Thanksgiving: The National Holy-day

By Fr. George Morelli

Chaplain's Corner

For all practical purposes, Thanksgiving Day is the closest we come to a National Holyday in the United States. Historically, it has been celebrated with everything from religious thankfulness, food, frolic and of course modern commercialism. Despite this, it is still a time for many Americans to ‘count their blessings’ and get together with family and/or friends.

Sometimes our approach to life stops us from ‘counting our blessings and giving thanksgiving to God. Psychologists call this pessimism. It is the belief that “bad events will undermine everything they do.” (Seligman, 1990). It is like always seeing the cup ‘half empty’. Those with optimism, confronted with “hard knocks” approach them as a challenge and try harder. Optimists tend to see the cup ‘half full’. They are thankful for what they have and work harder.

Common to our American national heritage is the action of our first president, George Washington who in 1789 declared a national thanksgiving holiday honoring the newly ratified Constitution, proclaiming: the people could thank God for "affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."

Thanksgiving is part of many religious traditions: St. Paul told the Romans (14:5-6): ”One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike. Let every one be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God;” The psalmist tells us: “All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O Lord, and all thy saints shall bless thee! (Ps 145:10). The Koran states: "And He gives you all that ye ask for. But if you count the favors of God, never would you be able to number them" (14:34). A Native American Iroquois thanksgiving prayer ends with the words: “we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in whom is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for the good of his children.”

Some have taken the words of Deuteronomy (26:10) “I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which thou, O Lord, hast given me.' And you shall set it down before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God”, and applied this as an offering to God of themselves. They forgo being with family and friends and give themselves to others in need, serving in food kitchens and the like.

However we commemorate this Holyday, let us see the fullness of the cup of gifts God has given us, and be thankful praying: “Glory to thee, who hast called me to life, … revealed to us the beauty of the universe … Glory to thee O’ God in ages!” (Akathist of Thanksgiving, Metropolitan Tryphon of Turkestan).

REFERENCES

Seligman, M.E.P. (1990). Learned Optimism. NY: Pocket Books.

V. Rev. Fr. George Morelli Ph.D. is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist, Coordinator of the Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Ministry of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, (www.antiochian.org/counseling-ministries) and Religion Coordinator (and Antiochian Archdiocesan Liaison) of the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion. Fr. George is Assistant Pastor of St. George's Antiochian Orthodox Church, San Diego, California.

Source: http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles8/Morelli-Thanksgiving-The-National-Holy-Day.php

An Open Letter to Frank Schaeffer

by George Michalopulos

Recently, I wrote a personal letter to Frank Schaeffer regarding an article he wrote in The Huffington Post. In his essay, Mr Schaeffer declared his support "as a pro-life Christian" for Sen Barack Obama. As discomforting as this is personally, I feel I owe a debt of gratitude for Frank as shall be explained presently. Because of my association with his fine imprint (Regina Orthodox Press), it has come to my attention from some quarters that my views may reflect his. For this reason, I am releasing the letter I wrote in an abridged form, as an "open letter." I pray that this can lead to a civil discourse and am open to the possibility that I might be mistaken. After all, it would be disastrous for Christians to leave the Democratic Party if there is a possibility that they can effect any change from its present "abortion-at-all-costs" platform.

November 1, 2008

Dear Frank,

I write this with a heavy heart as you have shown a great kindness to me several years ago when you chose to publish my book. You took a chance on me, an unpublished author and for that, I'll be forever grateful.

When I first read Stella Jatras' open letter to you, I was (to put it mildly) concerned. I had not read your original letter nor anything else on the Huffington Post as I do not traffic on far-Left websites. I will not go and reiterate what Mrs Jatras wrote as she sourced her letter and anybody can see for themselves who has made the more cogent case.

One of the reasons that made me a devoted fan was because I admired your eloquence, wit, and keen, incisive, mind. Also the bravery you exhibited on the difficult road to Orthodoxy, having been such a luminary in the evangelical and pro-life movement. In reading your book Dancing Alone (as well as the late, lamented Christian Activist) I could see that you were a man of immense integrity. You took the road less traveled, not because it was easy, but because it was right. In short, you went where the arguments and Church history logically led you. As Martin Luther famously put it in another context: "Hier ich standt, ich kann nicht anders" (Here I stand, I can do no other).

Well, Frank, here I stand: There is no logical or valid argument that a principled Christian committed to the pro-life movement can make in supporting Sen Barack Obama in his quest for the presidency. Unless you have some particular insight that he is amenable to changing his mind — and this would include appointing judges to the federal judiciary who are not slavish adherents to the present ghastly abortion regime — then the only conclusion I can draw is that you are no longer committed to the cause of the sanctity of life. I know this sounds harsh, but this is where the facts lead me.

