Part three of a three-part series based upon the book titled, The Gift of Pain, by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.

Frederica enjoys shopping for clothes at her local re-sale shops and has found it to be a good way to save and conserve. She also reflects on the clothing industry in general: where are they made and under what conditions?

Fr. Thomas starts with a review of the Gospel reading of Mark for the Fourth Sunday of Lent and transitions to the Fifth Sunday explaining how reigning with our Lord is dependent on suffering with him.

How does Orthodoxy view the gifts of the Holy Spirit and in particilar the phenomenon of speaking in tongues? Fr. Thomas Hopko explores the New Testament teaching on the charismatic gifts.

Fr. Tom has received several e-mails asking about the development of the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy. In this 2 part talk, he gives us the history and elements of this well-loved service of the Church.

In part 2 of Fr. Tom's reflection on the Pre-Santified Liturgy, he talks about a mis-guided practice from the previous centuries of denying the gifts to children or the mentally impaired.

Fr Joseph preaches at St Joseph/Houston to nine men in black on the Third Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Cross -- and the Quarantine. (On this particular Sunday, the temple chairs have all been removed to facilitate scaffolding/icon installation.)

Fr. John shares his homily from the Sunday of the Holy Fathers.

Fr. John shares about humbly using our spiritual gifts, from Romans 12:1-13. Please note: "At one point in the sermon I mentioned Arsenius the Athonite, but actually meant to refer to the Elder Paisios, and the book I referred to is http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Paisios-Mount-Athos-Isaac/dp/960897643X"

Fr. John Whiteford focuses on another of the Psalms of Ascent, Psalm 122:1-4.

Why do we forget all the beautiful things God teaches us in our life? How come we cannot hold on and remember all the advice God speaks to our hearts, either in prayer or through the people and circumstances of our lives?

On this Sunday, Fr. Andrew speaks of the greatest gift he ever received from his parents, the gift of a Christian identity.

What are the obstacles we face that are inhibiting our joy? Fr. Nick and Dr. Roxanne help us understand how to remove those obstacles with the realization that "through the cross, joy has come into all the world."

Fr. John Oliver reflects on suffering.

GGWB gave its time in this episode over to its sponsor: Anaxios Gifts! From the Tin-Foil Skufia to a book of feel-good homilies to the "Beards of Love" charity, Anaxios has it all! Tired of acrimonious debates about patriarchal show downs? So were we, so we went double-dog silly on this one. Operators are standing by; enjoy the show!

In Homily 43, St. Isaac speaks of three areas of ‘discipline,’ or areas in which we must guide or rule our life. Proper discipline in these areas leads to purity. These three areas are bodily discipline, leading to purification of the body; discipline of the mind, leading to purification of the soul; and spiritual discipline, leading to purification of the mind.

This week the ladies discuss one of Christina’s all-time favorite books, A Swiftly Tilting Planet. They discuss the reality that all things are connected, the healing power of the transcendent, and the habitual sticking power of every virtuous (or vicious) decision we make. They close with their Top 5 Books from Childhood.

The girls discuss Taylor Swift's newest album, touching on themes such as how growing up changes your perspective, how we grow aware of our own failings, and how love fills the background of much of our lives.

Fr. John Parker reflects on the services of Bridegroom Matins.

Professor Humphrey here tackles the difficult passage of Romans 10:1-10, showing that it echoes Deuteronomy 30. Here we see the mistake of interpreting the religion of Israel as a cold and legalistic religion of laws, and are called to generosity of spirit in praying for all who do not know Christ, including the Jewish people, whom St. Paul declares to be “beloved for the sake of their forefathers.”

Consider this difficult story (Matthew 15: 21-28) of Jesus ‘refusing’ to help, and consider the mercy, rather than the fairness of our mysterious and compassionate Lord. The Fathers and the Old Testament help us through this awkward gospel reading.

We read the well-known story of Matthew 8:28-9:1, appointed for this week’s Divine Liturgy, with special attention to the phenomenon of demon possession. Though the Old Testament has little to say about demons, it prepares us for the great miracle of the Incarnation, in which God visits us intimately, making us his own. Possession may be seen as the pale imitation of this mighty visitation, in which Satan and his emissaries try to draw near to us in destruction—but are vanquished by the Author of all goodness.

