lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

I’ll add, Radiance is a beautiful person with a soaring soul too..🌹

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

Thank you. Keep the faith and persevere! It's going to become even harder. Above all, persevere! And that applies to all who believe in Christ. May you have a blessed Lent walking in the footsteps of Christ preparing your heart, mind and body for a joyous Easter.

A couple of our protestant brethren probably believe I may have given up beating my wife for Lent. Let me assure you I didn't. I gave up chewing tobacco and already I really miss "spittin and whittlen" all the day long.

Radiance3

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Thank you Linda. I know I missed you. Have a blessed day. God loves you!

Radiance3

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Thank you padremike, your defense of the true Catholic and Apostolic Church has been always brave and strong. It portrayed an unyielding true faith in God, and a brave man of the US Armed Forces who don't accept defeat but victory alone.

I am glad you are there. I am not brave enough to face strong condemnation of unbelievers whose job is attacking and destroying the Catholic Church. I get easily hurt and cry. That is my weakness. But my faith is forever strong. May the love of God be always with you and your family.

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

I know that mob gets frustrated at me but I'll tell you something true. I would rather have them in a congregation, an inquirers class, than those who were cradle Orthodox and take their faith for granted. I know from past experiences that they will absorb everything like a sponge and experience the beauty of the fullness of worship like never before; all our senses used in worshiping our Lord. You see the same thing in the Catholic church with converts. I knew a former Church of God pastor whose entire congregation converted to Orthodoxy. He had to attend a seminary before he could pastor his congregation again. He told me jokingly that he can still see himself playing the guitar and his wife banging on a tambourine. That orthodox church was reverently on fire. At one time the Antiochian Orthodox Church in America was quite successful taking in an entire Protestant church congregation. Once a priest has the opportunity to spend quality time with protestants and gets them started they will wear him down joyfully. I've had weekly inquirers classes scheduled for two hours and five hours later I would say to my wife, "honey, I'm going to bed now so our company can go home." They all, of course, laughed at me. Now that I'm old and unable to serve at the altar, memories help sustain me. I have so many glorious memories. God's people taught me so much. I was sometimes tough on them yet you can be tough when needed providing they absolutely know you love them. I'm rambling.

Radiance3

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Thanks to walking me with your Orthodox faith journey padre mike. I enjoyed reading it. I was indeed amused with that term “sponge” which in reality is very true. Their enthusiasm, with the right training, love and discipline rewarded them the right path where they should be. Happy and vibrant serving the Lord.

Now, in this holy season of Lent, it is our time to share the blessings of Christ through the Holy Eucharist, the Covenant which He gave us in remembrance of Him. May God always be with you and yours padre. You had a colorful life in the footsteps of Christ.

I think all Christians must love each other as Jesus asked us to do, "love one another as I loved you". John 13:34. Instead of judging who goes to hell or heaven. It is very sad to condemning others, because they worship Christ differently. I have suffered insults, and cried so much of that at this OPP.FRS, because I am a cradle Catholic. We all have feelings that need love and acceptance from all of us. We just have to pray for them, and give them love. Christ is the One who decides, after our journey here on earth.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Hi Canuckus,

I have been remiss in never answering this...

As to "understanding the Qur'an, as a Canadian, your British statesmen "cousin," the revered Winston Churchill had as clear an understanding of the Qur'an, as I have ever read, beginning with his comparison of Muhammad's Qur'an to Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf."

It comes on p. 50 of "From War to War," the first part of the first volume, The Gathering Storm (1948) of his 6-part Second World War. Chapter 4 deals with Adolf Hitler, including a close look at Mein Kampf, which Churchill called "the new Koran of faith and war: turgid, verbose, shapeless, but pregnant with its message."

and from "The River War" Quotes Showing 1-25 of 25:

“How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity.

The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property – either as a child, a wife, or a concubine – must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the faith: all know how to die but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world.

Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome.”
― Winston Churchill, The River War

Actually, I am fine, Canuckus, and this is a beautiful bright Saturday day.

It's my son's birthday, my daughter has flown in from New Jersey to visit me, and to celebrate his birthday with him.

Both are at the NIT basketball tournament game at present. Indiana University is playing Arkansas in a second round game, which I see, through keeping track online, I.U. just won... so both should shortly return home in a celebratory mood.

