the creator of A Short Hike relaunched his charming interactive ghost town where players design and share jack-o-lanterns #

in some cases, Meta is automatically creating the pages #

a useful case study given the current debacle stemming from WordPress's "benevolent dictator for life" model #

short fiction about "the near future of art and creative work" #

On September 8, the Church sings that the Nativity of the Theotokos has “proclaimed joy to the whole universe”. It is easy enough to sing, but somewhat harder now for us to understand. Why, we may ask, did the birth of a baby girl in around 18 B.C. or so proclaim joy to the whole inhabited world?

Recently I heard a very dark and serious song about the judgment of God and His wrath against sinners. It was the folk song “Great God Almighty’s Gonna Cut You Down” (accessed here). I was not aware of the song before; apparently it is an American folk song. The oracular Wikipedia informs me that it was first recorded by the Golden Gate Quartet in 1946 and issued in 1947 by the Jubalairies, and since then has been covered by a variety of singers in country, folk, electronic, and black metal genres, including such singers as Johnny Cash, Tom Jones, and Elvis Presley. It takes some imagination to contemplate someone singing both about blue suede shoes and the wrath of God, but that’s America for you.

Thousands of years ago when I was an Evangelical Protestant in the Anglican Church, I never prayed to the saints or asked for their intercession. It was made quite clear to me by those around me that obedient Christians never did that and that prayer to the saints (especially to Mary) was idolatry of the worst sort and consequently provoked the ire of the Most High. Catholics, of course, prayed to Mary and the saints, but real Christians didn’t. Even when I got out more and grew a bit and realized Catholics were real Christians, I still was convinced that they shouldn’t pray to saints, and that prayer to the saints ran the risk of traffic with demons. So much for ecumenism!

Fr. Apostolos shares about real strength from St. Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians.

Fr. Apostolos talks about the theme of light as it relates to the Feast of the Nativity.

Fr. Apostolos helps to prepare us for Great Lent with reflections on the humility of the Publican.

Fr. Apostolos shares about the Ladder of Divine Ascent.

Fr. Apostolos reminds us to be who we are—the light of the world.

Fr. Apostolos shares from the first epistle from Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. "Trying to overcome our passions, we often feel like our best is not going to be good enough. If that's the case, you should take heart, because you are not the first, nor will you be the last. You are not alone in that feeling."

Fr. Apostolos shares from the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Fr. Apostolos reflects on the story of the Blind Man (John 9:1-38), and how it should remind us not to become spiritually blinded.

Fr. Apostolos speaks of the Light of Christ as the only light capable of dispelling the darkness we witness in the world around us today.

Fr. Apostolos discusses the importance of remembering the love of Christ in our lives, and that we are good enough.

Fr. Apostolos Hill preaches about All Saints' Day and what it means to be not of this world, or, Aghios. He reminds us of the distinction of being in this world but not of this world and the importance of striving to be Aghios each day.

What should we do when thoughts come? The Psalms will help wash your heart of the distractions and you will reach the point where you can pray better.

Scott Hanselman and his wife will be joining the walk for diabetes on May 6 2006. They've set a goal of raising $10,000 for this event and could use your help in reaching that goal. I encourage all of you to go to Scott's blog to find out more about this worthy cause, or go directly to diabetes.org to make... (64 words)

Sermon on the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost (II Cor 6:1-10; Luke 6:31-36)

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

On the great feast of Theophany, God shines the light of the Truth, in the person of Christ, to the whole world. Fr Tom reminds us that we also are individually given the gift of this light through our renewal, by virtue of our baptism.

The cross of Christ is the ultimate sign of God's love for his creatures. Fr Thomas reminds us that the cross is also a sign of the path that awaits us: our own cross. (Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross)

The feast of Theophany heralds the light which overcomes all darkness. Fr. Thomas reminds us that this darkness, which is present in many places in our life, is destroyed by the truth and life of Christ himself.

The Parable of the Talents is a rich but difficult story, calling everyone who has been given gifts in God's vineyard to the responsibility of growth. On the Sunday of their parish's annual meeting, Fr Thomas delivers a pointed and challenging message to his congregation, reminding them that no one is exempt from accountability in matters concerning church life, since we are all individually members of the one body of Christ.

On the first Sunday after Pentecost, the feast of All Saints, Fr Thomas teaches us that, because we are created in the image of God, we have the calling to become Saints who have grown in the likeness of God.

One day after the horrendous killings of 11 Jewish worshippers in a Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Fr Thomas gives a sobering reflection from the reading of the Sunday: the exorcism of the Gadarene demoniac.

Christmas is indeed a time to enjoy the delight of children during the feast. Fr Thomas teaches us to also remember yet another great gift of Christmas: we become children of God.

Fr Thomas reminds us of the value of learning to deepen our faith.

As soon as our Lord is born in Bethlehem, the Scriptures record that the evil one is working through Herod to destroy him. Fr Thomas reminds us that the darkness will always fight against the Light, but we can choose our path wisely.

We're all familiar with the high priestly prayer of Christ, but what are its implications for us here and now? How does it dictate our worship, our service, our unity? Listen as Fr. Tom unpacks the prayer of our Lord.

Fr. Tom greets us on the blessed feast of the Nativity to remind us that only in the light of Christ can we find true fulfillment.

Calling upon commentary from St. John Chrysostom on the Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee, Fr. Tom spurs us on to win the race by lightening our spiritual chariots with humility.

Listen as Fr. Tom unpacks the overflowing implications of Pascha - the eternal eighth day, the resurrected body, and St. Thomas.

On the Sunday of the Blind Man, Fr. Tom discusses what it means to walk in darkness and in the light, and how we must have the truth born in us by being made a new creation in Christ.