Jezebel Despises True Authority

Here are selected quotes on how the spirit of Jezebel is an enemy of the Orthodox Church. These quotes highlight her independence and opposition to all authority, especially spiritual authority. The spirit of Jezebel can influence or control men, but it is most often the strongest in women. Her goal is to disrupt, destroy (especially the clergy), cause disunity, control, and to exhibit her own authority. She is rebellious, curses from an evil spirit, and with arrogance.

"For rebellion (from marah- rebellion, perverseness, bitterness) is like the sin of divination (from quasem- to divine- to curse- false visions, idolatries, delusions of their own minds), and arrogance like the evil of idolatry (Terapim- family idols, images, cultic masks -[evil generational strongholds])." 1 Sam 15:23

A WARNING FOR THE CLERGY

Discern the spirit of any woman woman, who, independent of a husband, mingles with or converses. on a regular basis with or to the clergy or the church, if she has not been recognized by a Bishop as having a particular grace (charism) which would warrant such a relationship. Take greatest caution in the arena of Social Media, where it is easiest to set up a platform of pseudo-authority and speak to the masses.

QUOTES: 

“Jezebel demands recognition for herself while serving as the enemy of the true prophetic ministry. Jezebel was the greatest enemy of one of the Old Covenant’s most powerful prophets, Elijah, whose ministry especially represents preparing of the way for the Lord. The Jezebel spirit is one of the most potent forms of the religious spirit which seeks to keep the church and the world from being prepared for the return of the Lord. This spirit especially attacks the prophetic ministry because that ministry has an important place in preparing the way of the Lord. That is why John the Baptist was persecuted by a personification of Jezebel in the wife of Herod. The prophetic ministry is the primary vehicle through which the Lord gives timely, strategic direction to His people. Jezebel knows that removing the true prophets will make the people vulnerable to her false prophets, which always leads to idolatry and spiritual adultery.” 2 (Epic Battles of the Last Days, pg.137) Mental Disorder and Jezebel

Jezebel’s greatest enemy is true spiritual authority. As Jezebel opposed Elijah and Herodias opposed John the Baptist, so Jezebel today opposes righteous authority. In her heart, she despises all moral authority. jonhamilton.com

Jezebels love to project a sense of power they do not have. It is based on fear and intimidation, in order to cloud the minds of those they desire to oppress. Steve Sampson (p 14)

Jezebels revile (despise and show no respect for) authority over her. Building on “dislike of authority” (especially of men since they are frequently the authority figure) coupled with rebellion, she hates anyone placed in authority over her (particularly men), and seeks to destroy them and take their power. Jezebel sees herself as the “goddess on the pedestal”. albatrus.org

Jezebel is like a shark; she is most vicious and dangerous. She circles the lives of others looking for teachable, seducible, controllable, “disciples” of her own. Jezebel likes to birth spiritual children of her own as she looks for disciples to eat from her own table. She will look for those that are in rebellion, who are weak, wounded, or those who are contending, bucking, and fighting any established spiritual authority. albatrus.org

Jezebel hates men and majors in destroying them. She cannot have a true Godly relationship with men; because her desire is to strip them of all their perceived power and then destroy them, to emasculate them emotionally and spiritually. albatrus.org

Another very obvious thing with this kind of spirit is its absolute hatred and disdain for anything to do with spiritual warfare, prayer, and anything to do with God’s true prophets. This spirit hates all of God’s prophets just like Queen Jezebel did back in the OT. And it also hates anyone who is actively involved with spiritual warfare in the Lord. The reason it hates these two types of people is because prophets and those well trained in the area of spiritual warfare are its greatest threat. Prophets and those who are trained in the area of spiritual warfare can easily spot and pick up when they come across this kind of spirit, and they will then know how to get rid of it if the person is open to receiving an actual deliverance. If you want to test a person to see if they have a Jezebel spirit on them, just bring up the subject of prophets and spiritual warfare and watch how this spirit will well up with anger and disgust, and from there, will try and change the conversation to something else. You will hit a nerve every time you do this with this kind of spirit. bible-knowledge.com

A real and current example of the Jezebel Spirit at work is found in a woman named Joanna Higginbotham of Oregon who operates Remnantrocor.blogspot.com. Ms Higginbotham's conduct was profiled in the August 7, 2014 JTO article Blogger Troll Confesses to Criminal Record-"Big Deal". The Remnant ROCOR blog contains the name of Bishop Agafangel and the ROCOR jurisdiction to which Higginbotham is a part, however, in a recent direct conversation between JTO Administrator Nathan Lee Lewis and Bishop Agafangel, the Bishop stated that he did not know who Higginbotham was nor was he aware of her blog activities.  He deferred the matter to Higginbotham's priest, Father Gregory Williams, of Holy Annunciation in Liberty, Tennessee. Father Gregory Williams has previously stated that he would issue Higginbotham a "cease and desist" order if he thought it would do any good. 

