There ought to be a law! Isn’t it fascinating that the first thing most people think about when there is some conflict or disagreement or some unwanted actions in our society is that there should be some governmental control issued to make people “behave” the way they “should?” Why is “passing a law” or getting the government to exercise its power in some way our default answer to conflicts in society? How… An Ancient Faith Blog The post No Self-Conceit appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more

We live in an affluent age, to the point that this abundance has blinded us to the need to be grateful for God’s goodness to us. How do you react when God is good to you? Are you even attentive to the Goodness of God? In a time when we have more than we need and, frankly, pretty much all we want, we must be challenged to have a life of gratitude… An Ancient Faith Blog The post Asleep To Gratitude – Sunday Homily appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more

One of the greatest consequences of our modern world is that we moderns have been convinced that egalitarianism and individualism have been elevated to the highest good. We insist on a definition of “freedom” that means “I want to do what I want to do!” But the problem is if I do what I want to do, my desires have to be disciplined and mature or what I want to do quickly… An Ancient Faith Blog The post Blessed Are You appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more

Tom Stoppard once said, “Maturity is a high price to pay for growing up!” While that really is funny, it is also a painful splash of reality. It really does take time to become mature. Sadly, I’ve known men who were older but never mature. And one of those older men was the guy I look at in the mirror every day! Maturity is the ability to embrace wisdom and deal with… An Ancient Faith Blog The post Pitiful Perpetual Adolescence appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more

I don’t like to admit my limitations. In fact, one of my besetting sins is seeing a Speed Limit sign and thinking of it as more of a “suggestion.” Admitting that I really struggle with this is an absolutely essential part of maturing and growing in self-awareness. This maturing process is vital to my spiritual health. It means that you are able to know yourself in an honest and straightforward way without… An Ancient Faith Blog The post Knowing Your Limitations appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more

There was a stunning article in the January 2013 issue of Boston Magazine. It was entitled “Losing Our Religion” and the article begins by telling the story of a mother and her 9-year-old son watching a procession of the faithful from the Greek Orthodox church across the street from their home on our Great and Holy Friday. It’s worth reading the whole thing, but I wanted to show you this part of… An Ancient Faith Blog The post What Are We? appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more

Dear Faith Encouraged Daily Family, Since late 2012, we have partnered with Ancient Faith Ministries to distribute the Daily Devotionals from Faith Encouraged. We started this Daily Devotional ministry to encourage our Orthodox Faithful to read and apply the Holy Scriptures to their everyday lives. Since then, thousands of folks have read and used these daily devotionals to be a part of their spiritual growth. Starting October 1st, Ancient Faith Ministries will… An Ancient Faith Blog The post A Special Message appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more

The great American Founding Father, Patrick Henry said “This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.” Henry understood the relative uselessness of temporary material things and the true value of a spiritual inheritance that lasts forever. But the only way we ever really truly value our spiritual inheritance is by understanding what that inheritance is!… An Ancient Faith Blog The post Do You Know Your Inheritance? appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more

OK, so one of my favorite movies in the whole world is “Princess Bride” and one of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Vincent keeps using the word “inconceivable!” Finally, after so many times of hearing this word from Vincent, Inigo Montoya responds “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” The truth is words matter, and the meaning of words matters.… An Ancient Faith Blog The post What Does “Holy” Mean? appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more

I love this Armed Forces Motto: “The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle.” Isn’t that great? In other words, when you put the time into preparing for battle, you are more ready to face the fight. And what is true for physical fighting is also true for the spiritual battle each of us faces every day! What? You didn’t know this was going to be a fight… An Ancient Faith Blog The post Armored to Fight The Real Enemy appeared first on Faith Encouraged ..read more