Who Was Ole Saint Nick?

Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas was a real person who lived in a real time. He was a Bishop of the Church. Have a Merry Christmas as you read about him HERE.

Southern Baptists Endorse The Use Of Icons!

The Southern Baptist Convention finally gets it. Orthodox don't worship images! The Southern Baptist's icon of Billy Graham stands outside the Lifeway Headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. Lifeway is the main educational materials publisher for the SBC and the former Baptist Bookstore. The icon of Billy Graham is appropriate. Should we accuse Southern Baptists of idol worship? Of course not. The image of Billy Graham is to remind us of a life spent in servitude to the things of God and in the SBC's own words is a "tribute" to him. Perhaps now the SBC can make the historic connection and not think it so strange to see our Orthodox icons used in a very similar manner. Orthodox are just a bit more cognizant of the fact that the people whom the images represent are not dead but worship around the throne of God in the Great Liturgy as we do here on earth. Therefore, we can ask the real life subject of the icons to pray for us. Orthodox also have been around about 1800 years longer than the SBC so we have a larger collection.

Trendy Faith- The "New" Evangelical

ABC had to fulfill its obligation to its viewers today by doing a religion segment. They chose a young evangelical and his hip approach to church. The fact that he was a former staffer with Falwell was mentioned in contrast to his non-negative approach to the gospel. The core of the expose' was the fact that such a personal, store front, non-political church is the new trend away from the Mega Church which takes a societal stand. "We preach for something and not against something..." That sounds good on its face but is Politically Correct pablum and, in essence' anti-Christ. Christ preached against a lot of things. So did the forerunner, John the Baptist, for which he lost his head. The Apostles died martyr's deaths as have millions of Christians since then because they said a few things to which others took great exception. "If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything", comes to mind. Doesn't the very discovery of truth require discarding falsehoods? The Ten Commandments were not suggestions and Christ said He didn't come to abolish the Law and the Prophets.

God bless the young man and his endeavor to "win the lost", but to what is he winning them? It is a Trendy Faith, not the faith of our Fathers. The "new" Evangelical is not new at all, but in a long line of those who have discarded the Apostolic Traditions as passe'. Holiness, altars, reverence, clear doctrine, and the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, have been replaced by relativism, t-shirts, big screens and poor grammar. (The young pastor actually said "People could have went to church...") The Great Liturgies such as Saint John Chrysostom and Saint Gregory have been replaced with psychobabble, feel-good lectures, laced with ""whassup", "how's everybody doing today", "we're gonna have an exciting time today", while accompanied by a live band, big screen TV, and audio headsets.


This is the extreme evolution of Sola Fide' and Sola Scriptura. Much of Westernized Christianity has evolved to the extent that it has become foreign matter. As Orthodox Christians we do not judge the ultimate salvation of an individual or a Christian community, but we still look for a family resemblance to find our relatives. To the New Evangelical, if it's old- it's bad. To the Orthodox if it's new- it's is a good sign we aren't related.

The Root Of Bitterness

I won't attempt a theological treatment of the Root of Bitterness, our inability to forgive, our tendency to hold grudges toward those who have done us ill. I am, however an experiential expert on the subject. I have held bitterness toward another. The most difficult kind of bitterness to uproot is that which involves someone for whom you have or had deep love and trust- an emotional bond. The difficulty lies in the fact that they usually are to blame. They did it- whatever it is they did. They were indeed at fault.

My first cousin, a doctor of counseling, once pointed out to me that there is no such thing as an inferiority complex. Instead, people who deal with these issues suffer from self-centeredness and pride. Their feelings are based in the desire to feel better about themselves and propelled by the habit of comparing themselves to others. "Pride comes before the fall" and they live in a perpetual state of fallen image. The same is true of those who are bitter at another. The Root of Bitterness is based in the belief that you deserved better treatment. The person who hurt you took from you the rights you feel you deserve. Again, the feelings are based in self-centeredness and pride.

I learned log ago that the person with bitterness suffers more than the perpetrator. The one who hurt you has long since gone on. Many times they don't even know you are bitter or at least can't remember what they did to hurt you. For you it is as if it was yesterday, when in reality you wake up to find years have passed. You have spent so much emotion and effort trying to pay them back for what they did but find that you continue to work for your own emotional destruction. You denounce them. You talk about them. You replay the scenes of the infraction. You gather those around you who will agree with you. You ironically become the hurter rather than the hurtee. The reason it is called a "root" is because it goes deep, having taken over your life, controlling your responses and relationships. Neither the death of the person nor their sincere remorse will uproot the bitterness. Because- pride nourishes the root. Stop the pride and the root will die.

In any case you have a decision to make. You must decide how you want to feel. You must decide not to let what that person did control you any longer. Forgiveness is not just for the sake of the perpetrator but for your sake. You must forgive in order to live, to be happy. Forgive, even though they don't deserve it. Forgiveness. There is no other way.

Sometimes It Helps To Seek Help

This post appears on "Stranger In Love" BLOG. It is from a fellow Journeyer and friend. His honesty is refreshing and his endeavor real. It is inspiring.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

I had a good day today. I got to see a friend today that I consider to be a spiritual guide of sorts. Some background info. He was a former Baptist preacher that has now come to the side of good and is involved with the Eastern Orthodoxy. We have had some fantastic discussions when it comes to spirituality and religion and God.

My faith in God, or more so the belief in God was never suspect, but my belief and faith in religion has wained. Wained so that I have left the church, and although I do tell other that I am catholic I am not affiliated with any church.

After talking and reading his blog over the last few months, the Orthodoxy religion has taken a hold of me. The doctrine, the belief and the whole idea draws me back to religion.

So I talked to him today, about my issues and finally, I broke down and cry. Not a single tear, but a deluge of tears. I sometimes forget that I am human and there is no shame to cry.