"I've known Joanna for a very long time. She lived here for quite a while (maybe more than a year; I've forgotten), had me up on a pedestal within a few weeks, left in a rage when I wouldn't take her orders to baptize her future son-in-law while he was living "without benefit of clergy" with her pregnant daughter, then marry them. For several years I was public enemy #1 so far as she was concerned, with endless letters to bishops, other clergy, you name it. After a few years of getting no "satisfactory" response, she went on to someone else. After the marriage (accomplished quite uncanonically; resulting in a reprimand to the offending priest from the bishop) collapsed in disaster and the defection of most of our brethren to the MP, she changed her mind. I have little or no control over her activities, either by e-mail or blog (of which she also has many). Before setting her sights on you, she engaged in a war with [another parishioner]... If I thought it would do any good, I would issue a "cease and desist" order." Father Gregory Williams

For Higginbotham's own priest to confess the futility of dealing with her is telling. Even though Father Gregory has the authority to rebuke, discipline, withhold the sacraments until repentance or deliverance, he has seemingly abdicated his responsibility in the matter. This is the classic and documented rebellious Jezebel spirit at work. She has gained a foothold of control over her priest while her Bishop, who does not speak English, has, until recently, been ignorant of the fact that the spirit of Jezebel is publicly representing his church. Father Gregory cannot claim the same ignorance. In fact, curiously, Father Gregory currently lists himself on his Google Profile as an administrator of the ROCOR Refuges blog. the original blog that now links to Remnant ROCOR.

Higginbotham's operates up to 17 blogs, and participation on several others. Several of these blogs typically include the personal destruction of individuals and the defamation and libel of individual clergy whom she targets, with rumors, gossip, name-calling, innuendo, doctored photos, false accusations, and fabricated stories. She is vehemently opposed to any unity with other jurisdictions and promotes her own jurisdiction as the only legitimate Russian Church while vilifying anyone who disagrees with her by publicly calling them, among other things, psychopaths or cultists. She does not speak for nor is she recognized by her Bishop or jurisdiction, although her blogs are designed to appear so. She, in fact, is under no one's authority- Bishop or Priest - Jezebel never is. Unfortunately, her bishop, priest and jurisdiction are credited for her conduct.

Exhortation: Take time to click on the links after each quote. Study up on the activity of this evil spirit in the church today. Be aware of the tactics and methods it uses. Like a Trojan Horse, a wolf in sheep's clothing, or a lion roaming to and fro, Jezebel seeks whom she may devour toward the destruction of men's souls. If you are a bishop or a priest and are unable to curtail the activities of a Jezebel in your midst, you might at least do what Bishop Agafangel recommended Father Gregory do regarding Joanna Higginbotham:

"We can make a statement that this source does not belong to our church."  

One might also demand the removal of any link or reference to your jurisdiction and, certainty, do not participate as an administrator on a blog influenced by a Jezebel Spirit. The key is to isolate them and cut them off from direct influence over the flock you shepherd. Do not give them a platform of credibility from which to operate. Most of all, PRAY and FAST and STAND FIRM in the face of evil--

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

The Best Answer is No Answer

My Journey To Orthodoxy has, at times, been perplexing, not so much to me, but to observers. I have not always followed the status quo. That is not to say that I have not followed the orthodox way, but, I have not always bowed to the particular personal preferences of those around me. If one is honest, he will have to say that the boundaries of what is considered orthodox is dependent on what jurisdiction you are in and by what priest or bishop you are standing. I am not referring to the established doctrines of the faith, for that is unchangeable, but, rather, the rudiments, activities and expressions of worship. If one is still honest, he will also have to acknowledge that the orthodox faith is made up of many cultural traditions, the adherence to which is often wrongly considered as sacred as doctrine itself.

From very young, God has led me in a seemingly uncommon  way. He has given me a grace to hear his voice and follow him. This grace does not elevate me above others, it just causes me to walk to a different beat than many. I have not often talked of this grace of God, because it is too precious a place. It is a secret place-the secret place of the most high. Many have similar graces, in prayer, in faith, where God is as near to them as their breath. Few can adequately explain it, nor should they, for the grace is for them.

