Deborah, The Judge of Israel

When the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge assigned “Deborah, the Judge of Israel” as today’s topic I was a bit nervous, as I am not well versed in this aspect of the Old Testament. I quickly read the two chapters in Judges 4 & 5 that discuss Deborah.

When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim. And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he harshly oppressed the children of Israel. Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, 'Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; 'and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand'?" And Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!" So she said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; he went up with ten thousand men under his command, and Deborah went up with him. Now Heber the Kenite, of the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, had separated himself from the Kenites and pitched his tent near the terebinth tree at Zaanaim, which is beside Kedesh. And they reported to Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor. So Sisera gathered together all his chariots, nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth Hagoyim to the River Kishon. Then Deborah said to Barak, "Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot. But Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth Hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left. However, Sisera had fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, "Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; do not fear." And when he had turned aside with her into the tent, she covered him with a blanket. Then he said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." So she opened a jug of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him. And he said to her, "Stand at the door of the tent, and if any man comes and inquires of you, and says, 'Is there any man here?' you shall say, 'No.' " Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. And then, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, "Come, I will show you the man whom you seek." And when he went into her tent, there lay Sisera, dead with the peg in his temple. So on that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan in the presence of the children of Israel. And the hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.  Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying: "When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD! "Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. "LORD, when You went out from Seir, When You marched from the field of Edom, The earth trembled and the heavens poured, The clouds also poured water; The mountains gushed before the LORD, This Sinai, before the LORD God of Israel. "In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, In the days of Jael, The highways were deserted, And the travelers walked along the byways. Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, Arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; Then there was war in the gates; Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel. My heart is with the rulers of Israel Who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the LORD! "Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, Who sit in judges' attire, And who walk along the road. Far from the noise of the archers, among the watering places, There they shall recount the righteous acts of the LORD, The righteous acts for His villagers in Israel; Then the people of the LORD shall go down to the gates. "Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away, O son of Abinoam! "Then the survivors came down, the people against the nobles; The LORD came down for me against the mighty. From Ephraim were those whose roots were in Amalek. After you, Benjamin, with your peoples, From Machir rulers came down, And from Zebulun those who bear the recruiter's staff. And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; As Issachar, so was Barak Sent into the valley under his command; Among the divisions of Reuben There were great resolves of heart. Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart. Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan, And why did Dan remain on ships? Asher continued at the seashore, And stayed by his inlets. Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death, Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield. "The kings came and fought, Then the kings of Canaan fought In Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo; They took no spoils of silver. They fought from the heavens; The stars from their courses fought against Sisera. The torrent of Kishon swept them away, That ancient torrent, the torrent of Kishon. O my soul, march on in strength! Then the horses' hooves pounded, The galloping, galloping of his steeds. 'Curse Meroz,' said the angel of the LORD, 'Curse its inhabitants bitterly, Because they did not come to the help of the LORD, To the help of the LORD against the mighty.' "Most blessed among women is Jael, The wife of Heber the Kenite; Blessed is she among women in tents. He asked for water, she gave milk; She brought out cream in a lordly bowl. She stretched her hand to the tent peg, Her right hand to the workmen's hammer; She pounded Sisera, she pierced his head, She split and struck through his temple. At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still; At her feet he sank, he fell; Where he sank, there he fell dead. "The mother of Sisera looked through the window, And cried out through the lattice, 'Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarries the clatter of his chariots?' Her wisest ladies answered her, Yes, she answered herself, 'Are they not finding and dividing the spoil: To every man a girl or two; For Sisera, plunder of dyed garments, Plunder of garments embroidered and dyed, Two pieces of dyed embroidery for the neck of the looter?' "Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love Him be like the sun When it comes out in full strength." So the land had rest for forty years.

The first thing that occurred to me was how this might be used by those who seek to turn against their enemies. People have often accused “The Church” and “Religion” to be the main cause of “most” of the world violence. They turn to such stories in the Old Testament to make the case that God can be violent to prove His point. To this I say, “Let God do what God will do. As for us, we should turn the other cheek”

The other thing that came to my mind was positive for women in positions of authority. Although FEW women have been in such high levels of authority in the history of Israel, they are not absent. And women should not be absent in our contemporary society either. Of course, there was, and still is, a difference between religious leaders and what I might call civic leaders, but ALL are called to be obedient to the will of God.

And it is the obedience, or lack thereof, where my two points come together today. As the open verse of Judges 4 states, Israel was doing evil against the will of God. They were therefore subject to turmoil. Today’s society continually moves further and further from the will of God, and THEN wonders why we struggle. The Old Testament is filled with stories of Israel obeying and disobeying God, and being blessed and struggling. One thing we can grasp, among many, from this pattern is that when we stray away from God’s will, we place ourselves at risk of suffering at the hands of His enemies. Away from Him, He cannot protect us. Close to Him, He can shelter us with His arm. So why would we, lead by men or women, continue to stray from the will of God? Your guess is as good as mine.

