tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276854142011-04-21T14:03:44.885-04:00Beauty will save the World!Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.comBlogger961100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-81033045010516050122008-11-09T12:59:00.004-05:002008-11-09T13:13:33.494-05:00

They were living in a tent with 100 or so other people, all displaced by Hurricane Ike in Galveston Texas. She and her little sister and their mom had lost their home in the storm and they were being sheltered at the Red Cross tent city set up in the aftermath of the third most devastating hurricane in American history.She couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8 years old, blond headed, and dirty.

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-87299852732030186452008-08-24T11:30:00.004-04:002008-08-24T11:45:33.666-04:00

(kudos to Orthodixie blog for the You Tube file!)Here's a bit of a diversion from my normal posts, but having been contemplating the serious, Southern, issue about BBQ, I thought I'd share this with my friends.Southern BBQ is one of the greatest gifts of Southern culture to the world. Regardless where you might come down on the argument about sauce or no sauce, vinegar, mustard based, or tomato

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-32668730724625863092008-08-01T20:52:00.003-04:002008-08-01T21:00:01.515-04:00

Well, dear readers, here is the podcast I recently did with Jacob Lee of Icon New Media about my journey to Orthodoxy.I will be interested ing your reactions. Please feel free to share this with whomever you feel it might be helpful/interesting.B

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-91522961248798841782008-07-05T13:40:00.004-04:002008-07-05T14:25:10.216-04:00

Hello Gentle Readers,Well, the never ending quest to share the wonderful events and people in the Orthodox Church marches on!Here's the premise: There are so many good things happening and so many wonderful and dedicated people working in the Orthodox Church in this present day that it is a shame that more people don't know about this! The result is that while all these wonderful things are

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-77192828319927999972008-06-30T01:33:00.002-04:002008-06-30T01:45:58.009-04:00

Dear Readers (both of you! :-))Below is a response I recently wrote to an announcement about "two new Orthodox parishes" being established in the Baltimore area. It turns out that these are two Old Catholic groups wanting to advertise themselves as "Orthodox."The reality of our current situation here in America is that of religious "entrepreneurial" chaos. In other words, every man can do what is

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-33458045206296864372008-06-17T11:32:00.003-04:002008-06-17T11:46:54.415-04:00

Gentle readers,Your absent blogger/seminarian is intrigued with some swirling thoughts of late.First is the concept of beauty. I am of the increasing opinion that Dostoevsky was right "Beauty will save the world."Second is the increasingly strong and alarming thought concerning the destructive and deeply heretical teachings of Calvinism, particularly the Calvinistic notions concerning sovereignty

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-35007942851458824882008-06-05T10:04:00.002-04:002008-06-05T10:09:39.190-04:00

Press Release Powell Completes First Year of Seminary A Shocked Barnabas Powell Finishes His Freshman Year at Holy Cross Brookline, MA 4 June 2008: With final exams behind him, Barnabas Powell finds himself at the end of his first year at seminary at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. The school, located on a beautiful campus in Brookline, Massachusetts (near Boston and just minutes

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-33696870587223445972007-11-20T22:55:00.000-05:002007-11-20T22:58:30.349-05:00

By the way, I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration this year!Connie, little Alexandra, and myself will be flying to Ft. Lauderdale tomorrow to celebrate the holiday with my godson and his wife. We will also get to spend some time with family and friends while we are there.Please pray for us as we fly on such a busy travel day, and know we are so grateful for your prayers.Much love

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-171453226293725162007-11-20T22:28:00.000-05:002007-11-20T22:55:34.231-05:00

I am honored to be taking the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans from Fr. Ted Stylianopoulos during this semester here at Holy Cross.Fr. Ted has been teaching at Holy Cross for over 30 years and has also agreed to be my spiritual father while I am here at Holy Cross. It is an honor.One of the reasons for this is that Fr. Ted's little blue Orthodox prayerbook that he edited and published many

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-25012011797754601412007-11-12T11:09:00.001-05:002007-11-12T11:33:55.187-05:00

A recent article in the LA Times asked the question "Is Prosperity a Blessing from God, or a Crime?" In it the writer talks about mega-church ministries where the pastor drives a Rolls-Royce, lives in a mansion, and owns a private jet.Having come from that world of Evangelical media ministries and having seen close up the challenges this lifestyle can bring, I was mesmerized by the writer's

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-8688029805915727632007-11-05T09:28:00.000-05:002007-11-05T09:49:15.859-05:00

Well, dear ones, if there are any of you left out there, I wanted to let you know that I will be posting again to Sober Joy in the next few days.Life has been hectic and full with the first semester at seminary. I have neglected writing because I wanted to get acclimated to our new surroundings and to observe a period of silence so I could foster a student's heart.Not sure if I've succeeded, but

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-18672877042216090172007-08-18T20:53:00.000-04:002007-08-18T20:58:31.721-04:00

