Martha or Mary?

I have within me a Martha/Mary scale that I try to keep balanced. This is important: both women had wonderful qualities that are needed for us to function as the Lord intended, but it was Mary whom Jesus commended for taking time to sit at His feet.

My scale is unbalanced this week - the Martha-side is extra heavy, weighed down with the anticipation of a new dog, the approaching holidays, and especially my daughter's December wedding. Martha, Martha ... sigh!

The gift of one extra hour is mine tonight ... I think I'll use it wisely. Mary would be proud!

Crossing the Bosphorus, Part II

For several years, I was content to stick with reformed theology. It seemed a solid framework to build my faith on. I continued to serve in various churches, in both music and secretarial positions. I met many wonderful, God-loving people and am thankful for these experiences.

Several issues kept nagging at me, though, especially this one: why were there so many Protestant denominations? Was God schizophrenic? Did He really mean it when He said the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth? What and where was the church that St. Paul referred to as the pillar and foundation? There had to be more to the story and I needed to begin at the beginning - the early church. Enter Orthodoxy. But that was just too old, too foreign, too far removed from this present time, yada, yada.

Warning: Once you begin this exploration, you just might not be able to turn back. I started reading a little bit, then a little bit more about this Church that had been neglected by most contemporary leaders. I had heard of the Nicene Creed, but no church I attended gave it any import; some pastors had no knowledge of it whatsoever. I found the more I learned about the early church, the less satisfied I was with the contemporary church I was attending; it paled in comparison. The early church seemed to have substance, authority, accountability, structure, beauty ... things that were weak at best where I worshipped. Through the internet, I found others who felt the same way - lots of them.

It seems there is something within the human soul that really does long for something greater than itself: something that transcends our everyday existence, something more beautiful, more substantial, something it can look up to and be inspired, encouraged, fortified by. We need sacraments that have meaning and are more than an event on the calendar that must be fitted into the song service once a month or so, as long as the puppet ministry does not need the same time slot. My soul longed for worship that had more depth than the latest rock worship songs.

The Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church fulfilled that longing. There is, indeed, a sense of timelessness, a mystical union with not only Christ Himself, but with His people. Liturgy means "the work of the people" and in the cycle of the services, one gets the feeling that we really are working together, communing together as a Body. It is different from anything I have known.

Orthodoxy answered my questions, raised a few new ones, too. But they have been answered, and with the weight of 2,000 years of church history for support.

The Church offers the invitation to taste and see; I have, and it is indeed, good!

Blogger's Black Hole & A Wedding

Blogger has eaten my links!! I noticed this a few days ago with the hope that it would regurgitate them, but alas, I must labor to insert them again. Argghhhh!

On another note: My eldest daughter just announced two weeks ago that she will be getting married in December, here in our town. So MaMa' is putting together a wedding - alone, since the bride is in Ohio and the groom is in western PA. Actually, this is the way I love doing things: make the decision and do it. No year-long planning for me! Just about everything is in place. Of course, the fact that it will be immediate family only does make the task easier. I think it will be lovely!

May God shine His love upon them.

Puppy Mill Rant

I am a dog lover. Never have I experienced pure, unconditional love freely given like that given by a dog. I have always gotten my dogs from rescue organizations or humane societies. I'm not purebred myself, so why would I require it of my canine companion?

We got Callie last year around this time after her predecessor, Sweetpea, died from liver failure at the age of 16 years. Callie is a lab/pug mix and is the delight of our lives. We found her on the internet through Petfinder.org. A few months ago, we decided we would look for a buddy for her and once again, went to Petfinder.org.

In my search, I have communicated with several different rescue organizations in our area. Two of them really made an impression because all of their rescues were from local puppy mills. Check out their website, but I warn you, it is disturbing. Here (Click 'cancel' at prompt - page will appear) It seems that the south central/eastern PA area has a high concentration of puppy mills. And I'm told by the women that run these rescues that the mills are very often the "profitable businesses" of Amish or Mennonite farmers. Want proof? Here

I want to tell you, I am livid! I want to be Jesus, going in and turning over the tables, whipping the evildoers and driving them forever away. I can't do that, though, but the women who run the rescues come close. They are bringing out upwards of fifty dogs at a time and giving them a second chance at finding a loving home. And I want to make you aware that the poor puppies that come from these horrid places are the very ones most often seen in the pet stores.

DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE! STAY AWAY! Do not feed the beast! If people stop buying from the pet stores, the stores will stop buying from puppy mills and the mills will no longer be profitable and the horror will stop. Instead, adopt your next pet from a shelter. Go to petfinder.org and see the thousands of animals waiting for a second chance. No one will love you more!

End of rant.

Date With An Angel

I've got a date with an "Angel" tomorrow.


This little guy needs rescued. Somebody didn't want him anymore and dropped him at a shelter. Angel Pets, a rescue organization, has him now and is helping him look for his forever home. It just may be mine!

Of course, this is all subject to the approval of Miss Callie.

Another Beautiful Evening

Hubby, puppy and I (and a tagalong walking stick-left) grabbed a quick hour on the trail this evening. It was one of those fall days I love: crazy wind blowing leaves every which way, a little cloudy, and just cool enough for a light jacket. There was no one up there; we had the mountain to ourselves :) The roaring of the wind through the trees made it necessary to speak a little louder than normal just to be heard. It was marvelous! And the smell ... ahhh! I kept wondering how in the world AntiSally (the GR perfumer) bottled that wonderful aroma in her 'Graveyard' perfume??? Smells just the same, amazing!

