It is easy for people to fall prey to the passions of fear, worry, and anger in response to the great challenges that our nation and world face today, as well as to those we encounter in our families and in other areas of our lives. In such circumstances, we must not ignore the importance of one of the most basic virtues necessary for human flourishing, namely, gratitude.

Today we celebrate that the Lord is at hand, coming into Jerusalem as the Messiah, hailed by the crowds as their Savior. He enters Jerusalem on a humble beast of burden, carrying no weapons and having no army, political machine, or media campaign to flatter the powerful and play on the fears, resentments, and hopes of the masses.

In this episode, Fr. John begins an account of Friedrich Nietzsche by discussing Richard Wagner, a direct influence on the philosopher whose infidelity with women and famous operatic work, The Ring of the Nibelung, helped inspire the coming age of nihilism.

This week we look at Jesus’ first meeting with Peter in the light of Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah to come. We are helped to understand Peter’s great fear at Jesus’ ability to see into the depths of the sea, and the human heart. We are also given courage by St. Paul as we hear how our Christ God has reconciled enemies, and continues to work in his Church. (Luke 5:1-11; 2 Cor 1: 21-2:4; Col 1:13-23; Isaiah 11:1-9)

Citing the story of St. Mary of Egypt, Fr. Ted contends that not only is it possible to change and repent, but it is also never too late to do so.

Dn. Michael discusses fear and its antidote: thanksgiving.

Fr. Apostolos shares about the Ladder of Divine Ascent.

In view of the national media's drumbeat of fear-mongering, Fr. Apostolos reminds us of angelic salutation "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy!"

Fr. Apostolos Hill provides a straightforward expository of the peace that Jesus provides.

Christ walking on the water is often portrayed as a demonstration of His power over creation. But Fr Thomas reminds us that even though the storms of this life are always present, Jesus uses this difficult circumstance to remind his disciples that He is always with those who love Him and that they should never fear. (Ninth Sunday after Pentecost)

At every post-Resurrection appearance, the Lord Jesus Christ greets His Disciples with the words "Peace be with you! Do not be afraid!" Fr Thomas teaches us that because of Christ's destruction of the sting of death by His own death, and our participation in His death and resurrection through our baptism, we have nothing to fear, not even death itself!

It is fear that hinders our walk with God.

It is the recognition of Jesus in the midst of the storm that calms the fears of the disciples. With Jesus around there is no need to fear.

Fr. Dn. Emmanuel Kahn gives the sermon on Great and Holy Saturday.

Let’s consider why these three disciples—Saints Peter, James and John—were chosen by Jesus Christ to come up with Him to this “high mountain apart” from all His followers. Let’s consider also the response of St Peter as the spokesperson for the three disciples.

Dr. Albert Rossi reflects on the quote, "Fear is the opposite of love."

Bobby Maddex interviews Peter Schweitzer, a board member of Most Holy Theotokos: Rescuer of the Perishing, which is an Orthodox assisted living facility. Today he is here to talk about a different but related topic—namely, the proper Orthodox response to the prospect of one’s own death.

Amid shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, Cuba's electrical grid has collapsed four times since Friday, leaving 10 million people without power. / Reuters

The presidential election is down to more than swing states; in fact, the outcome appears to rest on these 21 microcommunities. / The New York Times [+]

Elon Musk's $1 million daily sweepstakes for Pennsylvanians promising to vote Republican is "either an incentive for someone to vote or it's a reward. And either way, it violates federal law." / NPR

See also: The misery of living in a swing state during election season. / The New York Times [+]

"This key is awarded if the candidate can persuade the public that they are conscious." The real 13 keys for winning the White House. / McSweeney's

As if this year's US election wasn't already chaotic enough, the FBI has arrested a man planning an election day attack on behalf of the Islamic State. / The Guardian

Laugh about Trump's ridiculous dance party all you want, but the kitschy nostalgia is exactly in line with the world his supporters long for. / Intelligencer

In a dispatch from a prisoner, the horror of Texas's containment cages. (Content warning.) / Slate

This year's flu shot doesn't protect against a once-common influenza strain that now appears to have been eradicated through Covid distancing and masking. / NPR

In an interesting comparison of median home values and median incomes, these are the most and least exclusive communities for homebuyers in America. / The Hustle

An "unusually narrow" skyscraper—at only one apartment wide, or 22.5 meters—could be going up in downtown Dubai. / Dezeen

See also: "The Neom giga-project in Saudi Arabia is currently using one fifth of all the steel produced in the world." / AGBI

Unrelated: "it is time to commit to building the largest physically possible space telescope." / Palladium

Kurt Vonnegut once designed a board game, General Headquarters, that is finally available, some 70 years after it was originally conceived. / Open Culture

Amazon says it will be getting rid of those plastic inflatable air pillows by the end of the year, but the plastic blue-and-white mailers may be sticking around for a while. / Grist

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On the Sunday of the Holy Cross, Fr. Pat explains that it was the fear of death that Jesus faced while praying in the garden.

