Approaching the Wardrobe Understanding the Journey Toward Orthodoxy

Start date: April 2012 1016 minutes, 40 seconds in 46 episodes

The purpose of this podcast is to help current Orthodox Christians understand people who are on the journey toward Orthodoxy and relate to them in an understanding manner. Host Jeff Wisniewski also seeks to help people on the journey toward Orthodoxy understand the struggles and desires that they themselves are experiencing.

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Episodes

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Date	Title & Description	Duration
May 16, 2013	Beautiful Unbelief: Why Should We Believe and Follow the Apostles? Unbelief can lead us to solidify why we can trust the Apostolic Orthodox Church. Click to play	22:21
May 02, 2013	Rhythm vs. Repetition: The Unique Liturgical Cycles of the Orthodox Church This discussion with a returning guest explores how the highly accessible spiritual life in Orthodoxy prevents boring liturgical repetition. Click to play	35:02
Apr 18, 2013	The Spiritual Monsters of Great Lent After tying up some loose ends from the previous episode, Jeff shares thoughts from Saint Anthony the Great identifying the spiritual battles going on in our souls in the Orthodox life. Click to play	19:26
Apr 04, 2013	Why I’m Orthodox and Not Catholic The humble heart of Pope Francis and memories of John Paul II have Jeff contemplating good things in Catholicism, but also why there is a certain “heaviness” to it and why he became Eastern Orthodox instead. Click to play	25:03
Mar 21, 2013	It’s Not an “F” Word: Fasting as a Human Being Many have misconceptions about the Great Fast. Our ascetic efforts are simply meant to lead us to the blessed state that comes from having a softened heart toward God. Jeff shares thoughts from His Eminence Archbishop Joseph’s visit to his parish and the book The Lenten Spring. Click to play	22:54
Mar 07, 2013	The Redemptive Love of the Woman Continuing with thoughts from the book The Sacrament of Love and imagery from Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, Jeff contemplates the unique value of womanhood in our lives. Click to play	19:49
Feb 21, 2013	Womanhood Venerated in Orthodoxy The redemptive role of the female is an often overlooked treasure in the life of the Orthodox Church. Inspired by thoughts from the author Paul Evdokimov and the film The Kid with a Bike, Jeff shares thoughts on the beauty of womanhood and motherhood in the ancient Christian faith. Click to play	14:44
Feb 07, 2013	Early Church Comfort Concerning Authority Structure in Orthodoxy “Where did all these positions come from?” is a question many ponder concerning the Orthodox Church. Jeff contrasts the modern crisis of authority in Christianity with the Biblical roles of authority. Click to play	26:42
Jan 31, 2013	Early Church Comfort Concerning Orthodoxy, Part 3 The Mother of God is an uncomfortable subject for many coming to Orthodoxy. It is necessary to have “a mind for mystery” when it comes to understanding Mary, the Theotokos. Jeff looks for the mind of the early church in this episode. Click to play	25:35
Jan 17, 2013	Early Church Comfort Concerning Orthodoxy, Part 2 Close communion with the saints was normal in the Apostolic Church. Ante-Nicene Christian records demonstrate that the practice of honoring and appealing to the saints have been accepted since the beginning.	30:35
Jan 10, 2013	Early Church Comfort Concerning Orthodoxy, Part 1 Apostolic tradition guided the early believers. This is the foundation for modern Orthodox Christianity as well.	27:32
Jan 04, 2013	An Unexpected Journey: The Hobbit and Orthodoxy, Part 2 “Counting the cost” is a difficult step in following Christ and in coming to Orthodoxy. Contemplating Bilbo Baggins's calling and decision, Jeff explores how we have to suffer, and how we will be greatly rewarded.	21:35
Dec 29, 2012	An Unexpected Journey: The Hobbit and Orthodoxy Drawing on the opening chapter of The Hobbit, Jeff explores the theme of “uncomfortable Orthodoxy.”	23:27
Dec 20, 2012	Obedience, Listening, and Leadership in Orthodoxy The example of His Beatitude Ignatius IV and the wisdom from Mother Raphaela inspire thoughts on healthy obedience and leadership.	20:15
Dec 06, 2012	A Ballet Evening Who said sanctification would be easy?	17:15
