Even though God made us in His image, sin and death can make that hard to see. The challenge of the spiritual life is to break free of the passions that pull us into sin, and instead choose God and good things. The challenge is to heal our hearts, and reveal the image of God in us, so we can become the saints God made us to be.

Have you ever wanted to do something good, and stopped because of doubt? God doesn't knock us over the head: He speaks to us in whispers, the good thoughts that remind us to love God and neighbor. Instead of letting those whispers get drowned out, remember: when you have a good thought, do it immediately.

Christ asked His disciples something personal: "Who do you say that I am?" It's an invitation to do more than answer a question: He's asking us to share our relationship with Him. So who do you say that Christ is? And how is He active in your life? Share your answer and this video!

Our lives are chapters in a greater story. What part are you playing: the all-star athlete, the Greek American, the top of your class? What about the disciple of Christ? This week, let's refocus our lives in God's story, the greater story of salvation.

God is more than an abstract idea. And if He's real, that has important consequences for our lives.

Vestments are more than decorations: they reveal something important about our relationship with God and the role of our clergy.

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?

We can learn things about almost any subject. Yet God doesn't want us to simply know things *about* Him, in an abstract way. He wants us to truly know Him and commune with Him.

You've heard it before: you are what you eat. That's most true when we eat Holy Communion. Christian joins Steve to consider the amazing insights that Fr Alexander Schmemann offers in "For the Life of the World."

Last week, Steve and Christian talked about how receiving Holy Communion forms us into Christ's Body. This week, they reflect on the ways our good habits can build a "second nature" and form us into the people God made us to be.

Who decides what is "bad" vs what is "good?" Is being "good" simply about following the right rules? Dr Timothy Patitsas, author of "The Ethics of Beauty" and Professor at Hellenic College Holy Cross, joins Steve this week!

If we are faithful, does God reward us? Does He promise wealth and blessings? Or is true happiness so much more... Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man, joins Steve at the start of Holy Week.

Have you ever felt pressure about getting into the right school? Getting the right job? "Vocation" is about a lot more than a job. It's about how we respond to God's call. To learn how, Steve is joined by Anna Karos: a graduate of the CrossRoad Summer Institute. crossroadinstitute.org

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Orthodox Christianity is perhaps the best-kept secret in America. Why? And how can we help share the Good News? We'll change the way we think about evangelism and learn two principles that should shape the way we introduce other people to Jesus Christ. Because there’s a close connection between being the Lord’s witnesses and being close to the Lord. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee155

“For Christians, [the Twofold Annointing] means that when a person is genuinely anointed by God’s Holy Spirit, he or she becomes both a king and a sacrificial offering: the two states are inseparable.” (Fr Timothy Patitsas, "The Ethics of Beauty") 2020 has been a rough year. Why does God allow bad things to happen? Why do bad things happen even to good people? People have struggled with theodicy (the problem of evil and suffering) for centuries. To answer that, we'll build on last week's episode and explore what it means to live sacrificially. As Christians, we're anointed by God for eternal life with Him. But that anointing comes with a call to sacrifice for the life of the world. Just like Christ voluntarily laid down His life for us, we can take up this call with joy and thanksgiving. To help you apply what you learn, we'll share a simple formula which we learned from Andy Root that can help you live sacrificially in your everyday life. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee160

“Christ is the one who came in order to do what Adam did not do: to be the priest of creation...not just for the human being, although it was achieved through the human being. Christ came so that the whole world may live, and the human being may become that which he was meant to be when he was created by God, namely the priest of creation.” -Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon Some Christians think the world is bad: that we need to escape our bodies and physical things. But the spiritual life isn't just about the spirit. Matter matters. Our job isn't to abandon the physical world, but to save it. And this is exactly what we see in the great feast of Theophany. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee162

“He who loves humanity fulfills the Law that was writ of old and is brought to the Temple now.” - Stichera of Orthros The People of Israel were commanded to offer everything from the firstfruits of their harvest to their firstborn sons to God. This is just a part of a great cycle of offering: where we give ourselves to God and God gives Himself to us. Let's take a closer look at how Jesus fulfills the Law in the Presentation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And what we can learn from the example of Saints Symeon and Anna. This week, Steve is joined by his cohosts on "3 Men and a Bible," Father Panagioti Boznos and Nick Lionas. ​ As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn. https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee163

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.” (1 Corinthians 6:9) The Prodigal Son left the warmth and safety of his Father's house and joined himself to people that left him empty. And, when he returned, his Older Brother refused to welcome him. We often focus on the incredible mercy that the Father shows (which is important). But it may be more helpful to focus on how both the Prodigal Son and Older Brother forgot who they are. Because we, too, can easily forget that we are children of the Father. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee166

"O Gregory the Miracle Worker, light of Orthodoxy, support and teacher of the Church, comeliness of Monastics, invincible defender of theologians, the pride of Thessalonica, and preacher of grace, intercede forever that our souls may be saved." (Apolytikion for the Sunday of Saint Gregory Palamas) Is it possible to know God? How could a perfect God have anything to do with His imperfection creation? These are some of the questions Saint Gregory Palamas faced in the 14th century. And they're questions the Church faces today. We dedicate the Second Sunday of Great Lent to this important saint because he taught an important theological truth that's at the core of the Christian life: That God is both knowable in His Energies and unknowable in His Essence. And this mystery is shown to us when Jesus heals the paralytic in Mark 2. As always, we've prepared a FREE downloadable workbook to help you act on what you'll learn: https://mailchi.mp/goarch/bethebee170

We've spent the last two episodes exploring how the internet shifts our attention from Christ and makes it harder than ever to be holy. In this episode, we're going to say goodbye by pointing to three things that need to shape the future of our homes and communities. We need to encounter Christ, embody the Church, and engage the world in His name.

Elissa D. Bjeletich, author of In God's Hands - A Mother's Journey Through Her Infant's Critical Illness as well as the AFR podcast Raising Saints, and Elizabeth White, author of Following A Sacred Path - Raising Godly Children, join host Kevin Allen to discuss how to develop the spiritual nature of children and raise them to love and experience God.

1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 So what is at the heart of the Gospel? Did the Resurrection happen?

The Lord speaks of a farmer who spreads his seeds all over his farm - on good and bad soil! We too need to spread His Word over the entire human population - regardless of where we might think the harvest is to be reaped.

The Grace of God! The very presence of God Himself! Together we work with the Lord - Him filling us with Grace and us doing his work and being filled with Grace as a result.

The Two Demonaics were healed by the Lord but the local people asked the Lord to depart from their region. You also maight be very tempted to ask the Lord to leave you as His presence will cause real disruption in your life too.

The Laity of God is called to be the Royal Priesthood. So how might that be lived out? You need to become a world transformer!

What do you think God is like?

Christianity is all about love.

Orthodox Churches are full of Crosses. Want to know why?

Please notice how positive this message is (not like so many so called "Evangelists" of the modern era). Repent and then get on and do some good works in Christ Jesus.

When the Lord calls you—respond quickly and fully—He might not ask you again! Live the faith to the full, attach yourself to Christ and become a fisher of men.

Life or pigs? Roof or health? Job or Christ? The choice is yours!

Strip away all that is filthy of flesh and spirit.

Zaccheus does something unexpected.

The good townsfolk of Jericho, the Pharisee (who did everything just right) and now the obedient and hardworking older brother - none of them went to the party. Ooops!

Don't try this on with God: He doesn't like it. Mark 2:23 - 3:5