This coming Sunday, we read Hebrews 9:11-14, which speaks about how Jesus our Lord has cleansed our consciences. We understand these verses with the help of St. John Chrysostom, Leviticus 16, and Jeremiah 31:33.

We consider the first of the Lamp-lighting Psalms, Psalm 140 (MT141), with the help of select Church fathers, and in the light of Numbers 16; 2 Corinthians 5:21-6:1; Romans 5:1-2, and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-4.

Bearing the Saint, Chapter fifteen, by Donna Farley (Conciliar Press, 2010).

Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke, illustrated by Bonnie Gillis (Conciliar Press, 2006), Chapters fifteen and sixteen.

Stranger Moon, a novel by Heather Zydek, Chapter fifteen (Moth Wing Press, 2012).

Children’s Bible Reader, part fifteen, 2006, Greek Bible Society, Scripture Quotations taken from Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1995, American Bible Society. Used by permission. Illustrations by Martha Kapetanakou-Xinopoulou. "Water from the rock" "Moses on Mount Sinai" "The Ten Commandments" "The golden calf"

The Nightmare Tree: A Tale of Mysterion, Chapter fifteen by Richard Rene (Coteau Books for Kids, 2007).

The Edge of Mysterion, Chapter Fifteen, by Richard Rene (Conciliar Press, 2011)

A Gift for Matthew, written by Nick Muzekari, illustrated by Masha Lobastov, Ancient Faith Publishing (2014)

The Gift: A Story of Saint Onuphrius the Great, by Stefania Carmen Bray, illustrated by Masha Lobastov (Panagia Press, 2015).

Vanessa The Wonderworker, Chapter Fifteen, written and illustrated by Grace Brooks. Available on Amazon

27. Book 1: Your Special Gift by Max Lucado (Crossway Books, 2006). Copyright© Used with permission by Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187 Book 2: From I-ville to You-ville by Mersine Vigopoulou part five (Uncut Mountain Press, 2006)

Fr. Ted reflects upon the story of Peter walking on the water to Jesus.

Fr. Ted calls us to put to use one of the most powerful tools that we have in fighting the passions—fasting!

Touching upon all the gifts that the season of Great Lent offers for spiritual growth, Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers four reflections on the emergence of life through suffering, brokenness, and death. With astute attention to the teachings of Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. John centers on the necessity of dying for true life in Christ—life eternal—to emerge.

Touching upon all the gifts that the season of Great Lent offers for spiritual growth, Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers four reflections on the emergence of life through suffering, brokenness, and death. With astute attention to the teachings of Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. John centers on the necessity of dying for true life in Christ—life eternal—to emerge.

Touching upon all the gifts that the season of Great Lent offers for spiritual growth, Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers four reflections on the emergence of life through suffering, brokenness, and death. With astute attention to the teachings of Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. John centers on the necessity of dying for true life in Christ—life eternal—to emerge.

Touching upon all the gifts that the season of Great Lent offers for spiritual growth, Fr. John Behr, Dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, delivers four reflections on the emergence of life through suffering, brokenness, and death. With astute attention to the teachings of Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. John centers on the necessity of dying for true life in Christ—life eternal—to emerge.

To see ourselves as God sees us is real truth and part of that is to see ourselves as sinners when revealed by the divine light. Dn. Michael Hyatt is teaching through How to Be a Sinner by Dr. Peter Bouteneff.

Fr. Roberto reflects on one of his experiences with the people that go to the mission for help.

More stories from volunteers at the mission.

In today's generation, we do better to remain poor and in need of healing, but together in Christ; than to be healed alone and segregated through disunity. The community is learning this while walking with people like Judy.

Puzzled about what to give the foodies on your list? Join Martha for some gift ideas that can meet every skill level and interest and possibly keep you out of the mall!

Fr. Apostolos Hill addresses the joy of the many gifts Jesus gives us and how to combat our forgetfulness in sometimes taking them for granted.

Sermon on the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (Romans 12:6-14; Matthew 9:1-8)