He said I need to become one with God, to submit to his power, to allow myself to have him, 100 percent in my life. I needed to build a framework and start really having a relationship with God.

As we were talking, this song from U2...one started playing. It was like it was scripted in a film.

I went to my moms home and talked with her. Not even looking, I saw my old prayer book from high school.

I know that now, now that I am submitting my life and taking this journey together with the woman I love, all will be good.

U2-One

Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame
You say...

One love
One life
When it's one need
In the night
One love
We get to share it
Leaves you baby if you
Don't care for it

Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well it's...

Too late
Tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One...

Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head

Did I ask too much
More than a lot
You gave me nothing
Now it's all I got
We're one
But we're not the same
Well we
Hurt each other
Then we do it again
You say
Love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt

One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other

One...life

One

JF

A Sunday Like No Other

On this Sunday morning I am headed to Liturgy at St. Ignatius. I have participated in the Liturgy many times but today is special. Nathan and Lily are here-my grandchildren. Nathan is 4 and Lily is 2. Of course their mommy and daddy are here as well, but they don't get much attention anymore. There are priorities, you know. My daughter and son-in-law gave us the privilege of keeping their children for a few days while they went on a much needed vacation as a couple. One of the days was just a grandpa-Nathan-Lily day. We went for a walk and went to the candy store as is obligatory, but the most special time was saying morning prayers with them. They took so quickly to the candles, incense, and veneration of the icons. The incorporation of the senses in worship is so easily grasped by children. It is we adults who must shake our cultural religious norms on the Journey to Orthodoxy. It was inspiring to watch them cross themselves, touch the ground at the altar and kiss the icons. We had morning prayers just once, but when Mom and Dad came home, Nathan and Lily remembered how to do it and took exception with the fact that they had not yet venerated the icons. Oh, for a childlike approach. Isn't that what Jesus the Christ advocated, "Except you come as little children..."? We all get to go to "big church" together in the Orthodox faith. There is no little church. The children are part of the whole from birth. "Permit the little children to come to me and forbid them not.." Life is good.

Abortion - Infanticide The Orthodox Canon

Here is the Orthodox View of Infanticide

2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person -- among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.(71)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. (72)

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth .(73)

2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law:

You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish .(74)

God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.(75)

2272 Formal co-operation in an abortion constitutes a grave offence. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. 'A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae' (76) 'by the very commission of the offence', (77) and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law . (78) The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

2273 The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation:

'The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority. These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin. Among such fundamental rights one should mention in this regard every human being's right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death.'(79)

'The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined. . . As a consequence of the respect and protection which must be ensured for the unborn child from the moment of conception, the law must provide appropriate penal sanctions for every deliberate violation of the child's rights.' (80)

2274 Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being.

Prenatal diagnosis is morally licit, 'if it respects the life and integrity of the embryo and the human foetus and is directed toward its safeguarding or healing as an individual... It is gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent of a death sentence.' (81)

2275 'One must hold as licit procedures carried out on the human embryo which respect the life and integrity of the embryo and do not involve disproportionate risks for it, but are directed toward its healing, the improvement of its condition of health, or its individual survival.' (82)

'It is immoral to produce human embryos intended for exploitation as disposable biological material.' (83)

'Certain attempts to influence chromosomic or genetic inheritance are not therapeutic but are aimed at producing human beings selected according to sex or other predetermined qualities. Such manipulations are contrary to the personal dignity of the human being and his integrity and identity' (84) which are unique and unrepeatable.

"Solid Locked To Fight"- A Letter From A Soldier

Number four in a series of letters from SGT Daniel Nuoffer

Dear Mr. Lewis

Well another mission comes to an end; our team has really come together and we all know our place with out a second thought, smooth and fast. On the road we know where each truck goes and what to do if there is a problem, I am proud of my soldiers it has been hard to deal with some of the tasked that we have to do, but, they have pulled through and made it happen. I have had some issues back home as always they weigh heavy on your heart especially when you are 10,000 miles away and can't fix the problem first hand; but I am holding it together trying to keep a level head. All I can do is listen when I hear about the problems back home, however right now I have to close off my mind to what is going on in the rear and focuses on the mission and the well being of my soldiers. It seems however that everyday that I don't deal with the problem they get that much bigger. I ask for your prayers.

I'm sitting on my truck reflecting on the mission that we have just completed, I think of all that we do to prepare for an enemy's attack. At my disposal I have three small arms, a heavy machine gun, and a 40 mm grenade launcher all to combat anything the enemy throws at me. Countless hours of training and practice to make sure I am ready for anything. My personal gear consists of a heavy frag vest, a combat helmet, my nomex gloves and my personal 9mm side arm. In my truck I have a radio to call for help and a computer that tells me where all my friends are; as well as two combat life saver bags and a casualty extraction and litter kit. I am solid locked to fight against the enemy.

As we roll out the gate I make a final check of each one of my guys to make sure they have their gear and that it is put on the right way; everyone needs to be on the same sheet of music, and what the mission will require them to have, in that way we can do our job as a team. It is important to have this equipment ready and serviceable, because when we roll out of a FOB it is game time, the time for pre-preparation is over.

As Christians we need to do kinda the same thing. I have watched people come into a church chewed up by the enemy; shocked and shaken thinking how could this happen to them. But on the same hand I watch them walk right back out the door of the FOB or Church, half cocked and untrained. They have their weapon all jacked up, no ammo, no vest or if they do it¢s slung over one shoulder, the enemy beats the crap out of them before they make it to the first stop light. My words can be confusing at times because I have a military frame of mind, I read in Ephesians 6:11 and it says put on the full armor of God. I agree and I say not only put on the armor, but know how to use it as well. Don't roll out the gate ready to fight with your helmet on backwards and your gun jacked up. Make sure when you set foot on the battle field you are ready for a fight. Help others, band together, and make a united front against the enemy. Walking out that gate with no weapon and no armor is a quick way to get sent home in a box.

