One of the many ways I am learning about Orthodoxy is through podcasts from Ancient Faith Radio. There are a variety of podcasts with topics ranging from bible study to information about the specifics of worship to topics of daily life and how to integrate Orthodoxy into daily life. I am listening to (or have downloaded but not yet listened to) too many to discuss in one blog so I will try to spread out my comments over several blogs.
Right now I am almost finished with a podcast called Worship & You. In addition to being accessible on itunes and Ancient Faith Radio, you can find their website at http://worshipandyou.com/ (the website also includes study guides and discussion sheets). I like this podcast because it takes about 6 or so sessions to break down what is happening in the Divine Liturgy - important for a newbie like me. Each podcast has an overall discussion and also includes tip for including worship in your daily life. Additionally, the podcast discusses the importance of daily prayer. I like this part because it provides ideas for focusing your thoughts on your prayers and gives important reasons you should pray everyday.
I would recommend this podcast for people wanting to learn about the worship service of the Church and how to integrate worship into your life.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Perhaps its a sign
Last night's post was about the commandment to love one another - and today the lesson at the back of the bulletin was entitled "The Greatest Commandment." Below is an excerpt from the text:
"Even our Lord was once...asked what the greatest commandment was. It was not an innocent question, rather it was meant to test Jesus. There were over 600 commandments the Jews were asked to obey, but certainly the questioners knew the words found in the 6th chapter of Deuteronomy: "You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul and with all your power." Jesus indeed gave the identical answer, but He also took it one step further:"Love your neighbor as yourself, for all of the Laws and the prophets are based upon this." With just a few words, Christ put the essence of our spiritual live into proper perspective.
"Our Orthodox Faith is filled with commandments as well. Still, everything literally does depend on how we follow these two commandments. As a follower of Christ, let us make sure that this is the foundation upon which we build our spiritual life."
I have to believe the Lord is most definitely speaking to me about this....Well I'm listening and with God's help, learning to follow these commandments better.
"Even our Lord was once...asked what the greatest commandment was. It was not an innocent question, rather it was meant to test Jesus. There were over 600 commandments the Jews were asked to obey, but certainly the questioners knew the words found in the 6th chapter of Deuteronomy: "You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole soul and with all your power." Jesus indeed gave the identical answer, but He also took it one step further:"Love your neighbor as yourself, for all of the Laws and the prophets are based upon this." With just a few words, Christ put the essence of our spiritual live into proper perspective.
"Our Orthodox Faith is filled with commandments as well. Still, everything literally does depend on how we follow these two commandments. As a follower of Christ, let us make sure that this is the foundation upon which we build our spiritual life."
I have to believe the Lord is most definitely speaking to me about this....Well I'm listening and with God's help, learning to follow these commandments better.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
A new commandment...
A new commandment, I give to you, that you love one another...it is part of a hymn sung during communion every Sunday morning. It is a beautiful hymn and and even more beautiful practice....but not an easy commandment to follow all the time
Why is it that sometimes it seems so very much easier to love one another when the other is someone you don't know, or don't know well? It never fails that the people you know can be the hardest to love. A friend or acquaintance get a promotion or new job...how many times easier is it to feel envy rather than joy? A family member, who knows how to push our buttons, can bring out anger and other feelings so far from love quicker than anyone.
I have struggled with envy, jealousy, anger, pride....they are hard to fight - sometimes more so when people we know are involved. Looking back at recent pictures I have of trips with my family there are some photos where my anger and frustration are evident. Are these really the memories I want to have? Are those the feelings I want to carry with me, associated with those certain people?
Much harder is letting go of those emotions; love should be the easy route...particularly with those we love (i.e. family and friends). Why then is it easier to hang on to all the negative emotions and let the love in? Perhaps it is how we learn to truly forgive - not just for something that happened recently - but forgive all the transgressions against us. And with forgiveness we can no longer hold those things against our loved ones. It is a hard lesson...one I am certain I will continue to struggle with.
