How the Pseudoscience of Social Darwinism Nearly Destroyed Humanity By GEORGE DVORSKY Following the publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species in 1860, many political theorists and opportunistic politicians… Read more “How the Pseudoscience of Social Darwinism Nearly Destroyed Humanity”
Month: October 2013
The Definitive Guide to How Obamacare is Destroying American Lives
Originally posted on The Matt Walsh Blog:
On Sunday night, I wrote a short post soliciting stories from my readers about how Obamacare has already immediately impacted…
Watch Out, Pastors: Millennials Are Fact-Checking Your Sermons
As a Millennial, I can attest that this is very true of our generation. Watch Out, Pastors: Millennials Are Fact-Checking Your Sermons Survey studies how young churchgoers… Read more “Watch Out, Pastors: Millennials Are Fact-Checking Your Sermons”
Time To Admit It: The Church Has Always Been Right On Birth Control
The Orthodox Church shares a very similar view of contraception with the Roman Catholic Church. We practice a little more grace and economia with the issue and… Read more “Time To Admit It: The Church Has Always Been Right On Birth Control”
The Place For Preaching: Part 1
Part One of a Five Part Series by Father John Peck over at Preachers Institute A Short History of the Liturgical Location for Preaching: The Ambo, the… Read more “The Place For Preaching: Part 1”
Ten Steps to a Better Prayer Life
In this timeless and practical article from the parish website of Fr. Hans Jacobse, the director of the American Orthodox Institute and editor of Orthodoxytoday.org, we get an outline of the practical steps anyone can take to make their prayer life more active and powerful.
1. Designate A Prayer Space
Whether it is in the corner of your desk or a little stand in your room, it is important to have a place where you can put your Bible, Icons, etc. Dedicate the use of that space for God alone.
2. Acquire A Time
Incorporate prayer in your routine and set time aside to center your thoughts to God.
3. Acquire A Library
Start with a Bible, then get a small Orthodox Prayer Book, after that start collecting books. Here are some suggestions: ‘Living the Liturgy’ (Fr. Stanley Harakas), ‘The Way of a Pilgrim’ (Monk of the Eastern Church), ‘For the Life of the World’ (Fr. Alexander Schmemann), ‘Beginning to Pray’ (Metropolitan Anthony Bloom), ‘Bread for Life’ (Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos), ‘The Orthodox Way’ (Bishop Kallistos Ware), ‘Way of the Aesetic (Tito Collander).
4. Assemble An Altar
In your prayer center gather icons (Christ, Theotokos, Guardian Angel and patron saint), service books, incense, votive light, a cross, a prayer rope, etc. Incorporate your five senses in prayer.
5. Pray
Speak from your heart. Learn prayers of the Church. Try the Jesus Prayer or the Lord’s Prayer. Also incorporate your own prayers and thoughts.
6. Acquire A Spiritual Guide
This is a very important step. One should build a relationship with either a member of the clergy, monk or nun, who will become your spiritual guide. He/she will help guide and pace you to a balanced prayer life. The Sacrament of Confession can be arranged through your priest.
7. Fasting and Almsgiving
Fasting adds a dimension to your prayer life. Your fasting practice should be regulated to avoid physical and spiritual harm. As for alms, give where you see a need and trust that the Lord will provide.
8. Build On What You Already Have
If you already have a routine, build on it. If, for example, you pray before you go to sleep, it will be easier to read a chapter from the Bible before your bedtime prayers, than to set up some time during the day to read.
9. Sanctify All That You Do
You may have set aside a time and space for a prayer routine, but that doesn’t mean you should separate your life into sacred and secular. Privately thank God for what you have at all times, and make Him aware of your every concern. Dedicate everything you do to Him.
10. Remember the Power of the Life-giving Cross
The sign of the Cross is a reminder of Christ in our lives. Blessing oneself with the cross by holding the first two fingers of the right hand and thumb together represents the Holy Trinity. The last two fingers held to the palm represent the two natures of Christ – God and man. Orthodox Christians cross themselves from the head to the breast and from shoulder to shoulder, right to left. This unique and all embracing symbol shows that the cross is the inspiration, power and indeed the very content of our lives.
Uncanonized Saints
Originally posted on AGAIN AND AGAIN:
“In the Orthodox Church it is by no means discouraged to pray to ‘uncanonized’ saints. Actually, canonization only grants official status…
Preaching Gospel as Gospel: How Unconditional Is Unconditional?
Father Aidan Kimel is doing a fantastic little series right now. He has given me permission to repost his series on my blog. I really think this… Read more “Preaching Gospel as Gospel: How Unconditional Is Unconditional?”
The Daring Adventure Life 