Moses The Black-The Motion Picture Website Launched

Moses The Black-The Motion Picture website has been launched. The feature film is being produced by JTO author Nathan Lee Lewis. Please stop by the site and participate in this worthy project!

 www.mosestheblack.com

The Sacrament Of Marriage- Our 30 Years

Today is the 30th anniversary of our wedding ceremony-July 27, 1980. Last November 29, 2009, my wife, Cynthia, and I had our marriage sanctified in the One, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Just as the salvation of our souls has taken us on a journey so has our marriage done so.

We are real people with real human tendencies. There has never been a marriage free from human ups and downs, both good and bad, and ours is no exception, however, as two individuals bonded by the holy sacrament, and bound by our covenant before God, we have, by his grace, remained faithful to one another. Through the years, we have watched the dissolution of the marriages of some of our friends, and others forgo marriage altogether to live outside of God's sacrament. All of the sad examples we have observed have caused us work harder to remain free of the pit into which other relationships have fallen. Just in the last two months, two couples that we know have separated.

30 years ago, Cynthia and I agreed that we would adhere to three guidelines in the way we communicate:

ONE: We would never use cutting, negative humor, the kind which uses the other as the brunt of a joke or jokingly cuts the other person down. We determined that life was hard enough, and that we didn't need one another throwing jabs, even in jest. We would always attempt to be positive. This has come in handy when we went through seasons in which we didn't like each other very much or were in a state of selfishness.

TWO: We would never joke about, consider, or even talk about divorce. In fact, we would never even use the word relating to one another. Divorce would never be an option, no matter what. The world gives us too many reminders of that option, that "easy out". We agreed that we would fight such a temptation by not acknowledging it.

THREE: The worship of and service to our God would be the first and foremost determinate for every decision we made, great or small...period. Our lives were not our own but we were bought with a price. Our marriage is a tool for the Kingdom of God to be built in us and in the world.

Somehow, these three guidelines have helped us retain the fruit of long-suffering in seasons of intense stress. The idea of enduring happiness in marriage is overrated and not realistic. Marriage will not always be happy because life is not. The joy of the Lord is our strength, not happiness. Joy is unshakable. Happiness is fleeting.

"Through good and through bad, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

When our daughters were young, they were part of a Protestant Sunday school. In one particular class, a young, newly-married young couple were the teachers. One of my daughters bonded with them and admired them greatly. They were an inspiration and example to her both humanly and spiritually. The news that, after only one year of marriage, they were divorcing, was devastating to her. I must admit that I had little compassion for the young couple. In fact, I was angry that their selfish actions not only effected them but had wounded the psyche of my daughter. Since that time, I have counseled many young couples to look beyond the current struggles that seem to be so insurmountable, and see the future. Imagine themselves as a couple, years in the future, who could say that they had worked through seemingly insurmountable odds and remained faithful to their marriage covenant. The tragedy comes 30 years from now when divorced couples look back at the event or events that led to their divide and realize that their unchecked, youthful immaturity, selfishness, and lack of forgiveness were the catylist to their divorce, and these could have, and should have, been prevented. The tragedy is especially intensified if there are children involved.

I once heard a fiery Protestant evangelist lower the boom on men by saying,

"Some of you men, here, get married and you are attracted to your wives. Then, a few years into the future, after your wife has had a few of your children and she doesn't look quite the same, you say, 'I'm just not attracted to you anymore. Our love has changed,' or some other lame excuse for your own selfishness. Then, you start looking in other places and find some other young woman to become attracted to and you decide to get a divorce. You men ought to get on your bellies and crawl out of here like a snake!"

Marriage is a life-long venture. The relationship will change over time. It is supposed to! A marriage relationship is to act as heavenly sandpaper, smoothing off the rough edges of our soul. We can always work through relational problems with time and effort. We can always find forgiveness in our hearts for our mate. It may take time, but it is worth the fight.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

If there are seasons where you don't "feel" the way you once did about your mate, and there will be seasons, then fall back on the covenant and commitment you made to God..

"What God brings together let no man tear apart."

I love you, Cynthia...

Saint Moses The Black- The Motion Picture

Some may not know that I have spent most of my life in some aspect of the film industry, both in front and behind the camera, and as an instructor of film acting and film production. Since closing my film production company in 2008, I have devoted my time to writing. With this post comes the announcement of the launching of my project to write the screenplay and produce the life story of Saint Moses The Black into a motion picture.

The first phase of any good motion picture is the development of a good script. A good script is one that tells a good story, and for those of you familiar with the life of Saint Moses, you know that the story elements are strong.

I am gathering a limited number of individuals who will help make this project happen by investing in the development of the screenplay. This select group of individuals will have ownership in the screenplay and will be a vital part of the success of the project.

To learn more about this project visit: 

 www.mosestheblack.com

And express your interest on the CONTACT Page.