The grace, or charisma given to me allows me to know the will of God for a specific moment or person, or church, or event. In this grace, God often shares details with me-things I could not otherwise know. In this grace, God often instructs me as to a course of action-to pray-to speak-to write-to confront-to move-to stay. Often he will share dates, times, names, future events, so that I may know how to follow his instructions. Sometimes the instructions are in steps-stages, and I do not have the whole picture. I have been trained over the years to know and obey his voice, his leading, no matter what. He speaks, I step, he speaks, I step further, until his purpose is served. The most grievous times in my life were in the early years, when, through my doubt, I would fail to obey. The grief of knowing that I failed to obey God's direct, and time-sensitive direction cannot be explained. Now, not unlike Pavlovs dog, I respond quickly when God rings.

More often than not, acting on what God has shown me means not acting at all. I do not engage in tit for tat arguments or answer personal accusations toward me, This is true for two reasons. One reason is the simple fact that to defend one's self is pride and arrogance. As a follower of Christ,

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

In the same respect I do not spend time trying to clear my "good name" or get vengeance on those who oppose or reject me.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

What a difficult, valuable, and imperative thing to learn!

The second reason I do not engage in debates, tit-for-tat arguments or answer personal accusations toward me, is that, quite often they are initiated as a result of my obedience to God. The Lord has shown me His sight on a matter, has instructed to me to speak, I do, and some push back. They always have and they always will. My response to the push backs would be my assisting those who do not have ears to hear, to make the subject about the messenger. 

State Of Florida vs. Christie, Minas Michael

JTO has confirmed that Minas Michael Christie co-administrator of the Remnant ROCOR and administrator of the KFTU blog, has an extensive history of unlawful civil infractions. The numerous citations include 5 speeding tickets, one in a School Zone, 3 other infractions, and a small claims lawsuit brought against him. Records show that Christie either paid the full fines, made payments, or paid reduced fines by performing Community Service. The records on the Pinellas County, Florida Circuit Court Website, date between 2001 and 2013. 

Many can relate to having received a single or even a couple of traffic citations, but fewer can relate to Christie's total of nine citations. To some, such infractions may seem a trivial matter to highlight, however, combined with his multiple criminal arrest records, his illegal copyright infringement, his vulgar sexual public internet chats, and his malevolent public attacks on Orthodox Christians, one can get a clear picture of his rebellious, out of control life, void of submission to any spiritual authority. The initial JTO article, Blogger Troll Confesses To Criminal Record- "Big Deal" exposed Christie's multiple criminal arrest records for Criminal Trespass, Possession of Marijuana and failure to comply with the orders of a police officer during a domestic dispute. Another article, "Remnant ROCOR Blog Co-Administrator Discovered in Gay On-Line Chat" exposed his dual conduct on his blogs and his public participation in a vile on-line gay chat.

JTO has confirmed that at least two priests have attempted to curtail Christie's on-line conduct over the years, one priest stating that Christie has no ecclesiastical blessing to be involved in any on-line activity. Christie has admitted to publicly referring to his former parish's church counsel as the Mafia. Recently, another priest asked Christie to remove his KFTU blog, but said that Christie is "truly under no one's authority." Christie refused to heed the priest's counsel. Christie was recently served a Cease and Desist letter by a Nashville attorney for his use of copyrighted photos on his KFTU blog and was issued a warning of a pending lawsuit. Christie posted the attorney's letter on his blog with mocking and taunting captions. Most recently, Christie has posted another copyrighted photo mocking JTO for exposing his dual life and his vulgar gay chat.

JTO has raised the question in previous articles as to why the Remnant ROCOR blog and its co-administrators, Father Gregory Williams and Joanna Higginbotham, continue to associate with Christie. The greater question, however, is will Christie's current bishop, priest and parish allow him to remain in good standing without an official ecclesiastical rebuke for his ongoing, immoral, illegal, and malevolent conduct in the world and in the Body of Christ. JTO has confirmed that Christie is a member of a Genuine Orthodox Church in Florida.

Soon Coming Related Posts:

Blogger Troll Receives Notice of Pending Litigation- Federal Crime

When Parishioners Attack- "The Responsibility of Priests in Matters Of Church Discipline"

Remnant ROCOR Blog Co-Administrator Discovered in Gay On-line Chat

WARNING: The matter discussed in this article includes documented references of an individual's public internet chat conversation related to homosexuality and other sexual acts. While JTO would agree that such a matter is better dealt with in private, this post confronts a matter that is already an on-going public scourge on the Body of Christ. 

