-
Patriarch Pavle of Serbia falls asleep in the Lord
Read more: Patriarch Pavle of Serbia falls asleep in the LordThis morning (November 15), Patriarch Pavle of Serbia fell asleep in the Lord. May his memory be eternal! Pray for the Church in Serbia as it mourns one of the holiest men to have been a successor to St. Sava. His simplicity and uncompromising commitment to the truth in Christ, resisting every force of politics […]
-
The Cross and the Church
Read more: The Cross and the ChurchThis weekend I have been in Memphis, Tennessee, at St. John Orthodox Church leading a retreat for their Church women. The topic of the retreat was “The Emptiness of God.” The following series of articles captures much of the thought that was offered this weekend (and thus a summary of my thoughts as I have […]
-
Why We Fast
Read more: Why We FastThis Sunday, November 15, marks the beginning of the Nativity Fast (40 days before Christmas). The following article offers some thoughts on the purpose of fasting. Fasting is not very alive and well in the Christian world. Much of that world has long lost any living connection with the historical memory of Christian fasting. It […]
-
A Relationship With God?
Read more: A Relationship With God?What is the nature of a relationship with God? It is commonplace in our modern parlance to speak of a “personal relationship” which is either redundant, or a way of weakening the true meaning of “personal.” I suspect that the modern meaning of “relationship” is in fact not capable of bearing the true weight of […]
-
St. Nektarios of Aegina Sings (or wrote hymns)
Read more: St. Nektarios of Aegina Sings (or wrote hymns)Today is the feast day of St. Nektarios of Aegina, whose hymn “O Virgin Pure,” is among the most popular modern hymns in the Orthodox Church. Here it is sung by monks of Valaam Monastery (in Russian). An English translation follows. Saints sing. O Virgin Pure by St. Nectarios Plagal First Tone (Tone 5) Refrain: […]
-
Why Does God Sing?
Read more: Why Does God Sing?I wrote this piece last Spring. The thought of God singing is among my favorite meditations. Yesterday was the feast of the Holy Angels on the Orthodox Calendar – who themselves sing with unceasing praise. Today I celebrate a birthday (not one of the “big ones”) and my treat for myself is to reprint these […]
-
Talking Theology
Read more: Talking TheologyI learned during years of theological study that it is possible to give a “theological account” of almost anything and even make it sound cogent. Of course everything that sounds cogent is not necessarily true. In my morning paper I read the following account from a local Church. It was under the heading, “Cafe Worship”: […]
-
I Don’t Know About That
Read more: I Don’t Know About ThatA hermit advised, “If someone speaks to you about a controversy, do not argue with him. If what he says makes sense, say, ‘Yes,’ If his comments are misguided, say, ‘I don’t know anything about that.’ If you refuse to dispute with his ideas, your mind will be at peace.” +++ There is an element […]
-
Wrong Turns and the Providence of God
Read more: Wrong Turns and the Providence of GodThe following is, in part, a response to a comment posted earlier today. It seemed worth sharing more prominently, since not everyone reads comments. These are some thoughts on the Providence of God and its work in our lives. I think there is absolutely such a thing as Providence (not that we have much of […]
-
Learning to Sin
Read more: Learning to SinThis morning I had a chance in a conversation to remember Stanley Hauerwas with whom I studied in my time at Duke in the late 80’s (and early 90’s). This article begins with a reflection from a Hauerwas contention: “that sin is something you have to learn.” It is typical of his thought – startling […]
Subscribe to blog via email
Support the work
Your generous support for Glory to God for All Things will help maintain and expand the work of Fr. Stephen. This ministry continues to grow and your help is important. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!
Latest Comments
Father I see now your response to Christian (thought I had refreshed to see the most recent comments, but guess…
The line, “Above all, are you prepared to accept all things as from God?” is indeed a gauntlet thrown down.…
Thank you Father for this repost. What is a proof? Even in math what constitutes a proof is somewhat subjective;…
Christian, Perhaps we are now getting to the heart of the matter. I would never say to a grieving widow,…
Read my books
Listen to my podcast
Please Read
Categories
Archives
Andrew, In this answer I simply speak of my own experience with “all things are sent from God.” I know…