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.

A New World View

For many years his map has been presented to us as being accurate. From our youth we accepted its dimensions as being accurate. Why not? Most of those around us did as well. There was no question that this map was the accurate map of the world, We knew where the countries were, how they were shaped and their relative distance from each other and from each pole.

Now we are discovering that what we have been told for so long is not as accurate as we thought. Scientists, mathematicians and map makers have devised what is know as "equal area" maps which depict a much more accurate perspective of our planet. Look at the much larger size of Africa and the much smaller dimensions of Alaska. Australia is even larger compared to the USA.

It helps to step back and review our perspective occasionally. Our view may be skewed. Take a look at the early church by reading the Early Church Fathers. See if what they taught and how they worshiped looks anything like what you are calling church. Such an evaluation may change your world view.

On The Use Of Alcoholic Beverages

Some would say the use of alcoholic beverages is forbidden by God. This view has no historic validity either in culture or in the practice of the Church. The most common scripture used to promote this view is

"Wine is reckless, liquor rowdy; unwise is anyone whom it seduces." Proverbs 20:1

Those who might promote the God-mandated-abstinence view for all Christians usually also hold to the tenet that the scriptures are "literally true" and should be taken at face value. The literal reading of this proverb discusses the seductive nature of alcoholic beverages. The face value here is that over-indulgence or alcoholism can occur. The same scripture in the KJV reads,

"Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise."

The face value here is the same in that being led astray by the over consumption of such is not wise. One can debate the face value of this passage were it not for the fact that the Church, the Apostles and Jesus himself used alcoholic drink as a beverage and for medicinal purposes. Nowhere in scripture, save for some religious exercises of abstinence for a season of fasting, is such forbidden by God.

Jesus himself was the best winemaker who ever lived as proven by the account of the Wedding of Cana. Ignorance of history, culture, the Church and ignoring the face value of the account, leads some to assert that the wine served at the wedding was simply juice and not fermented,

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it.

The faulty and historically inaccurate assertion that the wine Jesus made was not fermented, is ignorance of the culture of the day. Grape juice was not served at wedding feasts. Typically, the best tasting wine was served first and when the celebrants were well on their way to feeling the effects of such, the poorer quality wine was served,

9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

Not only did Jesus make fermented wine for consumption by the celebrating wedding party, but the scripture says doing so was a sign of His glory:

11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

Can advocates of the God-mandated-abstinence view have it both ways? They say that God forbids the drinking of alcohol then when the scripture shows God in the flesh supplying the forbidden drink they must reinterpret the facts to prove their point. "Oh, the wine that Jesus served was not fermented." Only in this way is their faulty view consistent. It seems they start with a belief premise then attempt to prove their premise. This is faulty biblical exegesis.

To abstain from alcoholic drink can be a good and honorable thing for purposes of soberness, problems with addiction, or spiritual fasting, but Apostle Paul has very strong words for those who would create a doctrine which commands food and drink regulations that God does not. Paul instructs on the so-called "forbidden consumption" doctrine. He actually calls such doctrines the "doctrines of demons" one

"...commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth." 1 Timothy 4:3

Paul also states that a Bishop must

"not be given (addicted) to wine." 1 Timothy 3:3

Notice that Paul does not say a Bishop must not drink wine. He says a Bishop must not be addicted to wine. Wine was part of the culture of the region and of the church. The church came out of Judaism and worship at the temple. Christians were a sect of Judaism. The liturgical structure of the gatherings on the new Lord's Day were patterned after the synagogue. The use of wine was a traditional given. When and where did the new Jewish Christians make the announcement,

"Okay people listen up! I have an announcement! I know we have used wine in our ceremonies at the Temple and in our homes for hundreds of years and I realize the properties of wine and strong drink have been a great help to all of us in time of illness. We of course know that Apostle Timothy has had a little stomach trouble from time to time and that a little wine for his stomach's sake has helped- Tim, good to see you today- but we can no longer use it. From this day forward all alcoholic beverages are forbidden by God. We are asking all Christians to just drink juice. So if you are planning any family get-togethers or celebrations like weddings and such, you may need to make a few adjustments. Of course we have traditionally used wine at gatherings to "cheer people's hearts" but juice can be kind of cheery too, don't you think? Just use your existing wine pots to store your juice. Just don't store it too long or that will defeat the purpose. Simeon, we will pray that you will find another line of business as we realize that your six generation vineyard and wine store is your living, but maybe the juice thing will catch on in the city as well, although the Pharisees and the Sadducees may take a little convincing. We know how they like their fermented wine! And the temple priests...well...don't get me started. But all in all I think it is a good change don't you?"

