🧵 💡IMAGINE: A World with an "Innocent Filter"🌍
What if we applied one rule to everything—food, meds, media, tech: If it’s not good for kids, it’s probably not good for you? How would industries shift? Let’s explore a hypothetical world! ⬇️ #InnocentFilter 1/ Food Industry: Massive Shift (80-90%) 🍎
Junk food & sugary drinks vanish. Fast food chains like McDonald’s turn into smoothie bars. Organic, whole foods dominate. Obesity plummets, health costs drop. Processed food’s $1T market reinvents itself for kids’ sake. #CleanEating

🧵 Why do Orthodox Christians pray for the departed for 40 days? What’s the significance? Let’s explore this sacred tradition and reflect on how our lives and legacies might shape the soul’s journey after death. ⬇️
#OrthodoxFaith #Christianity #Prayer 1/ In Orthodox Christianity, the 40-day period after death is a time of intense prayer for the departed soul. It’s rooted in biblical tradition—40 days often signifies a period of transition or preparation, like Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness or Moses on Mount Sinai. #Faith

💡IDEA: Free K-12 American Academy 📚💻

What if we redirect property taxes to fund homeschoolers via an endowment? A hybrid system could unify education, align with Trump's Agenda 47 vision for an American Academy, and abolish unfair local taxes for a free, fair ed system. 🧵👇🏻 What if we rethink property taxes? $600B collected yearly funds local schools, but homeschool families get zero benefit despite paying. Could endowment taxes ($10B+) create a hybrid K-12 American Academy, free for all, while easing taxpayer burdens?

💻📚 AGENDA 47: Trump’s American Academy

Free education for all by 2026? What if we turned college endowments into a digital revolution, empowering millions with AI-driven learning? Watch his vision below and read the thread on how we could make it real. What if we taxed $200B in uni endowments to fund a free, online American Academy by 2026? Imagine: no debt, AI-customized courses, global access. Here’s how it could happen, step by step, and transform the world. Let’s dream big.

PART FOUR: RENEWAL

Inside-Out Again

Inside Power! 🌟💪

A guy found a book that said there’s a gap between what happens and what you do next. It’s like picking your move in a game! He and his wife talked deep on a beach, finding out why they act weird sometimes. It’s all about fixing yourself first! 📖🏖️

Changing inside beats just acting nice outside. They rode a bike, talked about feelings, and got super close. It’s like cleaning your room—you feel awesome after! Start with your heart, and everything gets better. #InsideOut #HeartFix 😊✨ Talk It Out! 🗣️❤️

One day, a man read there’s a space to choose how you react—like waiting before you yell. He and his wife chatted on a quiet bike ride, learning about their past. It’s like finding hidden treasure in your own head! 🚲💎
They found out why she loved Frigidaire—it was her dad! Talking deep made them stronger, not fake-happy. It’s like building a fort—you start inside to make it solid. #DeepTalk #Stronger 😍🛠️

PART FOUR: RENEWAL

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw: Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal

Stay Sharp! 🪚💪

Imagine sawing a tree for hours with a dull blade—super hard, right? A guy said, “No time to sharpen!” But sharpening makes it easy! Habit 7 is like that—resting, exercising, and thinking keep you strong for everything else, like a superhero recharge! 😴🏃

You’ve got four parts to sharpen: body, heart, brain, and friends. Run to stay fit, pray or chill to feel good, read to get smart, and help pals to be happy. It’s like tuning a bike—you ride better! #StayStrong #TuneUp 😊🚴 Power Up! ⚡🌟

A dude sawed a tree forever ‘cause his saw was dull. “Take a break, sharpen it!” I said. “Too busy!” he yelled. That’s silly! Sharpening your saw—body, spirit, mind, and heart—makes life fun and easy, like fixing a toy before playtime! 🛠️🎉

Exercise, think happy thoughts, read cool books, and be nice to friends. It’s like charging your game controller—everything works better! Do it a little every day, and you’ll be awesome. #PowerOn #FunLife 😎📖

