Hearts and Minds

Fr. John Oliver shares the story of one British philosopher's search for God.

Fr. John Oliver ponders the long climb ahead of us, and the ways that we can be led astray and fall off the Ladder of Divine Ascent.

Fr. John Oliver reflects upon the cross that we are called to bear as we follow Christ, and pursue the healing of our will.

Fr. John Oliver considers the scandalous nature of mystery.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on the recent passage of the House Equality Act by the United States House of Representatives asking, "What does the Orthodox Church mean when She says, 'You Are Welcome Here'".

Fr. John Oliver helps us to understand more the mystery of belonging to God.

Fr. John Oliver asks whether it is possible for a Christian to loose their sanity, their ability to manage their lives, and how to trust God in the struggle.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on the unique features in each friendship.

Fr. John Oliver offers hope for those suffering with anxiety in a crazy world.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on the writing of St. John Chrysostom titled "No One Can Harm the Man Who Does not Harm Himself."

Fr. John Oliver considers the motivating forces behind Zacchaeus' movement up the tree and towards Jesus.

Fr. John Oliver asks, Is it possible to experience true conversion? What role does our effort play in the conversion of our souls?

Fr. John Oliver discusses the true meaning of repentance, becoming the person that God desire us to become.

Fr. John Oliver paints a hope-filled picture of the healing power of forgiveness.

Fr. John Oliver explores the four cycles or rhythms that are embedded in nature and in the Church.

The death of St. Elizabeth the Grand Duchess and New Martyr tells us about how she lived her life lived long before her martyrdom.

Fr. John Oliver offers three questions that help us trace the root of both the good and the bad in our lives. Am I being loving? Am I being accepting? Am I being appreciated?

Fr. John Oliver helps us to see that even on the days that we absolutely act pig-like, we are not our passions.

Fr. John Oliver reminds us of what lies ahead of us during Holy Week for our salvation.

As Orthodox Christians in a non-Orthodox culture, we have questions: Who are we? What is "the Church"? What is our relationship to friends and family of other faiths? What is ecumenism? Who will be saved? In this special edition of Hearts and Minds, Fr John Oliver offers a few reflections.

Fr. John Oliver invites us to consider the unhealthy family patterns that we have been handed through birth and have a choice whether we carry them into our future.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on what it means for God to speak a Word, and how our own words can drip with the honey of truth and love.

Fr. John Oliver explains the stages of grace in the spiritual life, in the context of the journey of Great Lent.

Fr. John Oliver reflects on the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ (January 1st) and how God is to be found in the details of life.

Kurt Harris interviews his oldest daughter, Anna Harris, about her story of how God brought her into the Orthodox Church, in this series titled "Stories Toward the Sacred" on the Hearts and Minds podcast.

Kurt Harris interviews Dan Naes about his story of how God brought him into the Orthodox Church, in this series titled "Stories Toward the Sacred" on the Hearts and Minds podcast.

Fr. John Oliver describes the purpose of our ascetic disciplines as believers - to be set free and partake in the glory of God!

Kurt Harris interviews Charles Chusuei about his story of how God brought him into the Orthodox Church, in this new series titled "Stories Toward the Sacred" on the Hearts and Minds podcast.

Fr. John Oliver reminds us that the Christian heart wants to taste of the incomparable heavenly banquet of the Kingdom of God.

Fr. John Oliver offers a view of the pain of the "wilderness" stage of the Christian life while journeying with God to the Promised Land.

Fr. John Oliver explains the Three Powers of Thinking, Desiring and Acting. He describes the impact on our lives when one or more of theses powers are sick in our lives, and shares how we can experience healing of these powers.

Fr. John Oliver interviews Kurt and Nancy Harris who share their story of how God brought them into the Orthodox Church. The Harris' will in turn interview others in this new series titled "Stories Toward the Sacred" on the Hearts and Minds podcast.

"A 'thank you' toward Heaven is nice, but how much more does it mean when it flows from sincerity—from a changing life? The human being says 'thank you' to God by becoming more like him."

Fr. John shows how the Bible's answer to "What must I do to be saved?" differs from the world's.

Fr. John exhorts his listeners (despite being a published author himself) to read the saints first.

Fr. John uses the great feasts we are celebrating as evidence against excusing our deviant behavior.

Fr. John explains how all the Church's words are full of grace and truth—an example for us all as we celebrate the birth of the Word.

Fr. John uses the parable of Jesus to show us what Christian life is supposed to be.

Fr. John examines how the advent season prepares us for the Nativity of Christ.

Fr. John notes the differences between problems and crosses to bear.

During the afterfeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Fr. John reflects on the mystery that is Mary.

Fr. John offers a reflection on the recent tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico.

Fr. John makes the obvious (?) connection between summer and the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 8th Century, BC.

Fr. John looks at tombs we all fall into—the sins, beliefs and habits that drain the life out of us.

Fr. John shows how Holy Week answers the question of "What happened?" between Christ's entry into Jerusalem and His glorious Resurrection.

Fr. John shows how, like the ecosystem of Guam was damaged by an unseen predator, so also what we keep hidden within us can destroy our relationships without repentance.

Fr. John uses the thoughts of St. Nikolai Velimirovich to reflect on the tragedy in Haiti.

Fr. John examines the life and faith of the Holy New Martyr and Grand Duchess Elizabeth.

Fr. John examines the well-known parable in answer to the question, "Are you saved?"

Fr. John shows how participation in God's sacraments are a necessary part of our salvation.