And from that day forward they all juiced?

Here is the simple teaching of the faith of the Apostles concerning food and drink including the use of alcoholic beverages:

" All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any...all things are lawful for me but not all things edify...therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

The Church Is ISRAEL

Paul said that believers are:

"The children of God" (Romans 8:16).

"The Household of God" (Ephesians 2:19).

"The children of Abraham" (Colossians 3:7).

"Abraham's seed" (Galatians 3:29).

"The Children of promise" (Rom. 9:8, Galatians 4:28).

"A peculiar people” (Titus 2:14).

"The elect of God" (Colossians 3:12).

"Heirs of God"(Rom. 8:17).

“Heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).

"The temple of God" (1 Cor 3:16).

"The circumcision" (Philippians 3:3).

"The Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16).

Peter said that believers are:

"A chosen generation" (1 Peter 2:9).

"A royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9).

"A holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9).

"A peculiar people" (1 Peter 2:9).

James said that believers are:

"Heirs of the kingdom" (James 2:5).

John said that believers are:

"The sons of God" (John 1:12).

"Kings and priests unto God" (Revelation 1:6).

"The new Jerusalem" (Revelation 3:12).

“The Holy city (Revelation 21:2).

The letter to the Hebrews said that believers are:

"The people of God" (Hebrews 4:9).

“Mount Zion” (Hebrews 12:22).

“The city of the living God” (Hebrews 12:22).

“The heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22).

A Note About Receiving Holy Eucharist

I had the joy of recently visiting Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Mission (WR) in Hot Springs, Arkansas. My good friend, priest and fellow laborer Father John Denny founded the church as a Charismatic Episcopal Church (ICCEC) and eventually led the church into the Orthodox faith. I commend Father John Denny and the mission parish as worthy of your support by way of prayer and especially by way of financial gifts.

Along with spending some very valuable personal discussions with Father John Denny, I also picked up a bulletin with a very clear explanation of the Eucharist, who receives it, who does not and why. It is brief but explains so much:

"The Orthodox understands the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper, to be-among other things-the paramount expression of Christian unity. While it is our deepest hope that all Christians will one day fulfill Christ's desire for unity among all who claim His name (John 17:21), the unfortunate reality of our day is that the various communities of Christendom are not unified with the historic Orthodox Catholic faith. Since participation in the Eucharist expresses a unity with all the dogma and practice of the Orthodox Church, non-Orthodox guests do not receive Holy Communion but are permitted to come forward for a blessing as well as a portion of blessed bread. Holy Communion is reserved for those members of the Orthodox Church who have prepared themselves by prayer, fasting, and recent confession. But that need not be the end of the question for our non-Orthodox guests! Have you considered the possibility that you too could become an Orthodox Christian?"

I am sure such exclusivity flies in the face of the western view of relativity, "I'm okay, you're okay", "Every path to God is a right one", "There is no one true church", etc. This mantra, no matter how often chanted, does not negate the fact that there is certain, absolute truth and there is ONE Church where that truth has been maintained for 2000 years.

Thanks Be To God For Life and Fresh Air

Thanks be to God that my family and I are alive. Workers discovered the presence of a substantial amount of Carbon Monoxide leakage in our house. A "deadly" rating is 35. The rating discovered in our house was 1000 plus. Obviously there was a measure of ventilation in the furnace area that did not allow the full potential of leakage to get into our living area or death would have been certain. We have, however, suffered from unexplained physical illnesses and symptoms for months, even up to three years. Thanks be to God that this odorless, invisible gas was discovered and that we will have an opportunity to heal with fresh air. Please pray that there will be no long term effects on our bodies as is sometimes the case with such long term exposure.

So, What's With The Beard and Long Hair?

