The heart can see what the eye cannot and can take this unseen things into itself. Fr. Stephen looks at the possibility of joy even when the eye sees nothing joyful.

Fr. Stephen looks at the very heart of fasting—not the foods, not the 'how to's'—but why we fast.

Fr. Stephen completes his series on the true and false self, with thoughts on how we can go about "speaking to the heart."

"The whole world is a sacrament," according to Patriarch Bartholomew. Fr. Stephen explores what this means as he examines the Eucharist in the Scriptures.

Fr. Stephen speaks at length about the place of Orthodoxy within the modern world. Orthodox history is unknown to most Americans but has something to say to them and to help them in the healing of their own culture.

This podcast is part one of three where Fr. Stephen explores the topic of Orthodoxy and our sexual/gendered existence.

In part two of this three part talk on male and female, Fr. Stephen looks at the "hidden" character of this aspect of our lives.

Fr. Stephen completes his short series on the true meaning of male and female in Orthodox teaching.

Fr. Stephen explains how God is the Ultimate Particular, not "God in General," and what this means for our lives.

Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some insight on dealing with the dark thoughts that often fill our minds.

Fr. Stephen Freeman discusses the right relationship between the mind and the body. You might be surprised.

We tend to think of shame only in negative terms. However, there is such a thing as "healthy shame." It plays an essential role in awe and wonder and in the giving of thanks. Fr. Stephen Freeman offers some thoughts on this important aspect of our inner life.

Fr. Stephen Freeman looks at the story of Abraham and the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah as a means of understanding our prayers for the world.

In these two podcasts, Fr. Stephen Freeman describes the theme of deliverance from chaos that is found buried in Old Testament texts and how it continues in the New. It is an important way of understanding Christ's teaching of the gospel.

In these two podcasts, Fr. Stephen Freeman describes the theme of deliverance from chaos that is found buried in Old Testament texts and how it continues in the New. It is an important way of understanding Christ's teaching of the gospel.

Fr. Stephen Freeman offers thoughts on the place of the heart during our nation's struggles. Along with the example of St. John Chrysostom, he points us toward the role our own shame plays in the turmoil of our lives. There is a better way.

Fr. Stephen describes the one-storey universe as a faith worth believing and addresses the difficulty that people in the modern world have in transitioning from the secularized religions that dot our landscape to a truly integrated religion such as the Orthodox faith.

Fr. Stephen looks at the aspect of seeing the world in wonder—an experience shared by both Christian and non-Christian—and suggests, following St. Gregory of Nyssa, that it is the place where our faith should begin.

Fr. Stephen looks at the relationship between Orthodox Christianity and culture and argues that since Orthodoxy is the fullness of the faith, it should also be productive of the fullness of what it is to be human. Healthy Orthodox nations have always had a healthy Orthodox culture.

Fr. Stephen sets for a case for an "Orthodox Interpretation of Scripture" in which the Church itself is seen as the proper way to interpret the Sacred Writings.

Father Stephen comments on some of the thoughts found in a recent work by Archimandrite Zacharias of England. He looks at the "inverted pyramid," the humility of Christ in which authority is to be found not at the top but at the bottom of things, in Christ's bearing the sins of the whole of humanity.

In his inaugural podcast, Fr. Stephen describes the Orthodox view of the world in terms we can all understand.

Fr. Stephen continues his look at the world from an Orthodox perspective.

Continuing with his illuminating series, in part four Fr. Stephen Freeman discusses those (both non-Orthodox and Orthodox) for whom knowledge of God is but a relationship with a book (albeit a sacred book) or with ideas about God. These people are what Fr. Freeman calls "practical atheists." "Although a person may espouse a belief in God, it's quite possible for that belief to be so removed from everyday life that God's non-existence would make little difference."

Fr. Stephen looks at the way icons help us to see the world as it truly is rather than as a window to a "second story."

"It's not until we cease to divide the world into ordinary and extraordinary, into usual and unusual, into sacred and secular, that we will have either the possibility of knowing God, much less living the Christian life." — Fr. Stephen Freeman

Fr. Stephen speaks of the difficulties and trials of those coming to faith in God and the challenges facing our children.

