Good-bye to Izzy

Izabella "Izzy" Blaine McManaway

2007 ~ 2012

Isaiah 11:6  

She led many to Christ!

She is the child that made people say, “Keep Smilin’” because of her beautiful spirit and unwavering determination to live life to the fullest.  She touched and inspired thousands, as evidenced by the stacks of mail she received every day for weeks over the 2011 Christmas holiday and the continuous stream of well-wishers and visitors.  Izabella “Izzy” Blaine McManaway, of Fayetteville, WV, would have turned 5 years old on March 12, 2012.  She     passed on to the Kingdom of Heaven on February 22, 2012 after a lengthy battle with rhabdomyosarcoma.

She would not wish you sadness, but rather to celebrate her brief, yet fulfilled life.  Remember her words, just a day after surgery to amputate her left leg: “If I cry and don’t smile, then the devil will be happy.  So I’m gonna smile.”  Izzy would want you to remember her smile and laughter and how beautiful she looked in her cheerleading uniform as she cheered for the Pirates at Fayetteville and the Patriots at Mt. View Christian School.  She would want you to know how it pleased her to paint the toenails on her artificial foot and how she learned to ride her bicycle with her new leg; how she never gave up the enjoyment of life just because of cancer.

Izzy leaves behind a strong and faithful family: her loving parents, Corey & Jenny McManaway and her two beloved older sisters, Zavery and Zoe McManaway;  Great-grandparents, Nancy Barnett of Middlesboro, KY and Hazel Hannigan of Oak Hill, WV. Grandparents, Terry & Connie McManaway of Oak Hill, WV and Dale & Linda Clonch of Fayetteville, WV, as well as many cousins, aunts and uncles who adore her.  Izzy says good-bye to two special friends, Kerrisyn Feazell and Trace Crumb, and the loving church family at Fayetteville Baptist.  She also leaves behind 3 faithful pets, two dogs and a kitten who rarely left her side:  Charlie the Faithful Protector, Trixie the Clown and Smokey the Curious.  Perhaps she will greet another favorite in heaven, her Aunt Amy’s horse, Jack, whom she loved to visit at the farm.  

Izzy would like for you to know of the things she loved most in this life, aside from her parents and sisters.  Things like 4-wheelin’ with her cousin, Ben, jumping on the trampoline with numerous friends, playing with her baby doll, Elizabeth Sally, listening to Justin Bieber’s music, swimming at her grandparent’s pool and having popsicles in the warm sunshine afterwards.   She loved shopping, especially for purses and carried all the essentials in them. You know, like full sized liquid hand soap, lotions with sparkle, hand sanitizer in various scents, lip balms of every color and crayons.  She was always ready to go to Crossroads Mall to get a cookie from the Great American Cookie Co. or to Wal Mart to greet most of Fayetteville. 

Izzy endeared many people to her through her gorgeous smile, her faithfulness to God, and her zest for life.  Although very young, she was a spiritual giant and prayed often and at length for other friends and family right up until the end.  Through her struggle, many souls have come to know Christ, as this was her purpose on earth. (Is 11:6) Her time with us may have ended but her life is not over because Christ has defeated death and love is eternal.  She completed her earthly purpose in just under five short years.  May we all take heed of St. Matthew 18:3 that implores us to become like little children in our faith and relationship with Christ so that we shall see the Kingdom of God, for that is where this beautiful child now resides.

Special services to celebrate her life will be held at Grace Baptist Church in Fayetteville, WV beginning at 11:00 am, ceremony begins at 1:00 pm. on Monday, February 27, 2012.  Private graveside services will be held at a later time.  To help celebrate her beautiful life, think about wearing her favorite colors, pink and purple, to the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Timmy’s Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps families with children at WVU Children's Hospital.  Timmy's Fund has been very instrumental in supporting the McManaway Family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as well;  thank you Joe & Tara Quigley:  www.timmysfund.org 

Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home is handling all arrangements and online condolences may be left here or at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com 

A special thank you to Dr. Paul and the wonderful team of physicians and nurses at WVU Children’s Hospital who demonstrated skill and professionalism and even more importantly, generosity, patience, understanding and genuine love.  This team of healthcare providers went above and beyond the call and they are most appreciated.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for Izzy and expressed your concern in numerous ways; by your prayers God continues to sustain Izzy’s family with grace and peace that passes all understanding.  