In the midst of my Journey To Orthodoxy, I find my self being redefined. In a word: I am changing. In another word: It is theosis. Inclinations of the heart are difficult to express in words, but simply put, I have become inclined not to shave nor trim my beard or hair. It is an abandonment of sorts, of the image that I have traditionally presented to the world around me. My thought was that by allowing my facial hair and head hair to grow that the self that I promoted would be hidden to the extent that I would be less likely to depend on it. Ironically, I have found that the long term influence of the western culture has provoked those who have known the clean cut, professional Nathan, to take notice of me-my opposite desire and intent. I have experienced some strong reactions from a few. A recent visit with my extended family in Arkansas was met with honest questions unsolicited advise and some insults. "So why'd you grow the beard?" "If you cut your hair and beard you might be able to get a better job. You look awful. Awful!" A prophet is not welcomed in his own town, especially a former Baptist turned Orthodox. If my entertaining strange doctrines and practices were not enough, now my physical appearance is being altered! I'm sure that my visit provided my family with a welcomed supply of food for the fodder but being in my fourth year of Orthodoxy, I am somewhat accustomed to my family's consternation of my new faith.

I was not accustomed, however, nor did I expect a particular reaction by a parishioner at church. She has been Orthodox many years and is a leader in the church. I became sorrowfully aware by her actions that tenure of Orthodoxy doesn't guarantee a complete or untainted understanding of the faith and traditions we hold. The parishioner's reaction to me was stunning and degrading. She approached me as I was talking to our godly priest emeritus, who is also bearded, yanked on my beard and made reference to us trying to "look like Santa Claus." Being that this was the first full beard I have ever grown, it was a new feeling for me. I don't ever remember feeling so violated. I was speechless as was the priest. What is one to say to such disrespect? By God's grace one does not say what one might. A man's beard is a sign of God's glory on him just as is a woman hair. The woman's ignorant act was akin to me yanking on her hair. I am able to allow for the fact that this woman is a convert to Orthodoxy and is part of a predominately convert Church, thus there are a few holes in her Orthodoxy.

Orthodoxy is not western. Orthodoxy does not and should not automatically conform to the culture around it. Only that which needs to conform is conformed. The culture of long hair and beards for men is not one of them. It is canon. It has purpose. It has history. It has reason. It is holy. It is a sign of the glory of God on his people. It is this that the woman yanked on. It is this that others despise when they criticise, make light of or reject as an oddity, the beard or long hair of an Orthodox man. Such a look for Orthodox men has been written about, confirmed and practiced by the church as a whole and is relevant in any culture. It would benefit all Orthodox people and non-orthodox family members of those on their Journey To Orthodoxy, to understand the sanctity of this practice so as to show due respect to this element of what the Church practices. Anyone on a JTO is already wrought with undiscovered paths, disciplines, rejection and difficult soul wrenching. The absence of soul wrenching provoked by insensitive observers would be a welcomed thing.

JTO Reader Update

As we head into the Christmas season 2008 JTO would like to express sincere thanks to all who have passed this way this year. From all across the world, the JTO forum allows us to learn, grow, discuss, repent, and just simply spend time. Our common thread is our desire for truth and He is the way the truth and the life. Thanks for continuing to join me on my Journey To Orthodoxy and for allowing me to join you on yours. I look forward to many days ahead and please take time to use the "comment" feature at the bottom of each article. I want to hear your reflections. Here are the latest stats of our visitors from across the world:

Current Country Totals From 22 Nov 2008 to 12 Dec 2008

United States (US) 296
Canada (CA) 34
United Kingdom (GB) 11
Germany (DE) 5
Israel (IL) 4
Bulgaria (BG) 4
Greece (GR) 4
Australia (AU) 4
Sweden (SE) 3
Spain (ES) 2
South Africa (ZA) 2
Russian Federation (RU) 1
India (IN) 1
Malaysia (MY) 1
Netherlands (NL)1

God Bless All,
Nathan Lee Lewis, JTO

Happy Thanksgiving

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob richly bless all of creation all around the world on this day of Thanksgiving-2008.
Nathan Lee Lewis
JTO

Five day JTO reader total:

United States (US) 78
Canada (CA) 8
Germany (DE) 2
Russian Federation (RU) 1
United Kingdom (GB) 1
Bulgaria (BG) 1
Spain (ES) 1
Greece (GR) 1
India (IN) 1

So You Want To Be A Prophet?

And He himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Eph. 4:11

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then worker of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28

So you want to be a prophet?

