Orthodixie

Fr. Joseph tells of his recent visit to a psychiatrist and his annual struggle with The Guess Who.

Fr. Joseph recounts holding Easter colored chicks... holding a BB gun, his eye on a sparrow... and later, standing outside in the rain wearing a ball cap, oven mitts and holding a napkin-covered lacrosse stick, chanting, "Here birdie, birdie, birdie." Yes, this week's podcast is for the birds.

Fr. Joseph tackles the subject of "place" -- where we come from and where we're headed.  Your departed mom, your dad, sister, brother or spouse:  they are on that mysterious journey.  It’s only a better place if Love is there … let’s pray that includes all of us.

Fr. Joseph encounters Bible floppers, hip-hoppers, and mountain toppers in his quest to discover ... What It Takes.

Fr. Joseph reports on this year’s Lenten Superlative Awards Banquet at St. Kismet in Gethsemane Falls. Last year’s gala saw a total of 13 awards being presented to the best and worst participants in the Great Fast.  This year's big celeb is, ahem, a no brainer!

So tell us, Father Joseph—just how did the Resurrection of our Lord get mixed up with bunnies, chocolate, and eggs?

Fr. Joseph's way of saying, "Pardon me while I slip into something a little more... serious."

Letters have been pouring into the Orthodixie headquarters over the past week, many of them dealing with what can only be said and not written.  You’ve all no doubt heard it, it is pronounced ******** (or EIEIO).  Fr Joseph tries to allay fears [of EIEIO] while assuring us that "this, too, shall pass."

Fr Joseph quotes Chicago, Kevorkian, Ben Franklin, St Paul and Hallmark in making a case for April Fools.

Much like the pains of labor endured by a mother bearing a child, sometimes our journey back to healing is a painful one. And yet, the joy that comes with the new birth is far greater -- inexplicably greater -- than that which our cold heart endured. In the meantime, we must begin where we are.

Fr Joseph, struggling toward humility in the first week of the Fast, tells of his first visit to Fasters Anonymous... and their curious theme song.

Fr Joseph reveals one of his Lenten pet peeves: “Do the best you can.” Do the best you can? Now brothers and sisters, that’s a recipe for failure. Heck, sinner that I am, the best I can is what has got me to where I am! We don’t give an inexperienced bunch of players a ball – with no practice whatsoever – and say, “Okay, it’s game time. Do the best you can.” No. We practice and practice and practice. We fall down, get back up; struggle to do better.

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourself, it’s almost that time; time to cue your favorite theme song for the upcoming Lenten Fast! Perhaps the theme song from Star Wars? Or maybe we could sing a fasting song, during this election year, to the tune of "Hail to the Chief?" Then again, there’s always the Beverly Hillbillies ...

This week, Fr Joseph gets real: "The thing about Confession is that it is natural. That is, it is Real. Almost everything else we do with our sin is false and unnatural. We punish ourselves, justify our actions, and hide. Yet, in Confession -- in opening ourselves to God the Light -- we expose the hypocrisy of our double life. In truth, we've been living a lie. Without Confession, Absolution, and Reconciliation we live a lie before God and Man as if it were Reality. In reality, no one is fooled -- not our neighbor, not ourselves. And, let's be real, certainly not God."

This week's podcast is taken from the book, "One Flew Over the Onion Dome" – any similarities to your own parish, bishop or jurisdiction is purely intentional. Orthodoxy not available in all states. In your area, it may only be available in a foreign language – in which case, your mileage may vary …

Fr Joseph reviews the rules of life, particularly Murphy's Law and its variants, and and then provides us with a rule we can all live with.

Fr Joseph, with help from Fr Thomas Hopko and Elder Porphyrios, delves into the malady known as Nojoyatall.

No matter what you call your grandparents, go to Church Camp, write home, and beware the Mama Eater.

A brief history of the coffee hour, with some suggestions about how best to use the time as you sip your morning brew!

The Theophany and House Blessings. What happens in the service, in our homes, and in our lives.

Fr. Joseph discusses his introduction to, and the Church's teaching about, St. Joseph the Betrothed.

Every year at this time we reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas. Fr. Huneycutt shows us from Holy Scripture and from the Church Fathers that Christmas is all about .... clothing!

Just a few more days until the Nativity feast. With the fast, the shopping, the preparations....how are you doin'? Let us prepare? Yes. But regardless of how prepared we are, let us be thankful.

Fr. Joseph sets out on a search for the Baby Jesus.

Fr. Joseph talks to us about Santa Claus in his son's—and in his own—imagination.

Today Fr. Joseph answers the questions sent in by listeners on the subject of fasting.

You know how strange dreams can be when you're not sleeping in your own bed? Well this one ranks up there with the strangest but, as usual, Fr. Joseph has a very practical application.

It is only September, but stores are already displaying their Halloween "goods." What are we to make of this holiday as Orthodox Christians?

Today, Fr. Joseph is reading his fan mail and coming across some interesting questions!

Be inspired by the phenomenal story of St. Moses the Black: a model for us all no matter the color of our "sin."

Listen as Fr. Joseph takes the long journey from Elvis to Church history. You really can get there from here!

Fr. Joseph speaks from hot and muggy Houston about the theology of elevators. Going up?

Who knew they were a protected species? Apparently not St. George!

We all have the tendency of turning a small concern into a full-scale worry.

Children, parents and grandparents - whatever condition we find ourselves in, God knows and understands.

What's in a name? Our names represent our families and we are family through the blood of Christ.

Honey, Mead, Old Age and John the Baptist. You'll just have to listen to get the connection.

Honk 40 times if you are Orthodox!

The Great Commission just doesn't apply to us, right?

My age is the right age and it increases annually.

The legend of Subdeacon Andrew and how to obtain an Orthodox mind.

Say what? Listen to this whimsical story about book sales, fake creatures and the birth of The Church.

Christ is Risen and He is Ascended! What can we say? Hallelujah!

If Christ can make eyeballs out of spit and clay, He can take care of you!

Fools and their gold are soon parted.

What do you get when you mix the language and culture of the South with the long and rich heritage of the "Old Country?" Get ready to smile!

The legend of Sunshine Boy and his lesson in humility.

You have to listen to get the connection. Hint: Men and Women are just different!

Sometimes we can be just too impressed with our own words.

In some cases a good old fashion paddling is in order. Fr. Joseph explains.

Communication can be difficult given our various places of origin but this particular message from the New Testament was unmistakable.