I had hard time coming up with something to write about this week. Instead, read this piece taken from the OCA web page asking the question, “How can this be used as a teaching opportunity with ones’ children?” The blessing of the Lord be upon you. +Paul The writer of the Epistle or Letter of James is traditionally identified as … Read More

Galatians 1:15-16 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles.  I preached on this verse several weeks ago and it has stuck with me ever since. Bear with me a moment as I … Read More

There is a lot of material wealth in this country. Many people have a good standard of living, and it shows by the kinds of things we have or are given. I gave up long ago buying gifts for anyone in my family, because they have so many things. I don’t know what I could give them that they don’t … Read More

If we are going to embrace a Sanctity of Life view, can we: Affirm that life begins at conception, which means saying no to abortion? Embrace and support policies that call for the proper care of families and their children who are here illegally until their status is addressed? Advocate for appropriate measures in our schools to keep children safe, … Read More

In the last 15 years, Halloween has increasingly become a major event celebrated in today’s secular culture. It is no longer just a day where kids go out to trick or treat for candy. Adults celebrate it with parties. TV and Hollywood make it a big item on their program list. It is put on a similar level as the … Read More

Over the last month and a half, I have been speaking on the theme of our Youth being connected to their parishes. I began with what the parish needs to do, and then I turned to what parents can do to assist their children to form healthy connections to their parish. I spoke on freedom, obedience, and love as important … Read More

In the last few weeks, I have addressed themes of obedience and freedom as some of the building blocks that can contribute to our kids making a healthy connection to their parish life and owning their membership in the Church. Today I will cite a few words on love which, for me, is the key part of this triad that … Read More

In the popular use of the word, “freedom” is erroneously linked to the idea of “I can do what I want, and no one can tell me what to do.” But there is no freedom in this statement. Whenever a child rebels against one’s parents, we need to understand it as the first stage in a process where a child … Read More

I have touched upon these themes before in previous postings. But given my recent notes on ownership by youth of their church life, I want to revisit the above three virtues of Christian life to see how they all work together; particularly in this area of ownership of faith and church life. Let’s talk about obedience first. Obedience is simply … Read More