A simple Google Search has revealed that Minas Michael Christie, co-administrator of the Remnant Rocor blog, has participated in a public chat forum using vile jokes, perverse humor, vulgar homosexual references, perverted sexual acts, and profanity. Christie, who has a multiple arrest record, and was recently served a Cease and Desist letter by a Nashville Attorney for copyright infringement, is co-administrator on the Remnant ROCOR blog along with Joanna Higginbotham of Oregon and Father Gregory Williams of Tennessee. Both Christie and Higginbotham were the focus of an August 2014 JTO expose' that exposed Christie's criminal record and both he and Higginbotham's vitriolic internet conduct. Father Gregory Williams, who is an ArchPriest under Bishop Agafangel, is the priest of Holy Annunciation Orthodox Church and is the publisher of Saint John of Krondstadt Press in Liberty, Tennessee. Gregory currently lists himself on his Google profile as a co-administrator on the ROCOR Refuges blog, the original name of the Remnant ROCOR blog that now links to the new site. When asked about his relationship with Christie and the blog, Father Gregory offered this comment: 

"There is NO relationship between me and Minas Michael Christie. He's bought a few books over the years, and that's it... I am not a "co-administrator" of ANY blog anywhere, though I believe in the distant past Joanna listed me as a "contributor" or something of the sort on at least one of hers. I'm not even that (though once in a while she asks permission to post something I've written)...If you know of something on Google which I don't, I'd certainly like to find it, know how it got there -- and destroy it. If it's there, it obviously has wrong, if not outright forged, information..."

Although Father Gregory claims "NO" relationship with Christie and suggests the only knowledge he has of Christie is that he bought a few books- "that's it", he issued a subsequent, seemingly contradictory comment. In the comment he says, "I don't know him and have never had any meaningful association with him... I've seen a fair amount of stuff he's written and don't much like any of it."

JTO provided Father Gregory with the link to his Blogger Profile and a screen capture showing that he is currently an administrator of the blog. The Blogger Profile allows Father Gregory to directly contribute articles, edit, delete, and in other ways manipulate the particular blog, without the permission of another, the same administrative ability as that of  Minas Christie and Higginbotham. Both Gregory and Higginbotham's Blogger Profiles and the original blog were established in the same year, 2008. Christie's was created in 2009. Whether or not Father Gregory created the Blogger Profile, or it was forged as he suggests, or he simply forgot that he established the Blogger profile, a 2012 e-mail exchange between JTO and Father Gregory, confirms that Father Gregory has been aware for years that his name and the name of his bishop, Agafangel, of the Russian Church Abroad, has been prominently displayed on the Remnant ROCOR blog, along side Minas Christie's name. Apparently, Father Gregory had forgotten about the 2012 e-mail when he issued his recent comment to JTO, attempting to distance himself from involvement in the Remnant ROCOR Blog. Even though Father Gregory's "though I believe in the distance past" comment (above) seems to suggest he was ignorant of the matter and had no role in the blog, Gregory's 2012 e-mail contained a copy of a letter he was sending to Higginbotham indicating his direct involvement. In the letter, Gregory recommends removing Christie's name as an administrator, (only) because he was not under Agafangel, but allowing him to contribute articles. The letter also mentions rewording (but not removing) the use of Bishop Agafangel's name so the blog does not appear to have an "episcopal blessing." Gregory's letter does not contain a request for his own name to be removed. In a recent written exchange between JTO and the Russian-speaking Bishop Agafangel, the bishop indicated that he was unaware of the Remnant ROCOR and had never heard of Higginbotham.

Whatever Father Gregory's official role in the Remnant ROCOR blog may be or may have been, evidence shows that both he and Higginbotham, who, although she lives in Oregon, is one of the parishioners in Gregory's Tennessee church, are today both fully aware of the on-going character issues that surround Christie, but have yet to publicly denounce his activities or disassociate themselves from him. With the revelation of Christie's vulgar, gay on-line chat, anyone can readily assess just who this man is and get a clearer picture of the perverse and ungodly conduct that he publicly presents to the world as a whole.

