Airman Sharp

Congratulation to Gregory Sharp, now Airman Sharp, for successfully completing boot camp in the United States Air Force. Greg will now go on to nine weeks of Training School where he will serve as an Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice.

Greg is my son-in law having married our second daughter about six years ago. He was chrismated last year into the Orthodox Church by Father John Denny of Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Mission (WR) in Hot Springs Arkansas.

Please pray for Gregory as he is away from his wife and two young children during this time. Pray for our daughter, April, and the two children that they will prosper and be at peace in his absence. The United States Military men and women are still sorely underpaid for what they do. It is difficult to see the spouses and children of those who serve struggle financially while their dads and moms lay their lives on the line. Are you listening, President-Elect Obama? Are you listening, Democratic Controlled House and Senate?

Pray for all those who serve in the military of all nations around the world defending their freedoms from those who would dominate and oppress.

A Balanced Request Concerning Gaza?

From OrthodoxProphets.blogspot.com:

The following request appears on the Antiochian Orthodox Website concerning the conflict in Gaza. On its face, it seems balanced in that it does not take sides nor does it offer overt political bias. The only thing I would suggest is that the Diocese should have and could have made the same request to halt the terrorist missiles being launched into Israel prior to Israel having to respond militarily. It seems a little late now to suggest "the faithful" contact our Representatives to urge the US government to "exert influence". Does this not infer strongly that Israel is the one who needs to stop? Why is our Diocese always silent when the Muslim Arab Palestinian Terrorists are attacking Israel, yet it screams to high heaven when Israel responds?

"We of The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America join most of the world in decrying the loss of life and extreme human tragedy unfolding in Gaza before our eyes.

In light of this, we make an urgent appeal to all of the faithful of The Antiochian Archdiocese to immediately contact their elected representatives. Urge them to exert the considerable influence of the U.S. Government to end these hostilities and engage the various parties in a meaningful dialogue to forge a just and lasting peace. At the same time we ask you to keep all of the victims of this tragedy in your daily prayers."

I commend the IOCC charity fund also mentioned on the Antiochian Website as long as they give also to Israeli families who have been affected by terrorists missiles.

Addendum Questions:
When Hamas announces publicly that it will send "suicide bombers" into Israel and will "kidnap" Israeli soldiers in retaliation for the Gaza incursion, is the fact that they will use women and children as suicide bombers to target INNOCENT civilians and will torture the soldiers, worthy of a condemnation by the Antiochian Diocese? If so where is the condemnation and when will it be issued?

Addendum Questions 2:

Is this statement true or false?:
"Islam is not the word of God," said Yousef. "If you want to be offended it's your problem. But you know something? Go study. Think for a second that I might be right. So wake up, look at your path, see where you're going. Are you really going to heaven with 72 virgins after you kill yourself and kill another 20 people?" (Mosab Hassan Yousef- Son of one of the founding members of Hamas now a Christian and living in the United States)

If the statement is true, should the Church be careful not to side with and support advocates of it?

Addendum Question 3:
How many of their own people do "Palestinians" Kill?

Killing Their Own by Jacob Laksin

Addendum Question 4:

How trustworthy are the statistics issued by Hamas?

Gaza Doctor Says Death Toll Inflated

"Physician at Gaza's Shifa Hospital tells Italian newspaper number of dead in Israeli offensive 'stands at no more than 500 or 600, most of them youths recruited to Hamas' ranks'. Senior Palestinian Health Ministry official denies claims, IDF estimate on 1,200 casualties in Strip remains unchanged."

Bride Of Christ or Adulteress?

Another Post from OrthodoxProphets.blogspot.com

I am disheartened to see our good friends at www.westernorthodox.blogspot.com join the chorus of those who advocate that the Bride of Christ commit adultery with the world by seeking the United States Government's permission to exist. They do so, I believe unwittingly, by promoting the idea that Orthodox churches must be registered by the government by way of 501c 3 non-profit status in order to exist.

In what seems to be a sincere effort to assist churches coming into Orthodoxy by way of the Western Rite, the blog includes the following erroneous and misleading information.