PART THREE: PUBLIC VICTORY

Habit 6: Synergize: Principles of Creative Cooperation

Teamwork Rocks! 🤝✨

Synergy is like mixing colors to make a new one—better than the old ones alone! Imagine a class where kids share wild ideas and make a cool project. It’s not just adding up—it’s magic when everyone’s different ideas mix and boom, something awesome happens! 😮🎨

A husband wanted to fish, but his wife wanted to see her mom. They argued until they teamed up—found a spot near her mom to camp! It’s better than fighting. Teamwork makes stuff way cooler than doing it solo. #TeamMagic #MixItUp 😊👍 Mix and Match! 🌟🔧

Think of synergy like building a super robot with your friends. Each kid brings a part—wheels, arms, lights—and together it’s unstoppable! In a class, we tossed out boring plans and made a book. Everyone’s ideas made it epic, not just okay. 🤖📚

A guy and his wife fought over vacation. He listened, she listened, and they found a new plan—fishing near her mom! It’s like finding a secret treasure by working together. Differences make it fun! #SuperTeam #NewIdeas 😍🚀

PART THREE: PUBLIC VICTORY

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

Listen First! ❤️

Imagine going to an eye doctor who gives you his glasses without checking your eyes. “These work for me!” he says. But you can’t see! That’s silly, right? It’s like when grown-ups try to fix your problems without listening first. You gotta understand before you help! 😵🤓

A dad kept telling his son, “School’s great, try harder!” But the son felt lost and quit talking. If the dad listened, he’d hear the real problem—like the kid’s scared of failing. Listening helps you get it right, like finding the perfect toy! #ListenUp #BeKind 😊👍 Ear On, Mouth Off! 🗣️🚫

Once, a mom asked, “Why are you sad, honey?” Her kid said, “School stinks.” She didn’t listen—she just said, “You need school!” It’s like giving medicine without knowing what’s wrong. You gotta hear the whole story first, not just guess! 🤔💭

When you really listen, it’s like giving a big hug with your ears. The kid opened up later when the dad listened without talking over him. It’s cooler to understand than to boss people around! #EarOn #HugTime 😍🤗

PART THREE: PUBLIC VICTORY

Habit 4: Think Win-Win: Principles of Interpersonal Leadership

Cooperation Rocks! 🤝✨

Once, a boss told me his team wouldn’t work together. “They’re selfish,” he said. I saw they didn’t trust each other, like when you don’t share toys. He wanted them to cooperate, but he made them race for a prize trip instead. That’s like saying, “Be friends,” but picking one winner! 😡

It didn’t work ‘cause he set up a fight, not teamwork. We changed it so everyone could win by helping each other. Like when you and your buddies build a fort together—it’s more fun and stronger! Cooperation beats racing any day. #TeamWork #WinWin 😊👍 Golden Rule Fun! 🌟🙌

There’s a cool saying: “Treat others how you want to be treated.” It’s like if you share your snacks, others might share with you! A guy named Edwin said we should live it, not just know it. Imagine everyone being nice—that’d be awesome! 😋🍕

I saw a team where the boss wanted help, but he made it a contest. That’s like playing tag but only one kid wins. We fixed it so they all won by working together, like a big group hug! It’s better when everyone’s happy. #BeNice #Together 😍🤗

PART THREE: PUBLIC VICTORY

Paradigms of Interdependence

Friends Need Trust 🤝✨

You can’t be buddies with someone if you don’t trust them. And trust only comes if you’re honest and real. A cool guy named Samuel Johnson said friendship needs confidence, and confidence needs integrity. That means being true to yourself first, like doing your homework before playing!

Being good with others starts with being good alone. You can’t skip to the fun part—like jumping to dessert without eating veggies. A man at a seminar was sad because his wife didn’t trust him. Turns out, he wasn’t honest before. Be real, and trust grows! #TrustMatters #BeHonest 😊👍 Build Yourself First 🛠️🌟

Before you can team up with friends, you gotta be strong on your own. It’s like learning to ride a bike before racing. If you’re not ready inside, relationships can break, like toys that fall apart. You need to work on you first—then you’ll be a super teammate!

