Today's category: Pilots
Have A Good Flight
      This is Captain Sinclair speaking. On behalf of my crew I'd like to welcome you aboard British Airways flight 602 from New York to London. We are currently flying at a height of 35,000 feet midway across the Atlantic.

      "If you look out of the windows on the starboard side of the aircraft, you will observe that both the starboard engines are on fire.

      "If you look out of the windows on the port side, you will observe that the port wing has fallen off.

      "If you look down towards the Atlantic ocean, you will see a little yellow life raft with three people in it waving at you.

      "That's me your captain, the co-pilot, and one of the air stewardesses. This is a recorded message. Have a good flight!"

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Faith's Checkbook by C.H. Spurgeon
Devotional for Wednesday November 13, 2024

The Unfailing Watch

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4)

Jehovah is "the Keeper of Israel." No form of unconsciousness ever steals over Him, neither the deeper slumber nor the slighter sleep. He never fails to watch the house and the heart of His people. This is a sufficient reason for our resting in perfect peace. Alexander said that he slept because his friend Parmenio watched; much more may we sleep because our God is our guard.

"Behold" is here set up to call our attention to the cheering truth. Israel, when he had a stone for his pillow, fell asleep; but His God was awake and came in vision to His servant. When we lie defenseless, Jehovah Himself will cover our head.

The Lord keeps His people as a rich man keeps his treasure, as a captain keeps a city with a garrison, as a sentry keeps watch over his sovereign. None can harm those who are in such keeping. Let me put my soul into His dear hands. He never forgets us, never ceases actively to care for us, never finds Himself unable to preserve us.

O my Lord, keep me, lest I wander and fall and perish. Keep me, that I may keep Thy commandments. By Thine unslumbering care prevent my sleeping like the sluggard and perishing like those who sleep the sleep of death.

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So what is "The Trench”? In episode one, Christian discusses why "The Trench" and the centrality of relationships in the Christian life.

As human beings, we find that we are surrounded by relationships everywhere we go. Could it be that relationality is something about what it means to be human? Join Christian as he discusses what it is to be human through the lens of being relational beings made in the image of a relational God.

Having a relationship with God is just that—a relationship. It is personal, dynamic, and shareable. Join Christian this week as he explores the primary relationship in our lives: our relationship with the Lord.

Vulnerability is one of the most important and least understood parts of developing deep and intimate relationships. Join Christian as he explores how Jesus Christ shows us what vulnerability looks like and why it is so scary.

Last week, we explored how Christ shows us the path of the Cross is the path of willing vulnerability. This week, Christian discusses the role of vulnerability in our lives as we seek close and intimate relationships.

Sometimes we undercut relationships by jumping to offer advice over identifying with people's problems. Join Christian this week as he explores an alternative route to sharing in the suffering of others.

Last week, we explored how we tend to speak when should be listening, offering advice based on our experience. Join Christian this week as he explores how we can actually use our experience to foster connection through empathy, instead of using it to foster disconnection through sympathy.

Boundaries are a confusing topic for Christians, often because we feel like we are supposed to be really nice and help everybody with everything. Join Christian this week as he explores the importance of boundaries for establishing Christian relationships as well as the implications of poor boundaries on the health of our relationships.

Connect with us at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries!

Join Christian and Steve Christoforou, host of "Be The Bee" and Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, as they reflect on what it looks like to share the experience of the Kingdom of God within the workplace

Join Christian this week as he discusses the responsibility that every Christian has in serving those who are poor and in need. Christian suggests that like any other of our relationships, serving those in need demands our reflection on its priority.

Sometimes we can get stuck in talking about the Orthodox Faith as though it were a set of beliefs and ideas that are right, rather than looking at it as a Tradition that points us toward and leads us into an encounter with Christ. Join Christian this week as he explores Orthodoxy as the Faith that rests in the Person of Jesus Christ.

We can't share Jesus Christ with other people unless we know Him ourselves. Join Christian this week as he explores how Christ comes to meet us through the Scriptures and the Breaking of the Bread in Liturgy.

After the disciples encounter Christ, they run through the dark night back to Jerusalem to share the good news with the other disciples. Join Christian this week as he explores what sharing Christ with others looks like for Orthodox Christians.

As Christians seek to form a community, the fitness phenomenon, CrossFit, has a great deal to teach us! Join Christian this week in exploring how CrossFit can show the Church what it means to be a community.

