tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.comments2023-10-24T04:24:51.405-04:00Orthodox Way of LifeFr Dn Charles Joinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06402529668011722050noreply@blogger.comBlogger1007125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-80760193316966047152017-03-10T10:41:52.784-05:002017-03-10T10:41:52.784-05:00Isaiah 8:20
Sunday worshipers say God's law i...Isaiah 8:20<br /><br />Sunday worshipers say God's law is no longer valid... does that mean I can now kill commit adutery and covet? Does it mean I can be disobedient to my parents and steal? God introduces himself to fallen man at the beginnign of the Law by denying the law you deny God - IT IS VERY SIMPLE. How does god know his people from satan's people. John 14:15 if you love me Keep My Commandments. SIMPLE. If you worship your God on Sunday please don't call him Jesus Christ. Call his by his true name satan. I am sick of people chasing their tail in circles talking nicely to heretics. Decide... Either You take up the cross and follow christ or you call yourself what you are. Not a follower of the Creator God of the Universe His Son and the Holy Spirit. You are a follower of the traditions of men. How pathetic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-87294370060598565202017-02-25T18:21:21.506-05:002017-02-25T18:21:21.506-05:00OOOPS, I made a mistake. Not intently, but I stat...OOOPS, I made a mistake. Not intently, but I stated you can't make someone live God. Meaning where you dictate it,legislate it is use of force. In that sense you can't.<br />BUT, YOU CAN MAKE PEOPLE LOVE GOD BY AQUIRING THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD,as in Galatians 5 and exemplified all through the old testament though many fixate on how they had the faith demonstrated to them.<br />But having the love God has, however we call short, can bring someone to desire more, which with time and patience, many can see themselves. <br />I will grant that some try the faith as a social group and some go for it trying to fill a void in themselves where they don't have enough to go around as they're in a deficit themselves. We all only have so much energy in us.<br />Here again, I'll state another fact. You can't do things by obligation to get into heaven. It has to come from the heart. Kind of like feeling for one another.<br />Again some these old cranky people like me get that way from too many tests, trials and other things. Which our culture has jackasses in it that'll deter doing what we should, then life itself affects others. Yet visit the widows which common sense would say widowers, the lonely, etc.<br />But society has veered off course where it'll take effort and action to steer it around.<br />Some are prudes, I'll grant that. Me Ienjoy seeing others enjoy life. Even having fun. But kept within proper boundaries.<br />T.V. messes so many up. <br />Even in Rock 'm Roll, Love is sung about, though some distort such into physical affections. There's some that's bad. Just like some country as well as R&B can be bad. Then there's some that's good. Common sense goes a long ways.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14136344936557053551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-76039520416319355302017-02-25T16:31:21.183-05:002017-02-25T16:31:21.183-05:00I need to spank you a little bit more on the sabba...I need to spank you a little bit more on the sabbath since I laid things out earlier.<br />The commandment, Love the God with all the heart, kind & strength, shall I elaborate.<br />How many have birthdays? How many feel good when others remember you, especially value on that day? Then how to you feel when they think enough of you to give you a present, an offering to show their value of you?<br />Now think of the Divine Spirit that created everything. The one thing we learn from the Bible is he (which he doesn't denote gender, it's simply a noun of address? Excuse my ignorance of language or grammar, though my understanding of reference to be is pretty much understood). He feels just like we do. Though pure and holy, and qualities are extensively better than what we as people display. Yet he also desires to be loved, honored and cherished like people to no matter if ones buried those needs how deep in their soul. Or those who still feel.<br />You mama and daddys, how to you feel when your children think of you?<br />Where to make someone act like they love you doesn't carry much. But when they love you from the heart, how do you feel?<br />Now think of God, where he sees those who realizes his existence and desires him, they/we can be views as children or as a whole as a church, where it extends before Christ back to Abraham, to Adam & Eve. Where we have been made to be as numerous as the sand on the beach, the stars of the sky.<br />Where God wants us to live him. Then he has rules to protect us, and keep us clean.<br />Where one day a week, Saturday-the Sabbath, he desires us to remember him and abstain from worldly gain.<br />It isn't for all to receive. But I have seen how God has use for most all. <br />Some to reflect his generousity and the other attributes. Then others, I guess to be used to show the affects of Gods' graciousness. Then other things too.<br />Is your butt sore yet, or do you need some more lashes?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14136344936557053551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-28213870771958206632017-02-25T13:12:01.382-05:002017-02-25T13:12:01.382-05:00Another comment. Christ stated his doctrine was s...Another comment. Christ stated his doctrine was simple. The K.I.S.S. principle. Keep it Simple Stupid.<br />If you try and desire to justify God rather than yourself, a whole lot more makes sense. I know, I have experience in both sides.<br />Which I'm not a preacher or priest that has to keep members up to keep up the income, not avoid cultural norms that others mixed in with religion so they feel good and don't have to correct anything where others done wiggling trying to make themselves righteous in their imagination.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14136344936557053551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-79959407779910914232017-02-25T13:06:14.113-05:002017-02-25T13:06:14.113-05:00Christ DID KEEP THE SABBATH!