Think of it like this: you can’t cheat your way to being awesome. A guy tried to fix his wife’s nagging with tricks, but it didn’t work. He had to fix himself first! Being real and strong inside makes you ready for big wins with others. #GrowUp #TeamWork 😉🚀

🚨 OKLAHOMANS, CHECK THIS! 🚨 State Auditor Cindy Byrd is busting fraud left and right!

She’s exposing Tulsa Public Schools (TPS):

- $29M to consultants with no proof,

- $37M to “partners” like Growing Together ($1.2M, board member’s husband’s gig),

- $5.2M to ERS for fluffy “alignment,”

- $8.4M to a bond director’s firm (he took $319K),

- $848K to a consultancy for “coaching” 79 staff ($10,740 each),

- $603K + $221K stolen by Devin Fletcher (wire fraud),

- $5.1M in secret bonuses via the Foundation for Tulsa Schools ($35K to Deputy Superintendent Paula Shannon,

- $25K to CFO Jorge Robles).

Our kids and teachers got SCREWED! 💀

She’s also on the Mental Health Dept’s $63M mystery, the 2017 Health Dept’s $30M slush fund, and Swadley’s BBQ—millions paid, now indicted for conspiracy.

Byrd’s a taxpayer champ! 🔥

YOUR tax money is vanishing—demand justice!

@GovStitt @OklahomaDOGE @repkevinhern

#OklahomaFraud #TaxpayerTruth #AuditTheWaste First 30 min transcript:

1/

“[First to highlight staff.] The first one is Melissa Capps. Melissa, please stand up. Melissa is the director who led the audit of Medicaid, and we will talk about that today.

And, of course, we have Jonathan Woods, and he is new to the office. And, again, we just have a great team that really believes in the mission of this office. So, I never want to be the one person to take credit.

It's a team effort. So, again, I'm so grateful for this opportunity to speak to you all, to the Republican Women's Group. I mean, this is, you guys have one of the largest groups in the state.

I see many friends out here today. That's encouraging. I'm a licensed CPA, and the first woman elected to the office of the state auditor.

But I tell people I would rather grandstand on the fact that I'm the first person to be leading this office in over 30 years who has performed audits at all levels of government in Oklahoma. Right now, I like to call myself a government auditing specialist. And the most important thing I've learned is that there's no such thing as government funded.

It is taxpayer funded. My first assignment 28 years ago was at the county treasurer's office down in Wilberton, Oklahoma. And for three weeks, I literally watched government taking money from its citizens.

I had a front row seat as ranchers and teachers came in to pay their property taxes. And I knew then that what was collected from the citizenry must be kept to a minimum and every dime spent according to what the law required. We pay taxes in order to receive the benefits of good government.

We decide how much to pay and what size government we want. But at the end of the day, whether we choose big government or little government, we need to make sure that the money gets to the right place and gets to the Oklahomans who need it most. That's where the state auditor and inspector comes in.

So our job is to make sure that the money is being used in accordance with the law and that it's not being wasted or even embezzled. When there's a firestorm up at 23rd and Lincoln, our state's capital, who do you think they call? They call the state auditor. Just this last week, I had officials from multiple branches of government in my office asking me to get to the bottom of a sudden crisis in the Department of Mental Health.

Apparently, the agency's numbers tanked and there was a shortfall of $63 million. Now, I'm going to tell you right now, we didn't lose $63 million overnight. But now that agency has asked for more state appropriations to cover the shortfall.

The taxpayers need answers before they agree to more. Now, it's all a bit reminiscent of the 2017 scandal when the health department claimed they were $30 million short. That led to an audit and a multi-county grand jury investigation which found that the health department had a slush fund in which they had used to hide and abuse tax dollars.

So I promise you we're going to find out what happened to the money at the health department and we'll hold that agency accountable. Now, the people of Oklahoma elect the state auditor as their choice to ensure that there is an independent, so that we independently audit the expenditures of public funds in a uniform and objective manner. Now, we're the only agency in Oklahoma consistently examining how your tax dollars are spent.

