Today I shared a link on Facebook about the work being done by an excellent organization, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) with regards to the Syrian Refugee Crisis. First I’ll share that again on here, you should check it out: http://www.iocc.org/countries/countries_syria.aspx After sharing it, there was one phrase that stuck with me: “One of the worst […]
Category: Faith Matters
Under Rosarito Skies (Part Five: Adios)
One thing I have always struggled with in writing, songwriting, really creative projects of any kind is finishing. I don’t know what it is, but putting closure, finale, is painful. I put it off. I often don’t know where to start ‘the end’, which loose ends to tie up first, how to arrange it, how […]
Under Rosarito Skies (Part Four: Beauty and Borders)
That is a Rosarito sunset. We got to enjoy this one evening late in the week. I took a seat on a rocky ledge to rest my knee. My son and his friends braved the waves. It was a bit cool that evening, but I would have been right in there with them under different […]
Under Rosarito Skies (Part Three: Busted Knee)
From June 26- July 2, 2015 my wife, son and I took what we hope to be the first of many pilgrimages to serve at Project Mexico/St. Innocent Orphanage. “Under Rosarito Skies” is my humble attempt to journal my experience, which I can only describe as transformative. I ask forgiveness ahead of time for the […]
Under Rosarito Skies (Part Two: The Good Word)
From June 26- July 2, 2015 my wife, son and I took what we hope to be the first of many pilgrimages to serve at Project Mexico/St. Innocent Orphanage. “Under Rosarito Skies” is my humble attempt to journal my experience, which I can only describe as transformative. I ask forgiveness ahead of time for the […]
Under Rosarito Skies (Part One: The Fog)
From June 26- July 2, 2015 my wife, son and I took what we hope to be the first of many pilgrimages to serve at Project Mexico/St. Innocent Orphanage. “Under Rosarito Skies” is my humble attempt to journal my experience, which I can only describe as transformative. I ask forgiveness ahead of time for the […]
Storms, Worry, Sparrows, and Charleston
Originally published in the Faith column of the Journal Review, June 20, 2015 As I’m writing this, I’m looking outside my window as a powerful, kind of unexpected storm passes through. My son tells me that the streets are flooding pretty quickly. He’s worried about a flash flood. We have friends who just visited from […]
Church is Hard
Among the news headlines and trending topics on social media of the past few weeks has been the results of new polls that show a decline in people, especially young people who identify with any organized faith community. The “rise of the ‘nones’ (as in, church affiliation: none)” has occupied debates and discussions, both among […]
Ladders
A Homily given at Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church, Indianapolis, IN On the occasion of the Central Indiana Lenten Vespers Series. Theme of the Series: “Why We Believe What We Believe” Sunday of the Ladder (St. John Climacus) March 22, 2015 Glory to Jesus Christ! I’m honored to be able to speak today, […]
Father Tom Taught Me…
Today the Church mourns the passing of a truly great man. Fr. Thomas Hopko fell asleep in the Lord this afternoon surrounded by his family and by the prayers of so many; those close to him, former students and colleagues, and also many who had only met him a few times or not at all […]
Saved Together 