Well, we have arrived in beautiful New England to begin seminary next month! And my first comment to my dear bride after we unloaded the truck was "WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?!"Seriously, it is just now hitting me concerning the magnitude of this leap of faith, but what joy to know we do not leap into the dark, but into the Light Himself.Any test of faith is bound to involve fear and second thoughts,

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-59940436256616503832007-08-03T16:25:00.000-04:002007-08-03T17:57:43.787-04:00

Dear Gentle Readers,I know I haven't updated much since my grandmother's funeral, but life has been hectic preparing for the move to seminary in Boston.It will even get more infrequent for the next few weeks, but I will try to drop in some notes from the road.We are going to visit my family in Atlanta next week and Connie's family in Greenville the following week, then its off to Holy Cross were

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-4009135674697032982007-07-20T13:15:00.000-04:002007-07-20T18:12:31.404-04:00

A recent writer in the combox asked me to say more about the Orthodox understanding of "symphonia" in regards to humanity being in communion with God.As I thought about this, my mind immediately went to the very present and real experience of grief over the recent falling asleep (do not read "unconscious") of my maternal grandmother, a woman that still, and always will, exert a strong influence

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-34193549535035760702007-07-12T04:35:00.000-04:002007-07-12T05:04:18.265-04:00

Georgia Story Moore fell asleep in the Lord Wednesday, July 11, 2007 after a prolonged illness. Her two daughters were by her side.I appreciate the kind prayers offered for my maternal grandmother over the last several days. Thank you.Mawmaw (as she was affectionately called) was born in 1917 and lived her whole life in North Georgia. She was a child of her time, and knew both love and sadness as

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-52538807181495011572007-07-02T14:15:00.000-04:002007-07-02T14:20:23.634-04:00

Gentle Reader,I have just learned that my dear grandmother, Georgia Moore, has been taken to the hospital emergency room. She is something of a hero in my life, and while I ask God for mercy, I also realize that she has been bedridden for almost 4 years with various physical ailments.Please pray for God to grant us the freedom of His merciful will.Thank you.B

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-36433408520816882262007-07-02T13:39:00.000-04:002007-07-02T14:14:03.440-04:00

As I mentioned in a recent combox response, I am a "thrower-awayer" and my wife is a "oh that has sentimental value so I'm going to keep that receipter!"It drives me nuts! :-)This usually comes out when we are either doing "spring" cleaning (which, for me, is every 3 months!) or like now, when we are preparing to move.I am amazed at how much "stuff" we have accumulated and how well we've hidden

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-24910538446292128102007-06-27T15:53:00.000-04:002007-06-27T16:21:24.190-04:00

I have five (5) godsons. The other day one of my godsons called to tell me that another acquaintance of mine had become a catechuemen and this person was saying how much I had influenced their decision to explore Orthodoxy.My godson then started naming off all the people he knew of whom I had influenced to look at the Orthodox Church.As I listened to this precious man speak, my heart began to

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-44378411564260846662007-06-20T14:55:00.000-04:002007-06-20T15:20:32.496-04:00

Well, gentle reader, the time for departure for the Powell Family is approaching. The reason for this post is at the urging of a dear friend. His insistence has overcome my reluctance.Our parish, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Ft. Lauderdale, will be holding an appreciation dinner for us this coming Sunday and they are establishing a fund (The Chuck and Connie Moving Fund) to help us with

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-68095219927763474312007-06-13T16:55:00.000-04:002007-06-13T17:17:38.008-04:00

Dear and precious readers,I have just learned of the falling asleep of a very important person in the story of my own journey to Orthodoxy - Father Laurence Mancuso, the founder of New Skete Monastery.I could write literally pages of stories about Abba Laurence and how he affected my life, but I won't waste your time.I will only say that a rag-tag group of refugees from Evangelicalism washed up

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-19659901736820299652007-06-07T12:58:00.001-04:002007-06-07T13:39:40.262-04:00

In just a few weeks my little family will be packing up and heading to Boston for seminary. I wanted to get down some random thoughts of late that might help you all know how to pray for me at this chaotic time.First, my contemplation about the Church has morphed into a contemplation about Personhood. After reading several posts on Fr. Stephen's blog and some other discussions among some

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-66732959269175016222007-05-31T13:07:00.000-04:002007-05-31T13:29:32.304-04:00

...so that man might also become man. This interesting take on an old Orthodox saying by Bishop KALLISTOS Ware of Britain came home to me today more than ever as I listened to a popular radio program host lament the sad state of a sense of connectedness between people in this modern age.The radio host/commentator went on and on about how we moderns don't know our neighbors. We don't know how to

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-76930305970341610672007-05-25T13:00:00.000-04:002007-05-25T13:47:49.529-04:00

It took me becoming Eastern Orthodox for me to appreciate the Feast of Pentecost. As a former Pentecostal pastor, I never gave much thought to the actual Feast of Pentecost, even though it was the Pentecostal event in the life of the Early Church that we, as Pentecostals, looked back on as the foundation for our particular brand of religious experiences.But as an Orthodox Christian, I now see the