"Getting Your Own Tax Exemption. Talk with your counsel about securing a tax exemption under Internal Revenue Code, Section 501(c)(3), as well as a similar exemption from the state in which you are organized and operate your new parish. This is valuable, since it exempts the church from income tax as well as from most or all state taxes. It also means gifts may be deducted by the donor." [While it is true that 501c 3 non-profit status "exempts" non-profit organizations from taxes and allows donors to deduct contributions, churches are not required to be a 501c 3s. According tho the IRS statutes, churches are natural "EXCEPTIONS" to the law since the government has no right to make any law pertaining to them. In other words, the Church doesn't even need the government to say it is "exempt". The IRS has no say, whatsoever.}

"Keeping Your Tax Exempt Status. Once your parish obtains a tax exemption, you must keep it. [Says who? The government? The IRS says that churches do not have to be 501c 3, so to assert that once you are you must keep it, begs the question.The threat of losing ones 501 c 3 status is the fear that keeps the Church from speaking to the ills of society and bringing salvation to America. Churches are under the mistaken idea that if they lose their 501c 3 status the government can shut them down or donors can't give. False and false.] One of the Internal Revenue Service tests is the “organizational and operational test”. A church must ("Must"? The reason the government can give orders to the church is because it has voluntarily become a government entity through the 501c 3.] demonstrate that it is organized and will be operated exclusively for religious purposes. Statements to this effect should go in both the bylaws and in the Articles of Incorporation, where the corporate purpose is given. The IRS also requires ["Requires "Again an order to the church because they are a government controlled entity through the 501c 3] that religious organizations refrain from lobbying or political campaigning. [ So by voluntarily becoming 501c 3 controlled entities the church must abide by the laws which removes them from any influence to speak to or effect the political spectrum which decides our social, economic and religious freedoms?] Church bylaws and articles of incorporation must also provide that church assets are irrevocably dedicated for religious purposes, and that if the church ever dissolves its assets will be distributed to another tax-exempt religious organization. (See the Antiochian Archdiocesan sample articles of incorporation.) You should consult with your local counsel about these provisions, as well as how your organization ["Organization'? Is the Church an organization now?] can meet these tests [Since when did the United States Government have a right to "test" the church? While an ongoing effort is being made to eliminate the Church from the state, the church is voluntarily allowing the state into the Church through being a 501c 3] to obtain and maintain tax exempt status.
[Sample language to be inserted both in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, relating to tax exemption under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3):]
No substantial part of the activities of this corporation [Since when is the Church a business incorporation?] shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation [Wait! Isn't this what the Church is supposed to do? Yet. in voluntarily committing adultery with the state and agreeing to their rules, the Church's voice in society is limited.] and this corporation shall not participate in or intervene in (including publishing or distributing statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
The property of this corporation is irrevocably dedicated to religious purposes,[Being a 501c3 allows the government to define what "religious purposes" are. The Church is to be defined by the Kingdom of God not the Kingdoms of this world.] as set forth above. No part of the net earnings [And the government tells the Church how it can spend God's money.] of this corporation shall insure to the benefit of its directors, trustees, officers, private shareholders or members, or to any individual.
 On the winding up and dissolution of this corporation [Does this not presume that the "gates of hell" WILL prevail against the Church?], after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the corporation, the remaining assets of this corporation shall be distributed to an organization (or organizations) organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes [And the government gets to have a say] and that is tax exempt under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States of America.

The Antiochian Diocese must lead the rest of the Orthodox Church in the west in a united effort to free ourselves from the entanglement of the State lest we become a State Church as seen in other nations. I call on all Orthodox Prophets and all who operate a blog to look into this matter and sound the trumpet of warning.

Only One Life

My mother had a sign hanging in her kitchen as I was growing up. It read:

"Only one life. It will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."

Redeem the time. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

Request To His Eminence Metropolitan Philip

[From OrthodoxProphets.blogspot.com]

Your Eminence, Metropolitan Philip,
The last time the nation of Israel attacked terrorists to stop the indiscriminate firing of thousands of missiles into Israeli territory, you sent out a letter to be read in all of the churches in America. The letter was a strong condemnation of the Israeli government which you referred to as "occupiers." There was not one word of condemnation for the violence and deaths caused by the terrorist group Hezbolla as they fired missiles from Lebanon, your native land, into Israel killing scores of innocent Jews and Arabs, Jewish, Muslim and Christian alike. Your politically and ethnically biased letter was what I called airing of Orthodox Dirty Laundry. I, along with many of your American spiritual children, realize that you are an Arab and have disdain for the nation of Israel. We hope, however, that you will not use the recent actions of the nation of Israel to stop the Hamas missiles which are being fired from the Gaza Strip, as another opportunity to step outside of your calling as our Bishop and lower yourself again to the role of a biased political pundit. We would expect that you would find all parties culpable and hold all actions to account for the cause of peace in the region. I for one would not welcome another such letter to be force fed to your parishioners in the sanctity of God's holy temples across America and would deem it an affront to the cause of Christ and the sanctity of His Holy Liturgy. We honor and respect you for your pastorate and for all that you do for the cause of Christ. Please honor and respect the voices of dissent that rise up from the parishes when Bishops overstep their pastoral bounds.
Please forgive me a sinner.