THERE'S A PHARISA...Christ DID KEEP THE SABBATH!<br />THERE'S A PHARISAICAL MISUNDERSTANDING HERE!<br />A lack of comprehension, where if Christ the legitimately violate the sabbath as alledged by his accusers, they would have had him.<br />What you don't comprehend is: Gods' law was made for good, as in good. Do we understand this much?<br />Now read this, Moses stated, Be circumspect in all I command you! Otherwise use common sense. Do we understand this?<br />Where the law of Moses was never intended to supersede what is good. It was written for the good of man and everything else, never to prevent what is good. Do we understand this?<br />A person is injured, is it good or bad to render help, ai or healing? Come on you can answer this, it's common sense. It's good to help a person. <br /> Do you know what good is?<br />Now take another verse, what is sin? This is one of its' several categories. Sin is (Pay Attention), Sin is when it is in your hands (otherwords within your ability and means) and you do not.<br />Now comprehend Love and its' many aspects. Kindness, gentleness, charity, meekness, patience, justice, affection, compassion, temperance, et cetra. Galatians 5. Can you comprehend that?<br />The sabbath is a holy day that is to be kept. Which is good. As Christ stated, he didn't come to change the law but to magnify the law to make it honorable before God. Matthew 5:17 and its' o.t. cross reference (which was a criteria for any book to be included in the new testament to establish legitamacy), Isaiah 42:21? Do we comprehend this?<br />It is not rocket science and it doesn't take a degree to comprehend if you have a "TRUE" desire to understand if you seem truth. Do you understand that?<br />Now believe what you want, but I'm telling truth where many commercial preachers will like to you.<br />Now if I recall correctly it was 375 a.d. a council got together and established a standard doctrine. Where Saturday is the sabbath and wasn't nullified, but Sunday was established as an additional Holy Day (thus, Holiday), in honor of Christs, Ascension into heaven.<br />Now like me, I thought today was Friday, where I get my days mixed up sometimes. Would God charge me with violation of the Sabbath? No, as he knows the heart and feelings of everyone. Now fanatics that have right adherence without common sense would as well as the secular trash that thinks alike but with opposite polarity.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14136344936557053551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-47402885463262902782017-02-25T13:03:32.711-05:002017-02-25T13:03:32.711-05:00Christ DID KEEP THE SABBATH!