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-16952690088732713372007-05-21T12:24:00.000-04:002007-05-21T12:40:12.410-04:00

In studying the Old Testament, one reads many stories of heroism, courage, and honor, but one also reads of murder, rape and revenge. One of the most moving stories is the story of King David and his son, Absalom. While we could deal with the story in depth, suffice it to say that the brilliant and gifted son of King David dies, and the king, when he learns of the death of his son, gives us one

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-51988968930587217102007-05-17T12:53:00.000-04:002007-05-17T13:35:21.289-04:00

Today marks a milestone in the life of the Orthodox Christina faith here in America and around the world. After 80 years of schism the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia based mainly in the United States, sign a reunion document restoring eucharistic communion between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Church Abroad.Some see this as the last healing

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-13306741266285527902007-05-13T20:23:00.000-04:002007-05-13T20:33:33.662-04:00

In a recent report a study showed that gambling has become a $40 billion dollar a year industry in the United States. With the rise of State sponsored lotteries, Indian tribes building casinos, and more and more money being wagered on sporting events, the National Institute of Mental Health concluded 4.2 million Americans are addicted to gambling, 60 percent of whom have yearly incomes under

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-91461502182003482642007-05-07T16:18:00.000-04:002007-05-07T16:33:14.747-04:00

In a letter to the editor of the New York Times in July of 2005, a reader was commenting about how the Irish people supported America after the events of 9/11/2001. She writes: On Friday, Sept. 14, the national day of mourning, we expected to see a few dozen people at the memorial Mass in Kanturk, Cork. To our surprise, hundreds, perhaps the entire town, streamed in. I asked a freckled-faced girl

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-33392164737348478182007-05-04T10:16:00.000-04:002007-05-04T10:59:32.013-04:00

“If I knew then what I know now…” ever said that? Have you ever wondered if you knew the hurdles you’d have to overcome to achieve certain goals if you’d do it again? Are some victories worth any price?As an Orthodox convert, and knowing many other Orthodox converts, many converts faced unbelievable challenges since converting to Orthodoxy and I have asked myself, more than once, if I thought it

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-15248255295555967522007-05-01T14:29:00.000-04:002007-05-01T15:09:14.316-04:00

Have you ever thought about the difference between “I believe” and “I know?” Many today prefer “I know” to “I believe.” They want to know beyond a doubt that something is “true” and they will discount any opinion that may not be able to be “proven” to their satisfaction. But faith isn’t like that. Faith says “I believe,” and its belief isn’t dependent on empirical proof. Faith doesn’t require

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-79764732788732396252007-04-27T09:34:00.000-04:002007-04-27T10:10:36.205-04:00

In a recent exchange of posts and comments on Glory To God For All Things concerning monasticism, I commented that while monasticism is important to the Orthodox faith, there is always a danger in monasticism of "guruism."This got me thinking about the occasional series on the Church I have worked on and how monasticism fits into that ecclesiology.I think I've come up with a few thoughts I'd like

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-14522972941831516742007-04-22T12:32:00.000-04:002007-04-22T12:39:02.786-04:00

Fr. Stephen Freeman has a very good post on the power of metaphors on his blog Glory To God for All Things.It is called Watch Your Metaphors.Please go there and read it. Father puts into words what I have felt for some time. The West is slowly re-examining its use of metaphor when talking about salvation and the eternal state of humanity. This has been going on for some time now, and offers both

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-66853591389860901352007-04-20T10:26:00.000-04:002007-04-20T10:54:49.477-04:00

The recent Supreme Court decision concerning the late term abortion method called partial birth abortion is bound to excite partisans on both sides of this debate.However, the majority decision by the court written by Justice Kennedy lays the ground work for a clear understanding of the State's interest in curbing certain abortion methods.From a historical Christian standpoint, this decision

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-82462397952421450122007-04-17T14:38:00.000-04:002007-04-17T16:01:42.306-04:00

In an ongoing look at The Church, I have been challenged to rethink my notions of The Church. Taking as my launching pad of this spiritual effort, I hear Fr. Alexander Schmemann's (of blessed memory) words where he declared that Orthodoxy is the antidote for religion.My first effort at confronting this new vision of The Church began as I came to understand that religion and Orthodoxy are, for the

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-15271164610016978792007-04-13T10:10:00.000-04:002007-04-13T11:36:04.398-04:00

A quick excursion into modern pop culture and a bit of my politically conservative side to show! Hopefully, you'll see the connection to my thoughts about the Church.I am sure everyone has heard the recent dust up among the chattering class here in America about the horrendous comments made by Don Imus on his daily morning show. No justification at all for comments that are made about innocent

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-32591141173692266262007-04-04T13:59:00.000-04:002007-04-04T14:13:44.715-04:00