We're having Cajun Jambalaya, a Louisiana-origin dish of Spanish and French influence, consisting mainly of meat and vegetables mixed with rice, my son's choice, for his birthday dinner, made with jumbo shrimp.

I've been entertaining myself by watching the red fox squirrels chasing each other in two large beech trees within view of my kitchen window, and there is a brown rabbit that makes an occasional appearance, living under the ricks of wood for the fireplace, which has it's own cordoned off space beyond the picnic table.

My new website is in the building stage, dependent on inspiration, my continuing recovery in health and returning to my other home, where my notebooks and library are awaiting me.

I hope your weekend is going well,

Best Regards

Zemirah

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Good evening Zemirah...

Congratulations to your son and your family for this joyful celebration... And for the victory of his team...

Jumbalaya is a favorite dish of my mother... And one of the few she has any real talent for

I am Just about to scramble up sone eggs and hash browns... With good thick coffee... Perfect breakfast... In my opinion

I am aware of Churchhill's views on Islam.... And agree with him on certain points...

Hope you have a blessed day... Would like to write more.. But the potatoes are almost done...

Your friend, Kyle

lindajoy Loc: right here with you....

God Bless you always...🌹

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Padre.

Many who profess Christianity attend church services that have a variety of supposedly Christian idols and icons in the buildings.

We are expected to believe and obey. God expects those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them (Romans 8:9) to be an example to others by living the Faith.

It is the height of arrogance, vanity, and ego to circumvent God in areas He reserves exclusive prerogative to define “what is to be.” The historical record of the Passover/Easter controversy is a prime illustration of how man endeavors to evade God, avoiding His authority.

History reveals the combination of the Greco-Roman government, implemented by the ecclesiastical authority of the Popes and Catholic Councils over the centuries, replaced Passover with Easter. There is absolutely no Biblical directive or Christ-like example throughout the whole Bible authorizing the institution of Easter as a Christian holy day!

It’s simply a man-made tradition, adopted, concocted, and assimilated with ancient pagan fertility rites and symbols that are well connected to the “sun-worshipping” religions of Babylon that came down to us through the Greco-Macedonian/Roman cultures.

Lamentably, over the years, it has simply contributed to misdirecting much of the vast Christian community, causing it to render the laws of God to no effect because of the traditions of men.

Even Jesus Christ had to personally deal with this same principle during His ministry and cautioned against it. Notice what He said. “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition” (Mark 7:6-9).

Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall

Hi Zemirah...

I participate in Easter to show my love and worship of God... Couldn't care less where it comes from...

Much like I pray in Buddhist temples and Muslim mosques, as well as churchs of all denominations (Though I will admit that I prefer the Catholic church when visiting my hometown..)... I am praying to God almighty... And could care less where I do so...

Should not the intention of the individual override all else in the view of our Lord?

Can we not all worship Him in the way best suited to us as individuals?

I think every day should be a holy day... But it's nice to have the reminder...

It's one of the many questions I will ask God if I make it throigh the Pearly Gates....

Hope you are well today...

And sorry for butting in on your conversation with the good Padre..

Your friend, Kyle

padremike Loc: Phenix City, Al

I've temporarily lost my discourage. I worked for a couple hours crafting a response from my old memory banks -(I don't have immediate access to my library. It's packed.) - in response to the thread we were discussing with comments on St John Chrysostom. I posted it and for some inexplicable reason it failed to materialize. Discouraged, oh I had several points of light and Truth I knew would set your hair afire, I had to consider if perhaps the Holy Spirit was telling me you were a total waste of time. Quickly I reconsidered that although you might be an obstinate, ugly, hard bitten, mean spirited, tobacco chewing old woman, the Holy Spirit unquestionably would not give up on you.... at least not yet! You are still breathing no? Anyhow, I think I'll take a few days rest and join in the fray later. Besides, we've got some medical procedures this week. Try as best you can to keep the faith without my counsel and we'll get back together before long. We can both celebrate Mr. Trump's exoneration in the interim.

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

Hi Canuckus,

You are not interrupting and I am having no conversation with anyone. The "padre" has proven capable only of personal insults and diminishing the written Word of the living God to what he calls a "paper pope."