Now, we've all been hearing a lot about government efficiency lately. And when I hear DOGE, all I can think is, hey, we government auditors, we're DOGE. We're DOGE….

🚨 OKLAHOMANS, PAY ATTENTION! 🚨 Rep. Kevin Hern @repkevinhern is standing strong for us in D.C.!

He’s supporting @POTUS Trump’s push to make Democrats choose—fund the border or shut down the government. Hern’s backing a plan to freeze federal funds, cut waste, and keep @elonmusk’s “@DOGE ” moving forward. This is about OUR values! 💪

Democrats are rattled—they fear Musk and Trump’s plan to slash spending and assert executive power. Hern’s teaming up with @SpeakerJohnson for a vote TODAY, then heading out, leaving the left scrambling. Bold move! 🔥

Hern’s representing Oklahoma proudly, pushing Trump’s agenda against the Soros crowd. Call him, folks—let’s amplify this fight!

@OklahomaDOGE @GovStitt

#OklahomaProud #Trump2024 #MuskDoge #CutTheWaste

- 3/11 Full Transcript: 👇🏻 1/2 “The big talk is the funding deadline at the end of the week. It's critically important that you keep
an eye on what's happening today. President Trump, over the past few weeks, has called various members of the House Conference into the White House, the Student Caucus, a
conference that has been there every week in Oval or in the White House, discussing what the strategy will be on this.

It's critically important because what the Democrats want to do is stop both the reconciliation process, which would allow potentially the structure of President Trump's agenda to continue forward. And then they also want to stop Doge. That's really what they feel is their biggest fear right now, is Doge and what Elon Musk is doing.

So the President simply asked Republicans to do something very simple, something that normally people like the House Freedom Caucus or Congress of the Heard wouldn't support.
And what he did is he requested a simple CR that would extend funding until September. It would freeze federal funds, it would cut all of your markets, and it would only plus up the
border. That's important because what that's going to do is two things. First, it's going to keep Doge going to allow what most of those employees for Doge are considering not essential. VP Vance is on the Hill right now making that case to members.

In addition to that, it's going to force Democrats to make a choice. In fact, Speaker Johnson has actually decided to burn the ships. We are going to go vote on this today in the House, on the floor, and then he's sending members home before the deadline.

So what that's going to do is force Democrats to make a simple choice. Do you want to vote for the Trump agenda or do you want to shut down the government? And I say let him make that choice.

Democrats are very supportive of this because that's what the President needs and he thinks it's a very important thing.

The other piece of this that is important to keep in mind and we're going to tease it today, we can talk about it more in the future, this is very much tied to an idea that this Trump White
House is embracing, and that is the unified executive theory. Anyone heard of that before? No? Okay, go do some reading. Here's some homework. There won't be a pop quiz. Brenda won't be asking you the next
meeting.

But it's incredibly important to understand the President's thinking right now. His OMB Director is Russ Doge. He's one of the principal articulators of this theory that has worked with theTrump administration for a while.

And the idea simply is that the President under our Constitution has the sole authority to lead the executive branch. What that means, that's important. Not only can he do what he needs to do within the executive branch, hire who he needs to fire, hire who he needs to hire, fire who
he needs to fire.

But when it comes to spending, you're going to see a fight with Democrats over something that's called impoundment. That is the idea that the President has the authority as a sole
director of the executive branch to not spend money. That's an important thing.
In the United States, we used to do that. The President's had that power. Congress passed a law in 1974 that the President believes is unconstitutional.

And you're going to probably see this come to a head. So you're asking, where is Doge going? What is going to happen with all these spending cuts, all these spending recommendations?
This is where it comes in. You're going to see the President, the President has assured both members of Congress and the Senate and others that this is the direction that he wants to go.
That he believes ultimately, after Elon Musk and his team gets through making these
recommendations, that he will be able to, without any other permission, be able to cut these spending and cut out the waste, fraud, and abuse, which is very, very important….