Christie's own blog, Journey To Knuckleheads From The Underworld,  makes predominant use of mocking memes from copyrighted photos he has illegally used. In one instance, he posts a copyrighted photo of a Bishop tonsuring a Reader, with captions suggesting the Bishop is looking for lice. In another post he uses a stolen photo of a dark-skin priest with racist captions in the form of Ebonics so as to mock the man's ethnicity. He has posted a photo of a nine-year-old Orthodox boy, mocking his masculinity, saying, "he looks like a little girl." One photo is that of a clergy's face Photoshopped in a toilet bowl full of feces. In other photos Christie has given the clergy red "demon eyes" or has placed Nazi-swastika looking symbols on their cassocks. He also mocks individuals using photos of their sacrament of marriage, their chrismation, and of them chanting during Liturgies. He also makes use of stolen family photos of clergy's wives, their children, and their grandchildren mocking their appearance or otherwise denigrating them. Christie's blog contains 100's of such examples, is laced with profanity, and contains fabricated accusations about Orthodox clergy, which Christie calls "parody." And, in a most threatening act, Christie posted photos of what he thought was the house of an orthodox clergy, with instructions on how to find the clergy's address. With this, Christie's character seems clear, but what is not clear is why the Remnant ROCOR blog, Father Gregory Williams and Joanna Higginbotham, continue to endorse and, in some instances, even participate with this man in his conduct.

An article that Joanna Higginbotham wrote to recommend Christie's KFTU blog still remains on the Remnant ROCOR blog, as does a permanent link, under the heading, "Member Blogs". The link previously had the disclaimer, "caution: satire", but that has been replaced with the word "humor". Ironically, Christie also mocks a fellow member on the Remnant ROCOR Member Blogs list, Anastasios Hudson, using the same method of stealing a copyrighted photo and placing derogatory captions on it. Remnant ROCOR blog also publishes periodic links to individual posts of Christie's blog. and continues to publish comments by Christie on various Remnant ROCOR articles. Higginbotham also participates on Christie's libelous and defamatory blog, calling out clergy by name as being demon-influenced, or as being narcissists or psychopaths. On his blog, Christie states that he gets assessments about posts from, "my friend Joanna Higginbotham." Higginbotham has, at least once, re-posted one of Christie's stolen, altered, and mocking photo's on the Remnant ROCOR blog.

Although Father Gregory denies any prior active administrative duties with the Remnant ROCOR blog, he cannot now deny being fully aware of the very public connection of both his and his Bishop's name to that of Minas Michael Christie, and the activity of his parishioner, Joanna Higginbotham. In any case, it would be unconscionable for either Father Gregory Williams or Higginbotham to continue to associate with Christie in any way, especially on a public, Orthodox-related forum, and particularity in light of the new revelation of Christie's public, perverse, gay chat.

After Father Gregory was given the opportunity to comment and was provided documentation that he had requested, JTO offered to send him a link once this article was posted. Father Gregory responded:

"No further comment. I'm not interested and will not pursue any link."

THE GAY CHAT - "MRXRISTIDIS"

Christie's internet gay chat took place on the website called Greek City Cafe in mid-2014. The website bills itself as "Australia's Greek Website". The Remnant ROCOR co-administrator's vulgar and lewd exchange, which took place on one of the site's chat forums, was under the name MRXRISTIDIS, which JTO has confirmed is Minas Michael Christie's Google ID. (Some of his chat exchange can be found starting HERE, extending three pages on the forum). Here are some examples of Christie's vile exchange. Some words are redacted for propriety's sake: 

"***hole. I'd say it to your face and you wouldn't do a d**n thing about it. Go s**k your p***s you d**k."

"Whooshka (aka Malaka). isn't that you starring in this film, or is it just your life story? loser..." [Christie posts link to a gay film]

"Whooshka doesn't need mechanical sperm extractions as he does a great job at it manually...."

"I'm assuming your not. Why not come out, it's 2014 after all and you have lots of friends that have. We all know you hate the taste of fish and prefer cucumber."

"I hear you an Whooshka go out on the boat nights catching blowfish"

"Just testosterone having fun and games... nothing serious... I hope... I'm getting set 2 love..."

"The Whopper is still flame(ing) broiled however I hear it has extra special secret sauce... the annual Fag Fest was just held last weekend..."

"...because he's a little f****t b***h..."

"...He quickly graduated from novice to master baiter. He's now teaching his trade to his little buddy Whoooshka."

"nope... but it is interesting to know you that you are interested to meet me hahahahahahahah... I'm sure your interested but please don't get too excited and have a premature ejaculation..."

"You never got your jaw jacked? Oh forgot, you only had your butt jacked, that explains your confusion"

..."f**k all of you...at least I have the "b**ls to use my real name...f**k you phoney b*****s..."