"The mind is a deceitfully wicked thing. Who can know it?" 

The battle of the mind to know the thoughts of God and to adequately discern them is a treacherous and torturous endeavor. Some dreams and visions come with instant understanding as to their meaning and implications. Those which are foretelling of events, however, are not always fully understood as to their timing. I learned early and painfully not to presume upon what I don't know, especially on the timing or fulfillment of a certain prophecy. Some visions or dreams I have received have sat for decades with still no understanding as to their timing or meaning. Those early years of discovery have built in me an intense sense of caution. One pivotal moment of understanding came to me in a time of prayer. The Lord gave me instant and intuitive understanding that He did not reveal all things to me in order for me to speak them nor was it my responsibility to implement what I saw nor to move a people to respond appropriately. It was a word of relief. The word of the Lord is His and he will vindicate.

A prophet sees into the heavens and glimpses the mysteries of God. Some of the things he sees are made clear and are for the Kingdom of God in this time. God has something to say so he speaks through a human instrument.

There are no new doctrines, truths or revelations.

There are only specific and general directions to individuals groups or nations to accomplish His will and counter the devises of the enemy. Not all the prophet sees is to be spoken. He must learn the difference. He eventually finds that "secret place" of God. The mind and workings of God are a fearful thing and one must learn quickly what an awesome thing it is that He entrusts such to men and women. In my times of faithlessness and burdens of life I have, shamefully, wished and even pleaded with God to remove this gift of prophecy from me.

"Lord may I please have the gifts of Helps or Service?"

To know the sins of man, the impending peril of a people and to often have a word of knowledge containing specific details of a sinful or foreboding situation, is burdensome.

"Lord why do you show me these things?"

In these questions I have sinned. Christ Himself "learned through the things He suffered".

He has shown me the same grace and patience.

The preparation of a prophet is long and difficult. He must have no leaven. He must be pure and undefiled. He must have died to self. He must hate his own life and be willing to lose it for the sake of Christ. The preparation alone is enough for some to wish for death. If death doesn't come, they run and hide in a cave. In this they sin. Such is the strength of the human will and the sinful flesh. It does not want to submit to a life of depravity, conflict, threats and self-sacrifice as is the life of a prophet. Prophets are not particularly popular or well liked. They are maligned, stoned, driven off and murdered. They are born for a purpose and into the time for which God would have them speak.

"As for the Prophets, whether they be bishops, priests, professors, monastics, or lay people, our only prayer can be that they are inspired by God and not themselves (not to mention other possible spirits), and that we be ready to hear and obey their voice when they are sent to proclaim God's Word to us." Very Reverend Thomas Hopko

The prophet is peculiar and sometimes does apparently peculiar things. They fast when it is not called for. They give peculiar names to their children. They pierce their ears or wear strange clothes or let their hair grow to lengths that are culturally out of sync. They will set out on a hike without knowing their destination. They are not easily satisfied by the regular amenities of life. They are not given to fulfilling others expectations. Their life is a display of signs and symbols and it is a rare thing to be understood by others. They will never be accused of being normal. It is profoundly true for the prophet that

"In Him we live and move and have our being."

Outside of that there is no life and there is certain untimely death.

I cringe, and in fact, am angered by those who would use prophetic gifts to posture and present themselves to others for notoriety or to gain stature as a spokesman for God. They clamor for the acclaim of man and indeed that is all they get. They cause spiritual destruction and a falling away. They give vague predictions and personal insights and when elements of what they say come true they are empowered to say, "See I predicted that." They ignore the many elements of their words that were false or heretical and their followers hold them to no account.

A prophet of God gathers no followers.

They devise new escape-clause-doctrines that ignore the Biblical mandate which says, if a prophet speaks that which does not come to pass or is heretical then he is a false prophet and must be put to death.

One inclination of a purified prophet of God is that he often hopes for a way that He will not have to fulfill what God is asking of him.

"Father if it be thy will let this cup pass from me."

He may pray and reason with God in that secret place but he eventually says,

"Not my will but thine be done."

The prophet knows full well that to stand against dominions and powers, to point a finger at a King or a Bishop, is done so at his own physical peril. Recipients of a prophet's word will either repent or react. Kings have swords and Bishops have edicts, but the prophet knows that God has the power over his eternal destiny. Thus a prophet fears what no man can do to him.