I need something more than "when I listen to Obama speak (and his "remarkable" wife Michelle) what I hear is a world view that actually nurtures life." At best, this is all style without any substance; vacuous slogans - nothing more. (What's so remarkable about Michelle, anyway? Has she tried to cure cancer or raised money for the same? Has she cared for orphaned Third World children like Cindy McCain? Please get back to me on that.)

I have seen or heard nothing that would make me believe Sen. Obama or the Democrat Party views abortion as anything less than an absolute right. I used to be a Democrat. I still have many Democrats as friends, and I can tell you that as much as I love my friends, I've come to the lamentable conclusion that abortion "rights" to many of them are not to be challenged. By contrast, the NRA is far less absolutist about the Second Amendment.

As for Obama, there is no instance in which he has ever voted in any legislative body for any restriction to abortion on demand. This includes even the most modest restrictions on the grisly procedure known as partial birth abortion. I would suggest that instead of gazing longingly upon the Great Man and being mesmerized by that soothing baritone voice, you look up the record for yourself.

I am take some men at their word. For others I let their actions speak for themselves. Rare is the man who possesses the integrity and strength of character to be both a man of his word and a man whose actions mirror his words. In my previous estimation of you, it never occurred to me that you could be anything but a man who talks the talk and most definitely walked the walk. So how can you support for the most pro-abortion candidate in United States history while maintaining your commitment to the pro-life cause? Something does not add up.

It is one thing to leave a political party because you feel it is full of poltroons and mountebanks. It is quite another to paint all within that party (and the pro-life movement for that matter) with the broad brush of bigotry and intolerance.

At the risk of belaboring the point, there is nothing in the life and career of Barack Obama to lead us to any conclusion other than he pro-abortion in every instance and at all times. If I'm wrong I'll shout my mea culpas from the rooftops. If I am correct, I expect we'll be hearing recriminations from you instead, when you realize that as a "pro-lifer," you've been had. We'll still be here, fighting the good fight.

Sincerely,

George C Michalopulos

George C Michalopulos, is a layman in the Orthodox Church in America. He was born in Tulsa, OK where he resides and works. George is active in Church affairs, having served as parish council president at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and as Senior Warden at Holy Apostles Orthodox Christian Church. Together with Deacon Ezra Ham, he wrote 'The American Orthodox Church: A History of Its Beginnings' (Regina Orthodox Press: 2003). He is married to Margaret and has two sons, Constantine and Michael.

Posted: 01-Nov-2008

source: http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles8/Michalopulos-An-Open-Letter-To-Frank-Schaeffer.php#

Michigan woman shares sweets with only those who back McCain, Palin

So now it seems that adults are taking it out on children of supporters of certain presidential candidates, that is if they support the wrong candidate. I’ve heard about everything now.  I wonder what message this gives to the children.  It gives them a real good example of what democracy is all about. It appears that there is no longer any freedom of thought in America.  What’s next?  This woman it correct that evrone has a choice.  But too many times during this election, people have made to wrong choice.

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. - A woman refused Halloween candy to children whose parents support Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Shirley Nagel passed out candy Friday on the scary U.S. holiday, but only to those who shared her support for Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his vice presidential pick Sarah Palin.

Television station WJBK reported that a sign posted outside Nagel's house in suburban Detroit served this notice to children seeking treats: "No handouts for Obama supporters, liars, tricksters or kids of supporters."

Nagel told WJBK that "Obama's scary." When asked about children who were turned away empty-handed and crying, she said: "Oh well. Everybody has a choice."

source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27488353/

Here Today. Tomorrow?

Mark Hosenball
NEWSWEEK
From the magazine issue dated Nov 10, 2008

No matter who wins the presidential election on Nov. 4, U.S. spy agencies worry that the intelligence community could be big losers, with heads rolling either way. Sources close to both campaigns did little to assuage those fears, suggesting that top intel officials

—including CIA Director Michael Hayden—are likely to be replaced and that the United States' new intel apparatus, created in response to 9/11 failures, still has a long way to go.

Sen. John McCain favors more dramatic change than Sen. Barack Obama. Several government officials, who asked for anonymity when discussing sensitive matters, said they expect a President McCain would purge not only Hayden but also his two top deputies. McCain's plans for the rest of the agency could be even more sweeping. According to little-noticed comments he made last year, McCain has mulled effectively dismantling the CIA and replacing it with a new covert-ops outfit patterned on the OSS of World War II: "A small, nimble, can-do organization," he said, that "could take risks that our bureaucracies today rarely consider taking." Campaign spokesman Brian Rogers told NEWSWEEK that McCain "hasn't talked about personnel at all, and has not gone into details" about his CIA plans.

An Obama spokeswoman declined to comment on his plans. But sources close to the campaign's transition apparatus, who also asked for anonymity, said Obama would prefer to tweak, rather than remake, the intel system. Obama is being advised on intel matters by former senior CIA officials, at least one of whom, John Brennan, is rumored as a possible future CIA director; for intel czar, Obama has been looking at former four-star military officers. Hayden, himself a retired four-star general, would consider staying on if asked, though some Democrats believe he was a too-vigorous defender of controversial Bush administration policies.