In 2014, at the same time Christie was co-administrator of the Remnant ROCOR blog, and having conversations on his own blog with Higginbotham, Christie was engaging in his lewd sexual conduct on the very public Greek City Cafe. Christie is married, with a young daughter, and JTO has confirmed that they are parishioners of a Genuine Orthodox Church in Florida. JTO can also confirm that Christie's priest recently asked him to take down his offensive KFTU blog. Christie refused to do so and continued posting within hours of that request.

More recently, Christie's internet conduct has produced legal action against him. JTO has confirmed that at least two attorneys, representing two clients, are in various stages of legal action against Christie for both copyright infringement and defamation and libel that he has published on his KFTU blog. Christie has even gone so far as to commit false impersonation by posing as a living Orthodox Deacon via a fraudulent Google ID. This possibly felonious act caused the real deacon to issue a Warning Notice as to Christie's conduct. In one instance, Christie attempted to post a comment on this JTO blog, posing as that deacon, using that false ID, to lure JTO Administrator, Nathan Lee Lewis into clicking on a link.

It seems that both Higginbotham and Father Gregory Williams would be wise to act now to assure that, by association, their names do not appear in any legal actions. But more importantly, for the cause of Christ and His Holy Church, Father Gregory Williams and Joanna Higginbotham, who serve Bishop Agafangel of the Russian Church Abroad, should flee the very appearance of evil and heed the words of Saint Paul:

"I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 

But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. 

Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 

Expel the wicked person from among you.”

Have We Forgotten The Gospel?

So many churches...

so many jurisdictions...

so much diatribe... 

ecumenism this... 

heretic that...

blogs...

websites...

open letters...

gossip...

rumors...
libel...
defamation...

slander...

anger...

denouncements...

he's an apostate...

she's an apostate...

they are apostate...

you're uncanonical...

no, you are!...

AND THE WORLD LOOKS ON...

Have we forgotten that people are lost and dying and in need of The Savior?  

Have we forgotten the Gospel? 

We have been commissioned to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature... 

THIS IS THE CORE OF THE ORTHODOX FAITH.

LET THIS BE OUR MESSAGE AND OUR HOPE:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God. who loved me and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—

1 John 4:9-11 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

You Never Know...

I was raised in a pastor's family and later I was ordained a pastor. I watched my father officiate at funerals and lead the processions in cars to the cemetery. Later I did the same thing in my role as pastor. 

In America it is tradition and, in fact, a law in most states, to pull over and stop as a funeral procession passes. When the last car in the procession passes, then you can go on your way. It seems not too much to ask to give up a minute or two of your time while family members are traveling to lay their loved-ones to rest. I have also been in such a procession as a family member, having laid my Father and Mother to rest. You look outside the window and wonder if anyone you see cares or knows the grief you are enduring. It is difficult to watch life going on as usual while in such an emotional state.

Yesterday, I was mowing our property. A funeral procession was passing right as I was at the road. I immediately stopped, turned off the mower, stood up and put my hat over my heart, until the procession passed. I knew what it was like to be a grieving family member in one of those cars. I only hoped that the family would get a quick glimpse of the respect they were due- that someone understood and cared.

Today, I went to the road to retrieve our garbage can. I saw a vehicle pass and stop on the side of the road. By the time I got to the back of the house, the car had pulled into our driveway. A woman got out and made a beeline for me. She intermediate said, 

"Please, forgive me. I will try to keep from crying. Yesterday as we went to bury my mamma you stood at the side of the road and showed such respect for us. I want to thank you. That meant so much to us. We had to dodge other cars along the way who didn't stop. But then we saw you. God bless you." 

I asked her how she and her family were doing, asked her name and that of her mamma. I embraced her, cried with her, and I told her we would be praying for them. With that, she got in her car and left. 

Jesus said,

'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

You never know... but sometimes you do...

From Glory To Glory

So that by gradual increase ...and progress from glory to glory, the light of the Trinity might shine upon the more illuminated ...for this reason it was, I think, that he gradually came to dwell in the disciples. He measured himself out to them according to their capacity to receive Him: at the beginning of the gospel, after the Passion, after the ascension, making perfect their powers, being breathed upon them, and appearing in fiery tongues ...you see lights breaking upon us gradually, and knowledge of such order of theology, as is better for us to maintain, neither proclaiming things too suddenly nor yet keeping them hidden in the end ...He said that all things should be taught us by the Spirit Himself, made clear at a later time, when such knowledge would be seasonable and capable of being received after our Saviour's restoration; when it would no longer be received with incredulity because of its marvelous character. For what greater thing than this did he promise or the Spirit teach ...If He is not to be worshiped, how can he deify me in baptism?... And in deed from the Spirit comes our new birth, and from the new birth our new creation, and from the new creation our deeper knowledge of the dignity of Him from whom it is derived ...Look at these facts: Christ is born; the Spirit is His forerunner, He leads Him up. He works miracles; the Spirit accompanies them. He ascends; the Spirit takes His place. [St Gregory of Nazianzus]

