"A Western World In Need of Christ"

A Western World in Need of Christ

"The western world has entered a period of decadence and decline, departing far from her Christian roots. With the European Union denying the historical and cultural Christian heritage of her member states, a secular based world view reigns dominant. This, together with the mass immigration of peoples from Islamic countries at a time when the birth rates of indigenous peoples are at an all time record low, threatens the very existence of Western civilization."


Please read the rest of this Facebook article at https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Merciful-Saviour-Orthodox-Christian-Monastery/104578182913886?sk=wall

ALSO, see follow-up discussions at that same fb address.

"The Truth That Leads To Contrition"

There is a truth that leads to contrition.  There also is a truth that does not.

Imagine that a person is driving and without paying attention drives over the speed limit.  Maybe this has happened to you.  Then it happens, a quick look in the rear view mirror reveals that a police officer is following and he initiates a traffic stop.   He approaches your window and says something like the speed limit is 35 miles per hour and you were observed going 45 miles per hour.

When he tells you that you were breaking the law by speeding you have a choice to make.  The choice is in how you react.  Generally and with most people such an experience will bring forth a sense of contrition.  Another way to put it is that such an experience softens the heart.

The other choice is to respond with a hard heart.  The first kind of reaction is that of receiving the words of the officer.  The second is to reject the words of the officer,  put forth some kind of an excuse, or even argument with the police officer.

Now change the story to the person who while reading the Scriptures, listening to a sermon or a sermon in song, or simply pondering the things of God comes face to face with his failure to live by God's standards--God's truth.

Faced with genuine truth will either bring about conviction which then results in a broken and contrite heart or a heart that hardens against the truth.  The humble and contrite heart receives God's truth and remains soft before it.  On the other hand the hard hearted--the stony hearted person will on some level reject it.

Rejection takes several forms to include seeking to not be responsible with an excuse or two, seeking to rationalize one's way out of responsibility, shifting blame, denying the truth, and so on.  It does nothing more than deceive the hard hearted and such deception further hardens the heart.  There comes a point when the heart becomes so hardened that it neither hears, is convicted, nor cares that it does not conform to genuine truth.

Said again, facing truth will either soften our hearts or harden them.  That is the serious state in which we find many people today, they have traded away the genuine eternal truths of God for those things that are comfortable, acceptable, and temporal.  The consciousness they have of God is not a consciousness of God for it is only of a god that they have created.  Such temporal values masquerade as truth and it is with great danger that some have constructed a whole reality based upon a foundation that at best is subject to failure.

Truth, that is genuine truth can, if allowed soften the human heart.

If allowed it can call us to account, to realize our own failings and sinfulness, call us to conviction, and challenge us to a higher level of behavior that is the living out of our faith.  

If our hearts are soften, we are more likely to hear the voice of the Heavenly Father, more likely to take to heart the written Word of God, more likely to have a God consciousness, to feel the conviction of and communion with the Holy Spirit, and more likely to be in a position to have our hearts further softened, etc. 

If our hearts are soften by genuine truth, it adds a God dimension to life and such a view of life if allowed to germinate and grow, day by day and in greater measure give spiritual understandings to physical realities.  

Such an humble and contrite heart is key and essential for Christian growth.

There is much to be said for the one who seeks genuine and Godly truth in order to be brought to a place of contrition that results in a soft and humble heart.

"Truth or Consequences"

There is no safety in truth that is not genuine!  However, falsehood in its very degrees leads to destruction.  Beware of that which is not genuine truth.

We do well to remember that "genuine truth" does not change! No matter how ones spins it, rejects it, seeks to destroy it, and/or compromise it, genuine truth will in the end be there when the false has failed.  Genuine truth is not at the mercy of polls, opinions, the media, nor is it at the mercy of academia.