Having the joy of being individuals does not change the identity of the sovereign God. He is God, and we are not.

This little g god you cheerfully pray to in the worship house of the atheist, Buddha, and that of the slaughterer and pedophile, Muhammad, is not my God.

My God is the Triune God of the Bible, who is one God, indivisible: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Ecclesiastes 5:1: "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2. Do not be hasty to speak, and do not let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth."

- The heathen placed their altars and offered their worship wherever they thought fit, according to their notions of the deity and his service; but Israel was not to do so unto Jehovah their God: he himself would choose the places where he was to be worshipped, and there alone might they come with offering and service.

Deuteronomy 12:3 "Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.
12:4 You shall not worship the LORD your God in this way."

To explain how worship in the New Testament is different from worship in the Old Testament.
To motivate people toward a lifestyle characterized by New Testament worship.

It is common for churches to say that their first priority is the worship of God. This usually means that the corporate worship service on Sunday morning is the most important activity in which the church engages. Often, that worship service is liturgical - characterized by a set order of ritual, song, prayer, etc.

A closer examination of the relevant biblical material affirms that worship is indeed the first priority of the church, but the New Testament defines worship in a very different way.

A Change in Sacrifices
1 Pet. 2:5. This verse (along with vs. 9) teaches that all Christians are priests. Whereas in the Old Testament, only select Levites had this privilege, every Christian now has this privilege.

What do priests do?
In the Old Testament period, their main function was to carry out the worship of God through the offering of sacrifices. There were essentially two different kinds of sacrifices: sin offerings, which were offered for moral offenses, and thank offerings, which were offered to express gratitude for God's goodness and blessing.

The New Testament tells us that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament sin offerings through his death (Heb. 9:11-14; 10:1-14); therefore, we need never make such sacrifices to God again.

But as Christians who have benefited from his sacrifice, we have the privilege to express our gratitude to God for Christ's work in many ways.

Peter refers to this in 1 Pet. 2:5 when he says that we "offer up spiritual sacrifices to God." Peter does not specify here what these sacrifices are, except that they are spiritual, not physical.

By studying other passages in the New Testament, however, we discover several different "sacrifices" by which the Christian may worship God. It is important to note that no one way is viewed as more spiritual than the others; all are important if we want to have full-orbed spiritual lives.

"I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, well-pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." (Rom. 12:1)

When an Israelite had received a blessing from God, he could have a priest offer up an animal as a "whole burnt offering" to show God his gratitude. God was pleased by this costly sacrifice, and expressed this by calling it a "soothing aroma." (see Lev. 3:5,16)

Paul says that as Christians, we have received the mercies of God through Christ's work - a gift so fantastic, how can we say "Thank you!" to God for such a fantastic gift? Not by offering an animal, but by presenting to God something much more precious--our very selves.

We may think that this sacrifice is not very great, but God says that it is "holy" and "well-pleasing" to him! Notice that according to Paul, this sacrifice is our "spiritual service of worship."
The Greek word for "service of worship" is the word from which we get the term liturgy.

Paul is saying that the elaborate worship service enacted by the Old Testament priests no longer has a place in Christian worship; it is now replaced by this very personal "individual" service.

Good night, Canuckus

Radiance3

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padremike, may I join you celebrating this season of Lent. There are the sorrows, but joys follow after Christ's resurrection.

These are how we Catholics worship during Lent.
Devoting plenty of time for praying, reading the Holy Scriptures about the sufferings of Christ, Stations of the Holy Cross every Friday and fasting. Charity giving for the suffering poor and hungry, then taking the Holy Eucharist to share the body and blood of Christ in remembrance of Him.

Fasting is a self-sacrifice that makes one humble and more accepting of God's will. Moses fasted for forty days in preparation for receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28).

Daniel fasted for three weeks before receiving his vision (Daniel 10:2-6)
Elijah fasted forty days before speaking with God (1 Kings 19:8).

Jesus fasted for forty days in preparation for His temptation by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13).

Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...

It was now made “official”: Easter Sunday, the day after the first full moon, after the spring equinox, became the day to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

This was a serious and critical shift of theology. Critical, because it not only changed the day of the observance, but changed the focus, the meaning of the observance.

It now became an observance and celebration of His resurrection, contrary to the Biblical admonition of remembering His death!