PART TWO: PRIVATE VICTORY

HABIT 3: Put First Things First: Principles of Personal Management

Focus on What Matters Most 🌟👍

Habit 3 is about putting first things first—like doing what’s most important, not just what’s loudest. Think about one thing you could do to make your life better, like exercising or reading more. It’s your choice to take charge and make a big difference every day! 🌈✨

It builds on Habits 1 and 2: You’re the boss of your life, and you imagine your goals. Now, Habit 3 is doing it—making those dreams real, step by step. It’s like planting a seed and watering it daily to grow strong. Start small, stay focused! 🌱🚀 #LifeGoals #Habit3 Be Your Own Boss Every Day 🧠💪

You’ve got special powers: imagination, conscience, and will. Habit 3 uses them to manage yourself. Instead of waiting for others to tell you what to do, decide what’s important—like helping a friend or finishing homework—and do it your way! 🕒🌟

It’s not about being perfect; it’s about sticking to what you value, like honesty or kindness. When you say “no” to distractions (like too much TV), you say “yes” to your goals. That’s real power—leading yourself! 🙌🔥 #SelfManagement #BeProactive

PART TWO: PRIVATE VICTORY

HABIT 2: Begin with the End in Mind: Principles of Personal Leadership

Imagine Your Future 😊🌟

Imagine going to your own funeral. Picture your family and friends there, talking about you. What do you want them to say? That you were kind, fun, or brave? Thinking about this helps you decide what’s most important in life, like love and helping others. Focus on that now! 😍🙌

This is Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. It’s like picking your destination before you start a trip. Know where you want to go—like being a good friend—so every step you take gets you closer. Start today with what matters most to you! 🌈🚀 #LifeGoals #BeYourBest Plan Like a Builder 🏡🔨

Everything’s created twice—first in your head, then for real. Like building a house, you dream it up before you hammer a nail. Think about your life the same way. What do you want to make? A happy family? Cool projects? Picture it first! 🧠✨

Habit 2 says to start with a clear goal. Don’t just be busy—be smart! If you don’t plan, you might end up somewhere you don’t like. Imagine your best life, then make it happen, step by step. You’ve got this! 🌟👍 #DreamBig #PlanSmart

PART TWO: PRIVATE VICTORY

HABIT 1: Be proactive: Principals of Personal Vision

Be Proactive: Take Charge 😊👍

You can choose how you act, not just react! Imagine standing above yourself, watching your thoughts. That’s self-awareness, a cool human power animals don’t have. It lets us learn from mistakes and grow, making us the boss of our own lives, not our moods or feelings. 😎✨

Viktor Frankl showed this in tough times. In Nazi camps, he chose how to respond, finding freedom in his mind. You can too! Focus on what you can control—like your attitude—and not what others say or do. That’s being proactive, and it makes you strong! 💪🚀 #BeProactive #MindPower Self-Awareness Rules 😍🌟

Think about your thoughts—cool, right? That’s self-awareness! It’s like a superpower that lets you step back and see yourself clearly. You’re not your feelings or what others think. This helps you fix bad habits and understand others better, making life awesome! 🧠🎉

The “social mirror” can trick you with stuff like “You’re messy!” or “You’re slow!” Don’t believe it! Those are just opinions, not who you are. You decide your own map of life by choosing what’s real and good for you, not what others push. 🙌🌈 #SelfAwareness #BeYou

PART ONE - PARADIGMS AND PRINCIPLES

The Seven Habits - An Overview

🌟 Habits Shape Us 🌱

Who you are comes from your habits—like brushing your teeth every day! They’re little things you do a lot, and they show if you’re kind or strong. Habits can pull you down or lift you up, like astronauts breaking free to the moon! 😊🚀

Changing habits isn’t easy—it takes time and heart. I know you can do it, though! Like learning to ride a bike, you practice and get better. Work on knowing what’s right, how to do it, and wanting to—and you’ll soar! 💖✨ #YouGotThis #GrowEasy What’s a Habit? 👀

A habit is something you do a lot—like playing games! It needs three parts: knowing why, knowing how, and wanting to. If you don’t listen to friends, you might need to learn all three to be a better buddy! 😍🌈

