By Fr. John Breck From the website of the Orthodox Church in America, from October 1, 2009 Change the date of publication, and ‘H1N1’ to ‘COVID 19’ and this could have been published this morning. A huge amount of controversy has arisen recently over the way Christians receive Holy Communion, particularly in the wake of … Continue reading Regarding Disease and Holy Communion
health
Reframing
As many of you know I’ve fought a battle against excess weight most of my adult life. This is not a fun existence, but it’s just one of my crosses and shared by many other people, so I’m hardly unique. I engage in emotional eating which (for me) means I eat when I’m stressed. I’m … Continue reading Reframing
The week’s end
(Patient in the ambulance) I’m exhausted, but there’s not really any good reason for it. Father took Duchess up to Dallas so she could surprise her boyfriend for his birthday. That’s a generous man, right there. They’ll be back tomorrow. This week we did the Canon of St. Andrew Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and the … Continue reading The week’s end
Trip to Holy Archangels
Yesterday we drove over to Holy Archangels Monastery near Kendalia, TX. It was an absolutely lovely day! The only thing to mar it was Mittens running into a cactus with her foot. One of the spines went through her shoe into the instep. It was obviously very painful but by this morning we were afraid … Continue reading Trip to Holy Archangels
Workout Playlist
The Obvious Stuff More Than a Feeling - Boston Eye of the Tiger - Survivor Man in Motion - St. Elmo's Fire Footloose - Kenny Loggins Dynamite - Taio Cruz Karma Chameleon - Culture Club The Final Countdown - Europe Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi Sweet Child 'O Mine - Guns and Roses … Continue reading Workout Playlist
Dieting Non-Advice
As you may remember me mentioning recently, I lost 50 pounds last year. Actually, I've lost 55. I'd like to make that 60, but those last few are yo-yo-ing up and down. Surprisingly I'm not too bothered by it. I suppose if I were more bothered, I would put more effort into losing them, but … Continue reading Dieting Non-Advice
Somehow I doubt this was an accident…
Post-New Year Bits and Pieces
Well, God honored my fervent plea that we not be sick for Christmas. So we're sick starting New Year's. Ah well. I landed in Houston Friday afternoon, finally met Father (worst directions to vehicle pickup from arrivals I've ever seen), and collapsed. I went straight to bed and didn't really get out until yesterday. Poor … Continue reading Post-New Year Bits and Pieces
Morning Watch
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in thy words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate upon thy promise. [Ps. 119:147-8] I woke a little after 3:00 and frequently thereafter when Aunt Susan coughed. A little after 4:00 she actually opened her eyes and … Continue reading Morning Watch
God’s time
Sometimes you enter into God's time for a space, when normalcy slips aside and you are present from moment to moment, without future expectation or plans. I am in the lovely lobby of the inpatient hospice where my aunt is a patient. I spent all day yesterday on planes, in a rented car, checking into … Continue reading God’s time