In the meantime, let’s strive to be the New Israel we have been called to be, and live for the will of God. If that includes Godly women, so be it. And when we find ourselves suffering at the hands of His enemies, let’s quickly JUMP back to His side and beg His forgiveness.

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Sometimes I Think we Just Confuse Old with Tradition

Today’s topic from the 40 Days Blogging Challenge is “Oil Lamps." Following the ancient tradition of the Temple as commanded by God, Orthodox Christians bring an offering of olive oil to be burned in the Church lamps continually serving as a reminder of the presence of the Light of God.

And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually (Exodus 27.20)

Although olive oil has been offered to God for centuries, millennia actually, many Churches today have electric lamps in front of Icons and Icon Screens. Many have told me that this is done mainly for safety reasons, and quite frankly there have been TOO many Church fires this year. But is electric ok when it comes to the Church?

Allow me to take this topic in a different direction…Is it ok to swap ancient practices with new technology? Isn’t that all electric lights accomplish? Would God have commanded the Temple lamps to have 100 watt light bulbs if He could? There is something to be said about the offering part of the oil lamps, but aside from a parishioner bringing the oil, the PURE oil, as a gift to God; could the offering not be a check to cover the bulb and electricity? It’s not like WE press the olive oil, right?

I have to admit, as much as I prefer the original, I’m not sure where I draw the line. I do think there is a benefit to the discipline of lighting the oil lamps in the Church every morning. We maintain six in our Church, and there is a blessing in the daily practice, and prayers, of lighting the lamps, especially if you can remember that EVERY offering to God is an offering of prayer and devotion to God.

So, I’ll keep the oil lamps in our Church. We also have several electric lamps on the Icon Screen, which are “on” 24 hours a day, so I’m definitely NOT a purest when it comes to this issue. I was told once that an oil lamp is “alive” rather than dead electricity, but I’m not sure I buy that argument. The last time I stuck my finger in an electric socket, it felt pretty alive to me! Yes....I HAVE done that.

A few other examples of the “technology swap” include:

• Chanter stands with computer screens replacing traditional books
• Paraffin candles replacing pure beeswax
• Icons on canvass rather than painted on the wall
• Electronic or digital bells and speakers replacing bell towers

 Sometimes I think we Orthodox confuse “old” with Tradition.

  

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Snowflake

Since moving to South  Carolina more than five years ago, I seem to have forgotten what a snowflake was, so when the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge topic was announced, (Snowflake) I had to look it up on wiki…

A snowflake is either a single ice crystal or an aggregation of ice crystals which falls through the Earth's atmosphere.^[1] They begin assnow crystals which develop when microscopic supercooled cloud droplets freeze. Snowflakes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Complex shapes emerge as the flake moves through differing temperature and humidity regimes, such that individual snowflakes are nearly unique in structure. Snowflakes encapsulated in rime form balls known as graupel. Snowflakes appear white in color despite being made of clear ice. This is due to diffuse reflection of the whole spectrum of light by the small crystal facets.^[2]

OH! NOW I remember. It’s that cold white stuff that falls from the sky in July! J In case you didn’t know, I grew up in Colorado and it is “just” as likely to snow in July as it is in December. The “only” difference is that July snow doesn’t last more than a few hours and December snow might last a day or so in Denver where I grew up….

I miss snow. It has been since February 2012 that I watched snow falling fresh from the sky, so I REALLY miss it. And with all the snow falling the past few days up North (as I have learned to refer to all places above “the line”), I’m feeling more nostalgic for snow. “They” say this might the year it snows again in Florence. We’ll see. In the meantime, I’ll have to settle for sticking my head in the freezer and, using a spray bottle, hope something crystallizes….but I doubt it.

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Did God Command Bishops to Wear Special Hats?

In a recent article, Pope Francis was quoted as saying he was thinking of doing away with "the hat" and "Besides, you expect me to believe God really cares if I wear a big pointy hat or not? Come on.”  That got me thinking about Orthodox Clergy and the comments I often hear about we dress. I gather the Pope is trying to bridge the gap between the younger "more with-it" generation who might consider the Bishop's Mitre as old fashioned, ritualistic and therefore BAD. But did God say anything about hats?

I've already written my thoughts about clergy vestments in general, so I won't go into that here. You read about clergy vestments of the Old Testament Temple in Exodus 28-29, but I have quoted 2 points here...