I once forgot to listen, but I worked on it. It’s like climbing a ladder—each step makes you better. Keep trying, and you’ll break old habits and make new ones that make you happy and strong! 🌟💡 #BeKind #LearnMore

PART ONE: PARADIGMS AND PRINCIPALS

Inside-Out

🌟 Inside Out Living 🌱

Life’s better when we live kindly and honestly. Some people I’ve met have lots of success outside but feel empty inside. They want to feel good about themselves and love their families, but something’s missing. Let’s find what really matters together! 😊🌈

Sometimes we try quick fixes, like new goals or diets, but they don’t last. I learned we need to change how we see ourselves first—like helping my son feel strong inside. Real change starts in your heart, not just what you do! 💖✨ #LifeLessons #BeYou 🧠 Seeing Differently 👀

How we see the world shapes everything. I once tried fixing my son’s struggles with school and sports, but it didn’t work until I changed my view. Seeing him as awesome just as he was made all the difference! 😍🌟

It’s like looking at a picture—some see a young lady, some an old one. Both are right! Our views come from our lives, and that’s okay. When we try to see others’ ways too, we grow kinder and happier. 🕊️💡 #SeeTheGood #Kindness

📕COMIC: Labor is a Partner (1949) 🧵👇🏻

“This comic book tries to undermine the notion of an inherent class struggle between labor and capital. Notable for taking jabs both at communists and at the capitalists who "confuse something good with the evil of communism".

🔗

#Comics
#Socialism
#Propaganda
1/17lcamtuf.coredump.cx/communism/Labo… 2/17

🌿🙏 A Call to Silence for Lent

Lent is a special time to get closer to God. Long ago, monks went to the desert to pray in quiet. We can’t do that, but we can try to be still. Turn off noisy stuff like phones or games sometimes. It helps us hear God better! 🤫✨

The world is so loud with TikTok, YouTube, and more. It’s fun, but it can fill our hearts too much. Let’s take breaks from screens and chatting. Maybe no social media for a bit? Quiet lets us think about God and feel peaceful inside. 🌟🤐

Try sitting still for 10 minutes a day—no talking, just listening. It’s hard, but don’t give up! God loves when we try. Being quiet helps us know Him more. Let’s do this together for a happy Lent! #Lent2025 #BeStill #Orthodox #ListenToGod 🙏💖
Archbishop Tihon Letter sent to Holy Apostles Church, 3/2/25, Oklahoma

Read full letter below: 👇🏻 1/2 “I have our Metropolitan Tihon calling the vessel on the beginning of the Great and Holy Fast.

To the clergy, monastics, and faithful of Northern Orthodoxy in America, our beloved children of the Lord, glory be to Jesus Christ. Glory be to Jesus Christ.

We read in the life of St. Athenios the Great that in the time of the great Palestinian monastic
fathers, many of the monks had a practice of retreating into the desert not just for the 40 days of Lent, but for the entire period between Theophany and Palm Sunday. This practice is
referenced in the hymns of the Triodion. At Matins, on Friday of the sixth week, the last day of Lent, the final Troparion of the second canon proclaims, All who dwell in the deserts, in
mountains and in caves, draw near and assemble with us, to meet the King and Master with palms in your hands, for He comes to save our souls.

Such a practice is unthinkable in our time, even for most monastics. Still, this practice holds an important lesson for all Orthodox Christians as we prepare for Great Lent.

Namely, that ascetic effort should not be divorced from silence. Hezekiah, a withdrawal from the tumult of the world. In fact, the cultivation of silence has a
special value in this age of constant noise. Social media platforms capitalize, quite literally, upon our endless engagement with one another.

Advertising is ubiquitous, invading every nook of our life, sometimes in truly insidious forms. Thanks to smartphones, a barrage of “entertainment”, podcasts, TikTok videos, YouTube shorts, spot-on TV shows, Spotify playlists, mobile games, is constantly at our
fingertips. News outlets try to persuade us to read or watch or listen to the world's happenings on a 24-hour-a-day basis.

Streaming services like Netflix and live streaming services like Twitch provide us with a nearly endless river of “content.” And the prevailing ideology tells us that self-expressions and making ourselves heard are among life's highest values.