Here is a recent article by good friend and great religion writer, Terry Mattingly. Terry is a convert to Orthodoxy and his most recent article is a great way to discuss several issues:The Need for a Genuine re-evangelism of our Orthodox peopleThe Clash between what is passing culture and what is timeless traditionThe Need to reach out to disaffected Orthodox and help them return homeAnd many

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-71830783972999416522007-04-02T11:54:00.000-04:002007-04-02T12:14:14.754-04:00

Fr. Thomas Hopko is one of my favorite Orthodox speakers. His immediate command of both theological and historical information and his disarming delivery make him a joy to hear. I've never heard one of his presentations that I haven't learned so much more than I had known before.Plus, he has a balanced and gracious spirit that makes him hospitable to all kinds of people.Here is a recent interview

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-26928079515891685042007-03-22T08:49:00.000-04:002007-03-22T08:52:39.053-04:00

Fr. Stephen Freeman has writting a compelling entry to his blog "Glory to God For All Things" entiltled "The Problem of the Church."I recommend this to you in the same spirit of my current work on the Church.There are some practical applicatiuons to all this "theory" that I hope to continue exploring with you in the near future.

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-64516344353840211472007-03-19T14:36:00.000-04:002007-03-19T15:10:48.551-04:00

As I have pondered the Church during Great Lent, I have come to appreciate that words can be quite beautiful but it is the practice of the words that reveal authentic beauty and Truth.Just as God's wisdom found its zenith in the enfleshing of God in Christ, so we, who are called to perpetuate this physical presence of God in the earth, must also enflesh the truths we say we believe.This past

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-30198908590366853092007-03-08T16:19:00.000-05:002007-03-08T16:57:11.715-05:00

In St. John 17 our Lord Jesus prays what New Testament scholars have called the "High Priestly Prayer," and in this prayer, our Lord, before He goes to the Cross, asks the Father that His people "may be one as We are." (John 17:11)In fact, Jesus asks the Father to make His disciples one as He and the Father are one three times, once in John 17:11, then again in 17:21 and 17:22. Three times the

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-85966844687088645292007-03-01T16:26:00.000-05:002007-03-01T16:28:32.049-05:00

Thanks to Fr. John at his blog Conversi ad Dominum for this great link!Signs of the TimesNow all we need is an Orthodox sign to add to the dialogue!Enjoy and a blessed Lent to you all.B

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-60754097036727571962007-02-21T14:20:00.000-05:002007-02-21T14:46:50.286-05:00

As I have worked on a few thoughts about ecclesiology, I have become overwhelmed by the absolute necessity of a patristic understanding of the dogma of the Trinity as foundational to any discussion of the Church.But not dogma from a rationalistic or purely academic posture. Actually the Orthodox understanding on doing theology as primarily doxalogical and liturgical is also fundamental to

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-74403906871184867152007-02-07T16:32:00.000-05:002007-02-07T16:40:09.594-05:00

By way of explanation, the two widgets to the left are my homage to the last Harry Potter book coming out on July 21st (Yes, I have pre-ordered) and the 5th movie coming out a week before.I have enjoyed the Potter series of books and find them to contain not only entertaining work but insight into virtues seemingly missing from today's world.Not meant to start a flame war over the value of Potter

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-4731336606182551892007-02-07T16:00:00.000-05:002007-02-07T16:31:30.566-05:00

As I have begun researching for a few articles on the Church and Orthodox ecclesiology, I have come to one over riding conclusion - the absolute necessitty of an Orthodox understanding of the mystery of the Holy Trinity is the very foundation of Orthodox ecclesiology.Lossky wrote:The Trinity is, for the Orthodox Church, the unshakable foundation of all religious thought, all piety, of all

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-44670352096647815722007-02-05T11:14:00.000-05:002007-02-05T11:54:25.509-05:00

Well, gentle reader, I have just received my acceptance letter from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA. It looks like I am definitely Boston bound this Fall.I confess I am filled with trepidation at the prospects of uprooting my little family and heading north to the People's Republic of Massachusetts, but I am more fearful on not following through with this to finally

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-42580972811571126902007-01-25T11:28:00.000-05:002007-01-25T11:55:15.633-05:00

I have a confession to make. I have been allowing life to interfere with my blogging. Sorry for the lack of updates! :-)I am enjoying working on the articles about the Church. The more I contemplate this awesome mystery, the more I find that I have to learn. The divine mystery of the Church is meant for my salvation. It isn't meant to create an organizational structure for some utilitarian reason

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-51675522531904189662007-01-19T12:42:00.000-05:002007-01-19T13:23:00.171-05:00

While I work on my articles concerning the Church, I wanted to update the site about something happening in our Orthodox churches here in America. As some of you know, I am the development director for Orthodox Christian Network. OCN is a SCOBA agency that is responsible for creating a national, sustainable, and effective media witness for the Church here in the US. We currently produce and

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-14137135383495552072007-01-16T14:07:00.000-05:002007-01-16T14:10:36.516-05:00