"And you shall put it on a blue cord, that it may be on the turban; it shall be on the front of the turban" Exodus 28.37

"You shall put the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban." Exodus 29.6

I guess maybe God DID say something about how the celebrant must dress. Of course, I'm not a follower of Sola Scriptura, but even I can can tell the difference between a baseball cap and a holy crown.

UPDATE! I was going to delete the entire post as I "fell" for the satire. I don't normally fall for this stuff, but I saw this headline in a few locations, and in the growing context of coverage of the Pope's desire to "change things up" I didn't do the proper research. Having said that, I STILL think (which is why I didn't delete the post) there is benefit to reminding visitors/friends/society in general of the wealth of our ancient Holy Tradition.

Zygote – Life is Life and ALL Life Should be Honored

Today’s topic assigned by the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge is “Zygote”, which is the term used to describe the initial cell established in the creation of life. In the creation of human life, the Church has always believed that the “zygote” is a full human being. Well, it is a human being in so far as any of us are fully human. The reality of life is that we are ONLY fully human being in Communion with God, and as a human life, must be treated with the utmost respect and honor.

There are many Christians and Christian organizations, including an Orthodox Christian organization known as Zoi for Life, that exert much energy in the defense of human life, as a zygote. However, I’m not at all convinced the same would defend life in other forms. Many, however, defend a zygote while encouraging the killing of other human beings in prison. On the other hand, some defend the life of the prisoner while protecting the right of women to freely have an abortion.

It would seem to me, if someone believes life is important, than ALL human life should be equally important. All life, whether human or not, is a gift from God and has a purpose. Human life has a singular purpose of being in communion with God, and nothing less. But the honor of life does not rest solely in end-of-life issues, and those should include those who suffer IN life.

Hungry, crippled, blind, deaf, naked, in prison, mentally ill, unemployed, underemployed, abused, abandoned, orphaned, divorced, depressed, homeless – all examples of human beings who suffer. It would be nice if ALL life was defended in our society. But in the meantime, at least some life is honored, and for that I suppose I should be thankful. I’ll have to settle for hopeful for the remainder.

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Christmas Trees or Holiday Trees?

I’ve been on a kick this week. With all the emphasis on Christmas decorations, I’ve begun to notice something I never really placed much attention on before. First, I MUST say I have NOTHING against Christmas Trees. I know some Orthodox Christians have a BIG problem with the, but I am not one of them. The Mystagogy Blog has a entire Christmas Resource Page which includes articles on Christmas Trees. I HIGHLY suggest reading through these if you happen to be one who does not approve of Christmas Trees. Of course, there is a difference between not having a Christmas Tree and REFUSING to have a Christmas Tree. I would hope you understand the difference.

It’s isn’t the Christmas Tree directly that is the target of my kick this week. It is so-called Christmas decorations in general I’ve been taking notice of. I’ve noticed that there seems to be no difference between the way we decorate our homes and the decorations at the mall, which quite publicly many times refuse to use the term Christmas. Other than the decorations for sale, I have been hard-pressed to catch any glimpse of a genuine Christmas message within the decorations. They are quite beautiful, but they are quite general.

Red and green ribbons, stunning glittery bows, sparkling lights, shining silver and gold ornaments, but hardly anywhere a reference to Jesus Christ. I don’t blame the malls actually, since they are public gathering places in a pluralistic society of Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, along with secularists, deists, and atheists. BUT there should be a difference in the decorations in our home.

I challenge you to take an honest and objective view of your Christmas decorations and ask yourself, “Is there any difference between our decorations and the mall?” Ribbons, lights, bows, wreaths, even decorated trees can be used to beautify any home for ANY season. But we’re supposed to be decorating for Christmas. Do your decorations include icons of the Nativity or Jesus Christ? Do your ribbons express the traditional Orthodox Christian greeting, “Christ is Born; Glorify Him!” or season’s greetings? If the answer is “no,” then maybe you have shopping mall decorations in your home rather than Christmas decorations.

You may think my kick isn’t a big deal, but if a non-believer cannot tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian, whether our morals, our actions, or our decorations, then we are we really allowing the Light of Christ to shine or just fitting into the crowd.

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Saint Nicholas – A Lost Opportunity

Few men or women have gained the respect of the Christian world like Saint Nicholas. He is respected by Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christians for his acts of charity and compassion. This widespread fame presents us Orthodox Christians with the opportunity to share our theology of the Saints with those Christians and non-Christians. His fame opens the door for Orthodox Christians to share the rich Holy Tradition of the early Church through the life and teachings of this great Saint.

But what do most of us do on the Feast of Saint Nicholas? Some of us keep our faith to ourselves and ‘maybe’ attend Divine Liturgy if a member of our family is named Nicholas or Nicholia. But unfortunately many Orthodox Christians waste this opportunity by complaining about Santa Claus and ‘insisting’ on using the image of Saint Nicholas as a Bishop of the Church rather than the jolly old man in a red fur suit.