I love all of you. Thank you for you prayers and your love. God bless you all and I hope to see you when I come home. Please keep my soldiers in your prayers it keeps us safe and in his hand.

Sgt Nuoffer

Note: Sgt Daniel Nuoffer is on his second tour in Iraq. His duty is to command the lead gunnery vehicle that guides our troops in convoy down treacherous roads from Kuwait into Bagdad. He will be gone for 15 months. His new wife awaits his safe return as do we all. Send him your love and support. You may e-mail him at chemicalninja@yahoo.com.

(minor edits by JTO)

Spirit of Anti-Christ- Coming To America?

"...More especially have mercy upon your servants who are under persecution for Your sake and for the sake of the Orthodox Faith at the hands of heathen nations, of apostates and of heretics: remember them, visit and strengthen, keep and comfort them, and make haste to grant them, by Your power, relief, freedom, and deliverance."

Below are Muslim terrorists in Bosnia desecrating an Orthodox Church.

The Orthodox Christian Church-Since 33 A.D. "In the world but not of it."

"Because I Said So!"

"Because I said so" are the four most dreaded words to any child. Almost every child had that standard confront them at one time or another. To a child, those words are unreasonable. In fact, the very supposition demanded that we forego our self-applied prerequisite to understand before we obey. The Age of Reason, akin to the Age of Enlightenment, has heavily influenced the way modern man discovers and applies truth. All cultures have been so influenced, but western thought has been particularly impacted. The western mind says, I will understand it then I will believe it. The Eastern mind says I will believe it then I will understand it. Christianity is Eastern. Our parents were the standard of truth and living for us as children. So our Heavenly Father and the Mother church is our standard. Why do we obey our parents? Because their reasoning is beyond ours. As we mature, we understand and we find that their standard of reasoning was our protection. So is the way of Christianity. The greatest obstacle to the theosis of man is the elevation of his intellect above that of his Creator. A God-given intellect, void of proper alignment, is assurance of spiritual death. Jesus said, "Blessed is he who does not see and yet believes." The most pivotal epiphany I have experienced on my Journey To Orthodoxy was the realignment of my intellect. When I trusted the reasoning of the Father and discovered that all protective truth is contained in the bosom of the Mother church, my theosis began. Then, and only then, could my intellect digest the precepts of God. One must first believe the truth, then set out to understand it. This is the way of the the Kingdom of God for it is within and not without.

Realigning Relationships

The further I step into the bosom of the Church the more I am confronted with the need to realign relationships. I fully expected that there would be an adjustment with my immediate family members and even cousins, uncles and aunts, who knew me as a good protestant minister. What could not be foreseen is that relationships with friends, and other evangelical acquaintances would change and in some cases dissolve. Of course the Church does not require such a divide as a practice, but as the commonality of belief, ethos, world view, doctrines and the very definitions of "church" becomes more glaringly uncommon, I find my links to these relationships less important and less fulfilling. Some have run their own course and ended of their own accord. Others, I have had to speak to or lend energy to redirect the course. Neither option is without pain and loss.

My wife and I recently had a 20 year friendship with another couple end at their request. Certainly with 20 years of history there are many elements involved in such a divide and I am not without fault, but the common thread of unity between all people of faith is made strong only in the Church. Without that commonality there is no firm foundation of belief, practice or friendship. A friendship based on anything other is destined for polarization. It is only from the other side of that relationship that we can more fully see the inherent fragility of its structure. We believed in the Visible Church, they did not, to the extent that they committed themselves to none (a very common and accepted evangelical charismatic practice-love God but loath the "church"). They were given to worldliness and vulgarities and though we also have that propensity to sin, we are convicted in heart to not do so and chastised severely of the Spirit when we do. We see now that we were not included in their entire circle of friends because our conservatism and desire for righteousness would throw cold water on the party. We are very leery of any belief or practice that does not have its origin in the life of the Church. They embraced spiritualism to the extent that they denounced catholics and embraced the mysticism of the Native American religions while living their life following signs and visions and chasing after individual prophetic words given them by charismatic prophets.

God forbid that any should read this as a comparison of who is the more righteous, for I am sure anyone knowing me will be able to list my sins with a fair amount of accuracy. The point here is the existence of the lack of commonality of the desire to adhere to the faith of our Fathers. When that assessment is accurately made, the need for realignment of relationships becomes profound.

Today I had another breech and realignment. This one was at my request. A dear, committed friend who heads up a valuable ministry in the marketplace, recently made clear to me that realignment of our relationship was imminent. Though I addressed it with her previously, provoking a less than kind response, she did not seem to understand the gulf that exists between those who have as their desire the building up of the Church of the Apostles, and those who proactively seek its destruction. Unfortunately, I recognized that she had joined the later ideology. As a result, I sent her the following letter:

Sandra (not her real name),
I am grateful for your phone call today I recognize and appreciate the wonderful things you do for the souls of men. It is important for me to express however, that our relationship has changed from the time we first met on the phone. Our season of mutual prayer and similar goals for the marketplace quickly ebbed away after we had our confrontation over "tearing down the old structures." If you will recall, I told you that I could not support the idea that you were writing, speaking and promoting an "Invisible Church" and advocating the demise of the very thing I was trying to build up- The Visible Church and the return of all believers to the historic faith, doctrines and practices of the Church of the Apostles - the Orthodox Church. You reacted very strongly to my words. I was surprised after that when you called as if nothing had happened. Knowing your heart for God, I cannot consider you an enemy nor hold any contempt for you, but the fact is I am not comfortable with future phone calls where you ask me to "give you a report." I will continue to hope for the very best of God's will for you and will invite you to follow my journey at www.journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com, as I make my way out of the maze and mire of the evangelical charismatic world, which is the modern day equivalent of the heretical Montanists and Gnostics. I am and will forever be grateful for your kindness to me and and prayers for me and my family. I will still look forward to the day when we might meet face to face. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Your Brother in Christ,
Nathan

The realignment of relationships requires that some change and others go away. But I am reminded of the scripture of promise to all who will follow Christ in the bosom of the Orthodox Faith. It gives me hope even now and I pray it will you as well while you make your Journey to Orthodoxy.

