Moscow, August 23, Interfax – The Russian Orthodox Church has expressed its support for the bishops of the Episcopal Church in the USA who decided to refrain from recognizing Catherine Jefferts-Shori as the leader elect of this organization.
‘I would like to assure you that I fully share the stand you have taken… the Russian Orthodox Church supports your act and expresses willingness to restore relations with your diocese’, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad says …
MORE.
Today’s letter is “B.”
Symeon Sets Sights on Seminary … Pop by, give him a shout-out!
But, please don’t BLAST him!
Barnabas Powell on “Blasting Prayers” …
As a former Pentecostal (now Orthodox) I remember services where a man would “walk the backs of the benches.” He would literally jump up on the back of the front pew and jump from pew to pew until he came to the rear pew.
We would also “rebuke the devil” in very loud voices to drive out the evil one.
One of the draws to Orthodoxy for me was becoming exhausted with the histrionics, especially since all the noise and bluster really didn’t change my life.
Blasting prayer is simply a re-worked Pentecostal exorcism.
What are BLASTING PRAYERS? Hop back up to the “blast him” link.
Bling-Bling …
Have we taken our eyes off the prize? The civil rights movement continues, but the struggle today is not so much in the streets as in the home — and with our children. If systemic racism remains a reality, there is also a far more sinister obstacle facing African American young people today: a culture steeped in bitterness and nihilism, a culture that is a virtual blueprint for failure.
Their search for identity and a sense of direction is undermined by a twisted popular culture that focuses on the “bling-bling” of fast money associated with famous basketball players, rap artists, drug dealers and the idea that women are at their best when flaunting their sexuality and …
The preacher’s 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head, for a moment, before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
“Well, Honey,” he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages,
“I’m asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.”
“How come He doesn’t do it?” she asked.
You’ll thank me that I only posted one from an e-list of a dozen! (FWD from the wife.)
An excerpt from the August 22nd issue of DYNAMIS (2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3); subscription info at bottom …
Of course when a pastor comes to a parish, there will be those who experience his ministry as a blessing, though some may not. St. Paul alludes to the varied reactions using the figure of fragrance from incense. Some members may find a pastor’s ministry to have an enhancing “aroma,” while others may find his pastoral relationship something of a “stench” (vss. 15,16). The Apostle views such reactions as going beyond mere like and dislike. As he points out, for some, a pastor’s presence and work gives off the aroma of death, while for others the same ministry works as an aroma that leads them deeper into true Life in Christ (vs. 16).
One might think that this difference in reactions would follow the line between those in the Church and those still outside in the world, but it does not seem always to divide neatly along such lines. We know that there are Pastors who fail, abuse, or even betray their people, and we know of congregations who have failed, abused, and betrayed their Priests. All of this is sad commentary on the reality of sin, and as the Apostle says earlier in Second Corinthians, Satan has “his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11). Many of those who oppose a Pastor inside the Church disclose their own captivity to death. Let those who find themselves in opposition to their Pastor be especially cautious! On the other hand, opposition or attraction to a Pastor by those outside the Church can have many reasons, some of which can lead them to life in the discovery of true Orthodox Faith.
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People have been landing here due to their search for a Prayer such as the one following, therefore I’ve brought this entry back up top for all those now making their way back into the school year.
O God, our heavenly Father, Who lovest mankind, and art most merciful and compassionate, have mercy upon these your children, Thy servants, for whom we humbly pray Thee, and commend them to Thy gracious protection. Be Thou, O God, their guide and gaurdian in all their endeavors; lead them in the path of Thy truth, and draw them near to Thee, that they may lead a godly and righteous life in Thy love and fear; doing Thy will in all matters. Bless and strengthen their teachers. And, give them grace that they may be temperate, industrious, diligent, devout and charitable. Defend them against the assaults of the enemy, and grant them wisdom and strength to resist all temptation and corruption of this life; and direct them in the way of salvation, for the merits of Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the intercessions of His Holy Mother, and Thy blessed saints —
and their Guardian Angels!
Amen.