When the world’s attention is focused on one of the most important Saints of the Orthodox Church, we shouldn’t waste time complaining about trivial cartoons. We should let the world know WHY Saint Nicholas was so popular, and HOW he defended the truth of Christ, and WHAT acts of charity and compassion he performed while a BISHOP of the Church. There is so much to teach, there isn’t enough time to waste.

A very good resource, one that I recommend bookmarking, is the Mystagogy blog by John Sandidopoulos, a Seminary school mate of mine and VERY popular website. He has an entire section on Saint Nicholas.

Spend some time familiarizing yourself with this great Saint so you can have positive conversations with friends during the so-called holiday season. It will go much further than complaints. Give it a try.

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Don’t Allow Your ‘Christmas Preparations’ to Stop You from Preparing for Christmas

The so-called Christmas Season for many can be weeks of anxiety, guilt, gluttony, depression, and all-around hectic atmosphere. Have you asked yourself why it has to be this way? The answer is simple yet profound. We normally spend the weeks leading up to Christmas shopping, cleaning, decorating, going over our ‘to do lists’ and in a constant state of panic that we won’t get everything accomplished in time for Christmas (at this point) a WHOLE TWO WEEKS away.

We’re never quite sure if we can get everything done, so when the Church asks us to spend EVEN MORE time reading Scriptures, coming to Church, helping the poor, an on top of all that,  the Church tells us we should be FASTING?! Is the Church kidding? You may even think the Church is “out of touch” with the reality of Christmas. And this doesn’t even begin to express the general atmosphere of exhaustion of Christmas Day when the Church ACTUALLY THINKS we can be in Church Christmas morning when we have ALL THAT cooking to do.

So what’s the answer?......S L O W    D O W N!

MAKE TIME for prayer. Make time for reading Scripture. Make time for helping the poor. PLAN to fast. Tell some friends you can’t make their party Saturday night because you’re going to spend some quiet family time at Church. Schedule to have Holy Confession for Christmas. And when you are decorating your home for Christmas, don’t forget to include some Orthodox decorations like some Icons which will help you remember what you are actually preparing for.

The busy ‘preparations’ won’t prepare your soul. YOU have to do that! Something to think about during the remaining two weeks of the Christmas Fast.

How much is enough?

2013 New Testament Challenge – Day 20 (Reflections on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus & Philemon)

Every year I participate in a special effort called the New Testament Challenge sponsored by a priest of the Orthodox Church in America. He encourages Christians to spend the Christmas Fast, also known as Advent) reading the entire New Testament as a preparation for Christmas. Each year I have done this, it has been blessing to me and I pray this year will be no different. As part of the New Testament Challenge, I endeavor to blog a bit about the reading for that particular day. I may miss a few, but I pray for those who follow this blog (NOW ALSO ON FACEBOOK) it will be a blessing.

With the emphasis on materialism so common during the so-called “holiday season”  it seems good that today we read,

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6.6-10

It doesn’t get any more than that! Be content with enough, and allow ‘others’ to pursue wealth.

Until tomorrow…..Consider how much is REALLY enough

Selfish Gift Giving

Have you ever wondered how a gift can be selfish? When most of us think of giving a gift, we presume the ACT of giving a gift would eliminate the concept of selfishness. However, if our heart is focused upon us and NOT the recipient of the gift, then our gift has become a symbol of our selfishness. This is most obvious when we are attempting to please ourselves in our gift giving.

For example, when I give a gift to my wife I want her to have, say… the newest telephone technology, and I don’t even consider her needs or desires, is my gift for my benefit or my wife? She may not desire a new phone. Another, more subtle example, but I believe a worse example, is when we give a gift SO THAT we are acknowledged as generous, isn’t our gift selfish, even if the gift itself is not a direct benefit to us? Sometimes even social custom creates the obligation for us to give a gift. Someone gave us a gift, so we are OBLIGED to give a gift in return. Otherwise we might be considered selfish. How ironic, we act selfish in order to not be considered selfish.

The act of selfish giving is also present in charitable giving, such as giving to the Church at Christmas. There are two ways we can give, financially speaking, to our Church. We can either give the Church a donation with the instruction, “Do with it as you wish,” or “Here is my gift, but you MUST do THIS with MY gift.” Which is selfish? Which is a genuine gift vs. a purchase of influence?

Christian is often called the “season of giving” but I wonder what the condition of our hearts might be in the gift giving. Are we focused upon US or the one to whom we give the gift? Something to think about when you go out this year Christmas shopping.