If you need to add encryption or digital signing to the Thunderbird email app (or other supporting apps) on Android, there's one clear and easy route to success.

The post 3 Factors to Consider Before Starting a Blog – Maintaining Blogging Momentum appeared first on ProBlogger.

Originally posted by Darren Rowse, Updated for 2024 Starting a blog is an adventure—a journey I’ve embarked on more times than I can count. And along the way, I’ve learned a thing or two about what it takes to keep that momentum going. Today, I want to share some updated ...more

The post 3 Factors to Consider Before Starting a Blog – Maintaining Blogging Momentum appeared first on ProBlogger.

In the first episode of a five-part Lenten series on despondency, we learn what despondency is (and what it isn't), and how it relates to our experience of time. Ultimately, despondency is a means of escaping the present moment we find ourselves in.

The present moment is a gift from God. But too often, we flee from this "gift of the now" through our mental ideations of the past and future. Today, we're calling that movement despondency and exploring the physical, emotional and spiritual paths by which we escape from the present.

Today we talk about various antidotes to the passion of despondency, which all have the effect of bringing us back to the present moment of heart.

Today we continue our discussion of how to regain God's gift of the present moment. We'll touch on humor, scripture recitation, and prayer.

In this final segment of our lenten series on Time and Despondency, we explore the substance of the present moment—the Holy Resurrection. Thoughts on how to re-present ourselves and our world this Pascha and beyond.

This is the first part of a talk given at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto. In this portion, we look at common approaches to time management as they've developed in Western culture.

Continuing the talk from last week about the difference between managing time for the sake of productivity and redeeming time for the sake of salvation. Follow along!

This episode revisits the question of time in heaven from two different vantage points: Hellenic Greek philosophy and the Old Testament. Greeks and Jews of late antiquity had pretty different beliefs when it came to time and eternity, and both paradigms have implications for how one views the Incarnation.

In the last episode of this miniseries, we talk about "ages" and the phrase "unto the ages of ages" as it is used to signify eternity in the New Testament. Along the way, we'll tackle interstellar space, two-dimensional cubes, and other perplexing boundaries of human knowledge. Moral of the story: keep wonder alive.​

Heaven is eternal—but does that mean it also without time? This question lies at the crux of our understanding not only of heaven but also of earthly existence. In the first part of this miniseries, Dr. Roccas talks about some personal experiences regarding this question and how Orthodox worship prepares us for heaven.

About a year ago on this podcast, I started a five-part Lenten mini-series called Time and Despondency. I'm happy to announce that I've turned this series into a book to be published by Ancient Faith sometime in Fall 2017. As I finish up the manuscript, I reflect on the intersection between time and despondency. Interested in listening to the original series? Check out Part I (of 5) from last year.

Today I’m with Fr. Robert Holet, host of the podcast “First Fruits of Christian Living.” We’re talking about our volition to make time in a fast-paced world of distractions. Part two of this episode will air on Fr. Robert’s podcast, so check it out! (For quotations and other information from this episode, see the shownotes in the file attachment above or subscribe to the Ancient Faith blog.)

Nicole reads something she wrote on Lazarus Saturday 2018, during a Lent that was NOT instagram-worthy, and reflects on it now a year later. Intro and outro music: "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy," by Kai Engel.

Nicole reflects on an interview she watched this week between comedian Stephen Colbert and journalist Anderson Cooper, in particular, the divergent ways grief affected their sense of time. (Watch the interview here. The intro and outro of this episode is "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel.