Okay, Try Not To Smile

Amazed

I stand amazed as I attempt to return to posting on JTO, following the death of my father. Being confronted by death causes one to assess much of life and practice. One of the most common assessments people endure is the fact that it is easy to take for granted the people and things around us. The temporal is temporary. This is a redundant statement, I know, but it helps to state the obvious sometimes; life is always in motion.

That being said, I want to take the time to thank all JTO readers for taking time to share in my journey. I do not want to take you for granted. Some 1000-3000 people a month visit the site from all around the world. That is a small amount in the cyberspace world, but profound since I do not promote, link, or in other ways promulgate this site. If you are a reader, you have found JTO through your own search or from the link recommendations of those who have already visited.

For some reason, unknown to me, 21 of you have subscribed to JTO so as not to miss a single word. Thank you. I do click on your name and read your profile, if available. I go to your sites and blogs and even go to the blogs you read as well. I welcome any of you to write me in person at  

journeytoorthodoxy@gmail.com. 

I would love to talk with you personally by email concerning any issue you like.

If you are a reader who has not subscribed, you may use the "Subscribe" button on the left column to do so.

Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

My First Father's Day Without My Father

Memory Eternal

Bill H. Lewis 

April 1927- January 2010

Waiting for Armageddon- A Movie Review

The following is a movie review by Orthodox Inquirer, Phillip Quinn. In keeping with the spirit of JTO, Phillip readily admits he is ever learning and is always journeying toward truth. Even so,  I find the truths he is discovering on his way to Orthodoxy encouraging and provocative.

Waiting for Armageddon (2009)

Directors: Kate Davis, David Heilbroner, Franco Sacchi. 

A Movie Review

By Phillip Quinn

Plot: America's 50-million strong Evangelical community is convinced that the world's future is foretold in Biblical prophecy.

I keep reminding myself to Judge the Documentary, not the documented. (Yes, the pun is intended)

This is the kind of film that makes Christians look silly. Christian extremists claim all sorts of stuff. (See: Jesus Camp (2006)) If you take one of their leaders, like those in this film back in time to meet their Christian “Brothers and Sisters” of the first millennia, they would not recognize each-other. Much has been added to modern Christian beliefs starting in the eleventh Century and even more so in the Sixteenth Century. Many Christians I have talked to do not know the history of their faith and unfortunately the majority does not care to know their history either.

Neither the word, nor the concept of “Rapture” is found anywhere in the Bible. It is a concept that is man-made dating back to the late 1700s. The Biblical text is clear that Christ will return although; there is no reference to a “Great Tribulation” or to any other events preceding His Return.

In 1825, a Scottish minister named Edward Irving is first attributed to using the word “Rapture”. Many scholars recognize it was actually a fifteen year old female follower of Irving’s who is documented as having a “prophecy” revealing the concept of Rapture. Her name was Margaret McDonald and the collection of her dreams is called “The Restoration of Apostles and Prophets”.

People mistakenly believe Rapture is found in the Bible, but truly it is not. Early Christians taught by Jesus directly or by his Apostles would have no idea what the term or concept “Rapture” means. We know this because they wrote things down and never mention neither the concept nor word “Rapture” anywhere in their writings.

 Advocates of the Rapture invention often site:  I Thessalonians 4:17 as the sole verse to support their ideas. If you take the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians Church in context, Saint Paul is ending a worry that started in their church because some people believed that Christians who died before Christ’s return would somehow miss out on that glorious event of his return. Start reading from 4:13 forward and you can understand why Saint Paul is correcting them.

Another problem with the modern invention of “Rapture” is that it imagines three times the Lord shall come: First, “His Birth”; Second, “The Rapture” and Third “Judgment”.  Furthermore, there are people who claim to know the end of the world. They place their words against Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus said “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” – Matt 24:36. Only God the Father knows the end of the world.

There is both a National Israel and a Spiritual Israel. A modern nation is named Israel, but is distinctly different from Spiritual Israel. Spiritual Israel is a part of the fulfillment of Christ’s incarnation on Earth. Christ fulfilled the old covenant between God and the Jewish people and began a new covenant with all peoples; Jew, Gentile and Pagan. This new covenant (agreement) is with those who carry God’s favor by Carrying God’s message to the World. This is Israel – Christ’s Church. Consider that when reading scripture mentioning Israel after the coming of Christ. What goes on in the middle-east is caused by the extension of the free will of men and nothing more.

Saint Paul wrote, “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham . . . if you are Christ’s then you are of Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:7-9). Indeed, Saint Paul called the body of believers “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). Saint Peter illustrated this point by applying terms used to describe Israel in the Old Testament when he wrote, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (I Peter 2:9). I am still surprised to find modern Christians who did not know Christianity comes from Judaism or that the Old Testament is a collection of Jewish text. The most popular being the Masoretic text, revised in the ninth century by Jews hostile to Christ.