However, if we constantly fill our eyes and minds with soul-numbing entertainment, what room do we leave for
the encounter with God?

If we constantly fill our ears with the sound of our own voice and opinions and expression, how shall we hear the eternal word of the Father? Therefore, I call upon each of us, all the clergy, monastics, and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, to make a Lenten commitment to cultivate silence in our life in some concrete way.

I offer here but a few examples, asking each of us to consider adapting the practice of silence to the realities of our own daily life. We might fast from posting on social media, or perhaps fast from using social media entirely, even passively.

Limit our time on the computer by turning it off at dinnertime and not turning it on again until after breakfast the next day….”
(continued 👇🏻)

🙏✨ Glory Be to Jesus Christ

When we read the Gospel, it’s like God talking to us! Jesus, who made everything, came to live with us. His words show us how to love and live right. It’s so special to hear Him in church or at home. 🕊️📖

Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, your heart is too.” If we love things in this world too much, life feels like a big race. But if our treasure is in heaven, everyone’s a friend, not a rival! We help each other get to God’s kingdom. 🤝💖

So let’s get ready for the Great Fast with forgiveness and quiet fasting. Pray more, forgive others, and don’t show off. It’s all about growing closer to God together! Join the Forgiveness Vespers tonight. #Faith #Forgive #GreatFast #Orthodox 🌟🙌

Fr. Ambrose, 2/23/25, paraphrased homily, Holy Apostles Orthodox Church, Oklahoma.

Read full homily below: 👇🏻 1/3 “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Glory be to Jesus Christ.
Glory forever.

When we read the Gospel, and most especially when we read the words, the preaching, and the teaching of Christ in the Gospel, you should understand that it is God Himself speaking to us. When we confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Second Person of the
Holy Trinity, the God who made everything, who has come in the flesh to live among us, then we have to understand that when we read His words in the Gospel, or we hear them being read
in the Church, this is God Himself speaking to us.

And the Lord tells us, Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. It's an exhortation to us. An exhortation to us to orient our lives in a particular way.
In a particular direction. Which, incidentally, if you don't know it, the word orient means to face east. It comes from the Middle Ages, where all churches were facing east. To be properly oriented means you are facing the correct direction for prayer. But this exhortation from the Lord is, Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. So we either have treasure in this world, or we have treasure in the Kingdom of God. This is the distinction that is set up for us in the Gospel. And if we look at it, it's a very appropriate idea for us to contemplate here on the eve of the Great Fast.

If our treasure is in this world, if our hopes are in this world, if any kind of hope we have for happiness or pleasure
or anything like that is in this world, then what happens? How do we approach everything? Our world becomes, our life becomes one of competition.

Every other human being becomes a competitor, becomes an opponent, and anything they have becomes something that we ought to acquire in order for us to have pleasure or happiness or what have you in this world.

Conversely, if our treasure is in heaven, what does that look like? Well then everyone is no longer a competitor or an opponent, but they're an ally.

In fact, it is with them and through them that we must ascend to the Kingdom where our treasure is.

Saint Silouan famously said, my brother is my life. And there's a saying, I don't know who said it first, but we go to heaven together, but everybody goes to hell alone. So in other words,
everyone becomes an opportunity, not just an ally, but someone whom we need.

And every offense that is not forgiven becomes an open wound, preventing us from attaining that treasure which we desire in heaven. And the Lord tells us the way to get there. How do we arrive at this place, heaven, where the Lord dwells and where our treasure is? He speaks about
fasting, but He speaks very briefly about fasting…” (continued 👇🏻)

Next up is Part 4's Chapter 9 - MAKING PEOPLE GLAD TO DO WHAT YOU WANT! It’s about getting folks pumped to do stuff your way. These tricks make them smile while they help out! 1/ Colonel House had to tell Bryan he wasn’t picked for a big peace trip. “You’re too awesome for this!” he said. Bryan grinned, happy to stay home! Making him feel like a VIP flipped a sad no into a big yes—super smart move! ✈️😎