Inside the various agencies, trepidation is widespread. "The last thing American intelligence needs is another shake-up," one of the anonymous officials said, noting that the previous reshuffle "is barely two years old. It's still shaking out, and it can be made to work better than it does now--without using a chain saw."
URL: http://www.newsweek.com/id/166999

We Believe

This blog started as part of St. Mary the Protectress's social justice ministry. The posts are the result of many of my reading and those of the congregational family. The church is a social animal. Her mission concerns not only each person's salvation, but also the salvation of the world.

Too often what we see today from churches and faith groups is a turning toward an ego centered teaching. Some of us have heard ministers preach of what to do to put more money in our bank accounts. There is also a grew tend of teaching that says that what we believe to be God's teaching must also be the controlling guidelines for government. A problem is that not all believe the same thing. I do believe that Christ is the way to salvation, but the failure comes when we also seem to have the need to point the finger at everyone else, telling them they are wrong, that they are going to Hell. Just because someone is different than us does not mean they are wrong and we are right.

Christians must be guided by what Christ taught. But we must be careful not to place a meaning to Christ's words that fits us, rather than to seek what the true meaning is.

We believe along with Mar Gregorios that:
* God loves all human beings irrespective of their color, caste, race, gender, or religious beliefs.
* All religions should flow together without losing their identity, but understanding one another.
* All religions need to recreate the deepest levels of meaning for the human existence in personal and communal spirituality.
* All religions need to have a commitment to the welfare of the humanity: to justice, to peace, and to the maintenance of a healthy environment.
* The human race needs to move out of national patriotism to a planetary patriotism.

Need For Food Donations

With all the talk of the election and the economy, we may forget Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming close. We can help those in need. Our friends at the Marshall County Neighborhood Center in Plymouth have started their annual campaign.

Neighborhood Center in need of food donations

Saturday, 01 November 2008

By Carol Anders Staff Writer PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Neighborhood Center has begun its annual campaign for donations to benefit Marshall County families and children over the holidays. The Center traditionally offers baskets of Thanksgiving dinner food to Marshall County residents in need. At Christmas, they also offer new gifts to parents of children in need. It is hoping to have enough donations to give out 250 food baskets for Thanksgiv-ing; however, Director Jerry Nikitas said the number will depend on their resources. He said, “We may have to limit the number of baskets or the amount of the food.” On Saturday, Nov. 8, trucks for donations will be parked at Martin’s Supermarket and Kroger to help those who want to donate. Shoppers will be able to pick up a Neighborhood Center shopping list at the entry doors of both stores from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food and new toys are accepted daily at the center, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Nikitas said accountability is important. Those wanting to be put on a list for Thanksgiving or Christmas help must fill out an application. Nikitas said, “We check the family income and the number of family members. If the application is approved, a letter is sent to the address given. Applicants must then present the letter in order to receive a food basket.” Except for Mondays, the center also has a food pantry on site, to distribute food, free of charge, to Marshall Coun-ty residents. The food pantry is not open for distribution on Monday, but donations are always accepted. The staff is able to purchase some food products through the food bank in South Bend at 18 cents per pound; but they also find it necessary to purchase other places to offer proper nutrition for clients. According to Nikitas, they served 781 people in September with food assistance. The center is the recipient of government commodities; however, Nikitas said the last several shipments that they hoped to receive were canceled. Nikitas predicts that they will give assistance to 1,000 or more people in October. Donations given to the Neighborhood Center can be ear-marked for holidays. Nikitas touched on the difficulty that many are experiencing in the county saying, “We have an economy that forces people to create their own economy.”

source: http://www.thepilotnews.com/content/view/79624/1/

What Happens in Syria Stays in Syria?

A recent US attack on Syria is shrouded with mystery. The US says it was after terrorists but Syria insists that only civilians were killed. Is the attack linked to the elections? And why now?

Suggested answers to these questions and more on Link TV's Mosaic Intelligence Report.Presented by Jamal Dajani.

We get a limited view of world news in America. Whether the views and opinions expressed in the video, it presents how those in the Middle East views American action. If you do not have access to Link TV you can view some of their programs online at www.linktv.org.

Link TV ( http://www.linktv.org ) is an independent national network providing diverse perspectives on world and national issues, without censorship or commercials. Now available in one out of four U.S. homes. Link TV broadcasts a compelling mix of documentaries, global and national news, the music of diverse cultures and innovative participatory programs promoting citizen action. We provide a unique platform for civic dialogue and engagement on the issues of our day. Most of Link TV's programs have never been broadcast on American television.

A few days ago the same televison show addressed the question, "Is there something wrong with being a Muslim?"