DougBurr

"Man does not possess strength of his own, nor can he resist the devil by himself, nor drive away sinful thoughts from himself, nor do the will of God, nor keep His commandments, nor stand against the passions. The only thing within his power is this: to direct his free will toward God and to pray, asking Him to deliver him from Satan and from his works, and to deign—through His grace—to come and reign in his soul. Then the Lord Himself will accomplish in man’s soul His commandments and His will, and will entrust to him all the virtues of righteousness: true faith, active prayer, love with all the soul and with all one’s strength, hope, fasting, self-control, humility, meekness, long-suffering, perseverance, and the rest. Such a person cannot boast and cannot say to himself that he has ever done anything noteworthy; rather, he continually gives thanks to the Lord, because the Lord Himself accomplishes everything—provided that He is asked. For persistent prayer accomplishes great deeds, whereas carelessness—which comes to people from Satan—brings much darkness and obscurity into the soul; through it the enemy turns man away from God and enslaves his mind." Saint Macarius the Great

The House passed the SAVE Act, but the Senate hasn’t yet voted on it. President Trump has requested a survey to tag @LeaderJohnThune, so he can see your support. A. Watermarked Paper Ballot B. Same Day Voting C. Voter Photo ID D. Proof of Citizenship E. All of the above.

@richardrohlin Glorify Him!

Christ is Born!

@imPenny2x Get thee to the Orthodox Church. Taste and see.

I went to Church by my own choice for the purpose of attending service for the first time in my 45 year life this morning. There was a talented band, and it looked like a great big group of wholesome people. Free coffee and great donuts. But the entire service was worship. “God is great, God is omnipotent, all praise be to him.” The short bible verse that was discussed basically had the take away of God’s light can not lose, and Jesus will return soon to save us. But what about why we should care, or how a lesson from the bible ties into current events. Or where people are going wrong. I didn’t feel like I learned anything, and I’m a beginner. I don’t just go there to get a feel good message. I want to be a better person when I leave or feel closer to God or be more equipped in some way. Am I barking up the wrong tree, and just need to study on my own? Do I need a certain type of church? Please help.

@williamofdallas Thank you, William. That sounds like a pretty cool location. I’m sure that would be a fantastic visit! Well, I’ll let you know if I ever head that way.

Haha yes I think you should come and visit again soon. At the time of writing I have a loft & several couches I could put you up in where I am by the Waffle House on Canal Street and know at least one Eastern Catholic poet in the Marigny who would quarter you for a Psalm. Thank you for the blessing!

Time for Divine Liturgy! ….also, The only church in Americas in honor of St Maximus the Confessor. Help us build! givebutter.com/SMOC-Temple

@williamofdallas Wow - excellent. Sounds like a busy but beautiful schedule to keep. Travel blessings! I’ve never been to St John of the Ladder in Greenville - would love to visit T here sometime. Also would love to get to NOLA for another visit.

@DougBurr Yes! I've been here full time since July of 23 but am still in Dallas frequently to see family etc. I'll sing our midnight mass here, fly to Dallas Christmas day, then come back to NOLA in time for our 12th night party, Epiphany mass, & Joan of Arc procession

@williamofdallas Right on. Thank you for the kind words. You still in NOLA?

Glory to God! That's awesome. Thank you for your reply. I loved going to hear you perform live around various Episcopal Dallas churches growing up. My best friend and I were obsessed with your Chief of Police in Chicago. I swam the Tiber around the same time you were received in the Orthodox Church after moving to NOLA. This St. Maximus project looks super cool. I was just thinking reminds me of Saint John of the Ladder, in Greenville, SC where they do that cool Appalachian Orthodox chant, but that's of course because it's the same great architect Andrew Gould! Right on. Grateful for you & I hope you're well! A blessed nativity fast to you!

@williamofdallas Hi William, I am, received a little over 2 years ago, glory to God.

@DougBurr Doug are you ortho now

@C2Antiquity @gavinortlund Welcome home, brother.

Now I wake up today to see @gavinortlund no longer follows me anymore either. Its over😭

@jeffdavismd Yes - a great study bible, indeed. Also - going back to “reasons for conversion” - once I read the Apostolic Fathers and realized the overlap of their time and some of the Apostles - there was no going back.

Study Bible arrived. Really enjoying the section on church history. Feels odd that I’ve never studied this prior.

I’m interested in the Eastern Orthodox Church. I grew up in the Evangelical Church. I attended a few baptist churches when in college (Texas). Fell in love with Tom Nelson’s preaching at Denton Bible (his series on bibliology should be required listening for all Christians). I’m currently a member of a Presbyterian church. Any fellow Christian’s out there who’ve converted from reformed to Orthodox? What were your reasons? What did you experience? Anything you miss?

@jeffdavismd Hey Jeff - I grew up there. Pastor Tom did a wonderful job teaching Scripture. This always stirred a curiosity of how OT worship could be so rich and beautiful, while our reformed church worship felt desolate in comparison. That gap and others led me home to the Orthodox Church.

@vaporeous Thank you. The peace of Christ to you.

See you Sunday in Denton?

@vaporeous Thanks for connecting - Glory to God!

After 17 years of great anticipation… we are excited to announce our video for “Roscoe” can now be watched on our official YouTube channel! Check it out —> youtu.be/TI69SQ9-i88 🙃

America, our government made all of this possible, and they are patting themselves on the back for it right now.

Miscarriage, legally and scientifically, is not an abortion. It is not restricted or prohibited by any state law. This is purposeful propaganda to get women to believe that voting for the more pro-abortion candidate will protect their miscarriage care. It will not.

Steventhen Holland was conceived through gang-r*pe of a mentally challenged and homeless young woman. Despite being repeatedly pressured to abort him, Steventhen's mother saw the value in his life.

So many crazy coincidences in my life, all the time. Divine intervention? Chance? Whatever it is, I’m going to keep doing what I do, focused on helping to end child transition.