"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain."

And death does indeed come, sooner or later, as God wills. So you still want to be a prophet?

Truth Is Often Hidden In "Plane" Sight

Come out of your comfort zone. Truth is often hidden from the masses and only those with eyes to see can see.

..."narrow is the gate and a hard road that leads to life,
and only a few find it."

Lies and deceptions are often so blatant that they who perpetrate them wave them before your eyes and attempt to redefine what you are seeing. For example: Did you think terrorists flying airplanes brought down the twin towers on 9-11?

What else in your belief system have you readily accepted as fact? Are you failing to see where the church is because of what you have been told is true? Are you just accepting what has been waved in your face since birth? Don't start with your conclusions and attempt to defend them. Start at the original source and work forward. "To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant"

"Ask Questions. Be Informed."

"For you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

Does "Christian Music" Have A Soul?

I was shopping with one of my five daughters today. While in the car she put in one of her CD's proclaiming it to be a "Christian Rock Band". I told her there was no such thing as a Christian Rock Band.

"Does a Rock Band have a soul? Does it die and go to heaven? There are Christians who are in a band, but that does not make what they do Christian."

I spent many years as a worship leader. In the Evangelical Charismatic world, that entails leading a band with all the frills, musicians, singers, songwriters, rehearsals, sets, audiences, recordings and the like. It is quite a world and there is money to be made. Living in Nashville, I have had a chance to see the spent lives of various Christan artist/entertainers who couldn't quite make it in the business. I also see the successful artists around town in the restaurants and such. The Christian music and the country music world go hand in hand here. There is no difference. People are people. There may be music artists who are Christians but being a musician does not make you a Christian no matter what kind of music you perform. It especially does not qualify anyone to be idolized. Be careful whom you idolize, look up to or put on a pedestal, lest your faith be dashed when you see the real essence of their character.

Bishop Antoun To Visit Tennessee

JTO welcomes the visit of His Grace Bishop Antoun of the Self Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. His Grace will spend time at Saint Ignatius Orthodox Church in Franklin, Tennessee. He will celebrate the liturgy and be honored at a luncheon to follow on November 16th, 2008. All are invited to come and meet with our pastor and receive his blessing and words of wisdom.

Short Biography of Bishop Antoun

Born: Damascus, Syria, January 17, 1931.
Educated:

• St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY (M.Div., 1962)

Ordained:

• Deacon, October 28, 1951, by Patriarch Alexander III
• Priest, May 29, 1960, by Metropolitan Antony Bashir
• Archimandrite, August 3, 1969, by Metropolitan Philip Saliba
• Bishop, January 9, 1983, by Metropolitan Philip Saliba

Ministry:

• Diocesan Bishop, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (Jan. 9, 1983- 2004 ); assigned by Metropolitan Philip to Engwood Chancery.
• Diocesan Bishop of Miami and the Southeast (2004- present): assigned by Metropolitan PHILIP to the Englewood Chancery.
• For more: Click HERE
  

Pray For President-Elect Barack Obama

I invite all JTO readers to pray for President-Elect Barack Obama as he leads the United States in this most difficult time in our history. I echo President-Elect Obama's words to those who did not support him during the election. He will be the president of all Americans. Choose prayer rather than criticism and allow our sovereign God to work his will and way in this nation. Prophesy if you must and criticize if it is warranted, but remember, the Kingdom of God will prevail and all nations and leaders will one day bow before the throne of God. God is still in control and Christ will come again.

The Commenter's Commentary

I received another wonderful scriptural exposition from "The Commenter", my Church of Christ brother. He once again lists scriptures of which there is no contest. The subject was The Church. The scriptures he lists are pure and unadulterated. I find it interesting that The Commenter suggests the use of Strong's Concordance to assist the Bible Student (Who is Mr. Strong and from where does he get his authority?) I must assume that The Commenter is giving credence to the idea that individuals alone cannot adequately interpret the scriptures without some foundational source. The question remains and The Commenter has yet to address it, what is your source of biblical interpretation? Who gets to say what truth is- what do the scriptures mean and can they be adequately interpreted without at least giving the Early Church Fathers a vote? If Mr. Strong, other modern commentaries and Commenter's own interpretations are valid sources for understanding faith and doctrine, would not more so the Early Church Fathers who knew and walked with the Apostles? The Commenter includes his own commentary with the scriptures. At first glance I can find no fault in his scriptural commentary, however, he errs in his summation and shows a lack of understanding of history when he says,