Kudos to Kylie!

I now have one more name to add to the short list: Kylie Bisutti.  In case you missed it, this beautiful young lady is even more gorgeous on the inside:  a woman standing in an international spotlight choosing to go against the stream and glorify God.  She has relinquished her contract with Victoria’s Secret because her career in modeling lingerie clashes with her Christian convictions to honor her husband with her body.  In at least one interview, she cited a poignant encounter with her 8 year old cousin as a turning point.  Kylie said her little cousin was watching her put on make-up and fix her hair one day and was admiring her.  The little one then remarked, "I think I'll stop eating so I can look like you.." and it broke Kylie's heart because she didn't want her little cousin to think this was the way to be beautiful.

God’s blessings to you, Kylie.  By the enormous strength you’re displaying, you will be influencing MORE young ladies to seek true beauty and worth in God’s sight.  What you’re doing now takes more guts, more hard work and endurance than winning that lucrative contract to wear the wings.

Case in point, dealing with this chaff: The Blemish. This anonymous writer for the Blemish is a prime example of a priest of the church of secular humanism.  Out of one side of his mouth, these liberal types will praise the famous who, under fire, will ‘buck the norm’ and come out about their homosexuality, and out of the other side, will tar and feather someone like Kylie for ‘bucking the norm’ for taking an unpopular stance because of Christ.   Your article embodies the hypocrisy of your ilk, being willing to consume women as a commodity for your insatiable pleasure.   I’d say, deep down, far removed from any news or web print, you men would be overwhelmed and humbled to experience the kind of devotion, love and honor that Kylie is showing to her husband in front of the world.

Kylie, may God grant you & your husband many, many joyful years.  You are an inspiration to millions!

  

Praying to the Saints

Since I’m thinking of St. Kendeas today, it’s probably a good time to share some thoughts on another Orthodox practice that leaves Protestants scratching their heads.  Why do they do that?  Don’t they know we can speak directly to God without going through any intercessors?

Well, yes, we do know that.  We pray to God directly all the time:  Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner... among other prayers.  Like Protestants, we also ask our church family, friends, or other christians to remember our loved ones in prayer circles.  Why do we ALL do that?  Why do we ask others to pray for us if we alone can speak directly to God?   1 Timothy 2 speaks to this.  St. Paul urges that “entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Jesus Christ.”  

Just as we ask our loved ones on earth to pray for us, so too, do we ask the prayers of the saints, who are alive in Christ, members of the Church Triumphant (2 Corinthians 5:8 says when we are absent in the body, we are then present with the Lord.)  Death is no defeat for the Christian! Why would Christians stop praying for one another because they have crossed over to the Kingdom of Heaven?  Jesus is there interceding for us (Romans 8:34) and Revelation 5 tells us of the prayers of the saints in heaven.  

It’s really as simple as that.  

Back to St. Kendeas.  He is a little known saint from the small island of Cyprus, although that may be changing in America thanks to Chrissi Hart.  She is the author of Under the Grapevine:  A Miracle by Saint Kendeas of Cyprus.   In her book, she recounts the true story of how her grandmother was helped and healed by God through this Wonder-Working Saint.  It is a beautiful story and I encourage you to add this title to your bookshelf.  My children love the story and so do I.    I think of St. Kendeas and ask his prayers for my niece because I know he has care for the little ones, for those who are ill and love Jesus Christ.  

Icon of St. Kendeas, Wonder-Working Saint of Cyprus
(lived between the 7th and 10th century)

Troparion (a special hymn composed for this saint on his feast day - Oct. 6)

Having hallowed through struggles the Jordan wilderness and the island of Cyprus,  You shone out upon all through remarkable battles as a fixed star.  