Dear Ones,Please forgive the lack of updates. Life has been interfering with my blogging.I do hope to have something later this week on the Church. Thanks for visiting and thanks for commenting. This is both educational and edifying to me.B

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-29589172486544095362007-01-08T10:42:00.000-05:002007-01-08T11:26:37.014-05:00

George Barna has just released a new "Barna Update" about house churches as oppossed to conventional churches.In this most recent study by Barna, he continues his crusade to highlight what he calls "new forms of the Church" that he suggests is the wave of the future (see his book Revelution: The New Church: Understand It).Having had my "home church" phase, I'd like to suggest that this phenomenon

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-79548274626365471322006-12-31T16:59:00.000-05:002006-12-31T17:28:18.784-05:00

Exterior journeys often reveal the need in my own heart for interior, spiritual journeys, and this road trip I am now completing is no exception.But lately I've been dwelling on the passage in 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.Here we are at the end of one calendar year and at the beginning

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-59109400032107119372006-12-29T16:59:00.000-05:002006-12-29T17:03:26.170-05:00

If you look right below my stat counter logo, you will notice a new serivce here at Sober Joy!It's FeedBlitz.If you add your email in the box provided, you can have the posts from Sober Joy emailed to you when they are updated.I hope this makes keeping up with the blog easier for you. Let me know what you think.Barnabas

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-30536629013768600412006-12-22T14:01:00.000-05:002006-12-22T14:32:55.080-05:00

Well, gentle reader, the Powell family is off on a visit to extended family to celebrate the Birth that changed the cosmos.I will be forgoing updating for the next several days but will renew our little visits after a short holiday break.By the way, thank you for coming by and thanks also for those who've requested republication permission for church bulletins and papers. Please feel free to use

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-82298031929250501522006-12-21T10:40:00.000-05:002006-12-21T10:56:01.214-05:00

We are almost at the Manger. Soon we will hear the joyous announcement that "Christ IS born!" Soon the time for feasting will have arrived. Soon, the Bridegroom will return and His Bride will have made herself ready!Soon!Until then, please join me in contemplating the "smallness" of God. Read Fr. Stephen's post and let's consider our need for smallness and weakness.It is said that the angels of

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-53274786868687539172006-12-19T09:53:00.000-05:002006-12-19T10:35:53.913-05:00

The icon above was instrumental in helping me overcome a very Protestant mindset about Mary.And, as usual, it was in answer to the question Christ put to His disciples that brought me to this epiphany: "Who do you say that I am?" If Jesus is fully God and fully man, then His mother is Theotokos, as the 4th Council at Chalcedon declared.And if Jesus IS God in the flesh, then the womb of this woman

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-67018496211486687272006-12-13T10:04:00.000-05:002006-12-13T10:10:53.570-05:00

I want to draw your attention to a wonderful article on Fr. Stephen's blog entitled "Are You Saved."It has generated quite a discussion and I find the talk about the Orthodox view of salvation very encouraging.The contemporary reduction of all things theological to the size of a bumper sticker creates so many problems for us. This reduction, all in the name of simplicity, has so stripped the

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-38397666379517412212006-12-11T15:32:00.000-05:002006-12-11T15:55:19.168-05:00

Former Lutheran pastor John Fenton, has a thought provoking article on his blog about his journey to Orthodoxy.In it he is asked the question "Where is the Church?"For me, this is a fundamental question that has a real answer.You see, for me, my own spiritual journey brought me to the same place. For years I believed the Church was "invisible" made up of all those who claimed Jesus as their

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-18326197892257707082006-12-07T13:01:00.000-05:002006-12-07T18:15:17.230-05:00

As I have said previously, I am convinced the modern Pentecostal movement offers the Christian Church a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with the timeless faith of the Apostles and the balance of mystery and rationalism that has all but been lost in the Christian West.However, I also believe that Pentecostalism is a system of theology that cannot and will not bring anyone to the fullness of the

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-12794561485568597852006-12-07T12:51:00.000-05:002006-12-07T13:00:04.681-05:00

As many of you know, I am the development director for Orthodox Christian Network. We produce the weekly radio program Come Receive The Light, and we are about to launch a 24 hour internet radio station called The Ark.Recently Fr. Chris Metropulos, our host, interviewed Rev. John Fenton, a Lutheran pastor who recently resigned his Lutheran pastorate and is in the process of converting to

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-5773757477432304882006-11-30T14:40:00.000-05:002006-12-01T12:49:51.656-05:00

As I scanned my previous historical overview, I noticed huge gaps in the narrative, but to fill in all those gaps would necessitate a book.What I am trying to do is create some sense of context to the Pentecostal movement to give the reader a perspective as to why the Pentecostal movement happened and why it seems to be fast becoming the dominant Christian expression of the majority of Christians

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-87556077191008818322006-11-30T07:19:00.000-05:002006-11-30T07:29:16.152-05:00

