Approaching the Wardrobe

In this final episode, Jeff lets Saint Theophan guide us concerning the conversion process and the need people have for Orthodoxy.

Caught in the California interstate blowout, Jeff shares some more thoughts from Elder Thaddeus.

Blessed are the pure in heart as they come home to Orthodoxy.

Jeff fields some questions from listeners related to balance, limitations in orthodox prayer, youth, and ethnic church hindrances.

Enjoying what we have is not enough.

Preparation is everything in Orthodoxy.

Here’s a shot of light and life in the Holy Spirit.

The sacramental world we often ignore is exposed through real events.

The lack of apostolic ecclesiology affects everything.

Our own deepest intuitions about life fit the truths of the Christian faith.

What else can make sense of human history and our longings, except for God’s redemptive plan?

Let’s strengthen our faith with some reasons to believe. The Christian faith is based on real happenings and real people.

Great is the mystery of our salvation—especially in Orthodoxy.

A sketchy attempt to discuss how much our unified movements help people make the most of a liturgy.

Many think it’s strange that we call ourselves sinners so much and bear unnecessary guilt. Jeff attempts to explain why.

How can we deal with the void that appears when our infatuation with Orthodoxy diminishes?

Our spirit and demeanor is everything in handling the mysteries of orthodoxy.

C’mon back into Narnia!

How does joy fit into all this?

Rollin’ with Willie, Saint Anthony, and Saint John Cassian . . .

Do we need external quiet to have internal quiet? Jeff shares wisdom from Elder Paisios on the subject.

Gospel insights reveal how we can prepare for Christ’s coming.

The Nativity season brings it all home.

"Huh?"

The seeming complexity of the Orthodox Church can cloud our remembrance of the Gospel.

What good is baptism if it’s just a symbol or a public statement?

The more truth we learn, the more we feel the deceptions in our midst, on every level. How can we deal with it all?

When we pray, are we trying to shut everything out or bring it in?

It’s tempting to skirt the real work of sanctification by treating Orthodoxy like it’s a magic potion.

This fast and feast is hard to understand until, like much of the Orthodox faith, it is followed and engaged.

In Orthodoxy we seem to always be faced with the account of someone’s death. Jeff ponders the question, “How come?”

What causes us to lose our faith? On retreat, Jeff discusses devotional life and the necessity of the Orthodox “prayer of the heart.”

Jeff reflects on the sublime beauty of how everyone in Orthodoxy is addressed by their first name.

Our social media habits can easily choke out our prayer life and meaningful interaction with people. Thoughts from Metropolitan Anthony Bloom remind us of our need to live from the inner life outward.

While navigating the cyber world, how much should we close “the doors, the doors” on the treasures of the ancient faith? What should we be sharing, and is “online orthodoxy” even possible? Throw “Orthodox Pug” a bone on Facebook.

Unbelief can lead us to solidify why we can trust the Apostolic Orthodox Church.

This discussion with a returning guest explores how the highly accessible spiritual life in Orthodoxy prevents boring liturgical repetition.

After tying up some loose ends from the previous episode, Jeff shares thoughts from Saint Anthony the Great identifying the spiritual battles going on in our souls in the Orthodox life.

The humble heart of Pope Francis and memories of John Paul II have Jeff contemplating good things in Catholicism, but also why there is a certain “heaviness” to it and why he became Eastern Orthodox instead.

Many have misconceptions about the Great Fast. Our ascetic efforts are simply meant to lead us to the blessed state that comes from having a softened heart toward God. Jeff shares thoughts from His Eminence Archbishop Joseph’s visit to his parish and the book The Lenten Spring.

Continuing with thoughts from the book The Sacrament of Love and imagery from Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, Jeff contemplates the unique value of womanhood in our lives.

The redemptive role of the female is an often overlooked treasure in the life of the Orthodox Church. Inspired by thoughts from the author Paul Evdokimov and the film The Kid with a Bike, Jeff shares thoughts on the beauty of womanhood and motherhood in the ancient Christian faith.

“Where did all these positions come from?” is a question many ponder concerning the Orthodox Church. Jeff contrasts the modern crisis of authority in Christianity with the Biblical roles of authority.

The Mother of God is an uncomfortable subject for many coming to Orthodoxy. It is necessary to have “a mind for mystery” when it comes to understanding Mary, the Theotokos. Jeff looks for the mind of the early church in this episode.

Close communion with the saints was normal in the Apostolic Church. Ante-Nicene Christian records demonstrate that the practice of honoring and appealing to the saints have been accepted since the beginning.

Apostolic tradition guided the early believers. This is the foundation for modern Orthodox Christianity as well.

“Counting the cost” is a difficult step in following Christ and in coming to Orthodoxy. Contemplating Bilbo Baggins's calling and decision, Jeff explores how we have to suffer, and how we will be greatly rewarded.

Drawing on the opening chapter of The Hobbit, Jeff explores the theme of “uncomfortable Orthodoxy.”

The example of His Beatitude Ignatius IV and the wisdom from Mother Raphaela inspire thoughts on healthy obedience and leadership.

Who said sanctification would be easy?

Walloped by unexpected trauma, Jeff contemplates the love of Christ found in the Orthodox Church.