Nov 22, 2012	The Spruce That Survived Sandy Walloped by unexpected trauma, Jeff contemplates the love of Christ found in the Orthodox Church.	10:28
Nov 08, 2012	The Magical Mystery Tour: Stop #3 Jeff explores the mystery of our unrecognized royal identity in the life of Christ and how this relates to Orthodoxy.	18:07
Nov 01, 2012	The Magical Mystery Tour: Stop #2 Mark Twain penned the phrase “truth is stranger than fiction.” Here Jeff discusses some strange non-fiction in the life of faith.	18:50
Oct 25, 2012	The Magical Mystery Tour: Stop #1 Orthodoxy can seem merely formal and rigid, especially to outsiders. Jeff begins to explore mystical elements and accounts that enhance the faith of many. A contemporary account of a Saint Spyridon experience is shared in this episode.	19:11
Oct 18, 2012	Missing the “Extra” Services Services outside of Sunday Divine Liturgy are often weakly attended. Jeff discusses the issues involved, the potential effect on inquirers to Orthodoxy, and some benefits in participating.	11:09
Oct 11, 2012	Matter Matters: The Saints and the Things Meet Us Halfway Does venerating saints and things in Orthodoxy detract from the pure worship of God? Jeff shares readings from different places and times, considering how we need the physical things and people to touch the Kingdom of God.	19:36
Oct 04, 2012	Matter Matters: We Venerate . . . Period Jeff explains how all people naturally venerate.	20:44
Sep 27, 2012	Matter Matters: Freedom Through Physical Engagement Jeff explores how our physical activities solidify our identity and provide a constant means of sharing our burdens with God.	22:36
Sep 20, 2012	Matter Matters: Joy Through Physical Engagement Jeff explains that interacting physically brings us an increased awareness of God’s presence, along with comfort and heartfelt communion.	22:27
Sep 13, 2012	It Is About the Stuff, and We’ve Been Robbed! God has always chosen to sanctify and empower physical things for His Glory and our transformation. Orthodox Christians are able to glorify God with the rich physical practices of the ancient faith.	27:01
Sep 06, 2012	It’s Kind of About the Stuff: Saint Spyridon, Lesser Known Accounts—Part 2 Are the “things” of Orthodoxy essential to what’s most important in the Christian faith? Jeff continues to explore this topic while contemplating Saint Spyridon’s spiritual lessons for us.	26:03
Aug 30, 2012	It’s Not About the Stuff: Saint Spyridon, Lesser Known Accounts—Part 1 Can the beautiful things in Orthodoxy get in the way of what’s most important? Jeff begins to explore the life of St. Spyridon and his spiritual lessons for us.	16:37
Aug 23, 2012	Interview with an Artist, Part 2 The interview continues here as Jim describes his experience with western Catholicism, strange things in Orthodoxy, and the beauty in everyday Orthodox life. Jeff concludes by sharing thoughts from Saint Isaac.	19:31
Aug 16, 2012	Interview with an Artist, Part 1 From Christian to commune to Roman Catholicism to Emergent, and finally finding home in Orthodoxy: Welcome to the life and times of Jim John Marks.	26:22
Aug 09, 2012	So You Want to Become Orthodox and Be a Priest? Jeff identifies some misunderstandings concerning the priesthood and probes motives people have when desiring to be ordained.	27:38
Aug 02, 2012	Aurora, Colorado, Young People, and Christianity Young people in this postmodern world are often perplexing to adults. This episode explores elements of tragedy, hope, and connection points we can have with contemporary youth.	23:29
Jul 26, 2012	The Seeming “Wildness of God” and His Sovereignty It’s sometimes hard to see how “all things work together for good” in God’s sovereignty. It’s scary when we see that evil things are allowed to happen. We question whether God really cares about us individually in midst of His bigger plans. Orthodoxy embraces all aspects of the Christian experience, including the events that seem to make no sense.	21:03
Jul 19, 2012	Thoughts from Those on the Journey God is at work in profound ways, in a wide variety of people who are being drawn to the ancient faith. This episode explores thoughts found in comments, feedback, and conversations with people who are approaching Orthodoxy.	19:27