Here's a break from my ramblings about Pentecostalism in the form of a thought provoking post from Fr. Stephen at Glory To God For All Things.Passing on the healthy faith of Orthodoxy to the next generation is our task. As a father, I cannot tell you the fear that drives me to my knees asking for both forgiveness for my shortcomings and mercy for my children and grandchildren, that, in spite of

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-52083965836438798872006-11-22T10:43:00.000-05:002006-11-30T09:23:55.635-05:00

Pentecostalism is poised to become the dominant expression of Christianity in the West. The phenomenal growth of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches as well as the mainstreaming of Charismatic worship "styles" means that Pentecostalism and its emphasis on the immediate and intimate experience of the Presence of God in a believer's life is fast becoming normative for the vast majority of Western

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-38308055125857696422006-11-09T09:44:00.000-05:002006-11-09T11:16:07.602-05:00

Recently, Dr. Vincent Synan, Dean of the Divinity School and Regent University and long time historian of the Pentecostal and Charismatics movements, commented on the explosive growth of the Pentecostal movement across the increasingly Christian Southern Hemisphere by saying that those who want to deal with Christians will not be able to ignore the Pentecostals since they are on track to become

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-91227421978588387192006-11-03T14:12:00.000-05:002006-11-03T14:18:33.275-05:00

Dear Ones,I have just enjoyed a post on another blog. It is written by Fr. Stephen Freeman.Please read it and perhaps together we can learn the power of St. Paul's lesson in learning how to rejoice over weaknesses rather than strengths. Can it really be true that "when I am weak, then I am strong"?Go to "The Pillar and Ground of Truth" and contemplate what you read.

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-6053854998521643222006-11-03T11:39:00.000-05:002006-11-03T13:51:47.262-05:00

The headlines scream SCANDAL and the news stories keep pouring in. Sexual scandals, financial scandals, cover up scandals, all coming fast and furious and conveniently released close to election day. As the Church Lady would say "Isn't that special."We are approaching, what I believe to be, one of the most important elections in our recent history. It is an election that will be closely watched

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-79711226395021563272006-10-30T13:57:00.000-05:002006-10-30T14:35:15.779-05:00

The furor over the recent speech made by Pope Benedict in Germany continues and has elicited a response from the Muslim community under an open letter written to respond to the Pope's message.Not being a Muslim scholar, nor an expert on Islam, I cannot speak to the specific claims made by these Muslim scholars regarding Islamic teaching, but I can speak to some of the theological aspects of this

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1161351680571740282006-10-20T09:35:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:36.687-04:00

A recent Op-Ed piece in the New York Times concerning String Theory in physics ends with this profoundly religious comment: "Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty."This is exactly the power of humility and also the power of faith.When we humans, as prideful as we are, become willing to tolerate uncertainty, all kinds of possibilities open up for us. We become open to wonder and

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1161015030959349592006-10-16T12:02:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:36.625-04:00

We live in a media age!The ability to create media is abundant. Recently I read an article which stated that when distributioin of media is plentiful, content is king. Today content is now KING.From regular media outlets - radio, TV, print - to new distribution methods - podcasting, cell phones, MP3's and MP4's, blogs, YouTube, and others - if somebody wants to get a message out, they can.Media

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1160761119714162242006-10-13T13:32:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:36.558-04:00

Walk into any Christian bookstore in America and you will discover whole shelves of books about money: how to make money based on biblical principles, how to give money, how to save money, and how to invest money for the future. All these books are answering questions about money from a biblical viewpoint, but are these answers to the right questions? Are they even asking the right questions?If

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1159547181965279562006-09-29T11:35:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:36.420-04:00

For only the third time in the history of the establishment of SCOBA (The Standing Conference of Canonical Bishops in the Americas) the member hierarchs are meeting in Chicago October 3-5 of this year.The last time the hierarchs met in Ligonier PA, they discussed organizational unity and came out with a provocative (to some)statement that the Church in America should no longer be considered "

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1159145254747280772006-09-24T20:33:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:36.354-04:00

Well, dear ones, by God's grace Alexandra Georgia came into His world at 10:36 PM September 22nd, 2006.She weighed 6.5 lbs and was 19 inches long.As God has now granted her the grace to see the created light of this world, so now pray she will be granted the grace of Christian baptism and eyes to see the Uncreated Light of God's gracious energies and the Life of the Son.To have another chance to

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1158385344215725482006-09-16T01:31:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:36.292-04:00

Islam, the religion of peace, wants Pope Benedict XVI to accept his dhimmi status! They say "Accept all criticism from us, level no criticisms against us." This isn't a clash of civilizations, folks. It is a defense of civilization against barbarity. As Ronald Reagan said of his strategy during the last days of the Cold War "We win, they lose." How can Islam expect the West to really believe they

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1157987076980011812006-09-11T10:07:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:36.233-04:00

