From the desk of Father Chris Metropulos, Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Network

Dear Blessed People of God,

This month OCN kicks off a new series of programming that we hope you will find enjoyable, informative, and above all, inspiring.  The first month will cover issues that refer to one of the most important concerns facing people today throughout the world according to recent studies.  

This story will serve as an intro to this months topic.  Read it carefully and enjoy.

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience; with a raised glass of water, and everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, 'half empty or half full?'..... she fooled them all... "How heavy is this glass of water?" she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

She continued, "And that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden - holding stress longer and better each time practiced."

Come to OCN programming this month to be refreshed.  While we are all faced with many people telling us what is right for our country and the world we also have the reality of our faith.  Come and see this month on OCN how FAITH IS A POLICY WE CAN ALL SUPPORT.

October 2011 Programming on Come Receive the Light

Faith a policy we can all support - This week on CRTL, we begin our month-long look at anxiety and unemployment by speaking with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios on trusting in God not headlines. Click here to listen to this program.

Suicide - Understanding this Hopeless Act - This week we’ll hear from Dr. David Brattston, a man whose articles on suicide have been published by nearly every Christian denomination. Click here to listen to this program.

Having a Thriving Marriage on a Budget - When we think about the current economy, our minds usually jump to bank accounts and the stock market. But how does financial uncertainty impact our personal relationships? Dr. Albert Rossi explores the communication problems, identity issues and resentments that can arise between married couples during tight times. Click here to listen to this program.

Facing Unemployment - We delve deeper into the personal side of the current economic crisis. We'll begin with Anastasia Carol Kruse, an Orthodox Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in career counseling, about how we can become empowered by unemployment. Next, we'll hear from Erik Bohlin, another Orthodox believer and nationally certified counselor about common identity and emotional questions that people who are unemployed face. Click here to listen to this program.

OCN lifting the darkness one click at at time.

Comments (3)

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written by Paul T, September 30, 2011

Father
Reading the article it is so true. I am a senior, in difficult financial, health issues. I pray every day for Gods help. I have confided in a few friends that pray for me. I love my lord and savior and pray for his mercy every day. Thanks for your article, it hits home and is so true.
God Bless
Paul

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Response
written by Fr Chris Metropulos, October 05, 2011

Thank you Paul for your response to my brief article. Please know that you are in my prayers.

Fr. Chris

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Wonderful!
written by ScarlettOSarah77, October 11, 2011

This is wonderful! I converted to Orthodox Christianity seven years ago on August 15, 2004. I attended church regularly for about four or five years but fell away over the last two to three years due to graduating from school and starting a career as a nurse working nights. I was also a single parent through all of this. I recently was married in the Orthodox church and had a lot of anxiety about coming back after being away, but this helped me remember the time my parish priest called me at home to check and see why I wasn't coming to church. In all my life, and church experiences, I never once had a pastor call me to see what was going on in my life. It helped me to realize the truth of Christ, and home that I have found in Orthodox Christianity. I remember that never once was I judged for my sins and instead embraced and loved. I recently heard the best, most succinct description of Orthodox Christianity I have ever encountered, "Western Christianity is concerned with the legalism, Eastern Christianity is concerned with the spiritual condition of the heart" and this program is the perfect example of the taking good care of the heart. Take care, God Bless, and keep up the great work.

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