"I feel sure that as the Holy Spirit guided the Apostles into all truth, we have all that we need to know about His church. These wonderful blessings can only be had by going back, back, back…, back behind the Reformation movement-back behind Romanism, back behind orthodoxism, or any other “ism” that gets in the way, all the way back to the day of Pentecost, which was the inauguration of New Testament Christianity. "

Orthodoxy IS that Church birthed out of Pentecost. Commenter's suggestion that one can go "back behind Orthodoxism" suggests erroneously that Orthodoxy was a later invention. The use of the word Orthodox in relation to the Church of the Apostles came about early in the Church to distinguish between the Church of the Apostles and heretics.

"It was in the early centuries of the Church's existence, while fighting to safeguard the true doctrines of Christ, that the Christian Church officially took on the name "Orthodox." The word Orthodox literally means "straight teaching" or "straight worship," being derived from two Greek words: orthos, "straight," and doxa, "teaching" or "worship."

Here is Commenter's treatment on The Church. It is worth reading. Read it or scroll past for final thought.

"The Church (the Kingdom of Heaven, The Body of Christ, The House of God, The Bride of Christ) The word “church” is found in the New Testament about 77 times. The word “churches” appears about 37 times. “The church” is found about 66 times and “The churches” about 19 times. The word “church” may have reference to the entire Body of Christ or a congregation in a particular location. “The churches” may have reference to several congregations in a particular area or among a particular people. “My church” designates belonging to Christ as does “churches of Christ”. “Church of God” or “churches of God” shows ownership. Anyone can use Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, or pages 227 and 228 of The Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament by George V. Wigram and arrive at these conclusions for himself and have a most profitable study. Matthew 16:18-20 is a wonderful introductory paragraph for this study. In those Verses Jesus makes several promises and the Passage I want to use is Verse 18: “And I also say to you that you are Peter (petros, rock), and on this rock (petra) I will build my church, and the gates of Hadeas shall not prevail against it.” In that promise Jesus would (future) be the builder; Jesus would build His (ownership) church; Jesus would build His church (singular); The foundation would be the petra, the rock-bed truth Peter had confessed, and the gates of Hades would not prevail against it. All of this is found in one verse, Verse 18, and in all references to the church throughout the New Testament none will be in conflict with this wonderful verse.Not long before Jesus ascended back to the Father we read: “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.” (Matt. 28:16). These are eleven of the twelve Jesus chose as His Apostles. (Matt. 10:2-4). These men had accompanied the Lord Jesus beginning from the baptism of John. (acts 1:21,22). They had heard His doctrine, witnessed His miracles, behalf His benevolence, and seen His mistreatment. Although after His arrest “the disciples forsook Him and fled.” (Matt. 26:56), they were never the same after His empty tomb.While the eleven disciples were at the mountain “Jesus came and spoke to them saying ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age’”. (Matt. 28:18-20) He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16). Jesus also said “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)The record of the apostles doing what Christ commanded them to do is found in the Book of Acts. Peter stood up with the eleven and began preaching the Gospel. (Acts 2:14-35). Peter continued, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, ’Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and youo shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’ (Acts 2:36-39). And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ’Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ (Acts 2:40-42). ’praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47).” Thus Christ’s church (the church of Christ) had its beginning. And what a simple procedure the Lord used in building His church. The Gospel was preached, those who believed it repented and were baptized for the remission of their sins. They were saved and “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47) The Book of Acts is a history of the beginning of the church as the Body of Christ as a whole and of the church in Jerusalem in particular. Also, Acts is a history of the beginning of several congregations in different locations and among different people. Acts 5:11 states that “great fear came upon all the church.” Acts 8:1 says “at that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church.” (Acts 8:3). “Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.” (Acts 8:4) In Acts 9:31 Luke, the historian writes: “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” For a whole year Barnabas and Saul “assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26). “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. (Acts 12:5) When Barnabas and Saul “had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” (Acts 14:23). Concerning Paul’s activities Luke records, “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.” (Acts 20:17).Ephesians 5:25 is a powerful reminder of Christ’s love for the church: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.” And to those elders at Ephesus Paul admonished “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28). Paul tells us that God “put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1:22,23). And he reminds us that the church is to make known the manifold wisdom of God. (Eph. 3:10) Paul exclaims “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21). Paul proclaims that “Christ is head of the church; and He is the savior of the body.” (Eph. 5:23), and that “the church is subject to Christ.” (Eph. 5:24).In all the times “the church” is mentioned nothing is said or no questions are asked about “which church” or “what faith”, etc., do the writers have in mind. The reason being that was well understood. All that was written leaves no doubt as to who built the church, who purchased it and with what, who the head is, what the church is, and any other question that could come up. It was just “the church”. How clear and simple and easily understood the Lord arranged it. Satan’s primary objective was to muddy the waters and keep it that way. As Paul was writing to the Ephesians he said: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:4-6). Peter wrote, “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3). I feel sure that as the Holy Spirit guided the Apostles into all truth, we have all that we need to know about His church. These wonderful blessings can only be had by going back, back, back…, back behind the Reformation movement-back behind Romanism, back behind orthodoxism, or any other “ism” that gets in the way, all the way back to the day of Pentecost, which was the inauguration of New Testament Christianity. No wonder Jesus said, “Because narrow is the gate and difficult (confined) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:14). But since Jesus is “the way” (John 14:6) by following Him I plan to make it. That is my Journey. The Commenter"

