As we look ahead to the new Church year, we're not preparing simply to learn more about God: we're preparing to grow closer to God. And here are 6 things we can start doing right now to make the most of the year ahead as we take our first steps towards Christ and His Kingdom!

Saint Paul tells us to "pray without ceasing." But is constant prayer even possible? And how should we even start? We'll look at simple ways to build our prayer so that our whole life can become an uninterrupted prayer, a joyful offering of praise to God.

Faith is often treated as a secret, private thing. But if we really believe that we know the way to eternal life in Christ, would we really keep that hidden from others?

Walking into an Orthodox Church can be pretty overwhelming. Join Steve as he offers a quick tour of what you'll typically see, and what that can teach us about our path to salvation.

We've already explored why Orthodox Churches have a distinctive look. They also have a distinctive sound. Why do we sing in our Church services?

Feeding a hungry person doesn't "fix" hunger: that person will feel hungry again. So what's the point of helping those in need?

Kevin Allen's guest is Fr. Stephen Freeman, the pastor of St. Anne Orthodox Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the host of the "Glory to God" podcast. They discuss the idea of "beauty" and its lack in our secularized culture, as well as how to live a sacred life in a secular culture.

Kevin is joined by Dr. Najib Saliba, Metropolitan Philip, and Samuel Noble to discuss the current crisis in Syria as well as the controversy surrounding the pending attack by the US.

Host Kevin Allen talks with Faith McDonnell and Ralph H. Sidway about the rising tide of Christian intolerance and genocide—the intentional killing of people for their Christian faith—and why global Christophobia is rarely covered by Western media or addressed by the United Nations. Faith McDonnell is the Director of Religious Liberty Programs at the Institute for Religion and Democracy and the author of the book Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda's Children. Her blog is titled "Juicy Ecumenism." Ralph H. Sidway is the author of Facing Islam and the blog of the same name.

Elissa D. Bjeletich, author of In God's Hands - A Mother's Journey Through Her Infant's Critical Illness as well as the AFR podcast Raising Saints, and Elizabeth White, author of Following A Sacred Path - Raising Godly Children, join host Kevin Allen to discuss how to develop the spiritual nature of children and raise them to love and experience God.

Fr. Wilbur Ellsworth discusses with host Kevin Allen the challenges and opportunities of presenting Orthodoxy as plausible to non-Orthodox visitors and inquirers. Fr. Wilbur is a former Baptist pastor of a large influential church in Wheaton, IL, but now a priest in the Orthodox Church.

In this episode, Kevin and his guest clinical psychologist Dr Albert Rossi address depression, an increasingly common mental health issue that men, women and children struggle with, and discuss among other aspects whether it is primarily a medical or spiritual problem.

Kevin speaks with Fr. Chad Hatfield and Bishop Keith Ackerman shortly after their return from Moscow where bishops from the Anglican Church in North America were invited by Patriarch Kirill and Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) for a summit.

Many Orthodox Christians are wondering how to live and raise their families in an increasingly secularized and anti-Christian culture in the U.S. and Western Europe where many believe Christianity has lost the "culture wars." In this episode of Ancient Faith Today, host Kevin Allen speaks with author and journalist Rod Dreher, of The American Conservative, about what he calls "The Benedict Option."

We can be enslaved by a multitude of things, expectations and the evil one himself. Alternatively we can be slaves of Christ and receive the freedom that comes with that. "I call you my friends" He said.

When you compare the account of the healing of the two men with demons, with the accounts on either side of this story, you will notice two very different attitudes of those who came before the Lord in their attitude to prayer for others. Where do you fall? Matthew 8:28 - 9:1

Did Our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ stop and turn round and attend to the two blind men? Did He open His door to them? No He did not! Did they get disheartened? No they did not! Did they give up? No they did not! Did the Lord tell them to spread the good news? No He did not! Were they obedient? No they were not! What about you? Are you persistent? (You're not?) Do you tell others the good news? (You don't?) Tut. Matthew 9: 27-35

But what about the Gift of God? Why work so hard for death when you can have eternal life? The Centurion knew this when he came to the Saviour asking for his servant to be healed.

St. Luke (2: 20-21, 40-52) treats us to a meditation on the two natures of Jesus Christ: Fully God - Fully Man. So does St. Paul writing to the Colossians (2: 8-12). Why? They both want you to know that your Salvation is found entirely in Him.

You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

St. Luke shows us that the Lord is real - not imagined - flesh and bones, the disciples can handle him and he can eat with them. Acts 1: 1-12, Luke 24: 36-53.

Rather than zapping us, God choses to fix us.

Coming to Christ can be a painful experience.

Judas or Mary - your choice.

Luke 8: 41-56 How fervent are your prayers?

In a world full of sin - what are we to celebrate?

Can I be forgiven? Can Jesus forgive me? 1 Timothy 1:15-17 Luke 18:35-43

Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 10:32-45. Heavenly and Earthly Desire.

John 9:1-38 Sunday of the Blind Man.

Matthew interviews Fr. John Erickson, the preeminent historian of American Orthodoxy, about one of the past attempts at Orthodox administrative unity. Learn more HERE.

Matthew continues his discussion with Fr. John Erickson about one of the past attempts at Orthodox administrative unity. Learn more HERE.

Matthew Namee talks with His Grace Bishop Basil, the newly elected Secretary of the Episcopal Assemblies. We learn of his impressions of the historic May 26-28 gathering in New York as well as the assignment he has been given to coordinate the work of the committees that will be formed leading up eventually to a Great and Holy Council.

Attention Interest Desire Action (AIDA) is a copy formula that uses features and benefits to move prospects through the customer journey.

The post Attention Interest Desire Action: Use this to get, and keep, people reading appeared first on Coaching and training to scale your copywriting business, plus programs for new copywriters, startups, and marketers.

Copywriting is the best side hustle for writers in 2023. Discover why it may be a good fit for you, plus how to get started.

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Because social proof has become such a mainstay in marketing, it's easy for marketers to grow numb to it. You forget that social proof is one of Cialdini's most persuasive principles. So here are 5 new studies to remind you about the persuasive power of social proof.

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Not sure about making money from copywriting? This NEW post explores the possibilities of making good... heck, great... money from copywriting.

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Effective copywriting is your secret weapon for driving conversions. With strategic word choice (based on voice of customer data) and a clear understanding of your target audience, you can craft copy that not only grabs attention but actively encourages action. Here's how...

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