There are many religions that feel anything that shows any form of God,be it statue,picture or crucifix,is idol worship.
Being once Catholic and now Orthodox,has put me into two faiths that feel the more statues and Icons the better.
Just enter either an Orthodox or Catholic Church and you will understand the importance of these reminders of God,Mother of God,Angles,Apostles and Saints.
This week we had a religous study on Icons,how they are made,the colors used and why,even the training an Iconographer has to go through in order to properly make these glimpses into heaven,and that what Icons are considered,windows into the heavens.
Back in the days when people were unable to read they used this form of religous telling,to relate and understand the importance of the stories found in the Bible, better understanding their faith.
Once a country learns to read then they need to incorporate these works of faith into peoples daily lives on a different basis.
As with everything in life there are multiple rules as to where you should place Icons in your home,the east wall is always the best,also it should be centrally located in your home for all to view and use,the candles that should be placed near by,prayer books,Bible,holy water and oils,palms or other seasonal things should also be nearby.
Your Icons should consist of one of Jesus,one of his mother Mary and the ones your household family feels personal about,maybe a family saint or personal Icon of each person in your household.
I must admit that although I have done most of this in our parlor,it was never done by rules,things that were suppose to be near by just seemed to end up where they should be near my Icons.
Though this is not a prayer area for me,its always nice to be facing t.v. and looking up to see the Icon of Jesus the Teacher looking back at me.
My own personal prayer area is my bedroom,there I have an etching of Jesus hugging a lamb to his shoulder.
It is such a touching picture to me that many is the time I just stare at its simple
beauty and rub its face.
This etching is really more of a reminder to me of Jesus then all of my gold painted beautiful Icons down stairs in the parlor.
What this tells me is that we are all touched and reached by certain religious things,and if it brings you closer to God it has done its job.
No Icon,picture or statue is to be used as an idol,we don't pray to the them, we pray to God,but since we are human,sight is very important to us and helps us have a more open communication with the Almighty.
I explain Icons to people who ask me why I pray to a picture in this way,If a close family member called me on the phone and I had not seen them in a very long time,I might pick up their near by photograph and lovingly stare or hug their image while speaking to them in our phone conversation.
I know this picture is not the voice talking to me,but a likeness,yet it makes me feel closer to them because I can see their image smiling back at me.
The picture is only the image but the words I speak to them are more loving because
I am viewing them on paper,I can hold it to my bosom just as I would them if they were standing next to me at that moment.
The paper and frame are nothing but the image is a reminder of my love for that person.
An Icon is not meant to be God but it is meant to be a reminder that he is ever present with us and we have invited him into the center of our homes and that is very important to him,God will never enter your home unless you invite him to.
And the center is where he wants to be in your world.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
To Those Much Is Given
To those much is given,much is expected.
We live in a world of haves and have nots,those who work,those who do not and those who wished they did.
We are never happy with our positions or situations in life and wish always to be something or someone else.
We all dream of having more money and more power and dislike those who have the most.
We has a country are linked up to each other and though most of us would not sell everything we have and live on the streets,it doesn't hurt us now and then to think about the many who go with out all around the world.
Over whelming as it may seem we can change the world.
How?
One person and one act of kindness at a time.
Do you realize what effects you have on others by a simple small action or one little step,especially when you unite your mission with other like minded people,suddenly you have a movement or mission.
God is not asking us to save the whole world alone,he is asking us to extend one act of kindness that will flow and unite with other peoples acts of kindness.
We as a world think its all about us and our climb to the top.
Life has educated us that the person who is number one is always the best.
This is not true and though you may be fortunate enough to have money,a nice house or a great car,what are you doing with your possessions that is making another person life better.
Maybe you can help support a hands on charity,with your cash,open your home up to those who are hunger and can not pay you back or drive an elderly neighbor or cancer patient to an appointment and stay with them through their treatments.
Wealth is not a bad thing but selfishness is.
We are a united world,no man or woman is meant to not be co dependent on each other.
So take the time to think about what you have and what you can do to better the lives of those around you.
We live in a world of haves and have nots,those who work,those who do not and those who wished they did.
We are never happy with our positions or situations in life and wish always to be something or someone else.
We all dream of having more money and more power and dislike those who have the most.
We has a country are linked up to each other and though most of us would not sell everything we have and live on the streets,it doesn't hurt us now and then to think about the many who go with out all around the world.