For The Commenter, all of my Church of Christ friends and others who give sincere honor to the Word of God and to His Church I encourage you to not be ignorant of history by ignoring 2000 years of those who have faithfully held and interpret the scriptures and died to defend the faith of the Apostles. Please take time to study the following three articles. Warning: They may ruin your religion.

Which Came First-The Church or the New Testament? Click Here

Finding The New Testament Church Click Here

Scripture and Tradition Click Here

Note To Self

[From the words of St. Simeon the New Theologian]

"Unless you are humbled, brother, and unless you are under submission, afflicted and dishonored; unless you are despised and slandered; unless you accept to become as one of those who are obscure, foolish, base and down-trodden; unless you are shunned by all men and regarded as one of those who are reprehensible and begging in the squares and byways of the city, how, do tell me, can you become alienated from your own will?

God has commanded that we endure all thee things that come our way for a testing and for experience, not for testing and experience but for catharsis of our souls. In spite of this fact, we do not desired to suffer these things, but, instead, the reluctance to endure them lives within us which is the earthly mind of the flesh.

How then can we become dead? In no way. If we do not become dead to the world and to the things of the world, how can we live the life which is hidden in Christ, not having become dead for God? How can we behold God dwelling within us as light, as St. Symeon* said (*St. Symeon was his namesake and his spiritual father) ? In no way, brother. Let no one deceive you.

But you are saying that it is foolish to follow the blessed Symeon and it is shameful to imitate his actions? Then imitate Christ our God. Endure sufferings yourself for your own salvation, as he suffered for you. As you know, they called him a demonized, a deceiver, a glutton and a winebibber. They said: "You have a demon" (John 7:20), and again: "Behold a man gluttonous, and winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners" (Matt. 11:19)

These things even our blessed father, St. Symeon, heard in our behalf or rather for us. Furthermore you can hear again concerning the Lord being bound and dragged as a murder and criminal and standing before Pilate as one who is base, receiving a slap from the servant, being thrown into prison and being taken out of prison, led by the soldiers who bear sticks and then handed over by the people to Pilate who said: "Take ye him and crucify him" (John 19:6).

Understand how he was rendered in their midst- He Who is above all the Heavens and Who holds all things in His hand: scourged, flogged, maligned, abused and led to the praetorium-He Who is beyond the sight of all creation and even of the Seraphim, undressed and tied to a post, receiving forty full stripes, indicating the death sentence.

