Sparks Among the Stubble

Icons: encountering the Creator through creation

"All people and all things are created and called to become “good” and “beautiful.” Ultimately, the recognition of this spiritual—or iconic—dimension in everyone and everything is an essential feature of Orthodox theology and spirituality." Bartholomew. (2008). Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today (1st ed., p. 29). New York; London; Toronto; Sydney; Auckland: Doubleday.

Forgiveness, putting away fallen coping mechanisms

Suffering can bring us to our senses

The pain the prodigal son felt led to his return to his father. As Christians, pain is something that can remind us of our need for God.

All things revealed in God's presence

When Christ comes to judge the living and the dead all things will be revealed. May we use our time wisely and purify and soften our hearts. 

Faith in the midst of the God's silence

We often think God should respond to us with immediacy. However, God is not bound by our need for immediacy and sometimes is seemingly silent. The silence of God gives us an opportunity to exercise tenacity and faith.

Sanctity of Life

Traditional Christianity has always condemned the practice of abortion. May God help us repent, both individually and as a nation. 

Intended to grow into maturity

Christians are intended to grow until they are mature enough to offer their God-given gifts to the church and to the world.

The message of the Forerunner John

Healing the fallen image in man

Forefeast Troparion "Prepare, O Bethlehem, for Eden has been opened to all! / Adorn yourself, O Ephratha, for the tree of life blossoms forth from the Virgin in the cave! / Her womb is a spiritual paradise planted with the Divine Fruit: / If we eat of it, we shall live forever and not die like Adam. / Christ comes to restore the image which He made in the beginning!

RSVP? No Thanks, I have better things to do

God is always inviting us to the Heavenly Banquet of His presence. If we have not tasted His grace we will more than likely prioritize our earthly life. May God open our hearts so that we can seek first the Kingdom of Heaven.

God reveals Himself as humble and self-emptying

Challenged beyond mere "goodness"

The Gospel is not a moralistic philosophy with the goal of making us good citizens. Rather, the Gospel is centered on giving up whatever we are asked in pursuit of Christ. 

Our attitude determines what we see

As Christians, we are challenged to cultivate an attitude of giving thanks to God for all things. Our attitude always determines how we experience life.

Sin, irrationality, and demons

Our sins open us up to the demonic realm. 

Suffering Part 2: Learning how to Suffer as we follow Christ

This class is the second part of a two-part series given at St. Innocent Church. This is an introduction to how fallen humans react to suffering and some examples of what suffering with faith looks like from the Scripture.   It is safe to say that there is no living human being in this world who will not suffer. This suffering can come from within our own souls, our bodies, and in the various calamities that one hears about on the news every night. In modern American, culture suffering is o...

The Divine Exchange

We offer God our life and He in return offers to us His Divine Life. 

Suffering: Traditional Assumptions about God and Man

This class is the first part of a two-part series given at St. Innocent Church. This is an introduction to traditional Christian assumptions about God and man.  It is safe to say that there is no living human being in this world who will not suffer. This suffering can come from within our own souls, our bodies, and in the various calamities that one hears about on the news every night. In modern American, culture suffering is often presented as something to be avoided. At the center of the ...

The indiscriminate Sower

We are called to prepare are hearts to receive the Word of God. God sows His Word indiscriminately.

Emulating St. Innocent

On our parish feast day, we are asked to see how we can better emulate St. Innocent. 

The spiritual life can be frustrating

Fruit from Barrenness

On the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos we contemplate how we are often brought to the end of ourselves before God acts. We must train ourselves to always turn our hearts and minds to Christ in our suffering and in the midst of temptations. 

Following Christ by forgiving

Fervent prayer and fasting

It is normal for Christians who encounter physical or spiritual resistance to set aside time for prayer and fasting even if it is outside of the traditional fasting seasons.