"So Jesus answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sister or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time-houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions-and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first shall be last and the last first'."

"I Have My Rights!"

"I have my rights!" Foreign as it may seem to the Western mind, the idea of personal rights is not a heavy emphasis in Christianity. In fact, the opposite is true. As Christians we are to give up our rights. We are to die to self. We are to become servants of God and of man. The Western culture breeds an attitude of independence and individual rights. This is at odds with the Orthodox faith and results in conflict in the body of Christ.

Thank God for the United States of America. We should pray and work to preserve the freedoms that we know. The very purpose, however, of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights is to allow Christians to be servants to all and to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of heaven is within not without. In essence, the advancement of the individual stands opposed to theosis of his soul. "He must increase and I must decrease", said Saint John the Baptist. When Christ comes on the scene He becomes preeminent. This goes against the grain of this society, but it is the very grain of Christianity. Herein should be the mantra for all who follow Christ. "Jesus is Lord and I have no rights." When one is able to say that, theosis has only just begun.

Cream of the Crop

Although I am not sure my priest will appreciate being referred to as the cream of the crop, that description serves him well. I am sure he will not appreciate any accolades, especially public ones, but such an attitude is indicative of his heart. Father Steven Rogers was a writer and a print journalist before becoming an Orthodox priest. He and I also have in common the fact that we are both good Southern Baptist boys. He is not only a humble, well reasoned individual, but a dynamic speaker and passionate pastor. What most do not understand about the commitment of an Orthodox priest is that they are devoted body and soul to the welfare of our souls. Father Steven physically and spiritually stands at the altar in the temple many times a week in prayer and at regular hours. He stands on our behalf in the temple when people are present and when there is no one there but God. He has a demeanor of good humor, meekness and strength. His ministry reaches beyond the acreage on which St. Ignatius sits. He is mission minded having assisted in the development of other bodies, most recently the establishment of a new parish in a neighboring town. He did so knowing that some of his own parish members would be leaving his own flock to join there. His lack of feeling threatened or fear of someone encroaching upon his territory shows his heart's attitude that it is God's church, not his, and the goal is men's souls. When you ask Father Steven a question, bring your notepad, for the answer will be thorough. You may find, however, that your notepad remains empty as your soul is activated rather than your mind. To become Orthodox, he will say, is not mental gymnastics. It is not the type of Liturgy used, and it is definitely not Western in thought or philosophy. The main challenge Father Steven gives to all who will hear is that Orthodoxy is not shapes and forms but the renewing of your mind and the changing of your soul. For the Western man this is a greater challenge. Father Steven understands that challenge. With him there will be no quick or easy answers, because the soul and mind of man is not quickly or easily changed. It is said that if there is a longer way to do something the Orthodox will find it. Father Steven's own life reflects this perspective. He actually is a marathon runner. May my days under the pastorate of Father Steven be long, slow, and exhaustive, and may God give me the grace to hear with my soul what God would say through him.

[Note: Father Steven Rogers is priest of
Saint Ignatius Orthodox Church in
Franklin, TN]

Be Nice

One of the great mysteries of my life is the fact that I have often been referred to as "nice". This may come as quite a shock to some who would not consider me such. I have discovered along the way a propensity in some to take advantage of nice people. There is something inherent in them that smells blood around a nice person as they set out to pounce on them. I have found this to be true in business and interpersonal-relationships. Such people who have pounced on me for various reasons have discovered that their understanding of nice may be flawed. They are the same who confuse meekness with weakness. Christ was meek but he wasn't weak. He could be the lamb and the lion. Such is the case with the Christian. A case in point right now on the national scene is Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee. He is being called "nice." Some would use it against him and call him "too nice." But, watch him for a while and you see the fire in his eyes, the resolve in his voice and the determination of a man who walks in integrity. Cross that and you won't think him so nice.

My lack of niceness is usually displayed when I see someone hurt by another. I also become a lion when I am confronted with unrighteousness by another. Christ took up the whip and turned over tables. It is that same indignation we should have within us when we see the innocent being wounded. Our whips are our words and our tables are our actions to confront such. I am certain that those in the Temple that day did not consider Jesus very nice, but in that was His righteousness displayed and so should ours.

To be fully like Christ, we must also be longsuffering and slow to anger. That means to be nice as long as possible. But, the greatest challenge is to be very slow or even void to take up your own defense. Christ didn't slap back when he was slapped. He didn't spit back when spat upon. He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free from the cross, but he didn't. Herein he was meek, not weak.

If you have lived at all you know what it is to have enemies. I especially know what it is to have enemies for righteousness sake. Love those who persecute you and pray for those who despitefully use you. It is anything but easy to suffer as Christ did, but lest we forget, we have been crucified with Christ, yet nevertheless we live. Yet it is not we who live but Christ who lives in us.

Be the lamb and be the lion but all in all just try to be nice.

Orthodox Problems...Not So Much

When my former priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church set aside his Holy Orders in that communion to become Orthodox, other CEC priests looked East as well. Some of his fellow priests were dissuaded by those around them as they were made aware of various problems that exist in the Orthodox Church. I told him, "Father, just ask them,'would they rather deal with problems and know they are within the original true church or stay outside and deal with the same problems'?"

To once more quote my priest, Father Steven Rogers, as he sat in his office and pointed toward the temple. "Just remember, there are people over there." Make no mistake by the entries on this BLOG and lest you use any of the Church's challenges as fodder to decide not to be Orthodox, the Orthodox Church is the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. It is the original Church and "Orthodox" is synonymous with "Christian". I love the Holy Trinity and His Church. I will serve Him in His Church for the rest of my life. Now if it weren't for those darned people!