It can be easy enough to say "I'm sorry," or even to forgive someone who slights us. But do we really understand the depth of the act of forgiving? Join Christian this week as he explores the role of forgiveness in our transformation into the likeness of Christ.

A relationship with a spiritual father is one of the most important relationships in an Orthodox Christian's life. Join Christian and his pastor, Fr. James Coles, this week as they explore the role and the reason for the spiritual father, particularly in the mystery of confession.

This week, Christian is joined by Jacob Saylor, youth director at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Phoenix, Arizona. Together they explore some of the foundational points of building a Christian community.

After a long hiatus, Christian returns to discuss neurobiology and some of its implications for how we live our lives as Christians.

Ever noticed how your thoughts seem to impact your day in a big way? This week, Christian explores this phenomenon, pointing toward how our thoughts also impact other people.

Young people keep leaving the Church, and most of us are very concerned about this. This week, Christian explores this phenomenon through Attachment Theory and suggests that perhaps the Church is losing her young people because she has failed to be there for youth in the way that they need

In the first episode of the new season, Christian reflects on his summer and the many people he saw who bring him Christ's love in a real way.

Connect with us at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries!

Mentors play vital roles in our lives, helping us discern the movement of God. Join Christian this week as he has some help in exploring how Christ reveals Himself through these unique relationships.

Friendship is a wonderful mystery wherein people share a heart. This week, Christian explores what our friendships can teach us about a relationship with Christ, the One who invites us into eternal and everlasting friendship with Himself.

Over the last couple weeks, Christian has explored how God reveals Himself through different relationships in our lives. This week, Christian explores what children can teach us about the Mystery of God.

This week, Christian is joined by his wonderful wife, Michaela. Together, the two reflect on what marriage has taught them both about an experience of God's Love.

Connect with us at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries! youth.goarch.org

Have you ever struggled with being content with your own life? Accepting your own strengths? This week Christian (with a little help from Kylo Ren) explores how we must live into our own lives if we have any hope of serving the Lord.

This week, Christian explores how our lives are meant to be lived for others rather than used to serve ourselves.

It's the beginning of another fasting season as we prepare for the Nativity of Christ. This week, Christian explores how our practice of fasting is also a practice at stepping outside of ourselves so that we can live for others.

For many, the holidays can be a stressful time when it comes to reconnecting with family members. Join Christian this week as he explores some things to keep in mind as we interact with family over the holidays.

This week, Christian explores how our friends help us see ourselves clearly. Sometimes, this may mean we see some encouraging things, and other times we may see the yucky parts of ourselves. Both of these realities are what make friendship such an essential part of our walk with Christ.

Join Christian this week as he explores the reality that we cannot share a real love for Christ if we don't possess it ourselves.

In the final episode of The Trench, Christian explores how what we love orients our way of being in the world and how what we love is shaped by what we do. Join Christian as he says goodbye to the series by asking, "What do we truly love?"

Fr. Tom reflects upon Matthew 25:31-46, the Parable of the Last Judgment.

Father Tom discusses Psalm 137, which is included in a special way during the Matins Service for the three Sundays leading up to Great Lent.

Fr. Tom reflects upon the expulsion of Adam from Paradise, one of the two themes of Forgiveness Sunday.

Fr. Tom considers the act of asking for forgiveness, as well as who it is we hurt when we sin.

Great Lent is considered the tithe of the year, during which believers try to be what they ought always to be. Fr. Tom, in response to a request once made of him, shares with us a list of "things that a believer would do if he were really a believer."

You won't find a more concise and helpful explanation of why Orthodox Christians keep and venerate icons.

Fr. Tom gives a meditation on the rich meaning of the pre-sanctified liturgy of Great Lent. 16:37

On the second Sunday of Great Lent we remember St. Gregory Palamas and Fr. Tom instructs us on why he is so important in our theology about knowing the unknowable God.

Fr. Tom offers thoughts on the healing of the paralytic.

On March 25, exactly 9 months before Nativity, the Church celebrates the Annunciation to the Theotokos that she will be the Mother of God. God's declaration through the angel Gabriel, however, had a contingency attached. Listen to find out what it was.

Looking for an inspiring book to read during Lent? Try the Bible! Fr. Tom specifically recommends certain books of the Bible during this season.

As we continue to remember the significance of the Annunciation, Fr. Tom gives a helpful reflection on the Magnificat.

Fr. Thomas examines the Prayer of St. Ephraim and why it is so appropriate for us during Great Lent.