Therefore, having seen the fullness of your wonders, O God-bearing Kendeas, we lift our voices:  

Glory to You, O Christ, through him who extols.  

Glory to You through him who magnifies.  

Glory to the One who through you heals illnesses for all.

A Blessed St. Brigid's Day to you!

St. Brigid is my patron and I've made quite a few entries about her and her cross made of rushes, as seen in the icon at left.  You can check the links listed at the bottom of this entry, on the sidebar, or type in "St. Brigid" in the search bar at upper left.   Typically the children and I weave these crosses out of pipe cleaners and share them, but this year there's no time.  Too many school projects due at week's end and we've been nursing colds and sore throats as well.  Here is a link to my favorite icon of St. Brigid,  one of several in our home.  I'll be cooking our traditional menu to celebrate this 5th century Celtic saint this evening:  Boxty pancakes, Spring Herb Quiche and Beacan Bruith with black Irish tea.  May your table be blessed with plenty and may generosity overtake your heart! 

Why I Gave Up Being Pope

The short answer is:  it leads to chaos and I’m searching for peace and strength.  For the longer reply, read on.

Recently a video titled "Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus" made the rounds in my circle of Facebook peeps and then a reply by my friend, Fr. Andrew, came down the pike and the comments and feedback exploded. See the video and Fr. Andrew's reply here.

Wow!  Many a feather are ruffled when it comes to talk about Jesus and “organized religion”.  The creator of the video, Jefferson Bethke, laments the disparity he sees between the two, in popular rap style which apparently made thousands swoon.  I might be content to let sleeping dogs lie on this one if it weren’t for the fact that I’m gearing up to write posts bridging the gap, albeit simply, between Protestantism and Orthodoxy.  The fact is, the friction illustrated by the video and subsequent response in blog posts and comments is a perfect starting point for my next series.

Why do so many see Jesus Christ as opposed to “organized religion”?  Why are some content to leave all that church stuff behind and forge onward with Jesus in one hand and the Bible in the other?  God has given me intellect, you might say, and that is enough to read and apply His Word to my life.  It’s just me ‘n Jesus and that’s all I really need.

Except for the fact there’s always that niggling little thing in Scripture that’s not quite understood...not quite clear.  And so, we’ll seek either one of several paths:  read commentaries to gain understanding, ask a pastor or other trusted, knowledgeable individual, or maybe peruse other verses believing that all Scripture is interpreted by other Scripture. Oh, I nearly forgot that other path:  toss it out.

That’s the jewel, or the abyss depending on your perspective, of American Protestantism and it’s one of the major reasons why I left the Protestant realm and found a hospital for my soul in the Orthodox Church.

Let me explain that a little further.  If you’re a serious student of God’s Word and honest, you’ll know that all things written there are not crystal clear.  Some verses need explaining, require context and an understanding of the language. Inevitably, there needs to be something else with which to understand Scripture.  Otherwise the Ethiopian eunuch would not have asked for understanding of the Scripture he read (Acts 8:26-40). When you take in the landscape of American christian organizations you can see the essence of this Scriptural conundrum;  we have literally thousands of Protestant denominations.  Why?  Because each leader of each congregation says, essentially, “I have the answers.  I have the proper interpretation and understanding of Scripture.  I have the Holy Spirit that leads me into understanding.  I am Pope;  I get to decide.”  You see where I’m going with this?  If all these pastors have the “correct” lens with which to view Scripture, how can they all be TRUE?  Is the Holy Spirit divided?  And what happens when my church has a division?  How do I know which leader’s viewpoint and congregation is the one to follow?  aagghh... it’s up to me to arbitrate Truth; that’s so much pressure!

For many years I followed a variety of those aforementioned paths when I encountered something from the Bible I didn’t quite understand. Or, more importantly, I sought for wisdom when my own denomination (American Baptist) was taking a turn in the theology they had held since their inception.  If Jesus Christ is unchanging, (Hebrews 13:8), how can the teachings of Christ change?  Our culture evolves but Christ does not.  Praise God!  he is the same yesterday, today and forever...It is only in this way that we have a foundation at all; Truth is what holds the world.