Christ Is Born! Glorify Him!

Merry CHRIST-MASS

Merry Christmas 2008 and a
Happy and blessed New Year.

Pray for peace.

A Good Example

At this season of giving, there is a good example to follow. If your church is anything like Saint Ignatius in Franklin, Tennessee, USA, there are those among your body who have lost their jobs and are in financial need. Saint Ignatius has a tradition of preparing food baskets for those in the community who are in particular need. This season many of our own parishioners have lost their jobs, their income, their livelihood, including one of our own priests who was laid off from his job of 25 years. As Saint Ignatius prepared their baskets they made sure that those among their local body who had such needs were given baskets as well. This is a good example for all Orthodox believers to follow.

"Having been joined to Christ and His Church, these baptized believers begin living as the body of Christ. We find them looking after each other, using their personal resources for the care of each other, continuing together in prayer and in the Eucharist (Acts 2:42-47)." (The Orthodox Study Bible-Thomas Nelson Publishers, Notes page 444)

501c 3- Wolves In Sheep's Clothing

The Orthodox Church should NOT be a 501c 3 entity. Read why in this Article at www.OrthodoxProphets.blogspot.com

The Baptist Covenant/Creed

Do Baptists really believe in Sola Scriptura (Bible Alone) or are they selective in whatever will support their doctrines and practices? From a youth I remember the Baptist Covenant being displayed in the form of a large framed poster. This display was usually mounted on the front wall of the sanctuary near the altar. While Baptists claim "no creed but Christ", that the "Bible is all sufficient for faith and practice", denouncing creeds and ignoring the decisions of the Ecumenical Counsels of the Church as well as the writings of the Early Church Fathers, they promote their own version of what is important. The Baptist Covenant was slowly replaced by The Baptist Faith and Message (1963) which was adopted at one of their own councils which they call Conventions. The creed and statements of the Baptist church are still changing as seen by the recent conflict and split of the Southern Baptist Convention. Now both parts are attempting to define what makes them different from each other in the form of new statements or creeds, each claiming to be the true Baptists with the right teaching and methods. It is apropos that their division stemmed from arguments on how to interpret scripture.

If the Bible alone can be interpreted outside of the historical context of the life of the Church of 2000 years, why the need for so much definition and creedalism? Baptists and others throw general accusations toward the Orthodox Church saying that Orthodox value "men's writings as sacred as the scripture". Even the The Gideons International forbid Orthodox Christians from being members of their organization for this stated reason. The irony and dare I say, deceptive hypocrisy of each, is the fact that the Orthodox Church wrote, compiled and preserved the very scripture they defend and distribute and has withstood any redefining of doctrine and truth for 2000 years. The only creed was one that was adopted by the whole undivided church- The Nicene Creed, and this was done to combat a heretical attack by some on the very nature of Christ. The Nicene Creed highlights the very foundations of the Christian faith, unlike the Baptist creed and others which picks and chooses what is seemingly important to them culturally and denominationaly (see the forbidding of alcohol as a beverage). This is not to diminish the good and scriptural statements contained in such creeds, but rather to point out that denominations, while claiming to follow only the Bible, interpret that Bible by their own standards outside the historical life of the Church. To do so has made them foreign matter to the Church that Christ founded and the Apostles established.

The Baptist Covenant

"Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children; to seek to salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our department; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour, to secure it without delay. We moreover engage that, when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word. And now unto Him, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, be Power and Glory forever. Amen."

Good stuff but only a slice of the pie, a snap shot of Christianity, a drop in the bucket, compared to the Faith of the Apostles as reflected in the creed that the whole Church adopted in 325 A.D. There is nothing inherently wrong with creeds if they are birthed from the whole Church and not limited by factional or denominational agendas. Paul quotes from an early creed which encapsulates the gospel as creeds are intended to do:

"...I write so that you may know how to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory."
(1 Timothy 3:15,16)

Paul also quotes various creeds of the church in his second letter to Timothy and in his letters to the Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. "Thus, when the early councils met and issued creeds, they were well within the bounds of biblical precedent." (The Orthodox Study Bible Page 489 Notes)

The Baptist church does practice creedalism and strays from its doctrine of Sola Scriptura in doing so. Being birthed outside the original faith of the Apostles, the Orthodox faith, Baptists and others like them are left to their own devises and attempt to reinvent the wheel. With over 2500 denominations there are plenty of wheels from which to choose.