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Liturgical Bible Study - Session 6

Session 6 - The "First" Sunday of December, Saint Nicholas and Christmas Preparations

This series combines the witness of the Bible and Orthodox worship. The biblical readings prescribed for the Orthodox liturgical year are meaningfully related to the holy days and seasons of the Church calendar. Our weekly Bible Study this year will take on a new direction as we look to the Church calendar of Feasts and Fasts to our the Biblical readings for those events help to shape our spiritual life and relationship with Jesus Christ. Each week will include a practical component to be applied in our daily lives.

Is Jesus Returning Soon or not?

2013 New Testament Challenge – Day 20 (Reflections on 1 & 2 Thessalonians)

Every year I participate in a special effort called the New Testament Challenge sponsored by a priest of the Orthodox Church in America. He encourages Christians to spend the Christmas Fast, also known as Advent) reading the entire New Testament as a preparation for Christmas. Each year I have done this, it has been blessing to me and I pray this year will be no different. As part of the New Testament Challenge, I endeavor to blog a bit about the reading for that particular day. I may miss a few, but I pray for those who follow this blog (NOW ALSO ON FACEBOOK) it will be a blessing.

Two things, though interrelated, struck me as worthy of today’s blog while I was reading for the New Testament Challenge. The first, though not very profound, is that it seems Christians have ALWAYS struggled to live free of sin.

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God  for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 4.1-8)

But while it may be true that Christians seem to have ALWAYS struggled with sins, especially sexual immorality, that does not mean that the early Church, and especially Saint Paul, did not consider these sins to worthy of stopping. In other words, just because everyone did it, didn’t mean the Church accepted it as “ok” or acceptable for the Christian life. To make this point extremely clear, Saint Paul said,

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (2 Thessalonians 3.13-15)

If the early Church had considered certain behaviors, such as sexual immorality and greed, as acceptable “just because” everyone struggled with those sins, There wouldn’t be as bold a warning against those who “didn’t obey” Saint Paul’s teaching. Of course we can’t ignore that the overall teaching of Saint Paul didn’t include perfection. He knew well that many would fall short. Rather, he emphasized the importance of the EFFORT and acknowledgment that certain behaviors were not appropriate for Christians.

This practice extended into the later centuries of the Church when Holy Canons were written to forbid Christians from pursuing certain professions because, by association, certain professions (acting for example) exalted a lifestyle not keeping true to Christian morals. We could, and I might suggest we will again soon, begin enforcing such prohibitions in the near future. How difficult is it to maintain Orthodox Christian morals WHILE being a Hollywood actor or Nashville, singer. There have always been, and will most likely be, professions in which Christians shouldn’t participate.

I find many contemporary Christians “endorsing” certain behaviors as non-sinful just because they have always existed. For a Christian to embrace sin because there has always been sin, would be suggesting that Christ did not call us to a higher moral standard, albeit when we fall along the climb.

The second thing that struck me today was the emphasis on the end times. It would seem that the Thessalonians were a bit preoccupied with the return of Christ, to the point of anxiety.

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2.1-4)

We know the early Church believed Christ would return within their lifetime, but here Saint Paul is reminding them that certain things must occur first. For me the most disturbing element is the, “falling away” that must come before Christ returns. The Church spends much energy in growing the Church, both personal spiritual growth as well as corporate Church growth. And yet, there is growing evidence that many Churches, and Orthodox Church are not exempt from this either, are declining in attendance and participation. Does that mean we are “in the falling away” and that Christ will return soon?

If it does mean that Jesus is coming quickly, at least maybe we will once again, as the early Church, live as if we will witness His return. Then, maybe, just maybe, we will take seriously our need for repentance and FINALLY get ready for Him.

Until tomorrow…..take an inventory of your moral compass and ask yourself, “Is my life what Saint Paul would approve?” If it isn’t, consider what you might put into action to correct it before it’s too late.

Forget about Random Acts of Kindness

There is a story in today's news about a challenge from my Governor. (I live in South Carolina) According to the story, Governor Nikki Haley has challenged South Carolinians to perform "at least one random act of kindness" this holiday season, to which I say NEVER!

When Christ became incarnate, it wasn't a random act, but an intentional act of love. In the healing miracle stories in the New Testament, Jesus always had a personal interaction with the people He was healing. He came and "dwelt [pitched His tent] among us." (John 1.14)

If the Governor really wants us to show the so-called "spirit of Christmas", which is the Feast of the INTENTIONAL Incarnation of God, then we should focus our attention on showing intentional love. There should be nothing random about our love for others, and it definitely shouldn't be just during the so-called holiday season.

So Governor Haley... forget about random acts of kindness.

PERFORM INTENTIONAL ACTS OF LOVE! 