When I discovered that this church - this body of believers- existed who held onto Truth since the day of the apostles, who held onto the traditions of the faith, whether by word or epistle (2 Thess. 2:15), I knew I was home.  After a tiring journey of much debate, theological posturing and apathy, it felt good to rest in the arms of the Church.  I am not the arbitrator of Truth.  Truth IS,  whether I acknowledge it or not... just as the world is round whether people living on it recognize it or not.  It’s unchanging and fixed.  Hallelujah! I don’t have to be Pope!

Now FreeThinkers invariably say, ‘Fine.  You’ve simply forfeited your right to think for yourself by resting in those boundaries set forth by the Church.’  I disagree.  I see it more like using my freethinking- freewill - abilities to craft a raft with which to abandon survival mode and float down the river toward civilization.  I have found that Rock that informs and nourishes my entire being.

What I find humorous about the atheists and agnostics is the fact that they refuse to ask certain questions.  But of course, they have to, in order to maintain the finesse of their lightweight paradigm.  A paradigm that never investigates its own foundation because they know it’s detrimental to do so.  Asking about origins is fruitless to them who have a great faith in the things that are; exonerating the leaf to be free of the tree.  Origins don’t matter to those whose existence is based upon reason, logic and empirical proofs.  It’s really not so humorous, but rather sad.  I think people who hail free thinking often have ailing spirits, as they are rarely nourished.  How can one nurture what they don’t know to exist?

Church as Hospital

In the video by Bethke, he says that church should be a hospital and I agree.  I take it from his angry approach, however, that he didn’t experience it this way.  How dismal and misguided is it to say you love the Bridegroom but hate the Bride?

When I began attending the Orthodox Church in 2004, it was, in every instance, a hospital for my soul.  A non-Orthodox person once described an Orthodox worship service as “listening to the sounds of God”  and I can relate to that.  The sounds you hear in an Orthodox service are otherworldly... the English and Arabic chanting, the bells, the censor, the prayers of the people, the out-of-view choir all add a beautiful dimension to worshipping God.  

It’s a mystery how God ministered to my soul during those early years in the Orthodox Church.  I might say it was in the lighting of candles or smelling that heavenly incense...or the kindness of an elderly gentleman who shared his antidoron (blessed bread) with me during a particularly deep valley in my life.  Maybe it was the homily and hearing the words of God being read...maybe it was the reality of what ‘sacred’ truly means.  Maybe it was the beauty and thoughtfulness provoked by the numerous icons.  I can more easily define what it wasn’t.

It was not the friendliness or the social aspect of church at all; indeed, I deliberately avoided this.  It wasn’t the books I read from the church library or the sweets offered at coffee hour or the numerous children’s programs and opportunities.  No, it was none of that.  It was something intangible, yet profoundly palpable because my soul experienced healing through Divine Liturgy at the Orthodox Church. A peace and stability was evident there. Worship through all my senses was present there.  Worship with my mind, body and spirit was present there...

God touched me and lifted my spirit through Orthodox worship...it really was -and is- as simple as that.

Praise Him who bestows grace upon His unworthy servants!

Lesson on Love and Letting Go

Hand woven crosses in our prayer corner

Fr. David, in his final podcast from Afghanistan, enunciated clearly something I’ve thought of writing about for some time:  lessons on love and letting go.   It’s been a painful life lesson, but a necessary one in my spiritual growth and so, I’m thankful for it.  Perhaps now that some time has passed and my perspective is better, it’s worth sharing.

I have learned, in a very intense way, over the past 5 years that I do not love others as I should.  Christ tells us to love others as ourself and to even love our enemies.  But what does that mean exactly?  How easy it is to love those who love us back... and how difficult is it to love those who do not love us in return.  I am speaking of relationships and friendships in particular.  I’m talking about how good it is to share our life with one we trust and confide in, the joy that comes with being understood and nurtured by others’ words and actions.  And the pain that comes when all that ends...abruptly and without explanation.    Maybe you’ve been there. 