Over whelming as it may seem we can change the world.
How?
One person and one act of kindness at a time.
Do you realize what effects you have on others by a simple small action or one little step,especially when you unite your mission with other like minded people,suddenly you have a movement or mission.
God is not asking us to save the whole world alone,he is asking us to extend one act of kindness that will flow and unite with other peoples acts of kindness.
We as a world think its all about us and our climb to the top.
Life has educated us that the person who is number one is always the best.
This is not true and though you may be fortunate enough to have money,a nice house or a great car,what are you doing with your possessions that is making another person life better.
Maybe you can help support a hands on charity,with your cash,open your home up to those who are hunger and can not pay you back or drive an elderly neighbor or cancer patient to an appointment and stay with them through their treatments.
Wealth is not a bad thing but selfishness is.
We are a united world,no man or woman is meant to not be co dependent on each other.
So take the time to think about what you have and what you can do to better the lives of those around you.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Clean Your Closets And Give Away Your Abundance
One show I like to watch is house hunts and house hunter international.
It amazes me the cost of these houses,people choose to buy,from $400,000. to a million dollars,or more.
The question that always comes to my mind is where do these people get the money to make those monthly payments and why do they need such large houses.
Most women,on this show say they want walk in closets because in their present living situations they have no space to put all their clothes,one woman said she had about 500 boxes of shoes,stuffed on a shelf in her closet.
Why people insist on collecting so much clothing and shoes is just way out of my thought process.
Do these folks actually wear all of this clothing or ever even remember what they have stored away?
When I seasonably clean my closets the first thing I ask myself is "when was the last time I wore this and do I really need something,no matter how pretty it is, that is just collecting dust?"
We forget that the things we hoard out of mindless,materialistic need,may better be used by some one who has nothing in their closets,if they have closets.
What we buy out of desire is taken away from those who we could truly help.
Most people buy things just because they happen to be in a store and they have a need to spend money for self gratification,not for real need.
Now I'm not saying we should never own nice things but the things we buy we should at least want to wear occasionally.
One rule I try to use in my own house is when I bring new things in equal older things,that are unwanted need to leave the house.
Most people,like hoarders,never even know everything they have,but have a sick need to be engulfed by it all.
When we hoard we deny those around us who are really in need to have what we store and never use.
If we own 5 winter jackets but only wear two,we deny 3 other people something that could keep them warm.
Less in many cases,can be more in our lives and the lives of others.
It must be the new year because things like this fill my mind.
Waste of money,time and food in the end is all waste and someone else could benefit from say your other 450 pairs of shoes sitting,unused in our closets.
New Year means new starts,time to clean out those clothes and houses and give to a charity, help those who would appreciate and wear all the things that have fallen on floor in the back of the closet.
Your excess can be someone abundance.
It amazes me the cost of these houses,people choose to buy,from $400,000. to a million dollars,or more.
The question that always comes to my mind is where do these people get the money to make those monthly payments and why do they need such large houses.
Most women,on this show say they want walk in closets because in their present living situations they have no space to put all their clothes,one woman said she had about 500 boxes of shoes,stuffed on a shelf in her closet.
Why people insist on collecting so much clothing and shoes is just way out of my thought process.
Do these folks actually wear all of this clothing or ever even remember what they have stored away?
When I seasonably clean my closets the first thing I ask myself is "when was the last time I wore this and do I really need something,no matter how pretty it is, that is just collecting dust?"
We forget that the things we hoard out of mindless,materialistic need,may better be used by some one who has nothing in their closets,if they have closets.
What we buy out of desire is taken away from those who we could truly help.
Most people buy things just because they happen to be in a store and they have a need to spend money for self gratification,not for real need.
Now I'm not saying we should never own nice things but the things we buy we should at least want to wear occasionally.
One rule I try to use in my own house is when I bring new things in equal older things,that are unwanted need to leave the house.
Most people,like hoarders,never even know everything they have,but have a sick need to be engulfed by it all.
When we hoard we deny those around us who are really in need to have what we store and never use.
If we own 5 winter jackets but only wear two,we deny 3 other people something that could keep them warm.
Less in many cases,can be more in our lives and the lives of others.
It must be the new year because things like this fill my mind.
Waste of money,time and food in the end is all waste and someone else could benefit from say your other 450 pairs of shoes sitting,unused in our closets.