Why is it that sometimes it seems so very much easier to love one another when the other is someone you don't know, or don't know well? It never fails that the people you know can be the hardest to love. A friend or acquaintance get a promotion or new job...how many times easier is it to feel envy rather than joy? A family member, who knows how to push our buttons, can bring out anger and other feelings so far from love quicker than anyone.
I have struggled with envy, jealousy, anger, pride....they are hard to fight - sometimes more so when people we know are involved. Looking back at recent pictures I have of trips with my family there are some photos where my anger and frustration are evident. Are these really the memories I want to have? Are those the feelings I want to carry with me, associated with those certain people?
Much harder is letting go of those emotions; love should be the easy route...particularly with those we love (i.e. family and friends). Why then is it easier to hang on to all the negative emotions and let the love in? Perhaps it is how we learn to truly forgive - not just for something that happened recently - but forgive all the transgressions against us. And with forgiveness we can no longer hold those things against our loved ones. It is a hard lesson...one I am certain I will continue to struggle with.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
General Thoughts
Being back as part of a church in general has made me more aware of my sins and of the general state of religion around us. It is interesting to listen to the different voices of Christianity around me. From the preacher on the radio/tv to the bloggers who criticize people with religious beliefs. But no matter what the voice, I am always glad to have found Orthodoxy.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Humility
Humility...It is a hard lesson but one I believe the Lord is trying to teach me. No nothing bad, embarrassing, or otherwise weird has happened. The topic keeps coming up in church events and in the book I am reading.
I have been reading a book that was recommended to me by our Priest - "Early Christian Writings." It is a compilation of the writings of some of the "apostolic fathers." These are the people of the early church, including bishops and priests, some of whom learned from Jesus' disciples. They provide interesting insights into the workings of the church and to early practices of worship. But it is not that part of the writings that has spoken to me. What I found striking in every one was the humbleness found each epistle. It is truly amazing that these men, some of whom are now Saints, are so humble when addressing the members of the church.
It is hard, in this age of self-advancement and cut-throat corporate achievement to remember to be humble. You really have to work at putting others before yourself...and yet that is what God expects of us. For me, I am sure it will be an ongoing lesson, one that I will likely stumble with quite a few times...but it will be worthwhile if it bring me closer to God and his plan for me.
I have been reading a book that was recommended to me by our Priest - "Early Christian Writings." It is a compilation of the writings of some of the "apostolic fathers." These are the people of the early church, including bishops and priests, some of whom learned from Jesus' disciples. They provide interesting insights into the workings of the church and to early practices of worship. But it is not that part of the writings that has spoken to me. What I found striking in every one was the humbleness found each epistle. It is truly amazing that these men, some of whom are now Saints, are so humble when addressing the members of the church.
It is hard, in this age of self-advancement and cut-throat corporate achievement to remember to be humble. You really have to work at putting others before yourself...and yet that is what God expects of us. For me, I am sure it will be an ongoing lesson, one that I will likely stumble with quite a few times...but it will be worthwhile if it bring me closer to God and his plan for me.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Welcome
About two months ago after long deliberation, we decided to take a major "leap of faith" and became catechumens in the Orthodox Church. We had looked for a long time for a place to call home. We searched for a church that met certain criteria; primarily we searched for a church that closely resembled the early church, the church that Christ founded. That search led us to Orthodoxy.
The struggle to truly learn about the teaching of the early church and to apply those teaching to a modern life has been interesting. At times it is a true struggle (facing one's sins is never an easy task) and at other times realizing the joy of re-establishing a connection with God has brought peace and fullness into our lives.
My attempt at this blog is to provide a dialog of what I learn during this conversion - both about the faith and about myself. It should prove to be an interesting experience.
The struggle to truly learn about the teaching of the early church and to apply those teaching to a modern life has been interesting. At times it is a true struggle (facing one's sins is never an easy task) and at other times realizing the joy of re-establishing a connection with God has brought peace and fullness into our lives.
My attempt at this blog is to provide a dialog of what I learn during this conversion - both about the faith and about myself. It should prove to be an interesting experience.
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