Everyone Needs a Little Time Away

As summer comes to a close, and vacation season is coming to an end, it is a nice reminder that even Jesus took some time away for prayer. According to the Gospel of Matthew, we hear that just after feeding thousands of people with just a few loaves of bread a couple fish, He sent the Disciples on to their next location, while He went to the top of a mountain to pray by Himself.

Each of us needs some time for reflection and prayer. Our society has grown increasingly busy to the point that many of us forget about these important quiet moments when we can pray without the distractions of the world. This is one reason we incorporate a daily “Alone with God” time during our Metropolis Camps and Retreats. We all need a few minutes by ourselves to pray to God....and then to listen for His voice.

I invite you, in the coming weeks as your family looks ahead to the “Fall Schedule” to make a better effort to include time at Church throughout the week for prayer and reflection. At the Church is the only place we can be free of the distraction of our busy schedules, so we can hear God. This week is an excellent opportunity to “get started” as people will gather in Church each evening for Paraklesis to the Theotokos. But don’t stop with this week, and don’t limit your time in Church to just Sunday morning. Each week, throughout the year, Churches offer worship services and times for fellowship and Bible study. They do this for YOU to find that important time for prayer and reflection. I pray you will take advantage of this gift.

The Power of Love

When God asks us to do something, we often respond with
doubt because we’re not sure we have what it takes to get the job done. Just as
the Disciples believed they didn’t have enough food to feed five thousand
people with five loaves of bread and a couple fish, we question whether we have
enough to share with others. Our doubt isn’t limited to feeding the hungry; we
doubt whether we can afford to donate to the Church, or help the poor. We doubt
whether we have enough patience to show those fighting against us that we love
them. We even sometimes doubt whether we have enough love, to love. But when
the Disciples included God in the plan there was not only enough, but an
overabundance of leftovers. The power of love, when we love as God loves, and
when we allow the love of God into our hearts, will always provide enough for
us to share with others.

The Difference between Tolerance and Endorsement in Politics

I often wonder why so many people advocate for the very behaviors they claim to oppose. This has become quite prevalent with the recent SCOTUS decision on marriage. For the hours that followed the ruling, all I could see were rainbows throughout the Internet. Most disappeared after a couple days, but I continue to be intrigued by the rainbow profile pictures that remain. And then it occurred to me.

In our contemporary society, we have lost not only the ability, but I believe the desire, to disagree with others publicly for fear that we may be “called out” on our own sins. So long as we share the common moral of a group, we don’t mind expressing our beliefs. But once our beliefs are in conflict, for fear of not being liked, we hide our beliefs under the cloak of fairness and tolerance. We “get on board” with political movements with phrases such as, “I don’t personally believe in gay marriage, but who am I to say it’s wrong for others?” There ceases to be a willingness to say, “I think it is wrong. PERIOD!” Unfortunately I believe, once we join the effort to support those with whom we disagree, we cross the line into endorsement, if even outwardly.

And that is where I am intrigued. How can you advocate for a behavior or belief which you do not accept? In case you were wondering......changing your Facebook profile to a rainbow IS a statement that you agree with same-sex marriage. If you don’t, then why publicly advocate? You may very well, as do I, believe that every human being has been granted free will by God to believe and act in any way, but there IS a difference between accepting free will and advocating for certain behaviors.

The issue of tolerance vs. endorsement isn’t limited to sexuality. It still is possible to say, “Same-sex marriage is wrong. You don’t have to agree with me, and you are free to do what you wish, but it is wrong.” It is just as easy to say, “Greed is wrong. You can chase the almighty dollar all you want, but it’s wrong.” Or you can say, “Lashing out against others in anger, and forcing them to do as you desire is wrong. You can be lash out all you want, but its wrong.” You can EVEN say, “I believe in One God, Father Almighty....etc. You may not, but I do.” See? It works with any belief or behavior.

If we are going to honor our faith in Jesus Christ, the time is past that we should stop advocating for sinful behaviors, and we should begin advocating for a life dedicated to living according to God’s desire for us.  In Orthodoxy, that means being dedicated to defeating our passions, not soothing them. It DOESN’T mean one sin is worse than another. It doesn’t mean we are without sin. It simply means that as Orthodox Christians, we tolerate other’s choices to sin, but we cannot endorse them. 