Listening to Fr. David this morning and analyzing the events in my own life, I feel as though this lesson has come full circle for me.  I pray it’s one I don’t forget and choose rather to learn from it and grow because of the wisdom within.   In my experience, I learned that I was loving other people, but with strings attached.  I wanted something in return, I wanted to have my needs met, too.  My need for companionship and being heard.  And when they weren’t, I felt hurt and disappointed...and even angry.  And it made me question the motives of my heart: Did I really love and care about this person at all?  Or was it a purely selfish relationship?  Caring just enough so that my own needs were met?

I realized that our feelings can be deceptive and that sometimes God crosses our paths with others for a very specific purpose.  If we have our eyes fixed upon that, upon Him, then we are less deceived by the ever changing currents of our hearts.   When we truly love another person, as Christ intends, there are no strings attached.  It’s selfless and kind...generous and peaceable....expecting nothing in return.  How many of us truly love like that?  I want to love like that...but I know it’s attainable only by the grace of God.  I’m not equipped for it, as I am a very weak vessel.  Through Christ, though, all things are possible.  I have realized the peace that comes on the other side of pain, the clarity that comes with wisdom and of love born from the eternal source of love, Christ Jesus our God.

This lesson, too, has deepened my love for the Prayer of St. Francis, whereby I am encouraged to seek to console rather than being consoled, to understand rather than to be understood.  It’s complete selflessness.  It's loving fully, but lightly...being willing to share and give and comfort and then let go.  It’s having your cup filled with the grace of God so that you have something to give another, not wanting nor expecting anything in return.  

Izzy's Christmas

Keep on Smilin'!
Izzy, Christmas 2011

What a fun time we all had this past Christmas!  Thanks to ALL of you out there across the globe who took the time to send a happy Christmas greeting to Izzy and her family!  As you may have read here previously, Izzy never actually made a request for a million Christmas cards, but she has enjoyed receiving them nonetheless.  We didn’t make an official count, but the cards came in by the thousands.  Our family divided them up between 3 households in order to open them all before Valentine’s Day.

Izzy especially loved the ones that had an animal on the card and we all enjoyed the handmade creations, ornaments, bracelets and other crafts.  A lady sent in one with a photo of her pet duck and her story and this made Izzy smile BIG : D  Other folks drew pictures or made puzzles for Izzy, sent coloring sheets and cards that played music...some sent money or gift cards or candy...the list of colorful creations and warm wishes seems almost endless!  

hand drawn creation

handmade card

Many schools sent stacks of cards and I was touched by the sentiments expressed by children.  Reading through those leaves no doubt as to why Christ says we must become as children or we’ll never enter heaven.  The faith and joy revealed through their words is incredibly uplifting and I know we’ll read these again and again through the years.    Of the relatively small portion of cards that my mom went through, over 20 states were represented as well as numerous countries, including Germany, Ireland, Korea, France, Israel, Afghanistan and Thailand.  She received warm wishes from a few famous people too, such as our former governor, now US Senator, Joe Manchin, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Justin Beiber and several women vying for Miss USA.   

Thanks again, for taking the time to bring cheer not only to Izzy, but the entire family. 

Izzy and her Uncle Will putting make-up on her doll

Izzy with her big sister on Christmas Eve 2011

Smokey...the new kitten at Izzy's house

In other news, our family celebrated Christmas like always, with a large gathering including lots of food, toys and laughter.  Even though I was disappointed not to have a white Christmas, the mild weather did allow us to visit the ice arena where Izzy put on ice skates for the first time....

Izzy at the ice arena over Christmas holiday 2011 

There’s nothing this kid can’t do ; ‘ )  

As always, we ask for your prayers above all else and wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2012!

Glory to God for all things †

Quick word about Izzy and Christmas Cards

I know many of you continue to check in here for updates on Izzy and especially with regard to her Christmas cards... I will get to it soon, as we are still going through all the mail.  It has been so heart-warming to hear from so many of you....from all around the U.S. and many other countries, too!