New Year means new starts,time to clean out those clothes and houses and give to a charity, help those who would appreciate and wear all the things that have fallen on floor in the back of the closet.
Your excess can be someone abundance.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Nativity Site Embarrassment
Last night on the news a clip was shown of two groups of monks,one Greek Orthodox and the other Armenian,fighting with brooms while cleaning their areas at the church of the nativity.
Seems they had encroached into each others spaces and instead of just apologizing,they raised their brooms and starting hitting each other with them.
The fact that they got angry with each other,was bad enough,but the commentator said that this can be a common sight.
Common sight? Excuse me but how much belief do these monks have in the God of love and forgiveness when they are beating each other over the heads with brooms,as the local police try to brake it up,with clubs?
The sad part is that not one monk stepped forward to humbly ask for forgiveness or apologize to the other side.
Last week was Christmas,a time when we are to love our neighbors,because Jesus came down to earth in the form of a baby to save us from ourselves.
How sad that the clergy,whom we Orthodox look up to,feel they can act like a ruthless mob in a Holy public place.
It embarrasses me that we has members of the Orthodox Church,sit by and accept this humiliation to our faith,from professed religious men who know better.
I for one would like to say to both sides of this mess,what should have been said by at least one monk, that "I am sorry for what you felt was a violation of you side of the cleaning sight,at one of the Holiest of Christian places where Jesus himself was said to have been born."
Maybe if I,has a member of the Orthodox Church,ask you both for forgiveness,next time you men will think twice before raising your hand,or broom,to your brother in anger,maybe instead you will shake hands and grant each other the right of way.
A song I learned in grammar school says:"they know we are Christians by our love,by our love and they will know we are Christians by our love."
One other thing I would like to tell these monks is if you think your actions are not know by others,trust me today is day number two and once again on the world evening news they replayed the clip for the whole of the United States to see one more time.
I'll bet more people in this country,saw this shameless clip,then took the time to watch the 60 minutes show Sunday evening about Mount Athos and the peaceful loving monks,that reside there.
To bad,how sad!
To be Orthodox means to follow the unchanged truth and be held to a higher standard of living,what that means is when we do unchristian things the world keeps putting it in front of every ones eyes.
The evil one relishes our falls and takes joy in our shamefulness and how can you blame him....
Seems they had encroached into each others spaces and instead of just apologizing,they raised their brooms and starting hitting each other with them.
The fact that they got angry with each other,was bad enough,but the commentator said that this can be a common sight.
Common sight? Excuse me but how much belief do these monks have in the God of love and forgiveness when they are beating each other over the heads with brooms,as the local police try to brake it up,with clubs?
The sad part is that not one monk stepped forward to humbly ask for forgiveness or apologize to the other side.
Last week was Christmas,a time when we are to love our neighbors,because Jesus came down to earth in the form of a baby to save us from ourselves.
How sad that the clergy,whom we Orthodox look up to,feel they can act like a ruthless mob in a Holy public place.
It embarrasses me that we has members of the Orthodox Church,sit by and accept this humiliation to our faith,from professed religious men who know better.
I for one would like to say to both sides of this mess,what should have been said by at least one monk, that "I am sorry for what you felt was a violation of you side of the cleaning sight,at one of the Holiest of Christian places where Jesus himself was said to have been born."
Maybe if I,has a member of the Orthodox Church,ask you both for forgiveness,next time you men will think twice before raising your hand,or broom,to your brother in anger,maybe instead you will shake hands and grant each other the right of way.
A song I learned in grammar school says:"they know we are Christians by our love,by our love and they will know we are Christians by our love."
One other thing I would like to tell these monks is if you think your actions are not know by others,trust me today is day number two and once again on the world evening news they replayed the clip for the whole of the United States to see one more time.
I'll bet more people in this country,saw this shameless clip,then took the time to watch the 60 minutes show Sunday evening about Mount Athos and the peaceful loving monks,that reside there.
To bad,how sad!
To be Orthodox means to follow the unchanged truth and be held to a higher standard of living,what that means is when we do unchristian things the world keeps putting it in front of every ones eyes.
The evil one relishes our falls and takes joy in our shamefulness and how can you blame him....
Monday, December 19, 2011
An Old Fashioned Christmas
What makes an old fashioned Christmas?
Last night we and some friends,went to Old Sturbridge Village to celebrate the season in an old fashioned way.
Though the outside air was chilly our spirits were warm.