Jul 12, 2012	Seeing the Sovereignty of God in Our Circumstances Seeing God’s intimate involvement in our “circumstances” leads us to a deeper appreciation of His sovereignty. While on the road, Jeff shares some readings from saints and experiences of seeing God at work in the details of life.	23:53
Jul 05, 2012	What’s Cool About the Frozen Chosen: Reformed Christianity Reformed or Calvinist Christians are often given a bad rap from other Christian groups due to generalizations and misunderstandings. An unbalanced mindset concerning the sovereignty of God can keep us from trusting and resting in His grace and lead to an unhealthy faith. In this episode, Jeff attempts to offer a balanced Orthodox perspective on the subject.	34:36
Jun 28, 2012	People This episode explores the difficulty of truly loving people in Christian service instead of merely manipulating or impressing them. Relating to people with a pure heart is a challenge for everyone; however, in different faith traditions, it takes on different forms. True Orthodoxy leads us to see all others as united to each of us, and we are challenged to practice a more genuine, selfless love for others.	20:40
Jun 21, 2012	Weddings and Love: Part 2 Weddings are a sensitive time for all who are involved. Orthodox Christians often face unique challenges in relating to non-Orthodox weddings in a Godly manner, as they long to see sanctity emphasized in this monumental life event. However, it can be a significant point of contact with others. Jeff recounts a recent wedding experience, and the tensions involved in relating to others from an Orthodox perspective.	14:54
Jun 14, 2012	Weddings and Love: Part 1 The sacrament of marriage in our modern culture is almost a lost art. This two-part series tackles the challenge of focusing on the Godly aspects of love, weddings, and marriage outside of the Orthodox Church. Part one emphasizes romance as a gift from God, and introduces the concept that marriage must go beyond a mere lifelong commitment to enter the realm of true Orthodoxy.	17:59
Jun 07, 2012	Planting, Waiting, Growth Chrismations normally follow a long, slow pilgrimage toward Orthodoxy. Loving believers who want to see spiritual growth in family members or friends also wait, planting spiritual seeds and praying. The great saints have learned to wait for good things, and so must we. Jeff contemplates the challenges and rewards of waiting in Orthodoxy.	19:03
May 31, 2012	A Sad Face Is Good for the Heart Sadness and struggle are often “out of place” in modern Christianity. Jeff explains that Godly sorrow is embraced on the journey toward true Orthodoxy, where we find that a “sad face is good for the heart.”	21:32
May 24, 2012	Being a “Nobody” and a “Somebody” Jeff describes his final jump into Orthodoxy and what God used to bring him there. He also explores how we need to give up trying to be a “somebody” and learn instead to become a “nobody."	19:03
May 17, 2012	Memory Eternal: Death and the Communion of the Saints Jeff describes how encounters with Proto-presbyter Joseph Kreta, on both sides of the veil of death, help him and his fellow parishioners embrace the loving fellowship shared in the “communion of the saints.”	14:31
May 10, 2012	The Magic and Mystery C. S. Lewis’s popularity and insights are a testimony to how people are longing for magic and mystery within the material world. Jeff explores how the Orthodox faith integrates the spiritual and physical realms into one cohesive experience and is thus the gateway to fulfilling those desires.	27:56
May 03, 2012	Natural Life What does Bob Marley and the Protestant missions world have in common? What does this have to do with Orthodoxy? The journey continues with more stories and insights, focusing on the desire for natural beauty in interacting with God and people.	29:10
Apr 26, 2012	Un-sacred Alienation In this second episode, the journey continues. After meditating on the “sacred beginning” introduced in episode one, as well as on sacraments outside of the Orthodox Church, Jeff describes the darker side of the “do it yourself” western Christian mindset. This episode begins the process of contrasting some of the modern “holes” in the Christian world with the treasures of the ancient faith.	25:27
Apr 18, 2012	The Sacred Journey Begins The sacred journey toward Orthodoxy is introduced in this episode. Here the listener can develop a stronger understanding and love for those who long for the treasures of the ancient faith.	25:22