In the last 15 years, the topic of home schooling has had an increasing impact on family life. Some parents are very concerned over messages being imparted to children in public school. They feel their authority over their children is being undermined by schools on such topics as sex education, homosexuality, and other LGBTQ issues among students. If you had … Read More
Guns in Churches, some pragmatic concerns
When I reflect on the idea of people having permits to carry concealed weapons in church, the following thoughts come to mind. While people may be well trained in using a fire arm, the question remains as to what if someone enters a church and begins to fire openly on parishioners, thereby prompting one who has a firearm to use … Read More
Crivella Reflection
by Deacon Basil Crivella A 3rd-year Seminarian in St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program. He belongs to the Orthodox Church in America’s Diocese of the Midwest. Deacon Basil prepared this sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of St. John Climacus. He and his wife Rose of the parents of four children two of which … Read More
Understanding Self-Esteem
by Philip Mamalakis, Ph.D. Holy Cross Greek orthodox School of Theology Self-esteem is usually defined as our sense of our own value or worth – how we feel about ourselves. Does a person, understand and see himself as good and capable, and is he secure in his value, or does a person feel, or believe, that he is bad, incapable, … Read More
Gun Shootings in Synagogues and Churches
In the last several months there have been a series of attacks in synagogues and churches (the most recent a few days ago in San Diego). People have entered these places of worship using guns to kill congregants. On Western Easter, there were a series of bombings in Catholic Churches of Sri Lanka (and other targets) that killed over 300 … Read More
2019 PASCHAL MESSAGE OF HIS GRACE, BISHOP PAUL
Therefore, thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘He who believes will not be in haste.’ (Isaiah 28:16) Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the … Read More
We start a second year
It was around this time one year ago that the Midwest Family Website made its online debut. I think much has gone the way I had hoped it would. It takes time to develop a website, and there is more work that remains to be done. There are two things I would like to see happen in the coming year. … Read More
Not My Will, But Thy Will Be Done
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on … Read More
Obedience and Trust
Matthew 5:34-37 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let … Read More
Do I have to?
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-4). … Read More