We got to partake of ginger bread and mulled cider,take a horse and cart ride while watching a bon fire roar in the center square.
Pretty fresh garland with tiny sparkling lights where everywhere while candle lit lanterns illuminated the walk ways.
18Th century caroling in complete garb and a modern brass band,played out songs of Christmas yester year complete with Father Christmas dressed in his green velvet robe with white fur trim a crown of garland encircled his head..yes this Santa decided clothes where on his menu especially with Jack Frost nipping at his nose on this cold December night.
Ginger bread houses and pretty little Christmas trees,decorated the house of the haves while the more modest cottages had happy people sitting near their fireplaces greeting all those who entered.
No candy for these knitted hanging stockings,with nut cups adorning the mantles,real fruits of the fall season and handmade wooden toys would be the Christmas morning fare for the tots residing in these houses.
Food,family and guest where what the day was about.
Carolers going house to house,being invited inside for a warm drink or a simple morsel of food.
In this village of yester year neighbors where your prime source of entertainment,with the understanding that no one survives alone,the entire neighborhood became your tight knit family.
A very different sort of Christmas when compared to our own modern Holiday Festivities.
Last night we and some friends,went to Old Sturbridge Village to celebrate the season in an old fashioned way.
Though the outside air was chilly our spirits were warm.
We got to partake of ginger bread and mulled cider,take a horse and cart ride while watching a bon fire roar in the center square.
Pretty fresh garland with tiny sparkling lights where everywhere while candle lit lanterns illuminated the walk ways.
18Th century caroling in complete garb and a modern brass band,played out songs of Christmas yester year complete with Father Christmas dressed in his green velvet robe with white fur trim a crown of garland encircled his head..yes this Santa decided clothes where on his menu especially with Jack Frost nipping at his nose on this cold December night.
Ginger bread houses and pretty little Christmas trees,decorated the house of the haves while the more modest cottages had happy people sitting near their fireplaces greeting all those who entered.
No candy for these knitted hanging stockings,with nut cups adorning the mantles,real fruits of the fall season and handmade wooden toys would be the Christmas morning fare for the tots residing in these houses.
Food,family and guest where what the day was about.
Carolers going house to house,being invited inside for a warm drink or a simple morsel of food.
In this village of yester year neighbors where your prime source of entertainment,with the understanding that no one survives alone,the entire neighborhood became your tight knit family.
A very different sort of Christmas when compared to our own modern Holiday Festivities.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Naked Santas/Real Christmas Meaning
Tis the season to see and hear the ridiculous.
In San Francisco some of the locals decided to try and get into the World Book of Records by having the largest grouping of naked Santa Clauses assembled in one area.
O.K. some times life requires you to just have a sense of humor and move on.
Personally I have never wanted to see Santa naked,for a man his size clothing is a blessing not an option,of course I can say the same about my own personal build,put it on would be my mantra,one that these Santa's need to adopt.
This is laughable to me.
Why you may ask? Because Santa is not the reason I celebrate Christmas..Jesus is..
With this in mind tolerance to stupidity can become a way of life.
Most of us know who Santa or Saint Nicolas really was and walking around neighborhoods naked was not his claim to fame.
Only in hot California can you get away with Santa in the buff,to try this in New England would be a very chilly challenge,to say the least.
I'm not sure why we Christians allow ourselves to become offended with this nonsense,all it does is distract us from the real reason we are here on this earth and why we celebrate Christmas.
Jesus said we are in the world not of the world.
So why are we so surprised when the world acts crass and insulting.
besides its hard to be all that we can be when we're angry about things like clerks not saying Merry Christmas,Town Halls not allowing Religious Decorations to be displayed or Santas running around in their birthday suits.
Good and evil both abound in the world around us,to focus only on the silly and ridiculous detracts from all the good and charitable things that so many people are doing at this holiday season.
So let the naked Santas have their day because in the end the real meaning of Christmas comes to us from the people who feed the hungry,cloth the naked and bring cheer to those who are sick.
These are the unspoken Santas who don't take the headlines and do it with their clothes in place.
In San Francisco some of the locals decided to try and get into the World Book of Records by having the largest grouping of naked Santa Clauses assembled in one area.
O.K. some times life requires you to just have a sense of humor and move on.
Personally I have never wanted to see Santa naked,for a man his size clothing is a blessing not an option,of course I can say the same about my own personal build,put it on would be my mantra,one that these Santa's need to adopt.