Lots of prayers say we should "fear God." Does that mean we should be terrified of Him? How can we fear God and love Him?

In both of these Gospels St. Peter gets out of the boat. Would you? Matthew 14:22-34, John 21:7

Following Janey Godley on her 2023 tour as she discusses her life in comedy.

More than 30 public toilets in Ceredigion could close to cut costs.

The new Labour government is expected to announce spending cuts and tax rises in Wednesday's Budget.

The planning inspector said the proposal would "overwhelm" the manor house the hotel is based in.

Somerset Council says the upgrade work on Hurdle Way is vital for pedestrians and cyclists.

Sir Lee Pearson says he fears noise emanating from a new storage building will impact his training.

Councillor Ruth Houghton says the kerosene in the drains is "still flowing" after 10 days.

The Royal Victoria Hotel, which closed in 2015, is due to undergo emergency repairs.

Residents say they are scared by wet weather after their homes flood multiple times.

Managers were "disbelieving" of concerns that nurse Lucy Letby could be harming babies, an inquiry hears.

Former prime minister Imran Khan gestures as he addresses supporters during a rally in Karachi, April 16, 2022. — ReutersSome PTI leaders sitting abroad pressing for do-or-die protest. Some firebrand leaders fear it may damage party and its cause.PTI info secy admits to presence...

"Deep inside, all candidates think about winning and losing -- but the latter is suppressed. This unleashes a lot of energy. It's also the time where candidates stop sleeping and campaign day and night. It's another way of dealing with the fear of losing that you don't want to leave any stone unturned," campaign consultant Louis Perron said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.

Learn the rolls fear and faith play in the work we do and the financial blessings we receive from God.

Learn why we Christians live in both fear and faith, how to understand this relationship and use it to accomplish our mission for Christ.

Fear. In my experience, and from what I’ve seen in other people’s lives, fear is a decision maker. For many of us it has made too many decisions. It has ruled our lives, our thought processes, and our actions. There are obviously different types of fears; rational and irrational, healthy and unhealthy. It’s the fear of things that haven’t happened yet that keep many people up at night. And that is not the kind of life Jesus promised. 

We’ve all heard the sermons about how God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, right? He gave us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, but why do we so easily forget this? As a worship leader/music director I’ve found that one of my biggest fears has been a fear of failure. A fear of looking stupid or not living up to the hype. It’s in these struggles with that kind of fear that I realized that I was trying to lean on so much of my strengths, that I wasn’t leaning on God as much. I was trying to figure out everything on my own. I was leaning on my own understanding…and in that, I realized that slowly a fear of failure had crept in. It wasn’t God’s fault. It was my own. This isn’t the only fear people deal with.

Many others deal with a fear of the unknown. Whether it’s moving to a new city, a new job, and new anything…people can get caught up in the whirlwind that is the unknown. The unknown affects a lot of people. In my life I have encountered many different types of people. I’ve met people who are very strategic. Everything is carefully planned out and the outcomes are able to almost be a sure thing. Fear can creep in if things don’t go as planned. Then there are people like me who prefer the spontaneous. The people who don’t have to have every detail of their life planned out. Typically this is a sign of a creative type person…and that’s me. However, fear can also creep in if we feel confined. Say we have to get a regular job. The fear of never reaching our full potential can cripple our creativity.

The common denominator is that when fear sets in, for most people, it changes their actions. They start to rely more on their own ways than to press into what God has. For me, prayer has been my lifeline during seasons of the unknown. To be in a season where you’re not sure what the next move needs to be can be scary, but I’ve learned to trust God. I’ve seen His hand move so many times in my life that I’m not afraid anymore to take a step of faith even if I’m not exactly sure what the next step is. 

Can you imagine what God would do through you if you stopped letting fear control your actions? Now, this isn’t a free pass to just go do something crazy. The Bible gives us clarity in that we must lean on His understanding. To trust in Him and to seek His righteousness. All I’m trying to get at is, fear of a lion is a healthy fear. Fear of not being good enough isn’t. It’s those fears that will keep many people from the destinies that God has called them into. It’s time to dream again, let those lungs breathe again. Stop allowing the voice of fear to be louder than the voice of God. 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.  2 Timothy 1:7

Voluntary sector providers of local authority services say ideology must not hamper effective service provision

Houston — Filipino seafarers often delay or completely avoid medical care – despite their rights to it under maritime law – for fear of retaliation from employers, including potentially losing their jobs, results of a recent study show.

Geneva — Nearly a quarter of workers worldwide have endured workplace violence or harassment, but only half of the victims discuss their experiences, results of a recent survey show.

Bannockburn, IL — Around 1 out of 4 health care workers don’t feel safe on the job, according to the results of a recent survey.

Washington — More than 1 out of 6 female truck drivers experience harassment or discrimination daily, while almost a quarter have left the industry over personal safety concerns, a new report finds.

Children's Geographies; 10/01/2022
(AN 159948775); ISSN: 14733285
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