Since When Is "Religious" A Bad Word? Part Two...

I received a very gracious reply from the Pastor of The Spiritual But Not Religious Church, he having read my previous post of the above title. The Pastor was well reasoned, kind, and extended a wise suggestion that he and I should have coffee. I agree with him that personal discourse rises far and above internet communication. I responded and accepted his offer. I am waiting for him to call.

I will be careful not to use this follow-up to renege on that offer. But, I will say that he recognized my use of rhetoric to make a point. In other words, we agree on the true definition of "religious." His assertion, of course, is that the definition has changed and that to some it means "holier than thou". At our coffee, I would like to ask him how the anti-religious visitors they reach react when they realize there are requirements to following Christ and that becoming holy, in essence, means they must become holier than they are. The natural course of this is that they eventually become the "holier than thou."

Most who have an aversion to anything religious do so because they desire to stay the way they are. Most do not like religious people, not because the people have a self righteous attitude, but because the religious person shines light on the sinful state of their unholy lives. It is called light and darkness. Being religious is being the salt for this hurting world. Salt preserves and flavors but it also can sting. I'm afraid that the use of the redefined "religious" to mean"holier than thou" does not reach the anti-church or the un-churched, but rather is a shingle for pseudo religious people who want to continue living carnal lives with no consequences. Isn't this just a form of political correctness? Wouldn't this same method require the elimination of the very word "sin" and other objectionable religious words because of their inherent offensiveness?

Of course, I do not stand on a platform of personally indicting this particular church, its pastors, or the effectiveness of their ministry. I have not met them. I am simply editorializing on the methods of evangelism that would communicate an easy Christian life. The discourse should be, "To follow Christ, you must give up everything you are and die to self." They should be told, "Straight is the path and narrow is the way that leads to salvation and few there be that find it." Contrary to what some teach, salvation is not free, rather, it is unmerited. We receive the love of God, but we are "crucified with Christ."

So, we are remiss when we present an easy, non religious Christianity when our brothers across the world have been martyred by the millions and are being martyred at this very hour for their religious lives. Christians are the most martyred group on the planet and we in the West continue to tickle the ears of potential converts. Whatever happened to, "Choose you this day whom you will serve?" We would do better to prepare all within the sound of our voice for the day when they will be called upon to deny Christ or die. It is already happening in public discourses with cries of "bring back the lions", with militant homosexuals storming churches, with religious freedoms being eroded and revisionist history taking its place, and with Islamic radicals sworn to our destruction. And slogans are what we have to offer?

"The Spiritual But Not Religious Church"

"The Church Where Exciting Things Are Happening"

"The Church Where Everyone is Welcome"

"A Program For Everybody"

"No God -- No Peace. Know God -- Know Peace"

"Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!"

"Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins."


"Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!"


"Fight truth decay -- study the Bible daily."


"How will you spend eternity -- Smoking or Non-smoking?"


"Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives"

"Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world."

"If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns."


"If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again."


"Looking at the way some people live, they ought to obtain eternal fire insurance soon."


"This is a ch_ _ ch. What is missing? U R"



"If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd.""In the dark? Follow the Son."

"Running low on faith? Stop in for a fill-up."

Maybe this is when "religious" is a bad word.

"Surrounded" A Letter From a Soldier

Number three in a series of letters from SGT Daniel Nuoffer

Dear Mr. Lewis

I am sorry for the delay between letters. I write as I can and as things come about. Some of these stories come as a shock to others I tell. Some say, "How could that happen? How do you deal with all that stress? Do you ever break down? What is it like?"

Some people think that Iraq would be the furthest place away from God- very little if any Christians. Bibles are illegal for the public to own. Up until now the penalty for owning one was death, no questions asked. Its hot, dusty, dirty, full of hate from years of wars, really not a place that a Christian would go looking for God. But it is hard to miss him here. I have been several times to the house of Father Abraham not 3 miles away from one of the forward observation bases South of Baghdad. Babylon is here and all kinds of things that remind you that Jesus, God's only son, was here in this area. All around me, God is here. So, now back to the questions.

"How could this happen?" Read the bible- it says that this area will be at war 'till the end of days. How do you deal with the stress? 2 ways: 1. I know that there are prayer warriors at home right now praying for me and that gives me hope and calms my spirit. 2 I answer to a higher power and he is my strength. Psalms 91 before I go on mission every time.

"Do you ever break down?" Yep. I am not going to lie to you. This is not an easy job and sometimes I need to take a knee and let some tears out. Knowing you are hurting someone is being hurt, is never easy, even if they are the enemies of freedom.

"What is it like?" That is the hard one and no matter how well I explain it to you Sir, you could never fully understand unless you were here with me.

