Links from 2007 retreat found here; most recent retreat — Parts One, Two, Three, Four. Let me say, once again, these are my notes, filtered through my slowly moving hand and weak mind. Continuing from the previous posting (concluding Stage Two) … As Man’s divine experiences proceed, he experiences his own kenosis. This elevated spiritual stage is reflected in his prayer for the whole world — which he would not have been able to bear before he was filled with... Read more

How My Karma Ran Over Your Dogma* The humor that I tried to makeHas caused the heads of some to ache,The Lord, they say, not once did smile,Lenten humor doth God revile. The views of holy men I praise,Though not them all to dogma raise.If Christ on earth was somber e’re,The yoke he broke did clear the air. As sons and daughters, we are free,To celebrate this liberty.My karma’s triumph e’er the tomb,Has just run o’er your dogma’s gloom. In... Read more

You can back up to the last part for previous links. “The Stages a Christian goes through to realize hypostatic nature — to come to the mystery of the Christ” Man is called by God. There is a specific calling for every person. This calling is implanted in created nature; it is the hope of the hypostatic principle. God seeks man at every stage of his life, wherever he may be. And man only has to open to Him and... Read more

I‘ve been meaning to give a shout out to some folks working diligently to make the Orthodox Blogosphere safe and sane. FIRST … Prudence True: A little esoteric, but chock full of thought provoking insight. NEXT … She’s not new, but I’ve been slothful in mentioning: Matushka’s Blog, where you’ll find perspective and humor from a Homeschooling-Orthodox-Mission-Minded-Matushka in South Carolina. THEN THERE’S … Orthodox Healing, from Subdeacon Symeon Kees — who is no stranger to the ‘sphere. Image Source Read more

Click here for part one, part two; here for past retreat notes (’07) — and remember, these notes are filtered through a slow moving hand and noggin: On the manifestation of the hypostasis – both in God and Man — in the teaching of Elder Sophrony … 1) Christ is a true person revealed to Moses 2) Man – a person created in the Image and Likeness3) The hypostasis of the Son of God was manifest by his love to... Read more

Down in Louisiana, there’s Mardis Gras; in other places, there’s Fat Tuesday with Pancakes; here at St George Orthodox Church, just before we give up meat for Lent, there’s the annual Country Western BBQ & Dance! That’s DJ Lisa warming up the crowd for … This guy and his band. Can your priest do this? The stunned crowd struggles to keep up with Fr John’s hand jive. It was a rousing performance, which just tuckered some fellers out: But the... Read more

Click here for part one; here for past retreat notes — and remember, these notes are filtered through a slow moving hand and noggin: If we are worshiping a loving God, we need a sensation of this life in our deep heart. The reason Christ did not answer Pilate: “What is truth?” — Had he asked “Who is truth?,” he would have received the answer Christ gave to his disciples at the Supper: “I am the Truth and the Life... Read more

A personal note & request: Of your charity, I beg your prayers for my father-in-law, Rodney Byard, who passed away yesterday — his wife, Nancy; his daughters Becky, Jenny, and Amy Elizabeth (my wife) & their families. Thank you — and may God grant you and yours long life. The Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America was blessed to have Archimandrite Zacharias of St John the Baptist Monastery, Essex – England, as our clergy retreat speaker again this year. This year’s... Read more

This week’s episode of the Orthodixie Podcast is an interview with John Maddex of Ancient Faith Radio concerning my new book We Came, We Saw, We Converted. Click here to listen. UPDATE … The following note is from a WC,WS,WC reader … I scanned the book and I am reading it as a devotional, a chapter or two a day. You should advertise it as a “devotional with humor”. You have the knack for conveying wisdom with wit. Read more

It has ever been so. We all get our chance — some more than others — and it’s what we do with our time that matters. I’ve been thinking lately: You make time, it is not found. Time is made, not found. The question is often asked, Where do you find the time? Rather, answer this: When are you going to make the time? Time, though a mystery, is a creature. But it can be harnessed. It is this harnessing... Read more