Transform Your Fear into Wonder

All people, when they encounter God, respond to his acts of
love in different ways. Some are afraid to be seen by God, since they know
their sins deserve punishment. Others see God’s willingness to forgive with
wonder, and take the opportunity for repentance. Sometimes fear can paralyze us
into inaction, hiding ourselves from God in the hopes that He will not see us.
Adam and Eve tried that! Other times fear can keep us safe from the dangers of
the world like train tracks and hot stoves. But fear should never keep us from
opening our hearts to God, so that we can learn from His love, and repent. It
is only when we transform our fear into wonder that we can confess our sins in
the Mystery of Confession with open hearts, be forgiven by God, and grow closer
to Him.

Don’t Allow Fear to Get Between You and God

A little boy sits, crouching behind the couch, waiting for his mother to find the broken lamp on the floor. Will she notice? Will she know he was the culprit? Will she be upset? Will she punish him for playing football in the den? Every child knows this fear, and every parent knows the power of forgiving the child, in hopes that the football remains outside next time he wants to play. Rejoicing in his freedom, and happy that he can sit down without pain in his behind, the boy quickly remembers that football is an outside game. This is an example of a little fear, mixed with forgiveness, can be a good thing, leading to a better future. We aren’t always “that smart” to learn the lesson and power of forgiveness.

In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear of a crowd that was afraid and marveled at the ability of Jesus to forgive sins. The Gospel says, “Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.” (Matthew 9.8) The power of God can bring fear into the hearts of many, but what we do with that fear, is what matters. A little boy learns to stop playing football in the house. Do we learn to stop our sinful behavior?

Saint John Chrysostom warns us to not be too comfortable in our sins, just because we haven’t been punished by God yet. This little boy could just have easily calculated that his mother would never punish him, and he might continue to play football in the house....until the next lamp, or window, or TV is broken. Then he will hide behind the couch wondering, is THIS the time she will punish me? This fear is hindering the boy’s relationship with his mother, and not leading to repentance.

Don’t allow fear to get between you and God. If you find yourself behind the couch, be thankful He hasn’t punished you “yet” and repent from sin. In the long run, you will spend less time hiding and more time enjoying the love of God.

Questions and Answers: American or Greek Orthodox; What’s in a Name?

Many people have questions about our Orthodox Christian Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday School. Many are not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of us can benefit from the questions of others. This week’s question is about our name. Why can’t we just say American Orthodox Church instead of Greek Orthodox? Many are confused when the sign on the curb describes us as Greeks or Russians or Romanians, but there is more to the term Greek than just a place for Greeks!

Suffering in the Presence of God

When Jesus was approaching the country of the Gergesenes, He was met by two men who were demon possessed. We are told the demons were so fierce, these men actually lived among the tombs, and still they would torment others. But the time came for them to meet Jesus, and the demons were the ones tormented, not by violence, but by the very presence of God.  Sometimes, just being in God’s presence can be torment for those who reject His love.

But we don’t have to be possessed by demons to be tormented by God. Sometimes we are tormented by just the idea that God is near to us. As He approaches are stomachs might tighten up, our mouth might become dry, and we may break into a sweat at the very notion that the Creator of the Universe is calling our name. Or....then again, we may prefer that God depart far from us, so that we can continue in our sinful lives.

Some people just cannot tolerate being in God’s presence because they are reminded of their sin. The town people, after being reminded of their sin and losing their flock of swine, chased God away from their presence. They couldn’t tolerate seeing the consequences of their choices. But our life can be different. God gave the two men a new chance, free from the demons. He granted them a new beginning to life, and He can grant you a new beginning also.  What is your choice? Are you tormented by knowing God is close to you? Will you chase Him away, or will you thank Him for a new life? The choice is yours.

Why Bother?

If you have been a reader of this blog for any length of time, you know that my goal is for us to LIVE the Orthodox Christian life rather than just use the label on hospital records. With last week’s SCOTUS decision to extend legal status of same-sex marriage, it occurred to me ask a simple question of my readers....