Notice what Paul says, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death not His resurrection till he come” (1 Corinthians 11:26). There is a purposeful point of significance our Lord placed exclusively on Passover concerning His death.

It’s very fundamental, but crucial to understand; Passover was intended to distinctly address the impeccable fact that it was by Jesus Christ’s sacrificed life and shed blood that we have access to eternal life.

Unfortunately, merging His death and resurrection into one holy day, as Easter describes, blurs the deep profound meaning of both these events by taking away the emphasis that each so richly deserves.

Sadly, on a broader scale, the abandonment of the observance of God’s Old Testament holy days has contributed to this greatly. Understanding the additional holy days throughout the year, their enriched meanings and sequence they portray, would clarify how each step in the salvation/atonement process is remarkably explained for our understanding and spiritual appreciation.

SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFYING WHO MADE THE CHANGE

After the Council of Nicaea, the Roman government became more entangled with the ecclesiastical matters of the Church, derailing it further from the original intent by multiple means. “Emperor Theodosius (A.D. 78-398) made Christianity the State Religion of the Roman Empire, and made church membership compulsory.

This was the worst calamity that has ever befallen the Church. The forced conversion filled the churches with unregenerate people.. Christ had designed to conquer by purely spiritual and moral means.

Up to this time conversion was voluntary, a genuine change in heart and life. But now the military spirit of Imperial Rome had entered the Church. The Church had conquered the Roman Empire. But in reality the Roman Empire had conquered the Church, by making the Church over into the image of the Roman Empire.

The Church had changed its nature, had entered its great Apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2: 1-12), had become a political organization in the Spirit and pattern of Imperial Rome, and took its nose-dive into the millennium of Papal abominations.

The Imperial Church of the 4th and 5th centuries had become an entirely different institution from the persecuted Church of the first three centuries. In its ambition to rule it lost and forgot the Spirit of Christ”

Regrettably, the combination of Rome’s secular power and the integration of fertility symbols and observances, adopted from many of the existing pagan religions that saturated Rome, took its toll; and by means of forced compliance and/or persecution, marginalized the true Church, reducing its influence.

Notice again, “Conversion of the Barbarians, the Goths, Vandals, and Huns who overthrew the Roman Empire accepted Christianity; but to a large extent their conversion was nominal, i.e., "in name only," and this further filled the Church with pagan practices.

“...Even as every generation seeks to interpret Christ is terms of its own thinking, so, no sooner had Christianity made its appearance than it began its process of amalgamation with Greek and Oriental philosophies; and there arose many Sects...”
(Halley’s Bible Handbook, “Paganization of the Church,” p. 761).

Throughout history, the Christians remaining faithful to the commandments and testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17) have been comparably small when measured against the traditional Christian community that has emerged and been so heavily influenced by the Hellenistic teachings of Greco-Roman culture.

The liberties taken by the Catholic Church and many of the popes, bishops, councils, synods, and emperors to rearrange the theology of Christ’s original teachings is unconscionable.

Unfortunately, the hard reality is, much of traditional Christianity, Protestant and/or Catholic, is not theologically correct.

Notice what Jesus says: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye who work iniquity [lawlessness]” (Matthew 7:22-23).

Seriously, it would do all of us some good to consider this possibility. It is very plausible one can think he is pleasing God when in fact he is not. It’s important to our Lord we worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Love of the truth is living the truth. It’s easy to say we love and believe the truth, but we must love by “doing” (1 John 3:17-18). The hearers are not justified. Acting on what we know, or living our faith, is key to justification and pleasing the true God (James 2:15-26).

Notice: “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:”

We are expected to believe and obey. God expects those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them (Romans 8:9) to be an example to others by living the Faith.

It is the height of arrogance, vanity, and ego to circumvent God in areas He reserves exclusive prerogative to define “what is to be.” The historical record of the Passover/Easter controversy is a prime illustration of how man endeavors to evade God, avoiding His authority.

History reveals the combination of the Greco-Roman government, implemented by the ecclesiastical authority of the Popes and Catholic Councils over the centuries, replaced Passover with Easter.

There is absolutely no Biblical directive or Christ-like example throughout the whole Bible authorizing the institution of Easter as a Christian holy day!