Approaching The Wardrobe

Are the “things” of Orthodoxy essential to what’s most important in the Christian faith? Jeff continues to explore this topic while contemplating Saint Spyridon’s spiritual lessons for us.

Can the beautiful things in Orthodoxy get in the way of what’s most important? Jeff begins to explore the life of St. Spyridon and his spiritual lessons for us.

The interview continues here as Jim describes his experience with western Catholicism, strange things in Orthodoxy, and the beauty in everyday Orthodox life. Jeff concludes by sharing thoughts from Saint Isaac.

From Christian to commune to Roman Catholicism to Emergent, and finally finding home in Orthodoxy: Welcome to the life and times of Jim John Marks.

Jeff identifies some misunderstandings concerning the priesthood and probes motives people have when desiring to be ordained.

Young people in this postmodern world are often perplexing to adults. This episode explores elements of tragedy, hope, and connection points we can have with contemporary youth.

It’s sometimes hard to see how “all things work together for good” in God’s sovereignty. It’s scary when we see that evil things are allowed to happen. We question whether God really cares about us individually in midst of His bigger plans. Orthodoxy embraces all aspects of the Christian experience, including the events that seem to make no sense.

God is at work in profound ways, in a wide variety of people who are being drawn to the ancient faith. This episode explores thoughts found in comments, feedback, and conversations with people who are approaching Orthodoxy.

Seeing God’s intimate involvement in our “circumstances” leads us to a deeper appreciation of His sovereignty. While on the road, Jeff shares some readings from saints and experiences of seeing God at work in the details of life.

Reformed or Calvinist Christians are often given a bad rap from other Christian groups due to generalizations and misunderstandings. An unbalanced mindset concerning the sovereignty of God can keep us from trusting and resting in His grace and lead to an unhealthy faith. In this episode, Jeff attempts to offer a balanced Orthodox perspective on the subject.

This episode explores the difficulty of truly loving people in Christian service instead of merely manipulating or impressing them. Relating to people with a pure heart is a challenge for everyone; however, in different faith traditions, it takes on different forms. True Orthodoxy leads us to see all others as united to each of us, and we are challenged to practice a more genuine, selfless love for others.

Weddings are a sensitive time for all who are involved. Orthodox Christians often face unique challenges in relating to non-Orthodox weddings in a Godly manner, as they long to see sanctity emphasized in this monumental life event. However, it can be a significant point of contact with others. Jeff recounts a recent wedding experience, and the tensions involved in relating to others from an Orthodox perspective.

The sacrament of marriage in our modern culture is almost a lost art. This two-part series tackles the challenge of focusing on the Godly aspects of love, weddings, and marriage outside of the Orthodox Church. Part one emphasizes romance as a gift from God, and introduces the concept that marriage must go beyond a mere lifelong commitment to enter the realm of true Orthodoxy.

Chrismations normally follow a long, slow pilgrimage toward Orthodoxy. Loving believers who want to see spiritual growth in family members or friends also wait, planting spiritual seeds and praying. The great saints have learned to wait for good things, and so must we. Jeff contemplates the challenges and rewards of waiting in Orthodoxy.

Sadness and struggle are often “out of place” in modern Christianity. Jeff explains that Godly sorrow is embraced on the journey toward true Orthodoxy, where we find that a “sad face is good for the heart.”

Jeff describes his final jump into Orthodoxy and what God used to bring him there. He also explores how we need to give up trying to be a “somebody” and learn instead to become a “nobody."

Jeff describes how encounters with Proto-presbyter Joseph Kreta, on both sides of the veil of death, help him and his fellow parishioners embrace the loving fellowship shared in the “communion of the saints.”

C. S. Lewis’s popularity and insights are a testimony to how people are longing for magic and mystery within the material world. Jeff explores how the Orthodox faith integrates the spiritual and physical realms into one cohesive experience and is thus the gateway to fulfilling those desires.

What do Bob Marley and the Protestant missions world have in common? What does this have to do with Orthodoxy? The journey continues with more stories and insights, focusing on the desire for natural beauty in interacting with God and people.

In this second episode, the journey continues. After meditating on the “sacred beginning” introduced in episode one, as well as on sacraments outside of the Orthodox Church, Jeff describes the darker side of the “do it yourself” Western Christian mindset. This episode begins the process of contrasting some of the modern “holes” in the Christian world with the treasures of the ancient faith.