Fr. Barnabas Powell
“Daddy, when will the leaves change colors?” With that, I knew I was entering into the time when my 8 year old was beginning to understand the changing of the seasons. “Do they call it ‘Fall’ because the leaves fall on the ground?” Wonderful!
Being a typical man (that’s not a bad thing!) I always assume I don’t need to read the directions! After all, I’m educated. I’m capable. I know what’s going on, right? Uh, yeah, right.
“Don’t judge me!” With that, the argument was suppose to be over. After all, my interlocutor had used the nuclear bomb of debate. He had pulled out the “Judge Not” card. And, after all, since he was debating a Christian, that meant the discussion was over and he had effectively shut down the uncomfortable reality…
She said this to me with such painful expression. I had really let her down by wondering aloud if another one of our mutual friends was really going to follow through on what he promised to do. I can still hear the pain and disappointment in her voice “you ‘doubting Thomas!'”
So what is it…
The message of the Lord Jesus invites us to a stark "change of mind." The Lord invites us to give, without expecting any return, love even those who hate us, and purposely delay all expectations of reward until His Kingdom comes in fullness.
Today, is this your attitude towards life?
How we Christians look at our Holy Scriptures reveals a deep truth about how we see God, faith, and even ourselves. This matters!
“Those who engage in debates on a regular basis know that the argument itself can easily shape the points involved. This is another way of saying that some debates should be avoided entirely…
He sat in the chair opposite me, and his discomfort level was off the charts. Eyes, darting around, feet fidgeting, obviously rather being someplace else, this life-long Orthodox Christian was making his very first confession. He was 64 years old.
Forgive the shameless plug, but I’d love to meet you in person this month! If you’re in the Atlanta area in a few weeks come by our parish and enjoy some hospitality and take the church tour! I promise, you won’t be disappointed in the wonderful community you’ll enjoy at the parish! Hope you…
I never will forget certain momentous times in my life. There are only a handful of moments when the enormity of a moment calls for an all night focus.
One such moment in my life was when I was to be ordained as a deacon in the Orthodox Church. As I contemplated the implications of…