Not so with man's unproven opinions.  Take for example the matter Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth and the whole notion of "global warming."  It was not too long ago that the climatologist were proposing "global cooling" and a coming ice age.  Then came "global warming."  Now we have "climate change."  The only inconvenient truth here is that the whole notion of man caused climate change is "junk science" to be sure.  How can I say that?  Consider the following.

Science--true science is built upon the idea that a discovery is characterized by at least two basic qualities.

First, it is stable, that is the scientific discovery does not change.  It can be a gateway to deeper understandings and truths but the basic theorem is stable and thus does not change.  

Second, the outcome can be validated by any scientist or laymen who cares to replicate the conditions of the original experiment.  

 "Climate change" meets neither criterion as when you remove "interpretation and opinion" from the discussion, there is little factual data.  Oh, I know, drilling through the strata of Antarctic ice, looking at tree rings etc. gives data, however such data is open to interpretation and thus is not purely factual.  Therefore it is not "genuine science" and in fact qualifies as "junk science."

Well, you might ask, "How is it that you are qualified to render this conclusion?"  The answer is quite simple.  When you look at the scientists that signed on to "climate change," you will notice that not many of them are any more qualified that I am since this is not their area of expertise.  Said another way, I am as qualified as they to discuss the veracity of this theory and I with as much expertise as they say that this is an illegitimate theory!

There is an underlying issue as well.  Consider the first part of the term, "man made."  Does it not speak to an arrogant view of man and his influence upon God's creation?  Does it not tacitly say that man's actions are greater in power than God's capacity to keep and maintain creation?

Well, you respond, I am an evolutionary atheist.  Then consider this.  The basic notions of evolutionary science (again "junk science") should encourage "climate change" since it creates an environment in which only the fit survive and thus progress further up the theorized evolutionary ladder.  Makes no sense to me why the evolutionist would not want this supposed "climate change."

"Climate change does make a difference.  There is an economic effect upon the individual and upon the economy in general.  Sure we should all be for clean air and clean water but this has gone way too far.  That brings us to this final point!

There is safety in genuine truth! Maybe that is the Genuine Inconvenient Truth!  When man individually and as a nation turns from God, there is a price to be paid and that price is that the view of God becomes distorted or all together absent.  Without the "God view" all truth becomes subjective and subject to the influences of prejudice, societal mores, bias, and results in chaos.

"Love Your Enemies and Others"

The normal "give and take" of a group of cops was running high.  The bantering turned to a class they had taken having to do with sensitivity and diversity.  As the subject began to shift as happens with people such as these I overheard  something that perked up my ears and I listened to hear all I could.

One officer said something to the effect, I do not have to like nor do I have to respect the person I deal with, but what I do have to do is to treat them with respect.  In the practical world of these cops when contacting the public, it matters little who the person is, their criminal history, their attitude, the officer's bias, how they treat the officer, and/or their demeanor etc.!  What matters is that they be treated with respect.

That overheard conversation along with a blog which spoke to loving your enemies, occasions the following thought.  When the one who follows Christ is commanded to love people such as one's neighbor, one's enemies, etc. such love may include any of a variety of feelings but it must go beyond those feelings to how a person acts and how the other is treated.  There was no indication that faith played much of a part in any of the officers at that table yet they spoke words people of faith needed and need to hear.  So here is the question.

Does love not require the one who would love to go beyond feelings in how he treats his neighbor and even his enemy?

The story of the Good Samaritan is a case in point.  The Samaritan man was an outcast, thought to be an inferior person of an inferior "mixed breed" race.  The person he helped was in all likelihood opposed to the Samaritans.  In fact that very day he could have chosen to not associate himself with the man, said something to defame the man, and most certainly seen him as unclean and undesirable.  The divide between the two races in general and if they conformed to those divides, between the two men ran as deep as the social mores of the two cultures.  There clearly was potential for discrimination.  There was precious little that would have united them--especially emotionally.