THERE'S A PHARISA...Christ DID KEEP THE SABBATH!<br />THERE'S A PHARISAICAL MISUNDERSTANDING HERE!<br />A lack of comprehension, where if Christ the legitimately violate the sabbath as alledged by his accusers, they would have had him.<br />What you don't comprehend is: Gods' law was made for good, as in good. Do we understand this much?<br />Now read this, Moses stated, Be circumspect in all I command you! Otherwise use common sense. Do we understand this?<br />Where the law of Moses was never intended to supersede what is good. It was written for the good of man and everything else, never to prevent what is good. Do we understand this?<br />A person is injured, is it good or bad to render help, ai or healing? Come on you can answer this, it's common sense. It's good to help a person. <br /> Do you know what good is?<br />Now take another verse, what is sin? This is one of its' several categories. Sin is (Pay Attention), Sin is when it is in your hands (otherwords within your ability and means) and you do not.<br />Now comprehend Love and its' many aspects. Kindness, gentleness, charity, meekness, patience, justice, affection, compassion, temperance, et cetra. Galatians 5. Can you comprehend that?<br />The sabbath is a holy day that is to be kept. Which is good. As Christ stated, he didn't come to change the law but to magnify the law to make it honorable before God. Matthew 5:17 and its' o.t. cross reference (which was a criteria for any book to be included in the new testament to establish legitamacy), Isaiah 42:21? Do we comprehend this?<br />It is not rocket science and it doesn't take a degree to comprehend if you have a "TRUE" desire to understand if you seem truth. Do you understand that?<br />Now believe what you want, but I'm telling truth where many commercial preachers will like to you.<br />Now if I recall correctly it was 375 a.d. a council got together and established a standard doctrine. Where Saturday is the sabbath and wasn't nullified, but Sunday was established as an additional Holy Day (thus, Holiday), in honor of Christs, Ascension into heaven.<br />Now like me, I thought today was Friday, where I get my days mixed up sometimes. Would God charge me with violation of the Sabbath? No, as he knows the heart and feelings of everyone. Now fanatics that have right adherence without common sense would as well as the secular trash that thinks alike but with opposite polarity.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14136344936557053551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-20975693084640102432017-02-23T06:09:04.076-05:002017-02-23T06:09:04.076-05:00Go here to learn about the Orthodox Christian Jesu...Go here to learn about the Orthodox Christian Jesus Prayer. http://www.orthodoxprayer.org/Jesus%20Prayer.htmlFr Dn Charles Joinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06402529668011722050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-11013154297778962622017-02-23T06:07:42.582-05:002017-02-23T06:07:42.582-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Fr Dn Charles Joinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06402529668011722050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-7371134881620741482017-02-22T17:44:54.488-05:002017-02-22T17:44:54.488-05:00Is something called "the Jesus Prayer" i...Is something called "the Jesus Prayer" in Orthodoxy proper? I thought this was some Pop Culture Evangelical thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-19341470180003716102017-02-15T01:34:50.956-05:002017-02-15T01:34:50.956-05:00Father..i would love to be able to write you conce...Father..i would love to be able to write you concerning this things.<br />I am Orthodox (baptised in the OCA in Alaska and )i attend S.Sophias Cathedral in Los Angeles. I have been looking to talk with someone about asceticism.I am single and wish to dedicate myself more fully to ( i say tjis i am sure in ignorance ) the ladder of asvent .to character and virtue developement.care to pen pal with me ?RJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06362987862959735026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-33221843458236486312017-02-15T01:20:09.813-05:002017-02-15T01:20:09.813-05:00I truely enjoyed that selection of patristic writi...I truely enjoyed that selection of patristic writings thank you.I am also Orthodox.I will say, I dont agree with the POV of the above writer.I was taught when I entered the church that The day was for us and not us for the day and..quoting Paul..one man holds a day holy another sees each day as the same..let each be therfore convinced..for if i keep the day or not i keep the day unto the Lord or I do not keep it unto the Lord..it is not for us to judge anothers servant.Also..let no one put you in bondsge again concerning sabbath days, new moons which are but a shaddow of things above. Now..having said all this..i was told in Orthodoxy..True Sabbath is still and always has been Friday even to Saturday eve..but is not a law enforced..but up to the believer.Sunday is and always shall be OUR most important day..The Day of Our Rebirth in Christs Resurrection..The Day Our True Life began/begins. Many writings include references to Great Saturday..prayers for the departed, references to Christs repose..the Sabbath.We..ENTER INTO HIS REST because of His resurection..and we Abide in that sabbath via His Holy Spirit and Obedience..Eucarist.Notice also when the Corrum of the Apistles met in Jerusalem discussing Gentil conversion..The gave them only 3 requirements..No Idol worship, no sexual impurity, no strangled with blood inside