In this week's episode, we are challenged by the Gospel of John, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit for apart from me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5)  

Mariam Haddad, successful entrepreneur, community supporter, and devoted mother, shares her encounter with the pruning shears wielded by the Lord. In the solitude of the pandemic, she gives up her grandiose plans for her children and business and loses every possession in the Houston freeze. Mariam glorifies God for this new season of repentance by which the dead branches of pride and personal agendas are pruned and cut away. 

​Read the full episode transcript here.​

As Christians, we claim to have one Lord and Master, one Heavenly King. But is it possible that we betray that allegiance when we seek earthly powers to govern us? As Americans, we're told that our vote matters. Politicians from all sides appeal to the Christians in this land by promising to represent our values. We want a leader who will protect us, serve us, and let's face it, agree with us. Just like the people of Israel who first cried for a king, we want a ruler over us that we also "may be like all the nations and that our King may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles." (1 Sam. 8:20) Be careful what you wish for!

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The wife of a clergyman, respectfully called Preoteasă, Matushka, Khouria, Presbytera, or Popadija in various Orthodox traditions, serves a unique supporting role in a parish community. Preoteasă Lillian Lupu, author of Helpful Hints for Orthodox Clergy Wives, explores the tremendous responsibility the wife of a clergyman carries in supporting her husband, their family, and the extended church community. 

The episode's title conveys a double meaning. "Supporting" describes the clergy wife in her role, and it explores how the laity can support these women who are constantly called upon to serve and sacrifice for the sake of the community. Rather than offering suggestions and critique, support is better offered by extending the mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

​Read the full episode transcript here.​

As the world begins to reopen, we have choices to make about engaging the world around us. Fr. Timothy Lowe shares two strange and contrasting stories - one where fear and suspicion leads to rejection and another where trust and a posture of hospitality leads to a joyous feast with a stranger. He likens these stories to the shushing crowds who refuse to engage the blind beggar in Luke's gospel; unlike Jesus who attends to his faithful cry.

These stories help servant leaders within the Lord's household to reconsider our "target audiences," those "customer profiles" we find worthy to engage our services, products, and events.

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Imagine starting a new project where the leader and the entire chain of command is on the same page, inspiring everyone to contribute cooperatively and efficiently to the cause. Now imagine that this cause is not the Lord's cause. 

While the young King Josiah leads his people in a faithfully-executed temple repair campaign, the Book of the Law is discovered within the temple treasury. The Book of the Law presents itself as the true treasure and offers a new chance for Israel to get on the same page - quite literally - of Deuteronomistic reforms which is Israel's only hope amidst destruction and pending exile.  

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In this January season of performance reviews and annual meetings, we turn to the Prophet Amos who conducts a performance review of all the nations. No one is righteous. No not one. Neither does scrutinizing one's neighbor and escaping their sins by comparison make one righteous. The Prophet Amos helps servant leaders put today's performance reviews into perspective for the one that truly counts on the Last Day. 

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When there's already nothing to eat, held captive in a land destroyed by locusts, drought and fire, the Prophet Joel delivers a message to sanctify a fast. Old Testament scholar, Richard Benton, PhD, discusses how the message of Joel is critical for any leader today to sanctify even failure, ruin, and devastation unto the Lord. 

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Today's leaders are nearly spent. Many of our priests, parents, teachers, healthcare workers, and business leaders are pushed to do more with fewer resources. When will it end?

While it may be tempting to turn to a book like Lamentations for a dose of consolation, if we listen carefully to the entire text, the scripture warns us through poetry crafted to break our hearts of stone. Rather than lamenting the destruction of that which is temporary and built by our own hands, the biblical writer laments Israel's disobedience. Lamentations is merciful in its warning and is followed by Ezekiel's hope that God would grant a heart of flesh so that we might walk according to His commandments.

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Blessed Feast of the Nativity and of the Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ on this new year's day, 2022!

This holiday season we remember those who have led by example. The best leaders on the path of righteousness lead not by their own examples, relying on their own strength and resources. Instead they point to the Lord's instruction and examples of obedience, like the Theotokos who responded, "I am the Lord's servant. Be it unto me according to thy word!" (Luke 1:38)

May the prayer of 2022 be for all who serve in the Lord's household, "Not my will, but Thine be done!"

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Who among us doesn't like a bit of recognition, a pat on the back for effort and a job well done? Fr. Timothy Lowe emphasizes the relational aspects of trust and mercy as he unfolds the ego-busting lesson in Luke's gospel. "So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we've only done what was our duty.'" (Luke 17:10) Ultimately, it's not just about doing the basics, but about going the extra mile.

Read the full episode transcript here.