As the documentary continues - In Particular, American Evangelicals look to the Nation of Israel as Prophetic allies. Christians who live in and around the Nation of Israel are certainly not treated as friends by them. The makers of this film interview both Orthodox and reformist Jews, but not Orthodox Christians who lived in and around the Holy Land for the last two thousand years. Instead, they follow the imported American people around the city oblivious to anything but, what they are spoon fed – accepting all, without any investigation.

 The fundamentalist Christian bloodlust for violence and vengeance in End Times is disturbing to say the least. This is one area I think the movie covers well. Never mind that the idea of violence and demolition that is sold to them goes against the very core of what Christ teaches - they seem all too happy to welcome human suffering and destruction of anyone who does not believe as they do. The movie also covers how unscrupulous men like John Hagee and Tim LaHaye fleece Christians of their money. Any one of us would easily be able to refute what they say with simple Bible Studies.

All and all, the documentary presents a frightening look at how ignorant, depraved and ill-informed a group of people can be. It is a dangerous movement in that they have political power and are not shy to use it. 

JTO Editor's Note: for more on this false doctrine of the pre-tribulation doctrine see:
http://journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2006/10/correspondence-with-rapturist.html

The Invasion Of America-A Dereliction Of Duty

I have always tried to refrain from turning JTO into a political discussion forum. I do venture, upon occasion, into revealing the motives and actions of Islamic terrorists and their anti-Semitic enablers, as well as other various, relevant topics. There is one such relevant topic that has become so critical that it cannot be ignored on this Blog, that of border security. As our religious freedoms in America continue to erode, so do our safety and sovereignty.

The topic of securing the borders of the United States of America, has been much politicized. The Hispanic vote and the future potential pro-Democrat Party voting block of over 13-20 million Illegal Aliens (if they are granted amnesty) is the core reason the current Democrat administration has refused to fulfill its Constitutional obligation to protect its citizens at our nation's Southern border. The Democrat administration does not want to be perceived as anti-Hispanic. America is a nation of immigrants. We are a most welcoming people. But most Americans are anti-ILLEGAL Immigration. Over 500,000 illegal aliens enter our country every year from many nations, and most using the Southern border. For instance, did you know that there are over 600 Pakistanis in Federal custody awaiting deportation as we speak, not to mention scores from Colombia, Iran, Middle East, and Asia? All are crossing our porous Southern border.

The appeal to our Federal Government to fulfill their obligation of securing our borders, is not one of anti-immigrant prejudice, but, rather, one of protective patriotic resistance to illegal aliens of many nationalities, streaming across our borders by the thousands. In this day and age of anti-American terrorists, drug cartels, human trafficking and sex slave trade, America's Southern border, especially Arizona, has become so dangerous that the Federal Government has now closed a national park and posted signs warning United States Citizens to KEEP OUT. (See Video Below) They have posted signs telling us to keep out of our own sovereign land while refusing to send troops to the border to stop the invasion. To give some perspective, it is important to understand that the invasion at our breached borders stretches over 80 miles inland into the heart of our country. Arizonians have been forced to pass legislation that allows them to begin to do the job that the Federal Government has failed to do-protect its citizens. Don't be misled, the recently passed Arizona Illegal Immigration Law, mirrors our federal law and has more safeguards to protect the rights of those who are here legally than does the Federal law. Those who say otherwise either haven't read the law or are not being honest.

The refusal of our President to act in this matter and protect American citizens is a dereliction of duty. The argument can be made, and rightfully so, that previous administrations have also been derelict in their duties, but there is nothing to compare with the current state of the situation. America is being invaded by those who have and will do us harm. Pray that our government will SECURE THE BORDERS!

Once A Convict Always A Convict?

Just a word on some people's propensity to attribute the reason for another's views to the fact that they were once a Protestant. I liken this to someone once having spent time in jail. He was convicted, has paid his dues, and has been many years living as a law abiding citizen, but he is still referred to as a convict. Once a convict always a convict?

If  a person presents views or doctrines that are not in keeping with the mindset or doctrines of the Church, then speak to the issue at hand. To refer to their former Protestantism is to call them a convict. Once a Protestant, always a Protestant? This is almost always received as a slam or a denigration of the person and does nothing to promote right thinking. Such an approach is subjective. How long must one have been out of prison before he is deemed no longer tainted?

I have been out of Protestantism for over ten years. I am quick to embrace the doctrines and traditions of the church. If there are things I don't yet know, it is because I have not yet learned them, not because I once was a Protestant. There are some Orthodox clergy who have come from Catholicism and have been away from that world for less time than I have been away from Protestantism. Is it fair for me to hold them currently suspect because of their past? Once a Catholic always a Catholic?

Last time I looked, God is a God of redemption and restoration. "He casts our sins as far as the East is from the West and remembers them no more." It is totally appropriate and sometimes necessary to point out that a proposed belief is particularly a Protestant one or a Catholic one, but God forbid the kind accusatory language in our interpersonal communication which makes a person's past the issue.

UPDATE Addendum: Please see Tserkovnye Vekhi's thorough and blessed perspective on this matter in the COMMENT section.