How do you Sacrifice Incense?

First-time visitor: “What is that smell?”

Me: “OH! That’s incense”

FTV: “What’s THAT!?”

Me: “Incense is a special power that we burn in the Church as an offering to God.”

FTV: “Hummm. I thought Saint Paul said we didn’t have to do that stuff anymore.”

Me: “Well! Just sit down here for a moment and let’s talk about that…

This is not a REAL conversation, but I have had many just like it in my twenty years (not all as a priest) in ministry. And I always enjoy a blunt conversation about why Saint Paul NEVER said to stop doing what we do in the Church.

The offering of incense (which by the way is a universal practice in EVERY major world religion) has been considered part of our worship since the earliest days. It is the feature of Psalm 140(141 in the Protestant/Roman Catholic Old Testament) offered EVERY evening to God.

LORD, I cry out to You; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies. Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, And they hear my words, for they are sweet. Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, As when one plows and breaks up the earth. But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, And from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I escape safely. Psalm 140/141

One common theme I find myself discussing with visitors is the term, sacrifice, which most (thanks to Hollywood) associate with killing something to satisfy some deity. I have found MANY have the image of “the virgin in the volcano” in their mind when they hear the term, sacrifice. So when I suggest that we sacrifice incense to God, they get not just a little suspicious. It helps to point out, though I am always surprised at just how many refuse to believe me, that the ancient Jews sacrificed MANY things, not just living animals. Once I can convince the visitor to use the term, offering, rather than, sacrifice, it comes a bit easier to visualize the offering of incense, bread, wine, oil, wheat, grapes etc. It also helps them to visualize that we OFFER these items to God on the Altar as a gift. For an excellent discussion on the sacrificial system of the Jews, see Fr James Bernstein’s “Surprised by Christ.”

Once I’m past the terminology hurdle, I can  focus upon the FACT that the Holy Apostles maintained many of the offerings of the Jews in the Temple, but excused themselves to “house churches” to offer the Thanksgiving (Eucharist – see my earlier post on this term)

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. (Acts 2.42-3.1)

And IF the visitor does not agree that the incense is part of Divine Worship, I turn to Revelation. In the Book of Revelation, we read St. John’s vision of the glory of God and of the Lamb. In this vision, St. John sees the twenty-four elders who fall down in worship before the throne of God.

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. (Revelation 8.3-4)

So, like I’m often heard saying, “Good enough for the Holy Apostles, good enough for me.” From that point, I pray a relationship is begun with the visitor about the genuineness of the Orthodox Church as the continuation of the Old Testament rather than a replacement. And we go from there…

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

YOU'RE the not-yet-perfect one!

2013 New Testament Challenge – Day 18 (Reflections on Galatians and Ephesians)

Every year I participate in a special effort called the New Testament Challenge sponsored by a priest of the Orthodox Church in America. He encourages Christians to spend the Christmas Fast, also known as Advent) reading the entire New Testament as a preparation for Christmas. Each year I have done this, it has been blessing to me and I pray this year will be no different. As part of the New Testament Challenge, I endeavor to blog a bit about the reading for that particular day. I may miss a few, but I pray for those who follow this blog (NOW ALSO ON FACEBOOK) it will be a blessing.

As I have already blogged, it is my intent to share some thoughts that stand out to me while I am reading each day for the New Testament Challenge. Today’s readings from Galatians and Ephesians reminded me that, as Christians, we are all in the process of becoming….like Christ.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2.1-7)

We have BEEN MADE by God that we MIGHT BECOME...We cannot forget that Saint Paul was writing to ALREADY BAPTIZED Christians. They had been made new in their Baptism, but they were not yet complete. The same goes for us. We have been made new in our Baptism, but that doesn’t mean we are not still being made in the image of God. We will not be a complete “work” until Christ returns. This is why the Church uses the expression, “We WERE saved, we ARE saved, and we are BEING saved.” We are still becoming.

If we could only remember that we are not exactly where God wants us! “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3.3) And if WE are not yet perfect, how can we not be more patient with others? Something to think about…

Until tomorrow…..remember YOU’RE the not-yet’perfect one….don’t be so quick to judge others.

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Handel’s Messiah

It was inevitable that the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge would assign “Handel’s Messiah” during the Christmas Fast. It is one of the most popular chorus works performed each year during the Christmas season. YET it is actually about the Passion of Christ. I have linked a few examples of the most famous “part” of Messiah, the “Hallelujah Chorus” which I suspect you will hear MANY times in the next few weeks.

That got me thinking about how we celebrate the Feasts of Christ throughout the year. The hymns for the Feast of Christmas include much of the same images as Handel’s Messiah, but they don’t directly reference his Passion. It is only through the Holy Tradition of the Nativity that the Church directs our attention to the Passion.

