Month: October 2006

  • I don’t normally post these types of e-mail fowards on my blog, but this was too good not to post. In Greek we call “temptation” from the Evil One, “peirasmos”. Very pious Orthodox Christians understand this term and can see when the evil one is, “leading them into temptation.” This message is a very good reminder for us all. Thankfully I DO know more then 10 people that  would admit they love Christ. Sadly too many people don’t or can’t see the forest for the trees. Lord Have Mercy On Us All!.

    SATAN’S MEETING: (Read even if you’re busy)

    Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

    In his opening address he said,

    “We can’t keep Christians from going to church.”

    “We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.”

    “We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their saviour.”

    “Once they gain that connection with Christ, our power over them is broken.”

    “So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don’t have time to develop a relationship with Christ..”

    “This is what I want you to do,” said the devil:

    “Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!”

    “How shall we do this?” his demons shouted.

    “Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,” he answered.

    “Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.”

    “Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.”

    “Keep them from spending time with their children.”

    “As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!”

    “Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.”

    “Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.” To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.”

    “This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.”

    “Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.”

    “Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.”

    “Invade their driving moments with billboards.”

    “Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs,
    sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..”

    “Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what’s important, and they’ll become dissatisfied with their wives.”
    “Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night.”

    “Give them headaches too! ”

    “If they don’t give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere.”

    “That will fragment their families quickly!”

    “Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.”

    “Give them an Easter bunny so they won’t talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.”

    “Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.”

    “Have them return from their recreation exhausted.”

    “Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God’s creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.”

    “Keep them busy, busy, busy!”

    “And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.”

    “Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Christ.”

    “Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.”

    “It will work!”

    “It will work!”

    It was quite a plan!

    The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.

    Having little time for their God or their families.

    Having no time to tell others about the power of Christ to change lives.

    I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?

    You be the judge!!!!!

    Does “BUSY” mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan’s Y-oke?

    Please pass this on, if you aren’t too BUSY!

    I don’t think I know 10 people who would admit they love Christ.

    Do You Love Him?

    IF YOU LOVE CHRIST, PASS THIS ON!!!

  • ~Maria~Angelica is ONE today!!~

    It is hard to believe one year has passed! I look at her and still can’t believe she is ours! Last night as I was falling asleep I was thinking of  her birth and how she just appeared, I am still amazed. No labor pictures to post to look back on! LOL!! Just miracles all around! GLORY BE TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS!


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  • ~Does anyone recognize this boy?~

    You may remember, this post, where I blogged about Jonah’s photoshoot for the Frontgate catalog. He is on page .42 of the Frontgate 2006 Holiday Book - ”Holiday’s by Design” . (The picture shows a little more of him in the actual catalog.)  We had no idea the catalog had come out, we haven’t received it yet. It wasn’t until I visited the boys, at lunchtime today, that Nicholas’ teacher told me she spotted Jonah in the catalog , two weeks ago! Way to go Jonah, we are proud of you and you are doing your bit to help with this month’s tuition payment! LOL!

     

     

     

  • Last Sunday (Oct. 8th), a wonderful group of people, put together a beautiful luncheon for Fr. on the occasion of his 10th Ordination Anniversary. (Sept. 29)

    Many of you have been praying for us and our community over this last year. Thank you so very much for your prayers and support. We had a bit of a shake up at the beginning of  last school year. God willing, it is all behind us now and the Church can continue to flourish and be a beacon of Orthodox Christian spirituality in this area. > <img src='http://presvlisa.xanga.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif' alt=':(' class='wp-smiley' /> ” src=”http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a17/jenniferhock/crosseo.gif” border=0><BR><BR>The Luncheon was just the boost we needed to get our enthusiasm and momentum back.</FONT></P><P align=center><FONT face=Glory to God for all things!

    Click here to view the photos. The photos are best viewed by slideshow.

  • ~So much to do, so much to share, and not enough time to do it!~

    Here is some of what we have been up to. Wedding preparations for Michael (my brother) and Lena’s wedding, two trips to the pumpkin farm in one week, one for the kindergarten class and one for the first grade, a day trip to Tall Stacks (a festival on the Ohio River) for the Third grade. Fr.’s 10 year Ordination Anniversary Luncheon at Church on Sunday (which was beautiful and well attended), the baby took her first independent step in the Church on Sunday too!   Play dates and picnics, to take advantage of  the wonderful Indian Summer we have been having, which will be ending rather quickly here any day now. ( I am not looking forward to the cold!)  Piano lessons, homework, walks in the park, enjoying all  the autumn colors and today a lovely visit from my dear friend Sr. Vicki from the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration. Ellwood City, PA . The children enjoyed her so much! This weekend our Bishop is coming and on Sunday there will be an ordination for a deacon to become a priest at our neighboring GOC church.  We also have slipper day (for the first graders) and several birthday parties to look forward to.

    One of these days I hope to share some photos. Life is good!  Keep praying for us!

    Glory be to God for all things!

  • If you are having a bad day, this picture will surely cheer you up! Sandra and Betsy that’s for you! Hope you are both doing better!

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  • ~Come and See~

    I like this , so I thought I would share. Enjoy, it is really beautiful!




    Taken from here.