Author: Wellsprings

Orthodox Christian convert in the West, longtime teacher of theology, spirituality and prayer.

The Illuminating Grace of the Early Church Fathers

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I first encountered the Early Church Fathers while in Catholic graduate school writing my thesis, and they opened up a whole new world to me. I was amazed at their brilliance, deep spirituality, permeation with scripture, profound beauty – and so prolific! Beautiful teaching, some of which I’d never heard before. And, to my surprise, certain things that appeared to contradict certain things in Catholicism, raising questions in my mind. They were a revelation.

This post is the fourth and final in a short series. Click here to read the introduction.

If I were to choose just one thing that really stands out to me in Orthodox Christianity, which is also the thing that brought me to it, it is reading and studying the Early Church Fathers.

I first became curious about them after becoming Catholic, as the Catholic Church teaches that it is based on scripture and tradition. Tradition meaning the Early Church Fathers, the teachers and defenders of the faith who followed in the footsteps of the Apostles.

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Elijah Flees Jezebel: Weakness or Strength?

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Reading scripture in light of the interpretation of the Early Church Fathers, and in light of the ancient Christian spiritual tradition handed on in the Church, brings out so much meaning. Including in 1 Kings 19, where in the beginning Elijah flees the murderous wrath of Jezebel, and in the end encounters the still, small voice of God. A rich example of patristic and spiritual interpretation that has very personal meaning for our lives.

Scripture reading early in the morning is so beautiful, foundational to my prayer practice for a very long time, nearly 30 years now. And it is inexhaustible. No matter how many times I read it – and I practice cover-to-cover reading, as I was taught as a new Christian in the Evangelical world – I still discover new meaning in it. It is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit and permeated with the infinite Mind of Christ, inside the clothing of human words, as Christ was clothed with human flesh.

Now an Orthodox Christian, I have good bible software that includes several collections and translations of Early Church Fathers that makes it easy to read scripture in light of their interpretation. It’s very helpful. Combined with so many years studying and putting into practice the ancient Christian teaching on prayer and spirituality East and West, it is very easy to see all kinds of spiritual meaning in the teachings of the bible.

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Meditation on Christian Divisiveness

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Written after time spent contemplating Christian divisiveness online, including in the Orthodox world, forgetful of the teachings of Christ and examples of so many great and loving saints who’ve gone before us.

Does the God who creates all the intricacies of the creation around us fail to love and care for us?

Does the God who so delicately paints the feathers of even the smallest bird in such beautiful colors fail to love and care for us?

Does the God who crowns the deer, elk, and moose with noble crowns of antlers fail to love and care for us?

Does He who flung all the stars into the sky to shine down on us at night and show the way to travelers, fail to love and care for us?

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On Prayer: A Safe Harbor in the Catholic Tradition

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Having been involved in New Age alternative spirituality before becoming Christian, I had learned from experience there is spiritual deception in this world, was concerned not to fall into it again while embarking on the Christian prayer life. I found no help in the Evangelical world, but I did find help in the Catholic world, in ways I later found are consistent with Orthodox teaching, something I have carried with me and am grateful for.

This post is third in a short occasional series. Click here to read the introduction.

There were many good things I received in Catholicism, and I am grateful to have been Catholic for as long as I was. There is one thing I’d like to write about here, something that has kept me safe in all my spiritual endeavors since, found in the older Catholic prayer tradition (and thus closer to Orthodoxy). Something I think all kinds of Christians can benefit from, regardless of what part of the Christian world you’re in.

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A Christmas Meditation

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The Divine Liturgy is so beautiful, so inspiring, as we really begin to immerse ourselves in it. Studying the beautiful prayers and chants of both Matins and the Divine Liturgy early in the morning this Christmas Eve, then immersing myself in it during the services, so many beautiful thoughts passed through my mind, and I wanted to write them down.

The Light that wanted to enter the world from the beginning has entered. God has become visible.

The Messiah whom God prepared for, prophets called out for, and the people longed for has finally appeared.

Weaving His body in Mary without human seed. Of divine seed: the Holy Spirit. Perfect, pure, divine body, human flesh woven of Light.

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The Gift of Reading Scripture

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I’ve received good in each part of the Christian world I’ve been in, want to acknowledge that despite differences we may have. In the Evangelical world, I received the great good of learning to read and pray the bible. Little did I know I was embarking on a long tradition of scripture reading, memorization and prayer going back to the time of the earliest Christians and desert hermits, spreading around the Christian world and enduring centuries of tumult up to my own day, when a bible and a reading plan were placed into my hands.

This post is second in a short occasional series. Pease click here to read the first.

If there is one outstandingly good thing I gained in the Evangelical world and have carried with me everywhere since, that I don’t think I would have gained nearly so well anywhere else (for reasons I will explain), it is the necessity of reading and praying the bible, cover to cover, again and again, over the course of your lifetime.

My first church, an Evangelical church (thankfully a very good one with solid leadership), had a 12-week class for new Christians in which we learned the basics of our faith. One of them was about the bible, the need to read and study it daily, cover to cover, and to memorize verses of scripture that speak to you so you can remember and repeat them to yourself throughout the day.

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On Goods I’ve Received in Each Part of the Christian World

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This post is the introduction to a short series, each focusing on something good I’ve received in each part of the Christian world I’ve been in, Evangelical, Catholic and Eastern Orthodox.

I’ve experienced good in all parts of the Christian world I’ve been in, Evangelical, Catholic and Orthodox, received many good and helpful things. Not that they’re all perfect, or all the same, or differences don’t matter. But each has given me something good I’ve benefited from personally and am grateful for.

But in each I’ve also encountered what I’ve come to call the “True Church mentality,” emphasis on mentality. Not among all or most believers, but among smaller circles of people within each part.

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A Light Above This World

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A long time ago, years before I became a Christian, while I was on the spiritual journey seeking God, I had a dream. In it I floated up out the window of a large house, floated up in the air and started moving over the earth. Looking up I saw a brilliant light in the sky, higher than the sky, brighter and more brilliant than the sun.

Floating along and gradually ascending toward the light in the sky, I came to a large city, floated over a crowded, busy downtown area with skyscrapers towering over sidewalks full of people. The streets were shadowed, the people all dressed in heavy, dark clothes, heads down, crowded together and jostling one another as they hurried along.

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