Izzy is in good spirits and I promise an update and photos soon... and will attach a special place for Izzy on my sidebar so you don't have to search for posts about her.  Thank you for continuing to check in and for your prayers!  God bless †

A Beacon in Afghanistan; thank you Romania!

Orthodox Chapel at Kandahar Air Base

Did you know about the only existing christian church in Afghanistan?  In a country where over 90% of the population is either sunni muslim or another muslim sect, it must be an incredible and often heartwarming sight for christian military to see that cupola from the air field at Kandahar.

The building of this church isn’t recent news, but it was new information for me to learn yesterday while listening to a podcast by Fr. David Alexander on Ancient Faith Radio.  Fr. David is an Orthodox priest and military chaplain serving our U.S. forces in Afghanistan, although I believe he has returned to the states at this point.

From him I learned the story of how this beautiful little chapel came into being:  

When the seven coalition countries first came to Afghanistan to provide the initial diplomatic and military response to the attacks of 9/11, Romania was one of those countries.  Each host nation built their own compound at Kandahar and Romania desired a church to be a part of their compound.  One of their contacts from back home in Transylvania, Romania sent photos of a monastic chapel.  From these photographs, an ethnically Romanian, American civil engineer along with the Romanians and Americans built this chapel in a matter of days.  The chapel is complete with an altar, a full iconostasis and even a bell house out front.

Fr. David describes it as a place where “beauty meets simplicity” and likens the church to St. Vladimir’s Seminary Chapel (New York) and St. Herman’s Chapel in Kodiak, Alaska.  How wonderful to hear of such a rich jewel in an otherwise barren and camouflaged landscape.

Listening to Fr. David speak of the hospitality of the Romanians and the diverse worship services held in this chapel, including Americans,Canadians, Russian contractors, Macedonians, Bulgarians and Dutch military, calls to mind a beautiful image of Afghanistan.  May the Lord bless and preserve those in defense of freedom everywhere...and may our Lord touch many more souls through the example of those who serve Him.

You can listen to a variety of Fr. David’s podcasts here and see more images of the chapel here, from the St. George Orthodox Military Association.  The podcast in which Fr. David is speaking of this chapel is titled, "Paschal Joy, Paschal Lessons, Paschal Rest".

Twelve Minutes...

...to show you miracles.  Not many nations around the world understand the persecution of christianity as well as the Russian people.  Today Russia is witnessing the restoration of nearly 30,000 churches and monasteries; a monumental rebirth of Orthodoxy!  The fact that this extraordinary exhibition, celebrating Christ and His Church, would take place around their country is nothing short of amazing.   I agree with what others in the Orthodox community have said, seeing the striking images of persecution (about mid-way through) under communism is powerful...!


Thank you Mat. Emily for sharing such an inspiring, well-crafted video of the amazing, high-tech, 2012 Exhibition of Orthodoxy in Russia.  




Read related article: The Voice of Russia

To God be the glory for all things!

                      †

Protecting Peace

Design by Cari Buziak

A joyous 2012 to you!   I hope your new year is off to a good start, with warm remembrances from 2011 and a positive outlook for this new year.  I don’t make resolutions, but prefer to set goals.  The difference?    Resolution seems the weak counterpart to goal... resolution implies ‘I’ll do my best’, while a goal sets the standard and provides a path to tread.  At least, that’s how I see it.

One of my goals for 2012 is to protect peace.  I’m speaking of inner peace, that blissful state free of misleading emotions that allows for clear thinking and decision making.  That inner place that is filled with God’s sustaining grace and enables the soft, still voice of God to speak and be heard.   Too often I have believed this peace to be born of circumstance or environment, but it is a blessing from God and one that should be sought (Psalm 34:14) and protected.  As the Lord gave to Moses, (Number 6:22-26) this priestly blessing is one of my favorite verses from Holy Scripture:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;  the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”  

The following prayer made me think of something Fr. Stephen said during his homily on Sunday.  Something I want to remember throughout the year:  'that person that most despises you, or you him, is not your enemy.  He is a victim of your enemy, a casualty of your enemy.'