In which Nicole considers how to check out this summer--in order to truly check in. Apologies to the entire southern hemisphere. Also a unique strategy to reduce addiction to social media. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: ● Romans 12:2 and Hebrews 12:1-2 ● Akathist of Thanksgiving, Ikos and Irmos 6 ● “Quit Social Media Every Other Day,” James Hamblin, The Atlantic (June 15, 2017): https://bit.ly/3k6Ifj5 ● TIME ETERNAL BOOK CLUB - August 12, 2021 - Register on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/2UMvP5r The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which Nicole shares what she learned at the recent Whole Good News Conference and the talk she gave there. Also a lesson in time about praying while sick. Mentioned in this episode: The Whole Good News Conference hosted by MissioAlliance (https://www.missioalliance.org/twgn) The Life of Moses by Gregory of Nyssa The Emotionally Healthy Woman by Lisa Scazzero Irresistible: the Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked by Adam Alter The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which Nicole joins her local priests and dear friends, Fr. Geoffrey Ready and Fr. Yuri Hladio, on a discursive quest to integrate the Sabbath into the theology and cosmology of the Eastern Orthodox faith. Fr. Geoffrey is the priest of Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Mission (OCA) in Toronto as well as the Director of the Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College. Fr. Yuri Hladio is the priest at St Maria Orthodox Mission (OCA) in Hamilton, Ontario and graduated with his MDiv from the Orthodox School of Theology in May 2020. Together they host the Enacting the Kingdom Podcast. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: 1) The Enacting the Kingdom podcast: https://www.patreon.com/enactingthekingdom 2) LIVESTREAM: Sep 23, 2021 (7PM EDT) of Enacting the Kingdom: youtu.be/gNrMS-hFrvk 3) The Orthodox School of Theology at Trinity College: trinityorthodox.ca The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Welcome to the Time in Trauma Series! Today we’re talking about what trauma is. Make sure to listen to the trailer for more information about this series. Find an episode schedule here: instagram.com/p/CWJKdXav1GH Learn more about Nicole’s trauma-informed coaching services at www.nicoleroccas.com/coaching Connect on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: Shelly Rambo, Spirit and Trauma: A Theology of Remaining Working definition of trauma: “Trauma is any event or series of events that are experienced as too much, too little, too soon, or too fast for a person’s nervous system to process.” Recommended further reading: What Happened to You? By Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Bessell van der Kolk Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). The intro and outro of this podcast are the songs "Idea" and "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which we explore the story of Adam and Eve through the lens of trauma. Connect with Nicole on Instagram or Twitter (@NicoleRoccas). Mentioned in this episode: Webinar on Holding Space for Trauma in Liturgy and Life: store.ancientfaith.com/remembering-all-these-things Genesis 1-3 (NRSV) “Moral Injury” via Psychology Today Canada (https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/moral-injury) Treasure in Earthen Vessels: Prayer & The Embodied Life, by Dcn Stephen Muse: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38364459-treasure-in-earthen-vessels “From the Prayer of Jesus to Prayer of the Heart,” by Fr. John Breck: https://www.oca.org/reflections/fr.-john-breck/from-the-prayer-of-jesus-to-prayer-of-the-heart The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

In which we explore what trauma and jet lag have in common. Send listener questions to Nicole via email (timeeternal@ancientfaith.com) or as private message on Instagram (@nicoleroccas), Twitter (@nicoleroccas), or Facebook (@Nicole M. Roccas). Mentioned in this episode: Episode schedule for the Time in Trauma series: instagram.com/p/CWYToBtLRTM The Body Keeps the Score (Book) by Bessel van der Kalk: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/313183/the-body-keeps-the-score-by-bessel-van-der-kolk-md Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection (Book) by Deb Dana: wwnorton.com/books/9780393713855 The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

Let’s give Scrooge a break this year! (And psychoanalyze him.) Send listener questions to Nicole via email (timeeternal@ancientfaith.com) or as private message on Instagram (@nicoleroccas), Twitter (@nicoleroccas), or Facebook (@Nicole M. Roccas). Mentioned in this episode: Mark McMinn’s article on ChristianityToday.com: “The Generous Soul” (Nov 23 2017) Bessel van der Kalk, The Body Keeps the Score Lawrence Langer, Holocaust Testimonies: The Ruins of Memory The outro of this podcast is the song "Remedy for Melancholy" by Kai Engel, available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.