What Do You Drink When You're Thirsty?

We have all heard that water quenches thirst better than any other beverage. In fact, drinks like coffee, tea and soda actually makes us thirstier, so why do we still drink these drinks instead of water? Many of us, in spite of our better judgment, ignore the advice of doctors and physical trainers when it comes to satisfying our desires. The same thing is true when it comes to our spiritual desires.

The Lord said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7.37-38) The Lord is offering to quench our thirst for peace and love by coming to Him and believing in Him. In fact, just like water, the only thing that will truly quench our thirst for peace and love is being in communion with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But, in spite of our better judgment, we ignore Jesus call for communion and try to quench our desires using other resources such as fishing, hiking, camping, sports, alcohol, drugs, sex, money, power, authority, food…just about anything BUT being in communion with Jesus Christ.

Just as we find ourselves thirstier when we drink coffee or tea, we will be thirstier when we use other things to quench our desires beside Jesus Christ. If we really desire peace and love, the only way to quench this desire is to approach Jesus Christ and live in communion with Him. This is accomplished IN CHURCH for the Divine Liturgy and other Holy Services of our Church. Then He will give us His Holy Spirit that will not only quench our thirst but become a gushing fountain from our hearts. This is the promise of Pentecost.

Are you thirsty for peach and love? Then come to Church and approach Jesus Christ and live in communion with. Invite Him into your heart and welcome the Holy Spirit to gush from your heart and you will find peace and never thirst again.

Our Mother

On the second Sunday of May each year we honor mothers. We honor them with luncheons, flowers, gifts and praise for their dedication and love. But what do we offer our “common” mother, the Mother of God? The Ever-Virgin Mary whom we call Mother of God, is also our mother. This honor given to her is not just symbolic, but a real relationship she maintains with us as her children.

Consider this…

·         The Mother of God, exercising her free will, gave God permission to enter into His creation through her when she said to the angel, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1.38)

·         The Mother of God, expressing her love, asked Jesus to perform His first miracle during the Wedding in Cana when she said, “They have no wine,” and then turning to the wine steward said, “Whatever He says to you, do it!” (John 2.3,5)

·         The Mother of God, showing her devotion, became OUR mother when from the Cross our Lord said, “Woman, behold your son.” (John 19.26)

·         The Mother of God, knowing her role for future generations said, “All generations will call me blessed.” (Luke 1.48)

How will you honor our Mother for Mother’s Day in exchange for all she has done for us, most especially allowing our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ to enter into His Creation through her? Don’t you think it deserves some honor?

New Radio Ministry Launches

The Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, South Carolina, USA, has launched a new 24 hour internet radio ministry. Tune in today at....

http://myocn.com/players/florence.sc/

Many thanks to our sponsors...
Community Pharmacy, Turbeville, SC
The Drive In, Florence, SC
Dr and Mrs Jamie Holland, Florence, SC
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High Point Sofa Factory, Florence, SC
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Sunrise Drive In Restaurant, Florence, SC
Quincy`s and Western Sizzlin` Steak Houses, Florence, SC
Town House Restaurant, Florence, SC
Venus Restaurant and Catering, Florence, SC

With Healing Comes Great Boldness

We hear in the Gospel of John (5.1-15)of another healing by Jesus when He was in the Temple for the Feast of the Jewish Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks when the Jews celebrate the giving of the Law to Moses. We hear of a man paralyzed for thirty-eight years with nobody to assist him or care for him. As he was healed Jesus said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” (John 5.8) This was met with very stern interrogation by the Jewish elite. “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” (John 5.10)

The man who was healed responded with great boldness, never once excusing his behavior. “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk,” and again, “It was Jesus who had made me well.” (John 5.11, 15) In both cases the man chose to stand up for the truth of Christ, even in the face of possible punishment by the Jewish elite, rather than making excuses for his breaking the law. He had been healed which was a much greater thing than to be caught carrying his bed on the Sabbath.

We have been healed by Christ’s glorious resurrection. We have been healed and allowed to walk freely rather than be chained down by sin and death. What is our response? What will we answer if someone demands a response as to why we don’t bow down to public pressure to live according to the flesh rather than living a life of peace and love, confessing God.

In the face of possible persecution by the Jewish elite, the paralytic said, “It was Jesus,” confessing his faith in the power of God. What will our confession be in the face of the American elite? Will we confess our faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ? How bold will we be?