A Prayer for Peace

We thank Thee, Master and Lover of mankind, King of the ages and giver of all good things, for destroying the dividing wall of enmity and granting peace to those who seek thy mercy. We appeal to Thee to awaken the longing for a peaceful life in all those who are filled with hatred for their neighbors, thinking especially of those at war or preparing for war. Grant peace to thy servants. Implant in them the fear of Thee and confirm in them love one for another. Extinguish every dispute and banish all temptations to disagreement. For Thou art our peace and to Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

- from the Orthodox Book of Needs, St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Pennsylvania, USA

Merry Christmas!

Christ is born!

Glorify Him!

To all who read here, I wish you a Merry Christmas and much love, joy and peace in the coming

New Year :)

and to share my favorite Byzantine hymn (with English subtitles) with you:

Izzy Update from her Mother

If you note some tension in my sister's words here, it's due to the fact that lies and misinformation persist on the internet regarding her daughter, Izzy.  I'm hoping those who continue to Google about Izzy will find themselves here to read the truth:

"Ok ~ Here it goes ~ Izzy is doing VERY WELL. She's going to school each week and walking with 2 legs like a pro. Not that it's anybody's business, but Izzy IS NOT getting hospice care nor has she been at the hospital recently. For those who didn't quite understand my post before ~ I'm gonna say it one more time ~ My Almighty God from up above is taking extremely good care of Me and My Daughter. Izzy has no tubes or IVs running through her, no doctors or nurses giving chemo, no wheelchairs to depend upon and no excuses to prevent her from living the life she wants to live. Each day the Lord takes her hand and gives her the strength, happiness, and faith she needs to lead a good life. Please don't destroy that by letting pure ignorance take over your mouth. Understand?!"  JC McManaway, Izzy's mother, posted on Facebook this evening, 12.20.2011

If you are one wishing to learn the truth, please share this with your message boards and community outreach groups.  Also, for those who have inquired about sending Christmas cards, thank you for your goodwill, but receiving 1,000,000 cards was never Izzy's request.  They currently have enough mail to go through for a year : )

The Gift of Grace Among Tangled Webs: An Izzy Update

“The sword of our soul does not acquire a keen sharp edge unless another’s wickedness hones it.” 

-St Gregory the Great

I write not because there is new information to share about Izzy, but because it is necessary to put into perspective the chaos occurring on some fronts of this spiritual battle.  Yes, spiritual battle.  Whether you believe it or not, all things of this earth have a spiritual component;  we are either striving for the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of Self while walking this earth.  Some are on the front lines of such battles, while others like to believe they live in the void, totally removed from any religious belief or inclination*.    

For those on the front lines, this post is for you because you’ll understand what I’m talking about, knowing that Ephesians 6 belongs to you personally.

Any Christian who walks a path close to God is bound to encounter the attack of satan and his legions, indeed this is one indicator that you’re walking a path of faith.  It’s the high road, the narrow way in which the saints walk and beckon you who love God and the Kingdom of Light.    It’s the proverbial path less traveled, the one that takes effort, self-control, patience and perseverance, but offers greater rewards than our feeble minds can fathom.

This is the path my family treads, or attempts to tread every day.  We know it’s the way and yet we’re aware of the tangled webs looming at every curve.  We know that every good gift is from above and the wicked twisting of those gifts by our enemy.  The internet can be a tool of God, bringing people together in prayer and thanksgiving...touching lives for good in a matter of seconds, connecting many parts of the world in less time than it takes to say morning prayers.   It can also be a tool in satan’s arsenal; never doubt he knows and preys upon the weakness of men.

I will confess and tell you that one of my greatest faults is a short temper, giving in to anger that causes me to say and do things I shouldn’t...and then falling on self-righteousness to justify my actions.  I struggle with it... I’m aware of how my enemy will use this characteristic against me.  It’s a sticky web to fall into because when I cave to anger, I am no longer serving the Kingdom of God, I’m only serving my own chaos.

