I truly appreciate this talk. Mainly, hearing someone who is ahead of me in life who can speak to a lot of what's happening in my life, and isn't afraid to say the truth even if it doesn't "sound Orthodox".
Especially liked the advice on fasting mindset. Im the only Orthodox person in my home, so that can be tricky.
It is hard to navigate the "real world" when the popular standard of "real Orthodoxy" is the unreal world of monastic disciplines done in a setting that is structured around those disciplines and there are no alternatives but to participate. Sometimes it is a true fast (done out of love for God and family) to fast from fasting and not resent it. Man looks upon the plate, but God looks upon the heart. Thank you and blessed 2025 to you and your house!
I truly appreciate this talk. Mainly, hearing someone who is ahead of me in life who can speak to a lot of what's happening in my life, and isn't afraid to say the truth even if it doesn't "sound Orthodox".
Especially liked the advice on fasting mindset. Im the only Orthodox person in my home, so that can be tricky.
It is hard to navigate the "real world" when the popular standard of "real Orthodoxy" is the unreal world of monastic disciplines done in a setting that is structured around those disciplines and there are no alternatives but to participate. Sometimes it is a true fast (done out of love for God and family) to fast from fasting and not resent it. Man looks upon the plate, but God looks upon the heart. Thank you and blessed 2025 to you and your house!
Needed to hear this. Thank you so much for sharing and may God bless you and your family Steve. Glory to God for all things.