However, the Good Samaritan did love the victim, not in emotion but in his ethical actions--in his sacrificial actions.  That is the whole notion behind "doing good to those who take advantage of you!"   It is a volitional action not because of how one reacts emotionally but despite that reaction.  Love is an action not because of an emotion but despite the emotion.

With that understanding then love is an action born of volition and those decisions includes but not limited to the following.  It is...

To be patient toward and with the impatient person as well as being tolerant with the intolerant.  

To be gentle with those who speak and act in an hurtful and harsh manner.  

To not be resentful in reaction another's successes.

To patiently listen when tempted to boast and thus best another's achievements.

To demonstrate the highest ideals of character no matter the situation.

To be unselfish, not seeking one's own way in situations that would justify same.  

To be one who interacts not reacts to adverse treatment.  

To turn a blind eye and thus look beyond some mistreatment by another.

 ...and the list goes on and on.

This to say the least is greatly misunderstood by many.  So the sum of the matter is this.

To love is a volitional action and if emotional attachment is involved so much the better.

May we go forth as did the Good Samaritan and love in action not just in attitude and word!

"Salvation or Social Idealism"

Fr. Tryphon writes,


"Just as we have seen the progressive moral bankruptcy of our society, we have also been witness to the wholesale sellout of traditional Christianity by much of America's religious community. The partial adherence of many of America's denominations to the traditional Gospel call to repentance, forgiveness and redemption through Christ, has given way to a new kind of salvation. These "churches" are now more concerned with social idealism than seeing souls saved through entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ. They have ignored Our Lord's own words, "My kingdom is not of this world". They have shown forth for all to see that their loss of faith has led to a replacement of the good news of salvation in Christ, with a mandate to build a Utopian society where social justice and peace reign forever. They have forgotten that Christ said we would never attain this outside of His Kingdom, 'which is to come'."


Full article available at https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-Merciful-Saviour-Orthodox-Christian-Monastery/104578182913886 and also at  http://www.morningoffering.blogspot.com/


May you be blessed with but more importantly challenged by Fr. Trypon's words.  Reading carefully and prayerfully will not only enlarge your view but challenge your heart to a deeper commitment to the Lord, Jesus Christ and His eternal Kingdom. 


It is of utmost importance, indeed imperative that we who are followers of Jesus keep in mind that it is an "already" and "not yet" proposition.  For those who do not understand, we enjoy some of the benefits of following Jesus Christ "already" (in the now) but they are a mere shadow of what we will enjoy (the "not yet") when we are united with our Lord and Savior.  Indeed is not that the hope that should cause all of this life to grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace*?.


*From the chorus Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

"The Inconvenience of God!"

Could one argue that atheism is a "religion" of convenience?  Religion?  Yes, it is so because it has all of the qualities of a religion—a common belief, doctrine, adherents, meetings, and activists.

Convenience? While there are many atheists with high moral standards, there are fewer with ethical standards, and many more who have come to embrace the belief because they find divinely established ethical standards to be inconvenient.  For them God is inconvenient, not inconceivable, just inconvenient.

These are those who understand that to believe in some form of God will require accompanying ethical behaviors.  For them one’s self pleasuring tendancies and other behaviors are inconvenienced by such ethical behaviors as God required and requires.  In that sense they are to be respected for at least they do not pretend something they are not--an argument often pointed at people of faith in their ethical/moral struggles.

Continuing that thought, at this point the athiest has company for there are those who believe in some form of God—a God that they have redefined to fit their moral proclivities.  In either case, it is much easier to redefine God or to rid one’s self of God than to rid one’s self of a penchant for various pleasures and conveniences that are outside of God’s standards.

The problem is that, just as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, there is internal evidence that has been “hard wired” into each person.  Such gives testimony to each that “there is a God and that God is there.”  However, when life style choices make an ethical God inconvenient, it is easier to intellectually get rid of God.