Crossing the Bosphorus, Part I

So, why would a nice Protestant girl consider Orthodoxy?

In the late 90's/early 2000's, I served as worship leader in several churches: non-denominational, Methodist and Southern Baptist. There was a need, I was available. I learned much during these times and felt honored to be of service to the Lord. But I had some nagging doubts and a few things just weren't adding up for me.

• The Presence of God: I would hear remarks such as, "The presence of the Lord was strong today," or "worship was really good" and other words to that effect. Was it "good", did the Lord "show up," or did we play someone's favorite music that fills the worshipper with warm fuzzies? Surely we can believe Jesus when he said, "wherever two or more are gathered in my name, there I am."
  
• Worship Music: Was it me, or were songs starting to sound alike, especially those recorded by certain worship ministries that shall remain nameless? Songs were predictable, shallow and anthropocentric. Isn't worship all about God? Where was the Trinity and why is it not mentioned? Songs were about Jesus or the Holy Spirit, but is the Trinity divided? And what about the 'Jesus-is-my-boyfriend' songs?
• Worship Wars: We were caught in a few of those in the churches we served. Pastors wanted one style, congregation wanted another. Pastors' attitudes basically came down to this: "If they don't like it, they can leave." Wow! How was that shepherding the flock, seeking the good of others, loving them with the love of Christ?
• Pride: Rampant. One pastor once commented that the worship leader is only as good as the last service he\she led. Is this how we are to pursue ministry? What evil passions within the sinful human nature does that mindset conjure?
• And my very favorite ... GOD TOLD ME! I love this one! God seemed to be telling different people different things and they didn't always mesh. Schizophrenia is not one of God's attributes.

These are just a few of the issues I had. I sometimes came away from a service thinking there must be something wrong with me since I don't feel the way others proclaim to feel. But, I didn't want to rock the boat of anyone - not the pastors, other team members, or even my family. I just quietly began studying church history on my own and found the further back in history I went, the stronger the conviction became that my doubts weren't necessarily off-base. The reformation era looked good, unlike what I was experiencing, so I decided to hang out in the 16th century for a while.

Stay tuned for Part II.

A Beautiful Evening

What a glorious day it has been! The temp hit 78 degrees and the sky was so blue. Not bad for October 10th! Hubby, puppy and I decided to do a short hike on the Appalachian Trail this evening. One last time to hear the tree frog/cicada/cricket chorus before we have some very cold weather that will most likely kill them off or send them running for hibernation. Thursday's forecast calls for a low of 34 degrees, which means 30 or below up on the mountain.

Sigh ... I'm not looking forward to the cold and snow and being kooped up and darkness at dinner time and darkness when you wake up and icy roads and scraping windows and and and and ...

Am I kvetching, or what?

But it was a beautiful evening!
Thank you, Lord.

Proper Confession

Continuing from my previous post, click on the title for link to Proper Confession.

Communion Preparation

My son-in-law called tonight to ask a few questions about Orthodox beliefs regarding confession and communion. I thought I would post a link to Holy Apostles Church (my parish) bulletins online in which Father Tim has been teaching on these subjects.

Click on the title for link.

I hope this information will be helpful.

NOTE: Here's Part II

Chrismation

Several people have asked how the chrismation went, and how I feel about it. How does one answer that question? I could say, "It went off with a hitch," for in some ways, it is like a wedding ceremony.

My main feeling, though, is one of relief ... relief that I don't have to contemplate making this move any longer! It's been a journey of about four years; a time that I did a lot of searching, praying, doubting, agonizing, running to, running from, and back to again. And this is where my journey has brought me: to one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

Glory to God, Glory to Him forever!

Geography Meme

This is fun; try it!

1. A Place You've Visited and Your Favorite Thing there.
Israel. My favorite site was Masada. Fascinating and tragic story. We had the good fortune to have as our tour guide a former Israeli naval officer. He poignantly described the ceremony for the installation of new naval officers, held at Masada.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Masada1.html

2. A Country You'd Like to Visit and Why
Iceland. Quite a few years ago, Masterpiece Theatre ran a mini-series filmed in Iceland. The geography is so very different from where I live: the fjords, geysers, the northern lights. It has a desolate, rugged beauty; but I wouldn't want to live there!

Hot Springs

Glacier spewing ashes & steam


"Blow Hole" off the southern coast of Iceland with a glacier in the background

3. A Place From History You'd Like to Visit and Why
I'd want to be in the company of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, after the resurrection. How did she feel, what did she think? The good thing is, someday I will have the opportunity to ask her!

4. A Place You Know A Lot About
Other than three years living in Plano, Texas, I have lived all my life in Pennsylvania. I love the four distinct seasons, the mountains, forests, rivers and streams, wonderful state park system and friendly people.

Cucumber Falls-Ohiopyle State Park in Fayette County
(Used to play behind those falls, sigh ...)

5. A Place You Would Like to Learn More About
Machu Picchu, but up close and personal, please!!!!

6. A Fictional Place You Would Like to Visit
Oz, without a doubt. And I'm taking my little dog, too!

The Pillar and Foundation

Robert M. Mahoney has an excellent post on his blog, "Discovering Orthodoxy" about the Church's authority. Check it out.

Click on the title for link.