Why bother being Orthodox?

I mean, really, if the moral teachings of the Church are not considered formative for our life in Christ, then why bother calling ourselves Orthodox Christian? I’m not talking about rights here, but conscience. Why do you (if you do) insist on considering yourself Orthodox Christian if you casually refuse to accept her moral teachings? Granted, the Divine Liturgy is AMAZING, if it is well performed, but from most of the Churches I’ve witnessed over the years, it CAN’T be the awesome performances. I’ve found much better choirs in the Baptist and AME Churches. It can’t be the kneeling for an hour on Pentecost. There IS the food....the food is delicious, no matter what ethnic Church you enter, but you can always visit the local Church festival to take some home for later. So why bother?

If there is no commitment to following the Orthodox Way of Life, which is an admitted struggle against the passions...ALL THE PASSIONS... then why not just become a member of one of other 42,999 Christian denominations? 21^st Christianity has become a “have it your way” religion, and many in the Orthodox Church have embraced this mentality under the guise of freedom. But freedom comes with consequences.

The truth of the matter is this; Orthodox Christianity is the Way of Life established by Christ and His Disciples IN ORDER to assist us in defeating the passions which separate us from God. As Saint Paul said,

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7.15-25)

If we are not committed to defeating the passions, and therefore defeating sin, then why subject ourselves to all the rigor of the Orthodox Christian Way of Life? It becomes a meaningless exercise. If, on the other hand, we desire to grow ever closer to God, then we will embrace the moral teachings and way of life of the Church, as weapons of war.

Ultimately it boils down to the ever-present ego, a battle that humanity has been fighting since the first day in the Garden. We tend to want things OUR way, rather than God’s, and anything (including the Church) that stands in our way of self-indulgence, we will readily reject. Here is a reminder...

Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3.4-6)

Sounds like a good reason to bother....if you ask me.

Living Orthodoxy in a Sinful World

Many people have questions about our Orthodox Christian
Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday School. Many are
not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of us can benefit
from the questions of others. This week’s question is inspired by Saint Paul’s
words, “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which
your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have
it to yourself before God.” (Romans 14.21-22) In the context of recent
contemporary issues facing the Church in America, what does Saint Paul mean
when he says these words, and how do we live Orthodoxy in a sinful world?

http://youtu.be/vpAlZBgpT9Q

It’s Not about Love....It’s about MONEY

With yesterday’s SCOTUS (that’s the Supreme Court of The United States for those like myself still behind in the acronym game) decision that same-sex marriage will now be completely legal in all 50 states, it occurs to me to share a few words. I offer my words, simple and few, to the many and complex of others in responding to the court decision.

It isn’t about love. When I turned to social media yesterday, it seemed my screen had been taken over by rainbows – rainbow flags, rainbow corporate logos, rainbow pictures of The White House; there’s even a Facebook app to shade your profile picture rainbow. Just short of the rainbows was the slogan “Love Wins” running a close second. I’ve got news for you.....it isn’t about love. The LGBT community has been allowed to love anyone they wish since the beginning of time. No law legalizing marriage changes that fact. The LGBT community had been celebrating “non-legal” marriage for quite some time in several mainline Christian Churches. No law legalizing marriage changes that fact. The ONLY thing that really changed yesterday was the money.

It’s all about the MONEY. I have several friends who have been fighting for LGBT rights since I knew them in college, and I can remember quite vividly being told, “We don’t want to be allowed to marry, we just want to visit our friends in the hospital.” This mantra ended shortly as the demand for inheritance rights and other “end of life” issues seemed (to my perception) to consume the LGBT community which at the time understandably was falling victim to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. But then things changed...

Our society began to respond to the call of LGBT community activists by changing various laws which previously had limited financial equality among the LGBT community. A term had been coined, “Civil Unions” which allowed for insurance companies and the like to extend health care and survivor rights etc to LGBT partners. But it still didn’t end with civil unions. Very quickly it became about the legal status surrounding the term marriage and it’s privilege in the tax code. Those who were married, and therefore only heterosexual couples, could take advantage of various deductions and other tax benefits. Something had to change! And change it did yesterday.