Then too, to defend the athiest’s position requires more argument and even more faith than to take the leap of faith necssary to decide to believe in God.  It is far more simple say, "God is!!!"  However, at that point the issue becomes, if God exists, what will He require?

An accompanying thought for those of faith is this.  "Since you believe God exists what does He require of you?"

"Maybe You Will Remember..."

GRADUATION THOUGHTS

(PFCTA Class 2011-2)

As you leave from this place and one another, maybe you could take these few thoughts with you.  Having been in a group such as this a time or two, I've no doubt that you will not long remember who spoke nor what was said.  By this time in your training you may feel like your brain hit a bad sector and just cannot absorb any more.

Someone once wrote,

Life is filled with froth and bubble,

Two things stand alone

Kindness in another’s trouble,

Courage in your own. 

We will get back to that in a moment.  However, let us take a moment or two to consider these few thoughts, thought that are along the lines of, maybe you will remember that...

1. Maybe you will remember that you were challenged to get more than a piece of paper...

"As in law school, the other students were disturbed. Hagbard began to understand: they are not here to learn, they are here to acquire a piece of paper that would make them eligible for certain jobs....”

[From The Illuminatus! Trilogy: The Eye in the Pyramid by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, 1975]

You soon will have a piece of paper and for some it will all end tomorrow at noon as the square will be filled and you can move on to whatever else is ahead for you.  However, for others you were challenged and your learning will continue!

As William Yeats said,

Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.

[William Butler Yeats, 1865 to 1939]

2.  Maybe you will remember that one or more of the presenters lit your fire...

Most of you probably feel a bit overwhelmed with all of this in as much as your pail is filled to overflowing.

Whether obvious or not most all of the presenters you have heard are people of passion who on some level sought to light a fire not fill your pail! That is they are passionate or afflicted with passion about what they do and teach.  If you would not have taken one note or peered at one PowerPoint slide but listened to their heart you would have heard a certain passion not about who they are as a chaplain or other presenter but about what underlies their serving.

As someone once said,

If this does not light your fire, then your wood is wet

For some this experience confirmed your calling to serve those who serve us, for others it no doubt confirmed that this is not where you belong.  Wherever you serve may you be passionate about it.   Speaking of passion, we will look at it a bit more in a moment.  

3.  Maybe you will remember that you need to be possessed of a wish to know...

Hopefully as you leave it is with some sense of what you do not know but also some sense of what you wish to know.

The African proverb goes,

Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse.

As was said, this is the basic course.  May I suggest two sources for further study.

First, those you serve.  Make a study of those you serve.  Ask one of your charges this question, "What are the most important things I need to know about serving here?"

Second, most of the presenters could have given you much, much more and would be honored if you contacted them for further study.

As others have given to us from their experience, so too the instructor corps at the Academy gave to you so that you might give to others.

4.  Maybe you will remember that someone said to be invited into someone's world is an honor...

Plato said,

There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain.

Remember, every day you put on your department patch, that you have been granted a great honor.  May none of us seek the honor of the patch but may we enter into that honor by invitation.  When you are invited into the world of that patch, it means that you have been honored by being invited to belong to that department but you also belong to another group.

You belong to others who have been privileged to wear the patch.  Yes, it is the privilege of the patch.  Please do not take lightly that you wear the patch you wear, it is an honor granted to few.  Honor it and by honoring it, you honor those of us who also wear the patch with you.  Many will collect, some will trade, but few will be granted the opportunity or should I say privilege to wear the patch.

Do not presume upon the patch by taking what it means for granted.  There are three chaplain who I personally know who did just that--presumed upon the patch in one way or another and no longer wear the patch.

In being allowed to wear the patch you join those across this world who serve those of the patch.  They wear it with you and you with them. But also remember that you wear the patch not to be served but because you serve in important and essential ways--let no one denigrate your importance.

Finally remember that you enjoy the privilege of the patch not to be served bu to serve--serve in the good times but also in the dark places of life.

That leads to the next point...