On this fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America, I wanted to explore the current state of this third "world war."The three great Abrahamic faiths - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - share many similar theological positions. Most of these similarities are seen in the moral teachings of these three religions.But Christianity shares something with Islam that it doesn't share with

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1157047170457803662006-08-31T13:57:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:36.113-04:00

Homosexuality is at the forefront of debates all across the nation today, from Same-Sex Marriage legislation and litigation, to Christian denominations agonizing and exploding over homosexual marriage and ordination of practicing homosexuals. There is even a group that travels around the country carrying signs that read, “God hates fags.”The reason this touches us so deeply and arouses so much

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1156433312646070122006-08-24T11:22:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:36.054-04:00

Aunt May is speaking to Peter Parker in the last Spiderman movie and she says “I believe there’s a hero in all of us.” Little does she know her precious nephew is the real Spiderman, the hero who’s saving the lives of so many in the city all the while sacrificing his own private life so he won’t place those he loves in danger.Our society is mesmerized by the idea of a hero. Most heroes in our

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1155751590778817062006-08-16T14:03:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.993-04:00

Imagine that you are the leader of a burgeoning movement that is being persecuted by the government. You have an important message to convey to the whole group – a message from the very Leader of the organization. You must be sure that the members understand what you are saying, but those outside the group don’t. You were sitting in a cave on a small island where the government has banished you

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1155148095135460802006-08-09T14:14:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.929-04:00

A convert to Orthodoxy was approached by a precious Orthodox lady at coffee hour. She commented that his last name on his name tag wasn’t common in the ethnicity of that parish. My friend told her that he wasn’t of that ethnic background. This dear lady got a puzzled look on her face and innocently asked, “Then what are you doing here? Don’t you have your own church to go to?”Now before you are

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1154721663629964402006-08-04T15:57:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.858-04:00

“Now let us have a little talk with Jesus, let us tell Him all about our troubles. He will hear us when we cry and He will answer by and by…” This old spiritual written by Clevant Derricks strikes a chord in my heart with it simple emphasis on prayer – “a little talk with Jesus.” And that’s just what prayer is, a conversation between you and God. But it is so much more than that!You see, the goal

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1154463690712850062006-08-01T15:55:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.797-04:00

Well,what can I say? A few weeks away attending the Clergy/Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese was both encouraging and challenging.Encouraging because I met so many faithful Orthodox priests and laypeople who are so passionate about and for the Faith. Priests who really see the need to reach out beyond the comfort zones of particular ethnicities to offer this timeless faith to

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1152721018255466992006-07-12T12:04:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.740-04:00

Some of you may know that I am part of Orthodox Christian Network. I am the Development Director for this SCOBA agency, and we are traveling to Nashville, TN tomorrow to represent the ministry at the GOA Clergy/Laity Congress to be held there July 16th through the 21st.My wife, Connie, and I will be going first the Greenville, SC so I can drop her off at her dad's house. She's 29 weeks pregnant

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1152300331183116792006-07-07T15:22:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.683-04:00

A recent study found that “approximately 127 million adults in the U.S. are overweight, 60 million obese, and 9 million severely obese.” (American Obesity Association) This “epidemic” of overweight Americans is a symptom of a deeper poverty.In the book of Genesis, it was food that got our race into trouble in the first place. The old saying, “you are what you eat,” was meant to reduce a human

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1150908477730190922006-06-21T12:27:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.617-04:00

Godly sorrow works repentance, but if you don't make it to Godly sorrow, chances are you are stuck in your spiritual growth process. You are probably languishing in either despondency or apathy, both of which will eventually keep you from spiritual progress and maturity.Godly sorrow is exactly that- Godly!One of the greatest obstacles to authentic spiritual progress (and by "progress" I mean a

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1150401301982199952006-06-15T15:32:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.552-04:00

St. Paul told the Corinthians that "godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." (2 Corinthians 7:10) And this is the next step in reaching sober joy.After one has admitted his need for spiritual and physical sobriety, one is asked to confront where one is with a full knowledge of where one should be.That distance, as

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1150128285052452472006-06-12T12:00:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.484-04:00

As I said before, the first step in becoming sober and therefore open and available to the grace of God to transfigured you into a Christ-like person is to admit you need sobriety.While this may sound like the first few lines of an AA brochure (the similarities are striking), it is meant to call us to confront the very first stumbling block to our own healing - our fear of change. Many of us

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1149866375930788092006-06-09T10:54:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.424-04:00

As the title of this blog states, my desire and I believe the very goal of Orthodox Spirituality is "nepsis" or Sober Joy. Another way of translating this word is "quietness."Either way, this goal of Orthodox spirituality is defined as moving from the fractured, chaotic, and divided mind of self centeredness to the peaceful, sober, hopeful, and joyful rest of authentic communion with God, the

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1149615258192368232006-06-06T12:59:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.360-04:00

