Reflections

Once again last week we were stunned with the news of two incidents (two days in a row) of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. I believe a total of 48 people were killed and many more wounded as result of these acts of gun violence. One can certainly understand how people would be afraid for their … Read More

Here are ten more things to add to the list of concrete things families can do to make the invisible God visible in family home life. Read the daily life of a saint. One source for this can be found on the OCA web page. It most cases it doesn’t take too long to read. Go out for a family … Read More

Last week I began a list of concrete ways families can make the invisible God visible in daily family life. This week, I am adding a few more items to that list. To make the invisible God visible in the Christian home do: 11.  Attend Vespers on Saturday and Liturgy on Sunday. 12.  Remind and teach your children of the … Read More

In last week’s reflection, I expressed some lofty thoughts on parents needing to make the invisible God visible to their children. I would like to get more concrete about how this can be pursued in daily family life. Here are some things for parents to chew on. This may take a few weeks. We make the invisible God visible in … Read More

Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said:”Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with … Read More

Last week, a priest in our diocese sent me a two-and-a-half minute video bearing a Comedy Central logo, but also released on a web link called “Alternatino”. The video depicts a father attempting to have a conversation about sex with his teenage son, who is going to his prom. I laughed at some of the video because what the father … Read More

The next day, as they were on their journey and coming near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.  And he became hungry and desired something to eat; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four … Read More

Many people take vacations in the summer, or send their children to church or band camps. Those who play football often begin practices during the summer to get ready for the fall season. Here are some things to think about now that summer has come upon us. When going on vacation, don’t take a vacation from church. Make sure you … Read More

Over the last four weeks I have focused on this topic because I think it holds interest for families who wrestle with the best way to educate their children. How we address this can have a big impact on how we understand the family as a little church. One thing that is clear to me is that going to public … Read More

Several weeks ago, a person responded to my original note on this topic, citing links to research that has been done on home schooling. In reading through them, I was able to discern the following. Those who are home schooled do not suffer academically, and may even do better in academic achievement. The concerns about home schooled children not being … Read More