5.  Maybe you will remember that you were warned that this indeed is a painful privilege...

The background of the word passion as it came to the English from other Latin based languages, means to suffer, to endure, to hurt, etc. For example we speak of Christ's death as The Passion.  Later in the 14th Century it came to mean strong emotion, desire.  In other words it historically has meant to endure hurt and suffering and much more recently has come to mean a strong emotional desire or attachment.

But there is more.  Your trainers were more than people of passion and resource, indeed they are people of compassion and they sought to light the fires of compassion within you.  Compassion draws from the earlier meaning of passion, that notion of suffering.  The word originates in the idea of "com" or "together" and as we saw suffer.  In other words compassion is together suffering.

There is a cost to compassion—for when we are compassed with the needs around us, we give and such giving is not without cost to our hearts.  However, remember…we do not suffer alone.  Because we do not suffer alone the cost is not to us alone.

Together we suffer with the God when we serve.  For those of Christian faith understand that our God is one who became flesh and dwelt among us and understands personally our compassion.  C. S. Lewis noted that when we suffer we join Christ in His Passion.

Together we suffer with those with whom we serve, our fellow chaplains.  

Together we suffer with those to whom we are called to serve.

Together we suffer with those of our families for they are not immune to what we do.  When the call volume is high, or God forbid you lose an officer, or there is a mass casualty event, the members of your family will suffer as those things exact a toll upon you. 

As you leave this place leave in the knowledge that in the dark places of life, God has prepared others to walk with you.  They may not be physically present with you but they none the less walk with you.

6.  Maybe you will remember that because of others you could come this way...

Your calling to serve is to join with those who have gone before you!  Maybe a question worth considering is this.  Am I honoring the others who have come this way?  Do I honor them and what they did, how they opened doors, by how I am living out their calling in my calling?

When going through such an academy as this, while in the military, I heard about the blue wall and that it would be difficult to gain entrance and acceptance.  You see in the military because of rank structure there is no cami wall.  I came to civilian law enforcement expecting the worse but found that where I live, others had broken down that wall of mistrust and skepticism.  You would know Dan’s name but not the others yet that is exactly what they did in one form or another.

Should joining in that tradition, not mean something?  Not require something of us?

Your calling is to join with those who are now serving! Others who with you wear the patch!

Your calling is to join with those who will serve, whose fires will be kindled and who will wear the patch.

Someday someone else will direct this academy, perhaps one of you.  

Someday someone else will stand in your stead in your department in the darkness of death and loss.  You may want to be the one but you will be gone and they will be there.  Be to them like those who preceded us, not the one who prepares the way, but the one who is the way maker who fashions a better way.  Be the model for those who follow.

CLOSE

7.  Maybe you will remember your re-commitment to serve...

A commitment to serve born of strong emotional desire, born of passion serves in the good times, but may not be there in the bad.  You will meet chaplains if you have not already done so who love the title, the uniform, the patch, the privilege, but never take a call out.  They are chaplains of passion--of emotional attachment.

However, remember that we started with,

Life is filled with froth and bubble,

Two things stand alone

Kindness in another’s trouble,

Courage in your own.

We who do this service--this ministry must come to a place of commitment born of the pain of compassion.

It is to be the commitment to serve--serve up kindness in another's trouble.

It is to be the commitment to serve, to serve up courage in our own--our own when...we are overwhelmed by our circumstance...our own when we are in times of great personal loss...our own when we are unrecognized in this life…when darkness clouds our day...when that call comes in the dark of night...when  that family event is disrupted...when your best efforts are questioned…when you give and give and go and go...when are treated unfairly…when--well you fill in the blank!

That is when the person who serves because of the commitment born of the pain of compassion courageously stays to the task.

No matter your place of service, may you be blessed with a commitment born of the pain of compassion, may you courageously stay to the task--stay to the painful privilege.  May you courageously give kindness in another's trouble.

AMEN!