My Personal and Company Creed in the Film Arts

I have been in the film industry in some shape or form since I was about 10 years old. My father, a local Southern Baptist pastor, was supportive of the talent that seemed to come to me at a very early age.  My first experience working with professional actors was in the play South Pacific, produced by the Community Theater in Vallejo, California. I played the Filipino boy, Jerome. That play included the actor Bill Granger, who had recently starred in the Disney movie Inky The Crow. My parents would drop me off at rehearsal and the performances. When the play closed, my parents let me ride to the cast party with one of the cast members. At the cast party, held at one of the cast member's house, there was drinking and dancing. For years I wondered about the thought process of my parents in allowing me to attend, at such an early age, what they might deem a worldly event. Perhaps my parents knew that even a 10-year-old boy must learn that we are called to "Be in the world, but not of it". A defining moment happened to me during that event. As I looked around at these people, I had one thought- I loved them and I knew that God loved them. I was in their world, but I knew, that I was not of that world. That solidifying moment would guide me through many similar events, in plays, films sets and cast parties, both in high school, college and professionally. At times, I stood out like a sore thumb. with the more worldly types. They knew I had an uncompromising, moral Christan center. However, I had influence because the words of Christ were written on my soul, "For I did not come into the word to condemn the world, for the world was already condemned."  My heart was to love as Christ loved so that I might win a few.

I remember one encounter with a fellow actor who was living in a homosexual relationship. We were chatting as were were in the make-up room. I was civilly sharing with him my spiritual view of such a lifestyle, when I realized that he had often been subject to condemnation and unloving confrontations by Christians- ignorant dogmatists who failed to love as Christ loved. I was able to put my arms around the man and tell him, "I don't know if I have the right to do this, but please let me tell you...I am so sorry and I apologize for how others have treated you. I love you." Did he see Christ in this? I can only hope.

Christ was questioned, for hanging with the wrong crowd.

"And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Through the years there have been many voices from well-meaning and some not-so-well-meaning critics of Christians who are involved the film and acting industries. It took me many years to define the moral parameters of Christians in the arts- my moral parameters. I was influenced by the book, Addicted to Mediocrity-20th Century Christians and the Arts, by Franky Schaeffer, an Orthodox filmmaker and the son of theologian Francis Shaeffer. The most important thing I gleaned from his writings was the definition as to what art a Christian filmmaker/actor should or should not be attached. I formed this concise mantra: 

"If it makes something holy appear as unholy, 

or makes something unholy appear as holy, then avoid it all costs."

What some critics do not accept is the idea that just because an actor, writer, producer, acts, writes, or produces a project where there are ungodly characters, it does not mean they are endorsing ungodly conduct. Does a painter paint only scenes of churches and domes? No. Christian actors, writers, and producers also have liberty to portray humanity in all of its colors, good and bad, righteous and evil. I have written and directed a film about child abduction and slavery. Is depicting such evil inherently evil in itself?  No. Shaeffer proposes that it is arbitrary and intellectual paralyzing to suggest that art should be divided between the spiritual and secular world. He proposes that there is but one world and Christian artists are called to be in that world. To abdicate that role is to allow only godless people to create. He also suggests that creativity such as films do not have to serve some utilitarian purpose. Just the very act of creation is a reflection of the Creator and He is pleased.

Thus, I have played the role of a Native American who rebelled against the encroaching white man. I have played the role of a young man who fights Count Dracula. I have played the role of young rebellious teen who goes to a bar and reads books that are considered  risque. I have played the role of a Baptist Preacher who conducts a funeral. I have played the role of a hick womanizer who goes to get a reading from a Psychic. I have played the role of a redneck father who abandoned his son and is redeemed to his son only after his death. I have played the role of a loving father who has a heart attack. I have played the role of  a satirical character in a Star Wars spoof. I have played the role of an ex-sheriff terrified by the demonic evil that has entered a town and shoots himself. This month I will play the role of a mountain man trying to survive in an apocalyptic age. I have not played some roles offered to me---why?--because they did not meet the criteria as stated above. Some of the characters I played were ugly, godless, foul mouthed. I am not an evil man, but I may play one on T.V.. Actors must field the offers that come their way. This week I auditioned for the role of  Hippie Bus Driver in a Robert De Nero film. Hippies smoke dope and cuss. I don't, but the character does. Some critics do not understand the craft of acting. "How dare a Christian cuss!" They are not able to distinguish the difference between a matter of the heart and the craft of acting. Should a painter paint only churches? Should and actor play only Christian characters? If so, then who would play Judas Iscariot, the Roman soldiers, a harlot?