I was on a mission to a base North of Baghdad. We were escorting heavy equipment trucks (HET) . They are larger than 18 wheelers- Very big and very slow, top speed is about 45 mph. On this mission, we got a redirect to another post. So, we had to turn at the base North of Baghdad and go in to Baghdad. We move at night and try to go as fast as we can. While on the mission we came on an Iraq Army check point (friendly). They divide the road with very large concrete barriers to check vehicles as they pass. Sometimes for these HETs there is not a lot of space to get through and movement slows way down. I am the rear Gun truck and I have to listen to the radio at all time to know what I need to do in the back. 2 HETs had made it past the check point. But the 3^rd HET, also the convoy commander’s truck (CC), was having trouble and stopped. Over the net I hear, "SHOT FIRED! 3, now 7!" I called for a direction and description to engage the enemy so the rest of the convoy could move past. The HET pulled out fast and the rest of the convoy with it. As the 2nd gun truck made it up to the end of the check point she stopped and looked for a target. She called up that an Iraq Army soldier had been hit and they needed help. But there was no aid personnel on that gun truck. 3^rd gun truck, my gun truck commander, told the truck to move out and he took her place. He had a soldier that could speak Arabic and had aid on the truck. The rest of the convoy pulled past as an angry mob began to form and move towards the truck. As I passed I saw that he was all alone and I stopped my truck to help him. There were easily 30 to 40 Iraqi nationals and Iraqi army swarming and surrounding our trucks trying to get us out to pull first aid. And all we could do is tell them to get back away from the trucks. It didn’t seem to help matters. Inside our truck we communicated with our higher element and land owners for assistants. A land owner is the US Army unit in charge of operations in the area of the country. Quick reaction forces (QRF) were sent as fast as they could and I kept the (CC) informed on what was going on using the radio. After about 5 min, QRF made it to the check point and the crowd of IA and civilians left at the sight of more gun trucks headed that way. We found out that when the CC’s truck passed the check point the back tier of the trailer hit one of the barriers and knocked it over on to IA sleeping on the other side killing one and injuring another. We found out also that the shots that where fired where to try and get her to stop. The CC, who’s name I will keep to myself, has been relieved of her command and faces charges of vehicular man homicide. She had a lot of problems earlier in the convoy and more than 4 times came close to putting an American soldier's life in negligible danger.

Now the readers want to know why. Why do I care about his story initialed, 'SURROUNDED'? It seems in our lives that there are days, months, and even years that we feel that we as Christians are surrounded by the enemy, outnumbered and trapped. And all it seems we can do is call to outside sources for help. As humans there are so many to choose from- money, food, material things, even drugs. But I go back now to the very first commandment: You will have no other GOD before me. Keep calling to God the father. When you are surrounded, help is on the way and will save you. Now some will say, "I have waited so long." There are 2 things to think about:

Number one: When you know help is on the way it always seems that it takes longer to get to you.

Number two: You are in the wrong area and the chopper can’t get to you. Move out and find another area to call out for help. Churches work great and can provide first aid and shelter.

God bless you all. I love you and thank you for your prayers. They are what keep me safe and in his hands.

SGT Nuoffer

Note: Sgt Daniel Nuoffer is on his second tour in Iraq. His duty is to command the lead gunnery vehicle that guides our troops in convoy down treacherous roads from Kuwait into Bagdad. He will be gone for 15 months. His new wife awaits his safe return as do we all. Send him your love and support. You may e-mail him at chemicalninja@yahoo.com.

(minor edits by JTO)

I'm No Mathematician

I'm no mathematician, but a laborious perusal of the SCOBA Orthodox Church Directory lists a total of 1661 Orthodox Churches in the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. This includes all jurisdictions. The most commonly quoted statistic is "about 6 million Orthodox people in United States". According to this, there is an average of 3613 parishioners per church. I have quoted the head of the SCOBA Media outlet as having said there are actually just under 2 million. Using that figure, there are 1,204 parishioners per church. Help me, but does something seem amiss with these statistics? Knowing that I am but a lowly artistic type- actor, writer, film producer, singer, composer, please help me with the math. How many Orthodox are there in America? Are we blindly choosing to use unverified stats in order to earn the title "rapidly growing church." Haven't we been here since the late 1800's? Please correct me if I am wrong or are there other equations to include for better accuracy? Congrats to Pennsylvania for having the most churches-222, but 37 states have under 50 churches. Of those 50, 19 states have under 10 churches. Of those 19, 7 states have under 5 churches. By the way, and attempting to be generous, I will offer one more math equation. Giving each Orthodox church in America an average of 250 members per church (and that is very generous), would mean that there are closer to 415,250 Orthodox parishioners in America. Orthodoxy is the second largest Christian body in the world, but it comes close to dead last in the United States. The first rule of change is to admit that something is wrong. The word is evangelism. Metropolitan Philip has expressed hope in the inclusion of the evangelicals to the Orthodox faith in America in that they may teach the rest of the church how to evangelize.

Okay, evangelism lesson number one: Not to lessen the importance nor the value of the tradition thereof, but, did the Apostles or the early church use the Eastern Rite? Thank God for the growth of the Church during the Byzantine period and the development of the Eastern Liturgy, but weren't there Orthodox Christians in the West at the same time? Turn the Western Rite loose. Better still, let SCOBA launch them in a public and dynamic way. Then and only then can the Orthodox Church even begin to come close to the 6 million people statistic and be one step closer to truly unifying as one, jurisdictional, American Orthodox Church.

UPDATE: In the June 2009 issue of The Word magazine, the Antiochians have revised their numbers. In the section "Orthodox World" on page 58, under the heading "The Orthodox Church Today: New Research Reveals Some Not-So-Obvious Facts about American Orthodox Christianity", there is the statement,

"With its historical roots in nineteenth-century Russian Alaska, Orthodox Christianity in the USA today accounts for ahout 1,200,000-1,300,000 faithful worshipping in 2,200-2300 local parishes spread all across the nation."

So, it seems they are getting closer to the correct mathematical truth of the size of the Orthodoxy membership in the USA. But this revised figure still gives each church an average of over 500 members. The article is still too generous and speculative to be accurate as illustrated by the fact that they don't seem to know whether there are 2200 or 2300 parishes. Where are the hundred parishes and why is there a question? Should not each jurisdiction know exactly how many parishes they have? This looseness or laziness with the facts seems indicative of what led to the overstating to begin with (6,000,000). I have yet to have anyone dispute my math (though I am not a Mathematician) which concludes that there are closer to 415,250 Orthodox Christians of any jurisdiction in ALL of North America.

With the seeming oblivion of it leaders and the current threat of a split within the ranks of the North American Diocese, there follows an obvious question:

Antioch, it's getting late. Do you know where your children are?

Who's Winning The Race?

