kidding. Nearly half a million dollar Pastor’s salary. No its not a televangelist or mega-church. Read more here.
h/to Ad Orientem
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God and Depression…
A strong faith in a higher power has been shown to improve mental health. Belief in God may improve treatment for those suffering with depression, says a new study.
Faith in a higher being has been found to significantly improve treatment for people suffering with a psychiatric illness, according to research carried out by McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts.
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Hmmm…
“Christians divorce at roughly the same rate as the world!”
It’s one of the most quoted stats by Christian leaders today. And it’s perhaps one of the most inaccurate.
At bottom, it is used to explain that Christians are not doing well in living out their faith. But it could also be taken as a statement that redemption by and real discipleship under Jesus makes no real difference when it comes to marriage. But mainstream sociologists would tell us that taking one’s faith very seriously—in word and deed—does indeed make a marked positive difference in the health and longevity of marriage. Based on the best data available, the divorce rate among Christians is significantly lower than the general population.
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Please Pray…
Metropolitan PAUL of Aleppo, Syria has been abducted. Abducted with him was the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo. The Deacon who was their driver was shot and killed in the attack. While often being pictured in the Western media as “freedom fighters” or “resistance groups” the various groups of people currently in conflict with the Syrian regime, some of which are getting US taxpayer money in support, have been involved in persecuting Syria’s indigenous Christian populations.
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Why…
your infant children should be in worship services. Written from a Roman Catholic perspective with some good thoughts.
…While I respect the intention behind it, a parent who leaves a child at home “until they are old enough” is being unjust regarding the child’s religious education. Education begins unconsciously before it begins consciously. Your baby or toddler needs to be given the opportunity to learn the rhythm, sights, sounds, and smells of the Mass before he is conscious enough to understand the Mass. Robbing a child of the sensory education makes catechesis that much harder later on. Spirituality is primarily a sensory call (from God) that leads to a transformative response. Robbing a child of that early sensual experience of God and His Church is a very serious impediment to future catechesis and spiritual development.
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For Times Like These…
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
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The Story of a Priest…
We live in a complex world that grants simplicity a certain charm but favors sophistication. Many people are embarrassed or even offended by the thought that others might characterize them as simple. Even as Orthodox Christians, we may admire simplicity in others but we seldom make a conscious effort to nurture it in ourselves, quite forgetting that the Lord said plainly: Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3)
Read more here…
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Psalm 46…
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the LORD, how He has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, He burns the chariots with fire! “Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
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For Orthodox Youth…
Information on the response of Faith to acts of terrorism. Here.
The Beautiful Path 