Then, what? He was dressed in a purple mantle scoffingly and He was struck on the head and asked, "Who is he that struck you?" He was crowned with thorns, bowed down and scoffed, spat at and did hear what sarcastically was uttered? "Behold the King of the Jews" (Mark 15:26). He was dressed again with his own garments, tied with a rope by the neck and led to death, and then carrying the burden of His own cross, when He came to the place where the cross was set, He was deserted only by His friends and disciples; after this, He was again divested of His garments, lifted up with His hands and feet and nailed to the cross by the soldiers and left to hang; He was offered gall to drink and was pierced with a lance and blasphemed by a thief, scoffed at and heard: "He who destroys the temple and three days raises it up again, save yourself and come down from the cross," and again, "If you are the Son of God (Matt. 27:40), come down from the cross and we will believe in you".

Thus after suffering these things, and having given thanks, he prayed for those who put him to death, and gave up his soul into the hands of His Father."

Note to self: All is fine if all is not fine.

Two Reasons I Became Orthodox

I left this...




To find this...

There Is Need Of Only One Thing

One had a heart of service. One had a heart of worship. Both good, yet one is rebuked as tainted works. The other, the example of how we, too, should live. One chose the good, one chose the better.

"Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42).

Before my entrance into the Orthodox Church I served in the establishment of two Charismatic Episcopal Churches (ICCEC) in two cities. I pitched in, full-fledged, with all fervor, willing to do all that was needed. Self-sacrifice, commitment to the hilt, in order to accomplish all that was needed. To serve my priest, my Bishop and the people for God was my joy, my duty my task. Set up our borrowed room which served as our Temple. Choose the music, set up the instruments. I would also drive once a month from Central Arkansas to North Texas to attend the ICCEC seminary. Two years of travel, study, tests, accountability, so that I may be deemed worthy for ordination. We purchased a building. With that came the cleaning, the construction of the hand-made pews with nails screws assembly and staining, the sleeping on the floor of the Temple so as to get an early start of the next day's temple doings, the laborious and physically challenging roofing of the rectory, all for the cause of the Church of Christ. I served at the altar, unworthily, fearfully, yet under the grace of my priest.

My heart grew barren as I saw the incompleteness of the brand of faith I was in, even more so when the man-made denomination began to unravel at the seams. My heart was one step ahead of the demise of the ICCEC as I sought God to lead me to the Church where His glory was fully expressed. I thought I had found that promised land and gradually became aware that the ICCEC was only a bridge to that land. The bridge was shaky, began to sway in the wind and ultimately collapsed. So is the way of any Christian group which is not under the umbrella of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church-the Orthodox Church. Orthodox means- "right glory" or the place where God's glory dwells.

As I stepped into the Orthodox Church, that place where The Truth has been preserved for 2000 years, I brought my identity, my task-dependent soul, with me. I was no longer on a course for ordination. With the two years of seminary gone and the five years of church building finished, I set about what I knew to do...tasks. Surely such is honorable and the Church needed a good worker like me. Surely the church would recognize my servant's heart and be as convinced as I of my value. There was so much to do, so many tasks gone undone. So, "I pitched in, full-fledged with all fervor, willing to do all that was needed. Self-sacrifice, commitment to the hilt, in order to accomplish all that was needed. To serve my priest, my Bishop and the people of God was my joy, my duty, my task." First was the ushering, then came driving the youth to and from camps, then came the youth adviser position for SOYO, then came managing the bookstore. Why weren't more people helping? Why was so much being left undone?

"Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me."

If the joy of the Lord is my strength then why was I weak, growing tired and fainting from the faith?

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

There is need of only one thing and the thing I had chosen did not give me strength. I was distracted by my many tasks. I entered the faith with the heart of Mary seeking peace and serenity, worshiping at the feet of Jesus, but I soon picked up the mantle of Martha. My intention was to remain quiet, out of sight, to not promote myself, so I, being deceived in my own intentions, set myself about the hidden tasks. But the heart of Martha eventually takes on the root of bitterness and judgment toward others. A war begins to rage within and conflict arises. In my pseudo-desire not promote myself I did the opposite.

The fact is, God does not need any of us to do anything for Him. He is totally capable. I wish I could creep out of my task-making as slowly as I had entered, but for me it is not possible. I must retreat as Christ did from the business, the clamor, the noise, the crowds. I must do it now. I must leave the public ministry at the Temple.

I must get back to the Orthodox way, the Mary way, the One Thing. Forgive me if I seem aloof, distracted, not as full of enthusiasm and willingness to help, but I must sit at the feet of the Lord to hear what He is saying. I must choose the better part for there is only need of one thing.