Advice For People Who Lie

“People think that a liar gains a victory over his victim. What I’ve learned is that a lie is an act of self-abdication, because one surrenders one’s reality to the person to whom one lies, making that person one’s master, condemning oneself from then on to faking the sort of reality that person’s view requires to be faked…The man who lies to the world, is the world’s slave from then on…There are no white lies, there is only the blackest of destruction, and a white lie is the blackest of all.” 
― Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

“I always say the truth is best even when we find it unpleasant. Any rat in a sewer can lie. It's how rats are. It's what makes them rats. But a human doesn't run and hide in dark places, because he's something more. Lying is the most personal act of cowardice there is.” 
― Nancy Farmer, The House of the Scorpion

“There is beauty in truth, even if it's painful. Those who lie, twist life so that it looks tasty to the lazy, brilliant to the ignorant, and powerful to the weak. But lies only strengthen our defects. They don't teach anything, help anything, fix anything or cure anything. Nor do they develop one's character, one's mind, one's heart or one's soul.” 
― José N. Harris

“Hard truths can be dealt with, triumphed over, but lies will destroy your soul.” 
― Patricia Briggs, Moon Called

“Declare your jihad on thirteen enemies you cannot see -egoism, arrogance, conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, intolerance, anger, lying, cheating, gossiping and slandering. If you can master and destroy them, then you will be ready to fight the enemy you can see.” 
― Al-Ghazali

"Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow...You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."
- God, The Bible

What Is That?

Shame on you if you don't support Orthodox Filmmakers...simply...Shame on you.

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No, Bishop John, We Are Not ALL Prophets

The Rt. Rev. Bishop John, Editor In Chief of the Antiochian Orthodox publication, The Word, recently wrote an editorial entitled "Would You Like To Be A Prophet?" He defines "prophet" in this way:

"A prophet is one who speaks for God. Because of the Resurrection, because we are Christians, because in our baptisms we put on Christ, we are already prophets. It is our vocation as Christians to incarnate the Divine Logos, the Word of God. It is our sacred duty to reclaim the space we live in and to reveal God to the world. It is our life to witness to the good news and share it with all of God’s creation. It is our life to speak Truth and witness to God in His world. It is our job to speak to the world, revealing what God teaches, wants, and is. So our first task is to see how to live as prophets in this time and place..."

Bishop John is confusing, or to be fair, at least not clarifying the distinction, between the gift of prophet and the gift of prophesying. They are distinct gifts. Yes, we all should prophesy, but we are not all prophets.

"And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles. ARE ALL PROPHETS? Are all teachers, are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"

Also...

"It was He who gave some to be apostles, SOME to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors, some to be teachers..."

A quick search for the Greek definitions of prophet and prophesy would benefit, before writing an editorial such as this. One may find that a better title might be, Would You Like To Prophesy? So, No, Bishop John, We Are Not ALL Prophets, nor should we "like to be". 

A Father's Pride

My third daughter, Allie, is on the right side of the law. She was recently sworn in as a Deputy Sheriff after a grueling testing period. Her testing was both personal and professional. She is married, has one daughter, and is a talented musician with a heart for helping hurting people. Her sweet demeanor and slender frame belie the fact that she is as tough as nails and can physicality subdue someone twice her size. She now joins the ranks of those sworn to serve the public. Her aunt, and my sister, just retired from a long career as a Chaplain in the Federal Prison system, so Allie now takes up the mantle. Thanks to all who serve and put their lives on the line everyday to uphold the Constitution and preserve the rights and safety of the Communities in which they serve. 

Divine Images Documentary

Here is another great opportunity to support an Orthodox filmmaker, Ben Andrus.

Ben is an MFA candidate at Regent University School of Communications and the Arts. He is a writer, director, and photographer and lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with his family. He has directed photography for music videos, short films, documentaries and commercials, and has written and directed several short films.

His documentary, Divine Images, will explore the lives, materials and techniques of some of the most extraordinary iconographers, as they carry on a ancient tradition in the New World.

Like many other Orthodox filmmakers, Ben is a missionary to the world through the medium of film. You can help Ben raise his modest budget of $10,000 by clicking on the link below. Donations start at $10.

                                       CLICK HERE

Orthodox Boy In His First Motion Picture

Here is an opportunity to support Orthodox Filmmakers and Actors. This young man is from a faithful Orthodox family in the Southern United States. Full disclosure--He is Nathan James Sharp and my grandson! The project is a short film, produced and written by one of my former acting students, Sean Harrison Jones, who came to me at the age of nine. Now working in Hollywood, Sean searched high and low for the right boy to play Lawrence, and chose Nathan. In the film, the idealistic and innocent Lawrence hatches a scheme to reenact the day his parents met as children. His hope is that in doing so, he might save their failing marriage. It is a moving and heartwarming story, that encourages all to look at their own relational issues and how our choices effect those around us.

Through the wonderful internet tool called Indiegogo, which assists Independent Films such as Gumball, you may now easily donate to the project. The budget is a small $12,000. You may give as little or as much as you like and choose what "perk" you want in return. After watching Nathan's video appeal below, go the Indiegogo Link and you can read and see more about it.

God bless you for your support of this Orthodox brother!

Where Hollywood Hits The Kingdom Of God

This is why Christians SHOULD work in the film industry:

Pray For America

...and for patriotic American citizens who are resisting an ever increasingly tyrannical government bent on suppressing personal and religious liberties.

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

The Secret To My 32-Years Of Faithful Marriage

We keep it real with notes like this:

"I don't care about riches, or fame, or success or a name. You deserve so much and I want to give it to you. You are what drives me. You are God's treasure for my life and I have already found what I want....but lots and lots of money would be very nice."

We keep a sense of humor:

Once I was waxing way too spiritual and serious. I profoundly exclaimed, "God is moving", to which my wife quickly responded, "Make sure you get his address."

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Let your laughter fill the air! Remember, God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, those who are the called according to his purpose.