Orthodixie

The travesty and tragedy that was Christ of the Hills Monastery is, for some, an enigma; for the families of the victims: an open wound.

Lord have mercy.

For those (and I’ve met a few) who had prayers answered, even miraculous cures, through their relationship with that monastery … well, adding confusion to mystery rarely results in rational answers.

Rod Dreher, editorial writer and columnist for The Dallas Morning News, has his own story to tell. It’s a worthy read — though hard to read without wincing.

Caveat lector

“Monk was a fraud, yet now I am blessed” … HERE.

HT: THUNDERSTRUCK

This week’s Orthodixie Podcast is totally unscripted — which means there’s no script teaser here.

John Maddex of Ancient Faith Radio sat down with me on Friday to chat about DEFEATING SIN – Overcoming Our Passions and Changing Forever.

Click H E R E to listen to the “Defeating Sin” Interview.

Click H E R E to order the book.

Or, for signed copies – and to help feed a growing family of five – click the appropriate button in the left side menu of this page.

🙂

Pic courtesy of Doug N. Burns.

This book is like a treasure chest filled with gems of wisdom from the Fathers and Theologians of the Church. Each of these jewels help give insight to the common reader on the Fall of man, the Passions, the Virtues, Spiritual Warfare and the way toward Repentance. Fr. Joseph, in his warm personal style, not only attempts to give us a theological understanding of the themes but provides practical helps in the form of definitions, prayers, and inspirational meditations. These tools are great assets to have for those who are seeking to apply the material in order to struggle against the Passions, aspire to the Virtues, and properly prepare for the sacrament of Repentance.

A great resource for self examination!

— Constantine Shepherd, Youth Director, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The publisher hopes to have my new book in stock by next week, the second week of October. Order your copy from Regina Orthodox Press or through this blog (PayPal – see options in the left side margin).
Thank you!

DEFEATING SIN will help readers to better understand the disease that troubles the human soul.

DEFEATING SIN will prove an invaluable aid for those engaged in spiritual warfare, helping them make that U-turn from the passions toward the virtues.

Christians of all denominational backgrounds will benefit from the ancient wisdom of the Church Fathers and the perpetual call to repentance. Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Anglicans will find the book’s helpful guides for making a good Confession memorable, indispensable — a must!

DEFEATING SIN investigates the nature of the Passions and the saving grace of the Virtues.

– What led to the fall of the Archangel Lucifer and one-third of the heavenly hosts?

– What caused the fall of our first parents, Adam and Eve?

– What causes our own stumbling?

– How can we identify the traps and temptations of the enemy?

– How do we get back up once we’ve fallen?

– How can we struggle toward God-pleasing solutions – even the Kingdom of Heaven?

May you, reader, be blessed and enlightened and encouraged in your struggle by the wisdom contained in this book, to the glory of the All-Holy Trinity and the salvation of your soul.

— Bishop BASIL

This book has evolved over several decades of reflection that is both personal and part of our Orthodox family inheritance. This is a read that will bring many back through its pages just as memories of powerful retreats and epiphanies return to us and become once again moments of grace in an hour of need. DEFEATING SIN: Overcoming our Passions and Changing Forever is a book that will be marked up and well-worn by those who own it and no doubt shared with other Christians who long for a well of renewal and a blessed retreat.

— The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield – Chancellor, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary

Prayer. It’s one of the three pillars of our struggle as Orthodox Christians …

Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.

It’s how we work out our salvation.

And yet, for many, Prayer presents the greatest challenge of the three.

In fact, if I may be so bold to say: Without Prayer the other two, Fasting and Almsgiving, are nothing more than Dieting and Philanthropy.

First of all, what do we mean by Prayer?

I’m always amused when others say of Orthodox: “Oh! You pray out of a book?”

Yes, it’s true, unless you’ve memorized the prayers – we do!

I’m tempted to respond: “What? Your preacher preaches out of a book?”

The chief end of Prayer is to glorify God. Now, for some, that may be a no-brainer. But, believe me, for many — it’s a new concept.

Let me state it clearly: Prayer is not simply talking to God (though it is that).

Prayer is not simply worrying in the name of Jesus. Remember? He told us not to worry. (Matthew 6:25-34)

Nope … worrying in Jesus name is not praying.

Our Prayer should give glory to God.

When the disciples came to Jesus and asked: “Master, how should we pray?”

Jesus did not respond: “Just talk to me.”

I mean, they were talking to him!

Rather, as recorded in the Gospel according to Luke: He was praying in a certain place, and when He ceased, one of his disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

And He said to them …

Listen to the Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.