But the money doesn’t stop with the LGBT victory at the Supreme Court. The pendulum is always moving. Already yesterday various high profile columnists within the LGBT community had already pushed ahead with posts warning others that the fight was not over. There have been, and I expect will continue to be, calls for Churches which refuse to support the new law to be stripped of their tax exempt status. See.....? It’s all about the money.

Because I don’t recall reading ANYWHERE that those who support traditional marriage offering to give up their various tax benefits. I don’t recall hearing of a single Church offering to pay property taxes in order to be allowed to not support same-sex marriage. It’s ALWAYS about the money. Well, maybe not always, but I haven’t witnessed many times when it has not been about the money. Let’s face it. How many Christians in 2015 love God enough to continue financially supporting their Church if their donation wasn’t tax deductible? How many Christians who, WITHOUT COMPLAINT, would forgo their vacations, beach houses, flat screen TVs, and other luxuries, in order to logarithmically increase their donations to the Church in order for the Church to pay property taxes? If the lack of financial support for Orthodox Churches today, and that is WITH all our tax benefits, is any indication, I believe we have our answer.

I wonder.......if there was no money on the table, if we would even be having this debate... 

Questions and Answers: The Light of Christ in the Narthex

Many people have questions about our Orthodox
Christian Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday
School. Many are not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of
us can benefit from the questions of others. This week’s question addresses the
“how” and “why” of lighting candles in the Narthex. Some people think lighting
candles is just “another thing we do” as Orthodox Christians that has no
meaning. But when you place that candle in the sand, you are doing MUCH more
than just lighting a candle.

Who Is Your Master

The world in which we live demands for us to choose our master. Our master will guide us, shape our priorities, and protect us from outside dangers. Our nation was built upon the idea that each person is his own master, and has the freedom to guide and shape himself, and to set his own priorities. The sense of individual freedoms has been the hallmark of the American dream since this great nation was established. For sure there have been some, and there will continue to be some, who express their individual freedom by oppressing and defeating others. Some even kill to defend “their version” of freedom.

Such was the case this week in Charleston, SC., when a young man influenced by the idea that his way of life was more important than the life of nine of his fellow human beings. Early reports revealed a young man who, in his mind, believed “blacks were taking over” and that he had to stop them. This young man chose a master. The one he chose as his master is dedicated to the death and destruction of all things good and loving. His master is selfish and cunning. His master doesn’t know how to allow others the same freedoms that he enjoyed. His master is filled with rage and hate. And his master will stop at nothing to gain your loyalty as well.

Jesus Christ said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6.22) Events such as the tragedy in Charleston can serve as a reminder that every day we are faced with who we will choose as our master. Will we choose God, the master of love, compassion and freedom, or will we choose his enemy? Our master guides us, and shapes us, and protects us and leads us to Life. His enemy will lead to hate, rage, and death. May the memory of those killed in Charleston, and all those killed by evil influence, be eternal.

Questions and Answers: I’m Distracted by Others in Church

Many people have questions about our Orthodox Christian
Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday School. Many are
not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of us can benefit
from the questions of others. This week’s question is a follow-up to last
week’s “Which Way Should I Look?”
where we discuss the truth, sometimes difficult truth, that when we are
distracted in Church, it might be because we don’t understand Liturgy like we
should. We answered a second question this week, also along the theme of what
are eyes see in Church, in which we discuss the different colors the Church
uses for the clergy vestments and to cover the Holy Altar.

Orthodox Christianity Shouldn’t be Tolerated; It Should be Embraced

In more than twenty years of ministry (both as a non-ordained youth director, and as an ordained clergyman) I have met many, too many really, people who seem to approach Orthodox Christianity from the attitude of tolerance. Many Orthodox Christians, especially those who have been Orthodox since their birth, view the life of the Church with an unfortunate perspective of, “Why must I do all this stuff to be a Christian?” All this “stuff” can be a number of things including: fasting, attending Divine Liturgy weekly, reading and studying the Holy Scriptures, serving the poor, participating in the many sacraments and blessing services, not the least of which praying daily. To a world which focuses more and more upon pleasure, the Orthodox Christian Way of Life can seem a burden to difficult “to be worth the effort.” As a result of this attitude of tolerance, most view the life of the Church with the attitude of, “If I have nothing else to do, then I’ll go to Church.”