In the Holy Icon of the Nativity, Christ is wrapped in swaddling clothes as if burial clothes. The gifts from the Magi include gifts for burial. A cave welcomes the newborn child foreshadowing the cave of burial. Indeed the Church teaches that Christ was born IN ORDER to die, so that we may have eternal life. All the Feasts of the Christ, celebrated throughout the year help us maintain this focus.

The Church’s emphasis on both the birth and death of Christ is a characteristic of joyful-sorrow, an expression that captures the duality of Christ. It is both joyous that God has become one of us that we may have life, while at the same time sorrowful that He must suffer.

It is that joyful-sorrow that brings us through the fast in anticipation of the Feast of the Nativity. It is that joyful-sorrow that has been lost in our contemporary society which seems to prefer a life of just joy. It is joyful-sorrow that has been captures in the hymnology of the Orthodox Church, where the hymns of Christmas are offered with reverence filled with joy.

As a musician growing up (I received my BA in Music from the University of Colorado College of Music) I performed the “Hallelujah Chorus” every year during the Christmas season, so it DOES bring a warmth to my heart. As I get older, especially having more exposure to byzantine music, I have come to a deeper appreciation for the reverence that is Orthodox Ecclesiastical Music. That being said, I also included a recording of the Katavasias of Christmas as offered in the Holy Cross Chapel at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. That way, this post can have both the joy that is the “Hallelujah Chorus” and the reverence of the Katavasias of Christmas, a sort of joyful-sorrow.

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

2013 New Testament Challenge – Day 18 (Reflections on James & 1-2 Peter)

Every year I participate in a special effort called the New Testament Challenge sponsored by a priest of the Orthodox Church in America. He encourages Christians to spend the Christmas Fast, also known as Advent) reading the entire New Testament as a preparation for Christmas. Each year I have done this, it has been blessing to me and I pray this year will be no different. As part of the New Testament Challenge, I endeavor to blog a bit about the reading for that particular day. I may miss a few, but I pray for those who follow this blog (NOW ALSO ON FACEBOOK) it will be a blessing.

Today was one of those days while I was reading. Every few verses, I found myself saying, OOH, I can blog about THAT….no….THAT…..no…..THAT…..AAAAAA what in the world will I blog about with SO much to choose from in the today’s selections?

One thing that was a constant theme in today’s reading was the very fact that both St James AND St Peter considered it appropriate to write to the “global Church” rather than just a local flock. Being a Priest in the Bible belt, I find many people (including many Orthodox) who consider the local Church as the extent of their Church experience. There is a growing tendency to ignore the needs of the global Church in exchange for a more “self-focused” spirituality.

Another thing that struck me today was how these three letters address proper Christian living. The letters are written as corrective as much as they are instructive. That lets us know two things. First, we know early Christians struggled with the same spiritual temptations that we find ourselves faced with today. Second, it shows that the Church taught AGAINST certain "lifestyles" rather than just accepting them as a given.

The third theme that stuck with me today was how much the early Church must have questioned why they were not receiving (even more) blessings from God.

“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself a enemy of God.” (James 4.1-4)

Finally, (and please remember there was much more I WANTED to blog about today) we were reminded that just because someone calls himself or herself a Christian Pastor, doesn’t mean they have the proper intent..

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2.1-3)

In the environment of more than 25,000 denominations calling themselves Christians, we must be extra vigilant about false teachers. This is why the Church, while it would never suggest the Holy Spirit doesn’t inspire someone, has required EVERY teaching to have its foundation in the teachings of the Holy Apostles. Something may or not be true, but if the Holy Spirit hasn’t already guided the Holy Apostles to teach something, then Orthodox refuse to consider it as doctrine, as Jesus declared the Holy Spirit guided the Holy Apostles “into all truth” (John 16.13).

It should come as no surprise that many Protestants do not approve of the letters from James or Peter, as both warn against improper understanding of the Gospel. Both speak to a corporate Church structure. Both imply authority of Bishops and the role of Clergy-Laity relationships. I dare say that these letters are early apologies for the authority of the Church.

Until tomorrow…..if you’re not Orthodox, do your preacher’s teachings coincide with the Holy Apostles? If you ARE Orthodox, do YOUR beliefs coincide with the Holy Apostles? If not…..beware.

