If you lost your job, would you lose your will to live? In 2015, menshealth.com reported a study claiming that one in five suicide deaths worldwide is linked to unemployment. Would you “end it all” if you lost your life…
Even a Limited Life is Worth Living Well
Debt Forgiveness: Are You Joyful?
During his earthly ministry, Jesus posed this question to Simon, a Pharisee, in the midst of a symposium-style dinner discussion: “Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them…
Prepare ye the Way
Advent is a time of joyful anticipation. For someone even bigger than Santa Claus is coming to town. The human race has been waiting a long time for his next and final visit. Actually, it waited a long time for…
Riding to Faith on the Wheels of Music
“If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph: ‘The only proof he needed for the existence of God was music.’” –Kurt Vonnegut (beliefnet.com“) “I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes…
Just Like Sheep
A few days ago we celebrated the feast of Christ the King. In the Church year this is always the marker of ending and the time to begin the preparation for the new Liturgical Year, Advent. This Feast, for me…
Atheists and the Holy Spirit of Christmas
Most Christians are really atheists who feel trapped in their family’s religion. They need not be Christian to enjoy the holiday season. This cynical explanation is how David Silverman, president of American Atheists, rationalized the giant billboard in Times Square….
To Be Like St Nicholas
December 6 is the feast of St. Nicholas, bishop of Smyrna, certainly one of the most popular saints celebrated in our Church, as well as in the Eastern Church. He is beloved by everyone, even those who are not members…
A Dog, A Turkey Wing, and Advent
As a treat this Thanksgiving, I bought my eleven-year-old mutt a freeze-dried turkey wing to gnaw on. He is showing signs of his age, and it takes him a bit longer to do things. Like eat a turkey wing. I’ve…
The Forgotten One
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as…
Parish Life Lessons: From Gyms and Fitness Centers
From YMCAs to PlanetFitness to the latest CrossFit outpost in your local strip mall, gyms and fitness centers are an ubiquitous part of most American communities. The rise and fall of certain models can give us insight into factors we…