Sincere and fervent faith is always one generation away from being extinguished in a community.That's because we live in a world where it is easy to lead self centered lives and difficult to lead purposeful Christian lives.As M. Scott Peck said in his famous Road Less Traveled: "Life is difficult."This is precisely why I am increasingly convinced that the Orthodox shorthand of Cradle Orthodox and

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1149263905838157462006-06-02T11:52:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.292-04:00

Below is an article I wrote recently for an internet publication. I feel strongly about this particular theological difference between the East and the West and wanted to share it with my current readers. I will be interested in your comments.SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF A LOVING GOD What if freedom were worse than punishment? What if love was more fearful than hatred? These seeming paradoxical

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1149183800281707922006-06-01T13:24:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.230-04:00

Recently, I've thought a lot about the verbiage we use to talk about the faithful in the Orthodox Church. For those raised in the church their whole lives, who have come from generations of Orthodox Christians, we call them "Cradle Orthodox."For those who have discovered Orthodoxy later in life, who many times come from other Christian confessions and many times have a strong formation in other

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1149002942427494442006-05-30T11:21:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.169-04:00

Here's the most recent Come Receive The Light program that talks about a new book by Orthodox journalist, Terry Mattingly.CRTLOne of my major desires is to see our Orthodox faith tackle American culture, not just to condemn the weaknesses of our culture, but to seek out that which can be "baptized" by the faith and used to draw the average American to the fullness of Orthodoxy.One point of

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1148908247922151302006-05-29T09:06:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.106-04:00

Well, sometimes popular culture makes your point for you.A recent King of the Hill TV episode illustrates what happens when well intentioned people and the good intention of reaching people where they are with the Faith, just misses by a mile!Look at this clip where Hank Hill and his family go looking for a new church to attend.This is the world I converted from when I entered Orthodoxy.But the

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1148665860690768412006-05-26T13:40:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:35.027-04:00

Well, I've just finished Fr. Joseph Huneycutt's newest book "One Flew Over The Onion Dome" published by Regina Orthodox Press.Fr. Joseph writes about American Orthodox Converts, Retreads, and Reverts. Converts are obvious, but Retreads? I found out that Retreads are Convert clergy who become Orthodox clergy - an apt description - Retreads.Anyway, the book comes at a time when more and more people

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1148410570136651212006-05-23T14:48:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:34.964-04:00

This from a newslist today:I saw this movie on Al's recommendation. What impressed me most about it was that the filmmakers managed to provide insights into the feelings and actions of both sides. Aside from the violence, which was unavoidable, the only thing that I found truly offensive about it was the continual use of the word "God" in translations from Arabic into English. But the film got me

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1148320985232053572006-05-22T13:12:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:34.907-04:00

This past weekend I attended at Divine Liturgy at a parish where 95% of the service was in English. It was a welcomed change.But, as I've said before, if you mistake my recent struggles with an ethno-centric Orthodoxy as based on language only, you'd be mistaken.My greatest struggles are internal. How does one deal spiritually and emotionally with feelings of alienation and disconnection? What is

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1147966310660131632006-05-18T11:10:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:34.848-04:00

Since my last post, some may get the impression that my trouble with an ethnic centered Orthodox parish is based on language, and nothing could be further from the truth.But language is just a symptom of a deeper struggle in an Orthodox parish.And that struggle is the same struggle being played out in our nation over immigration - the struggle of assimilation.But in a parish setting, the struggle

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1147706926874003902006-05-15T10:26:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:34.790-04:00

As I said at the beginning of this blog, I wanted to explore the plight of converts to the Orthodox Christian faith.My previous posts have been a glimpse into my own struggle with some issues of a convert with literally no ethnic connection to any Eastern Orthodox groups coming into a community where the conversation has been going on for centuries. I wanted to first start by examining my own

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1147364474984387352006-05-11T12:01:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:34.729-04:00

First, thanks for all the folks who've stopped by to offer comments and well wishes.I guess I titled my last post "Stranger in a Strange Land" for several reasons, not the least of which when it comes to authentic honesty about my own soul, I tend to do what many do - either ignore my own spiritual poverty, or excuse it with rationalizations.But that's not the goal I tell myself is most important

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1147096206647163042006-05-08T09:32:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:34.605-04:00

Let's start with reality, shall we? I find reality to be the most difficult conclusion since it requires a level of honesty rarely associated with we humans. We are too willing to be self-deluded. We prefer the fantasy of our own sophistication or worse our own weakness.This preferred mindset leads to all kinds of unhealthy habits and conflict. We confuse co-dependency with communion. We settle

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27685414.post-1147010362183068822006-05-07T09:48:00.000-04:002006-10-20T15:21:34.481-04:00

The title of my blog actually comes from a Greek word - nepsis. It literally means "sober joy." Many of the fathers of Eastern Orthodox Christianity say that this state of sober joy is the goal of mature spirituality, and it is my fervent desire.So this little corner of the blogosphere is meant to be a place where I work toward this goal, and maybe get some help and comments from you, weary

Barnabas Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08584837837292068637noreply@blogger.com9