This is laughable to me.
Why you may ask? Because Santa is not the reason I celebrate Christmas..Jesus is..
With this in mind tolerance to stupidity can become a way of life.
Most of us know who Santa or Saint Nicolas really was and walking around neighborhoods naked was not his claim to fame.
Only in hot California can you get away with Santa in the buff,to try this in New England would be a very chilly challenge,to say the least.
I'm not sure why we Christians allow ourselves to become offended with this nonsense,all it does is distract us from the real reason we are here on this earth and why we celebrate Christmas.
Jesus said we are in the world not of the world.
So why are we so surprised when the world acts crass and insulting.
besides its hard to be all that we can be when we're angry about things like clerks not saying Merry Christmas,Town Halls not allowing Religious Decorations to be displayed or Santas running around in their birthday suits.
Good and evil both abound in the world around us,to focus only on the silly and ridiculous detracts from all the good and charitable things that so many people are doing at this holiday season.
So let the naked Santas have their day because in the end the real meaning of Christmas comes to us from the people who feed the hungry,cloth the naked and bring cheer to those who are sick.
These are the unspoken Santas who don't take the headlines and do it with their clothes in place.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
The Meaning Of The Season
Recently I read on face book of a priest standing in line at the Post Office and the person in front of him asking for Christmas Stamps but not the religious ones.
O.K. now lets get this straight people,why are you even bothering to celebrate Christmas if you do not believe in the birth of Christ and what he stands for?
Why not just skip the whole Christmas buying,tree decorating,cookie making and gift wrapping and not celebrate it at all,because you missed the whole reason of the season.
Does it offend you and those who are receiving your cards that each of you may have to view a picture of Mary,Joseph and baby Jesus on your postal envelope?
Those who complain about Christmas and its affiliation to religion are the same people who expect to have December the 25TH off and get paid for it.
Maybe the time has come for you to skip the pay and go back to work because like it or not Jesus is the reason for the season and if that offends you..so sorry..
Many people claim to hate Christmas and all it stands for,they say it is depressing and sad,well life is what you make of it and maybe if you spent some time handing out food to the homeless and poor on this upcoming said holiday,you too could realize the real reason of the season and understand how many people have it worse off then you and your perceived issues,so get over your self.
Angry words at this time of year? You bet...
Jesus came into this world to teach us to love God through helping others.
If your sick of the Holiday Season then spend the day visiting those in a Nursing Home,Children's Hospital, or prison and when your done walk into the closest church,get down on your knees and thank God that you are one of the lucky ones.
Christmas is what you make of it,if you put little into it,then you will get little out.
This year instead of complaining try to drop off a canned good or inexpensive toy at a collection box,then you will understand the saying that it is more blessed to give then receive.
In the end its not about what you get but what you are willing to give.
Jesus gave up life for us now what are you willing to give up ?
O.K. now lets get this straight people,why are you even bothering to celebrate Christmas if you do not believe in the birth of Christ and what he stands for?
Why not just skip the whole Christmas buying,tree decorating,cookie making and gift wrapping and not celebrate it at all,because you missed the whole reason of the season.
Does it offend you and those who are receiving your cards that each of you may have to view a picture of Mary,Joseph and baby Jesus on your postal envelope?
Those who complain about Christmas and its affiliation to religion are the same people who expect to have December the 25TH off and get paid for it.
Maybe the time has come for you to skip the pay and go back to work because like it or not Jesus is the reason for the season and if that offends you..so sorry..
Many people claim to hate Christmas and all it stands for,they say it is depressing and sad,well life is what you make of it and maybe if you spent some time handing out food to the homeless and poor on this upcoming said holiday,you too could realize the real reason of the season and understand how many people have it worse off then you and your perceived issues,so get over your self.
Angry words at this time of year? You bet...
Jesus came into this world to teach us to love God through helping others.
If your sick of the Holiday Season then spend the day visiting those in a Nursing Home,Children's Hospital, or prison and when your done walk into the closest church,get down on your knees and thank God that you are one of the lucky ones.
Christmas is what you make of it,if you put little into it,then you will get little out.
This year instead of complaining try to drop off a canned good or inexpensive toy at a collection box,then you will understand the saying that it is more blessed to give then receive.
In the end its not about what you get but what you are willing to give.
Jesus gave up life for us now what are you willing to give up ?
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