"Go into all the world..." Okay, when?

There are currently over 1, 175,000 people in the Nashville area. This includes all of the region's most populated Davidson and Williamson Counties. There are no more than 7 Eastern Orthodox Congregations of any jurisdiction within a 50 mile radius. There is only one Antiochian church in the area, and it was brought in as an established convert church over 20 years ago. There is no Antiochian church in Nashville proper. There is no Western Rite presence in all of Tennessee. How many regions in America have similar statistics?

I heard a representative of the SCOBA media outlet at a Parish Life Conference this year say, "Don't fool yourselves. We keep hearing that there are 6 million Orthodox in America. It is actually under 2 million." While we concern ourselves over ethnicity, jurisdictions, unity, and the like, are we forgetting to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature?" Why aren't we starting churches and ordaining priests? I do not accept the suggestion that there is a lack of those willing to serve. I would drop my profession in a flash, many would, if the Antiochian Archdiocese would put out a clarion call for priests and deacons and better facilitate, educate, and expedite them to the ministry. One of America's greatest hopes of finding the Savior and entering the Church is to establish Western Rite congregations. The debate is over. WR is fully Orthodox. To say or promote anything other than that, is to fly in the face of historic tradition, and discount the edict from our own Antiochian Metropolitan. The dispensational evangelicals have one thing over us. At least they expect Christ to return at any moment and seek after lost souls as if it was that soul's last second to live. Us? We act as if we have all the time in world."Go into all the world..." Okay, when? I think a non-orthodox Charismatic musician put it best when he wrote,

"Don't you see? Don't you see all the people sinking down? Don't you care? Don't you care? Are you going to let them drown? H ow can you be so numb, not to care if they come? You close your eyes and pretend the job's done!"

Oh, God, if our leaders will not hear, raise up a thousand like Athanasius who will grab the reigns of the Emperor! Anoint a hundred thousand like Nathan the Prophet who will say, "Thou art the man!" Oh Lord, if our Patriarchs, Metropolitans, and Bishops will not hear, shorten their days and give their mantle to another!

Are Mormons Christians?

Are Mormons Christians? Mormons say "yes" and take great exception to anyone saying otherwise. They refer often to the fact that they invoke respect, love, and honor toward Jesus. It is very clear by their own words that their definition of "Jesus" is semantical usage. I like soda. I love soda. I drink soda every day. Soda has changed my life. Soda is god-given. So, what is your definition of soda? I am speaking of baking soda. Yours may have been a Coke or a Pepsi. Some of my verbiage is applicable to both definitions. Here is an example. Is it soda or soda?

"There are many who say that Latter-day Saints believe in a 'different Jesus' than do other Christians and that we are therefore not 'Christian.' . . . We believe in the Jesus of the New Testament, and we believe what the New Testament teaches about Him. We do believe things about Jesus that other Christians do not believe, but that is because we know, through revelation, things about Jesus that others do not know. . . .What we want most of all is for Christian and non-Christian alike to understand that we love the Lord Jesus Christ. We revere His name. We count it a great honor and privilege to take upon ourselves the name of Christ as Christians and as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Apostle M. Russell Ballard)

In fact, by their own words, the Mormons have a soda that no one has, made with their own ingredients. They love it. They drink it. It is "god-given". They keep calling it soda, but it is not the soda I know. Is it the soda you know?

Christianity
There is only one God (Isaiah 43:11; 44:6,8; 45:5)
Mormonism
"And they (the Gods) said: Let there be light: and there was light (Book of Abraham 4:3).

Christianity
God has always been God (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 57:15).
Mormonism
"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!! . . . We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345

Christianity
God is a spirit without flesh and bones (John 4:24; Luke 24:39)
Mormonism"The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's" (Doctrine and Covenants 130:22. Compare with Alma 18:26-27; 22:9-10)

"Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones." (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).

Christianity
The Trinity is the doctrine that there is only one God in all the universe and that He exists in three, eternal, simultaneous person: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
MormonismThe trinity is three separate Gods: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man." (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 35.)

Christianity
Jesus was born of the virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:23)
Mormonism
"The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood - was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8: p. 115)
"Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers" (Mormon Doctrine," by Bruce McConkie, p. 547)

Christianity
Jesus is the eternal Son. He is second person of the Trinity. He has two natures. He is God in flesh and man (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2;9) and the creator of all things (Col. 1:15-17).
Mormonism
Jesus is the literal spirit-brother of Lucifer, a creation. (Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15)

Are Mormons Christians? Yes, but is soda, soda?

Since When Is "Religious" A Bad Word?

There is a local denominational church in our area whose motto is

"The Spiritual, but not Religious church".

I am afraid churches such as this have allowed the christophobic society in which we live to redefine a proper and relevant biblical definition. This particular church is obviously religious in the adjective form of the word. To deny such is not reality and frankly, not biblical. I only know because they have the mass-mailing thing down pat. On their typical mailer, you will also see the words "sanctuary", "teaching", "leadership", "classes", "Pastoral Counseling Centers", "counseling degree and license", "ordained ministers", and "program". Hmmm...I am puzzled as to why they are ashamed to be considered religious and what makes them think they are not. Why is it better to be "spiritual" and what is the difference? They are a well established major denomination and have what seems to be a well oiled method and order to ministry. Their website is also a dot org. My puzzlement is over the fact that I thought I knew what religious meant. Have I missed something? Since when is "Religious" a bad word? Forgive me, I am not certain whether it is a spiritual or religious thing for me to do a concordance and dictionary search, but I find that the word "religious" is mentioned about 5 times in the scriptures, all in reference to the Jews. Paul uses the word the most in reference to himself. James uses the word "religion" stating the fact that there is a pure form of it. I was hard pressed to find the word used in a derogatory manner. So what does it mean?


θρησκός thrēskos, religious

1. fearing or worshipping God
2. to tremble
3. trembling, fearful

Religious (adj.)

1. Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity.

2. Of, concerned with, or teaching religion: a religious text.

3. Extremely scrupulous or conscientious: religious devotion to duty

Forgive me, but tell me again... why shouldn't I be religious? Even in the definition of "spiritual", the old "R" word slips in.

Spiritual (adj)

1. Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material.
2. Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul.
3. Of, from, or relating to God; deific.
4. Of or belonging to a church or religion; sacred.
5. Relating to or having the nature of spirits or a spirit; supernatural.

I kind of thought that the church was supposed to be unashamedly both, spiritual and religious. Christ was spiritual and yet religious. So are we. He religiously visited the temple and observed all of the feasts, fasts, and festivals. So do we. Why the great dissect between the religious and the spiritual?

Wouldn't a better motto be

"The Spiritually, Religious Church"?

Religious is not a bad word...but maybe I'm just being too spiritual.

"Holy Smokes" Up in Smoke

I have mentioned my participation in a predominantly Protestant group called "Holy Smokes" that meets every Wednesday morning at the local cigar shop through the kindness of the Catholic owner. I, being the only non-Protestant in the group, have had some very interesting conversations. I wondered along the way if our differences in ethos and theology might make it too contentious of a setting. I have referred to myself as the "odd man out." After months of meetings I am, after today, literally the "odd man... out." I noticed along the way that, although we talked of fellowship and brotherhood, I was never invited to go fishing or golfing with the guys and it seemed at times as if they were trying to save my soul, but surprisingly, it was not theology, discussions, or lack of inclusion that divided us. It was integrity.

I take great issue with a group of men or anyone, deciding on a matter and then not doing it. Maybe I am a man of my word to a fault. If this is the case, then I am to blame for false expectations. I believe, however, that integrity is a Christian principal that is not optional. So what brought the great divide? What caused these men to turn on me with venom and name calling? I questioned the group's (not individuals) integrity. For a group of men to decide to a start at 8 A.M. and have only two men arrive at that time week after week, the others arriving regularly from 8:30 to 9 A.M., may be considered simple lack of consideration. But to tell the owner of the cigar shop, who allows us free use of his space, electricity, water, provides us our own key, and trusts us with the security code, that we will buy a monthly box of cigars from him for group use, then to not only neglect to do so but to decide not to do so, is lack of integrity...and I told them so. To me, you don't say one thing and do another, especially while knowingly taking advantage of another brother. By the way, did I mention that the owner is Catholic...? A group called "Holy" Smokes should present itself, at the very least, as Christian men of integrity in the marketplace. Anything less is just blowing smoke.

A Letter From A Catholic Friend

Saturday, August 11, 2007

My journey towards enlightenment begins.

I have a dear friend that is a regular at my place of employment, Stogie's in Brentwood. Outside of being a fellow filmmaker, we have had several long discussions of several things going on in my life. Along with finding a true love of my life and the excitement and frenzy that goes with any new relationship, he has been a sounding board for my struggle with life and faith. So he gave me the start several months ago towards my release of the struggle of my faith. His blog, his own account of the journey towards the Eastern Orthodoxy faith has helped me focus on regaining my stride to a better relationship with both God and Myself. He even posted a blog to his disillusioned catholic brothers to come back to the true church. He has had some heated response from catholics, so I have decided to add my 2 cents in it.

I am Catholic by birth and was once a member of the Roman Catholic Church. I stress WAS because it has been sometime since I have really been an active member of the church. I still go on a non-daily basis, mostly attending service with my mom. It is mostly for her because it is good to see her smile at me at service. However, I feel large amounts of guilt being in a house of worship that I have very little belief in.

I was forced to service by my parents when I was little, and as I aged in years, I realized that faith played a huge part in my life. I went through the parochial catholic High School system to get a better chance at a good education. It was here that my faith and beliefs became tested. It seemed that every time that I even questioned my faith or the religion I was involved with, I was met with extreme resistance. Both my lay teachers and those from the Diocese almost prevented me from learning more about the faith from an outside sources.

My problems from the Catholic Faith is numerous in many ways. The roles of women in the church lends little form the fact that the faith has a woman in a prominent role, the mother of Christ, and yet my own mother has a little role in the church. My mother's role is almost subservient and that is disturbing that she cannot lead the church. Doctrine has and will be changed in the past and future. The fit doctrine to fit the needs of the church. The RCC has years and years of being deceitful and underhanded. They have killed and started wars, assassinated leaders and kings and have years and years of corruption. I won't even remark on the priest scandals because that is petty and there is more to it than the press reveals.

Most of the arguments that Catholics present to people when arguing their beliefs and faith is based on years and years of discrimination because of the religion. As the largest organized faith in the world, they are targets on a daily basis. No religion is more ridiculed nor looked at in a microscopic way than the Catholics. This constant scrutiny has led many to call to arms in defense of their faith and others to look elsewhere.

While my interests in the Orthodoxy faith has grown, I have dived into reading and research of the faith and all it encompasses. I have read several books by leaders of the faith, and will not enter this faith until I feel that my longing and eternal quest for knowledge with my relationship with God is good and strong. However, I will say that while the RCC has steered away from the one true faith several thousand years ago, the Orthodoxy faith has stayed true to the original doctrine set so many years ago.

I don't know where my journey will lead, and surely until I die in body, it will never end. I do urge that those torn about their faith and belief in the RCC, please search for the right answers. If in fact it keeps you in the RCC, then all the power to you. If you feel that there are other answers out there, then search for them and if it leads you in a different direction than where you are, embrace it, understand it, and never judge those that block your way from the most fulfilling relationship you will ever have.....the relationship with you and God!

JF

[Note from Journey To Orthodoxy: JTO realizes that this letter is not indicative of all RCC experiences. JTO also realizes that this letter is indicative of many RCC experiences. ]