I wrote a poem and produced this animated recitation of it. It is for the ignorant, condemning critics of Christians in the film industry. The last statement is somewhat abrasive and is intentionally directed at Orthodox Christians who callously cast dispersion from their ivory temples. They send up prayers as incense to the Lord while discouraging Christians artists who are called to a unique mission field. They should be praying for the Christian artist!

I am grateful that my Bishop knows my heart, discerns between the heart and the craft and blesses me in this career. He knows that the opportunities I have to rub elbows with people of all cultures and spiritual states, allows me to do as Christ did- to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. So does my Christian Talent Agent, who knows there are roles I will not play and projects in which I will not participate. By the way, it is only "Christian Critics" who have a problem with Christian actors. It seems that a Christian actor's witness is only ruined on their behalf. The lost, the ones Christ sent us to reach, respect the craft and respect even more a Christian with principles and love in their hearts.

On the producing side: I do not produce Christian films. I produce films. Rocky Top Pictures is not a Christian film company. It is a film company owned by an Orthodox Christian. Through this company, I am producing a film about an autistic white boy and his friendship with a black boy from the other side of the tracks. I am producing a period piece about a gunslinger who leaves his wife and hides out in the mountains for 20 years finding salvation with the help of an itinerant preacher. I am producing a film about the life of Saint Moses the Black. I am producing a pro-life film exposing the true nature of the abortion industry. I have just co-written a T.V. pilot in which the main family is Orthodox. It may be the first exposure to Orthodoxy for millions who see it. But critics would say "stop!"  Thank God I am not the only Orthodox Christian in the industry who ignores such critics.

We will not stop! We will go as Christ commands. Pray for us as we do.

Living in the Delusion

"The church is living in the delusion that it is entitled to everlasting eternal security free from any possibility of the wrath of Jesus Christ. This is partly due to the self-entitled generation we find ourselves living in and partly due to the error-filled Once Saved Always Saved ideology. If we no longer get excited about Jesus, so much so that we must tell people about how awesome He is, if we do not repent of this, then our light shall be taken away from us. We will no longer be light in the darkness. If we tolerate sexual sin and allow a false, idolatrous version of Jesus into our churches, then we will face the sword of His mouth, unless we repent. If we allow those into our churches that corrupt and lure others away with lies about who Jesus is then we face tribulation, unless we repent. If our church has a great reputation, applauded by the community, but does nothing in the light of true kingdom work (caring for the sick and needy, administering justice, preaching the Gospel to lost people, etc.) then the Lord will come upon us as a thief in the night. If we feel content in our churches and think we are pleasing to God according to our own efforts, then we are lukewarm and He will spew us out of His mouth. We must be faithful unto death and hold fast to what we have." (Rex H.)

Low Attitude Leads to High Altitude

As spoken by Saint Symeon the New Theologian:

"There are  times when I, without willing it, mount to the height of contemplation; with my will I am drawn down from it because of the limitations of human nature and find safety in abasement. I know many things that are unknown to most men, yet I am more ignorant than all others. I rejoice because Christ, "whom I have believed", has bestowed on me an eternal and unshakable kingdom, yet I constantly weep as one who is unworthy of that which is above, and I cease not. I dare not open my mouth and ask forgiveness for my actions; yet for the sake of others I speak boldly out of love and, to speak foolishly, people listen to me! I stand before Him as a son, 

yet my attitude is that of a stranger who dares not speak. 

I hear Him say, "Well done, faithful servant" and the rest, yet in reality I find I have not kept even one talent of those that were given to me. It seems to me that I reach the very summit of blessings, yet I am a prisoner down in the abyss of my sins, engulfed in despair. It is when I am abased below all others that I am lifted up above the heavens and am once more united in love to Christ our God. Before Him I hope to stand, once I am rid of the burden of this earthy flesh, and even closer to Him, and in addition be yet more clearly 

initiated into the eternal joy and exhalation of the love that is on high."