Unfortunately, this attitude of tolerance is based upon a terribly incorrect understanding of the “stuff” that we tolerate. We don’t fast, just to fast. We don’t attend Church merely to be in Church because it is where we are supposed to be on Sunday morning. The “stuff” we DO as Orthodox Christians has a purpose.

The purpose of the Orthodox Christian way of life is to train ourselves to spend eternity with God. Whether it is the Sunday Divine Liturgy, fasting in honor of the Holy Apostles (we’re doing this one now....) or scheduling a time for Holy Confession with our Spiritual Father, all this “stuff” helps us to prepare our souls for eternity with God in heaven. The Orthodox Christian way of life presumes we desire to be with God in heaven. The Orthodox Christian way of life shouldn’t be tolerated; it should be embraced with zeal......IF we desire to be with God. If not.....

What are You Willing to Leave Behind to Follow God?

As Jesus called His first disciples to follow Him, many of them were fishermen. They had boats and nets to maintain. They had families to support. They were business men with a mind to manage businesses. But when Jesus called, something changed in their hearts. “They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4.20) Imagine what courage it must have required for them to leave their livelihood behind to follow Jesus. Imagine what courage it must have required for men who knew their business, to follow Jesus into an unknown future. And now imagine they made no excuses. They requested no delays. They immediately followed Him.

Each of us has something that keeps us from totally and unconditionally following Jesus. For some it is a job. For others it might be fear of the unknown, but each of us is called to follow Him. Each of us is called by God to join Him in the important work of spreading the Gospel to others. The time has come to bravely drop our defenses and follow Him. The time has come be courageous in the possibility of the unknown, and trust that God will take care of our needs. It won’t be until we are free from what keeps us back, that we can follow Jesus.

What are you willing to leave behind to follow God? Once you answer that question, only one thing remains. Now put it aside and start following. Once the disciples chose to follow, great things began to happen. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Matthew 4.23) Just remember one thing.....these great things could only happen when they left everything and finally followed.

We Need Your Help!

We are working on some exciting plans for the fall series of our LIVE STREAM Bible studies, but we will need some additional resources. Please consider a donation today to help us grow our online ministry, and together we can help others Live A New Life In Christ.

Which Way Should I Look?

Many people have questions about our Orthodox Christian
Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday School. Many are
not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of us can benefit
from the questions of others. This week’s question is from someone who noticed
many people doing something different while the Priest moves throughout the
Church during services. A newcomer to Orthodox especially may be confused by
what seems like chaos among the faithful. “Which way should I look?” Now, here
is an answer to that basic question. If you would like to submit a question for
our Questions and Answers Summer Sermon Series, please visit our website at
http://LiveANewLifeInChrist.org and we will do our best to include your
question this summer.

W4T (Word for Today) Φιλορνιθία - Love of Birds

I love hosting birds in our yard. We have a feeder, a bath, a nesting box, and actually consider birds when contemplating what trees, bushes and flowers to plant in our yard. I even "sacrifice" my blackberries by leaving them for the birds. I have identified more than twenty different bird species that make a DAILY appearance in our back yard. We had two different nests this year. Welcome birds!

Questions and Answers returns this summer!

Many people have questions about our Orthodox Christian Faith. Many simply do not remember what they learned in Sunday School. Many are not comfortable asking their questions in public. But ALL of us can benefit from the questions of others. Please submit your questions about the Orthodox Christian Faith. I will answer AT LEAST one question each week during our Special Summer Sermon Series.

When Enough Isn't Enough

Everyone thirsts for something, but only one thing will
satisfy your heart. Jesus 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) It is only when we
thirst for God that our heart will be satisfied. If we thirst for wealth, it
will never be enough. If we thirst for power and authority, it will never be
enough. If we thirst for knowledge, it will never be enough. When enough isn’t
enough, you’re probably thirsting for the wrong thing. Thirst after God, and you
will never thirst again.