Feet

Today’s topic from the Preachers’ Institute for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge is “Feet.” Feet really take a beating; they support you wherever you go. They help you run away from danger. They jump out of the way of spiders. And they don’t mind getting squishy why you cross the street after a wet snow storm. Feet are always with you, through thick and thin….and “these days” feet have it pretty good. In Biblical times, you know….the days without indoor plumbing…, feet had it much harder with all the extra “stuff” they had to step in every day. Think about this when you read this passage…

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. (Luke 6.36-38)

I like to remind people of this reality when they hear this passage. I don’t think I have that type of love. Thankfully, I have not been tempted with that. God probably knows I would fall to that temptation. We never really think that God protects us so many times from things that would be a detriment for our spiritual journey. We don’t always recognize it, but He works overtime keeping us from temptations that are more than we can handle.

Saint Paul reminded us,

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10.13)

And how will you escape? With your FEET! See, they really are important. Next time you find yourself in the middle of a temptation you feel you can’t overcome, RUN to the nearest Orthodox Church, get down on your knees, and beg the Lord to save you. And He will….but you might have to get your feet dirty traveling along the road. But don’t worry, they can take it!

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Holiday Depression

Today’s topic from the Preachers’ Institute for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge is “Holiday Depression.” The holiday season can be exciting, fun, filled with family, and fulfilling. It can also be lonely and depressing. One of my childhood friends is a firefighter/paramedic who has worked many holidays in his career, which have oftentimes included suicide attempts. Sometimes, too many times, the attempts had been successful. But holiday depression is not limited to those without family. ANYONE can feel lonely or depressed during the holiday season.

First, I would like to address the term itself – holiday season – before I attempt a few words about depression. When and what is the holiday season, and whose description do we allow to influence our outlook on life? The commerce-driven society has only one goal – to make money. It only cares about how much money is in our bank account, and (maybe more importantly) how it can separate it from OUR bank account and transfer it to THEIR bank account. Yesterday, as part of our family Thanksgiving tradition, we watched Miracle on 34^th Street, during which Mr. Macy says, “We’ll be known as the store with a heart….and consequently we’ll make more profits.” If we depend upon the society to determine the length (and priority) of the holiday season, we will inevitably find ourselves neither satisfied (since the department stores are never satisfied), nor full of joy. If you doubt this reality, take a moment and research the shopping trends of Americans as it pertains to Christmas.

So, what does the Church say about the holiday season? Beginning with November 15^th, the Church asks us to fast, increase our daily prayer, Scripture reading, and charity. It is a season, through prayer, in which we PREPARE our souls to receive the Good News of Christ’s Incarnation in the Flesh. It is a 40 day period, similar to Great Lent but less intense, of focusing on God rather than ourselves. It is a complete opposite emphasis than the retails stores.

Here I must take a moment to clarify that, while I am NOT a trained psychologist (I had a few classes), I do not ascribe to the opinion that depression is as wide-spread as society suggests. I personally believe our society has created a “syndrome” mentality, where moods and mentalities which are well within the normal human experience, create the need for treatment. I also think this mentality is perpetuated by the idea that we must always be “happy,” a characteristic of our general desire to please ourselves. If we are not pleased, then we are not happy.

I think this is the struggle we must engage as Orthodox Christians. The reason the Church invites us to fast, is to teach us that life is not about pleasing ourselves, but pleasing God. If we can embrace that difference, when we find ourselves without certain pleasures or material “things” in our life, we can better appreciate this as a “normal part of life” rather than a failure of life. It might be a failure for the retail stores to separate us from our money, but it is in no way a failure of life.

If you find yourself every year during the holiday season feeling like a failure or wanting more than you can either afford or secure, please consider the difference between these two priorities. Do you want to follow the priority of the retail stores or the Church? Which priority do you think has YOUR best interest in mind? Which priority do you think is better for your soul? Which priority do you think will better keep you from being depressed this holiday season?

I do not discount the reality of a neuro-chemical imbalance which can create a clinical depression. Science has blessed us with a better understanding of the human brain, and we are blessed when we embrace this science. Check out the CDC website for more information about depression.

This post is written for the 40 Days of Blogging Challenge sponsored by the Preachers Institute. You may find other blogs participating in this challenge. I hope you enjoy this year’s Advent journey.

Call – Obey – See the Lord and Be Saved!

If you desire to see the Lord with all your heart, first you must call out to Him. Then you must listen for His voice. When you obey Him, then you will see. And sometimes, you will have to ignore the advice of those around you. This was the way it worked for the blind beggar in the Gospel of Luke 18.35-43.

When the beggar heard Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” But many tried to silence him because Jesus was an important person. “But he cried all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” And Jesus took notice. He was healed of his physical blindness because he could already see with his spiritual heart what those around him could not see with their physical eyesight.

If Jesus is speaking to your heart, don’t allow those around you keep you quiet. Call to Him and He will hear you. Come to Him and He will meet you. Love Him and He will save you. It works the same for you today as it did for the blind beggar then. And God will say to you, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”