food to eat.Nothing at all in requirements for gentiles to keep the Sabbath Day as was innthe law.It goes on to say..not even our ancestors could keep it therefire no further burden will we place upon them.Now..i am one who ejoys a fully jewish Sabbath..though i have not done this in years..THAT DAY OF REST was for me..not ME for it. We honor God every day..we gather eclesia on Sunday..and if we are wise we do pick a day of rest even if it isnt Saturday.All these traditions are spelled out in the histories and writtings of the fathers.For those that wish to feel elite and say those who are Orthodox and are not keeping the ancient sabbath day are not actually Orthodox..are breaking the command to bot have scripture subject to personal oppinion.It is for The Fathers..and the Bishops..Basically the Apostles of The Faith to say so one way or the other..and anything beyond that..if we attempt to force our oppinion..we are being vain and proud. Talk to Your Fathers and ask for Patristics to read that will allow you to agree with the church..from now back to the ancient leaders..The Apostles themselves.RJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06362987862959735026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-35818865664841201452017-02-12T19:10:51.388-05:002017-02-12T19:10:51.388-05:00So grateful for this post; it is appropriate to lo...So grateful for this post; it is appropriate to look at what seems to keep us from growing into that "image God created", rather than focusing on the outer performance that stunts Spiritual growth and awareness. Humility and mercy to take place in our hearts, so that we may daily walk in His Spirit. Thank you for bearing this responsibility to point our frailties as "humans". A Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08456295644912856463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-22985050456888375062017-01-31T07:19:15.403-05:002017-01-31T07:19:15.403-05:00good lessen it is orginal teaching of our Father.good lessen it is orginal teaching of our Father.ወደ ጥንተ ተፈጥሮ መልስhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13741730530419845397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-84075855849181718992017-01-13T22:02:51.587-05:002017-01-13T22:02:51.587-05:00I'm would like to meet people to talk with the...I'm would like to meet people to talk with them about religion.<br />There are may things unknown and it deserves to be known by us who loves so deeply our Creator, Jesus Christ. <br />Today are less and less people who really love Jesus and understand all about religion.<br />Praise be to God!Viorelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-67835347564904094392017-01-13T11:16:10.429-05:002017-01-13T11:16:10.429-05:00Thank you for this post. I am so glad you are will...Thank you for this post. I am so glad you are willing to stand in the place of honesty and vulnerability to point out an uncomfortable reality. <br /><br />We must abide in this place of availability to not only let the Spirit speak about how we have missed the mark but also to point the way forward. That way is not to "fix" but to repent. The way forward will be a Divine/human work - paradoxical. It is not about "doing better" but rather about "being true." <br /><br />It is about form AND content. The Spirit is able to renew both.lazarushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16069672860564685752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-24847049596222576182016-12-19T01:34:13.157-05:002016-12-19T01:34:13.157-05:00What an important message. I am going through a si...What an important message. I am going through a situation right now in which my thoughts have vacillated between "I'm too good for this!" to "I'm a complete failure and have embarrassed myself." I now see that I need to pray for those who have criticized me, and ask for their forgiveness (even if it is through God in prayer). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-81710811395684358422016-12-06T19:27:36.147-05:002016-12-06T19:27:36.147-05:00No, The Church does not need to change. It was fo...No, The Church does not need to change. It was for then, now, and forever. To quote a past priest "there is only one Church (referring to the Eastern Orthodox), all the rest are organized groups of Christians".<br /> <br /><br />The title of this article is misleading, and somewhat offensive.<br /><br />Yes, some traditions, not to be confused with Holy Traditions, can be looked at. However, they have nothing to do with "The Church".<br /><br />As a convert, raised in the Protestant faith, I understand and have seen how churches have changed in order to try to meet the needs of the people. Always with failure.<br /><br />The Orthodox Church is the infinite absolute truth. The very last thing it needs is any change. "The Church" has never failed the people but visa versa......<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-84801768886161544452016-12-06T06:07:46.711-05:002016-12-06T06:07:46.711-05:00In our Metropolis of Atlanta we have a planning pr...In our Metropolis of Atlanta we have a planning process taking place that involves a broad range of people throughout the Metropolis. Some of the things identified are better lessons for catechism of our young people, more participation in the Liturgy inclusion of a children's sermon, of course training of clergy in counseling is essential so they are better prepared to deal with all the emotional and mental issues of modern times. On the issue of dress it seems we are going backwards as it has become fashionable for clergy to dress in most traditional ways. Language and wording of hymns and canons remains a big issue in Greek churches. There are so many small traitors that have nothing to do with our confession of faith we can do to bring a greater focus on Christ and the path to union with him. We tend to teach rules for isssues like fasting and participation in sacraments. The Sacraments are essential when approached with sincere faith. In addition to the sacraments are the practices of daily prayer and repentance. The liturgical cycle is also important and we need to adapt it to include modern day events like Thanksgiving and to make the cycle more real in daily life. I am sure everyone can add their own suggestions on how to bring the life and teachings of Christ closer to the daily life of the faithful. In my view the emphasis I needs to,include the development of a quiet inner life as this is the only was the passions can be mastered.<br />Fr Dn Charles Joinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06402529668011722050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-5201754346996513942016-12-05T16:42:39.799-05:002016-12-05T16:42:39.799-05:00(Commenting again because I forgot to check "...(Commenting again because I forgot to check "Notify me" on the first one.)Steve Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04448197527704114806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-44525833755104663062016-12-05T16:42:09.849-05:002016-12-05T16:42:09.849-05:00I agree with the basic premise. Unfortunately, ho...I agree with the basic premise. Unfortunately, however, such calls for change, and the good energy that results, are hijacked by those who would change the Faith itself in the process.<br /><br />Can you elaborate some suggestions for specific, concrete steps we might take? Both on the personal and ecclesial levels? (And everywhere in between.)<br /><br />You mention language, for example. Obviously, doing the services in the current version (or close enough to not be a problem) of the local language is a HUGE need. Is that the only thing? Or is there more that could be done in this area? (e.g. Many of the technical terms, for example, really can't be "updated" without entire new Councils -- fat chance, at the moment, unfortunately.)<br /><br />What other things might we change, and how, without losing the Faith itself (the acquisition of the Spirit, that is, to use St. Seraphim's maxim)?Steve Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04448197527704114806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-69891051995506193702016-12-04T07:05:50.570-05:002016-12-04T07:05:50.570-05:00It is interesting that we can put our faith in phy...It is interesting that we can put our faith in physical therapists, chiropractors, medical doctors etc...whose very foundations are clearly secular and materialist, at least en masse. We can justify playing sports and all other activities, but once yoga and tai chi get mixed in, it becomes satanic. It potentially can be demonic insofar as it's treated as a way in which we can calmly burn in our passions. I think its difficult to reduce any religion to some particular deviance anymore then we can call Jehovah Witnesses and Orthodox both Christians. <br /><br />Also, if we are to say that these eastern spiritual practices can not be separated from their philosophical/spiritual roots then we are going to have to reconsider the anathemas hurled at Origen and Evagrius--in which the Fifth Council condemned their "speculative side" but retained their "practical side"--their practical side having a profound influence on the spiritual/ascetical disciplines of the Church while we tossed out universal reconciliation and the pre existence of souls.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-36306408953091205242016-12-03T06:08:25.453-05:002016-12-03T06:08:25.453-05:00Not exactly but it does amplify the insight the sp...Not exactly but it does amplify the insight the spirit brings when we remove the passions, making our gifts clear and much more. Fr Dn Charles Joinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06402529668011722050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-11972553994716756882016-12-02T23:40:57.642-05:002016-12-02T23:40:57.642-05:00Is this from I Corinthians Chapter 12?Is this from I Corinthians Chapter 12?David Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17390009395483776015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-51065280168884332382016-11-30T10:38:56.535-05:002016-11-30T10:38:56.535-05:00Father Deacon Charles,
Thank you for all that you...Father Deacon Charles,<br /><br />Thank you for all that you're doing with this blog. Like you, I have found the book 'Orthodox Spirituality' to be an amazing instructional and inspirational resource. I know you have developed a full PDF which incorporates all of your blog posts regarding this book. Unfortunately, the link to this PDF seems to have an incorrect reference and takes me to somewhere else. Would it be possible for you to send me via email this PDF or provide an updated link to where it might be found? <br /><br />Much love in Christ....BruceBruce McPhersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00549568524367597799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1382810614574791176.post-79689365051322996872016-11-08T11:58:54.937-05:002016-11-08T11:58:54.937-05:00Thank You ! That is a good information... very hel...Thank You ! That is a good information... very helpful the keep the day going brighter and brighterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com