Another of those consuming webs is inherent in Facebook, the unleashing of the tongue that causes much harm (Psalms 39:1 and Proverbs 12:18).  The tongue of the wise brings healing, but reckless words pierce like a sword!  I could write ad nauseam about the anger I feel when reading audacious words about Izzy’s health and my sister’s beautiful family, but do you see what this accomplishes?  One sin feeding into another perpetuates chaos, the black cloud of hell.  God is the author of peace and clarity, conversely, satan is the author of lies, confusion and chaos.  When you write on Facebook, take just a moment to consider which Kingdom you are extending.

For those who love the truth, you will want to know that Izzy is well.  She is at home, joyfully anticipating Christmas, going to school, enjoying her new pets... happy!    For those who do not love the truth, you probably haven’t read thus far and it doesn’t matter to you anyway.  To give truth to those who do not love truth is to only give more reason for argument.  My role is to steer clear of those webs of untruth, of gossip and chaos inasmuch as is possible.  And, as you love our Lord and Saviour, I would encourage you dear reader, to stay away from deceit, loose tongues and gossip.  Let it end with you.

Your role, as much as Izzy is concerned, is not to do constant battle with those who wish to ensnare you in rumors and gossip, it is to declare the truth in peace and let it go.   It is not your role to call or message my sister and her family with every vile action or word that you hear, see or read.  Doing this perpetuates chaos, not peace.

Make no mistake though, for those who are entertained by deceits or harmful words or the details of other people’s lives; it is by your neglect and indulgence that brings harm to yourself as well as others.  If you wish to follow Christ, listen to His greatest commandment:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (St. Matthew 22)  Loving God means furthering the Kingdom of Light... it means practicing self-control, praying ceaselessly and using your words to bring peace, not confusion.

I am praying for all of you reading, for you must have a love of Izzy to be sharing in this post.  My prayer today is that each of you will have peace, contentment and joy.  It IS possible to experience God’s grace even in the mire... in fact, in my own life, I’ve experienced it time and time again and it is in this way that we can rejoice for our trials because, in the big picture, they only beckon us closer to God when we persevere and seek the Kingdom of Heaven. †

*It's called Secular Humanism...the religion of our modern age.

An Open Letter to the Demons of Hell

“The devil...the prowde spirite....cannot endure to be mocked.”  Thomas More (1779-1852, from Ireland)

Wormwood and Screwtape*, I have no idea if you’re still employed in the service of your captain, your Father Below, but I have some words for those who do his bidding in the heart of my family:

You seek to shock, to enrage, to engulf in disbelief and anger.  You think yourself so cunning and clever in driving the hammer between fatigued hearts.  You think to torture and prod and bend the undead to your twisted will.  And in the grand show of your malice and contempt for those who love your Enemy, you would send your dark ranks to lace the battle with mockery, lies and hot tongues to seal your prize.

You would have us within your snares, believing we are incapable to withstand such assault, taking gladness at pain amidst chaos and lies.  You laugh at the ease of your task,  being deceived of your absolute slavery to a consuming hate.  For Your Father Below will have no equal, no individuality; you are a chained slave to one singular wickedness as you grin at a seeming victory so near.

Except, there, in the stillness of night, when just a glimmer of star shining bright escapes the cloud covered sky.  There!   It is the Voice ringing clear on crystal notes that beckons mortal souls to strive on, to look up and see the eagles so near and reach out for the gift of GRACE.  

Give heed to that doubt ticking in the back of your skull, for while you rule this earth there is One who does not abandon His creation as they strive against you.  And oh, but the weapons in our cache, that are ever unlooked for, which come raining down at the most unexpected times.  I know it makes you writhe, I know your armies tremble at the power of your Enemy, our King.  I know your legions have quaked at the coming of Our Lord and begged for mercy.  I know of the shattering of tombs when our Lord used your strongest weapon against you!  Do you think we forget!?

Do you think us all mindless spirits, numbed from flaming arrows and vice?  Do the ranks not aim for the head of the serpent in times of war?  So it is and has ever been that your legions will assault those on the front line, those whose lives and voices are beacons on dark hills, showering light and hope to your Enemy and all who serve Him.   They come!  You cannot quench the Light,  though at times it is only a glimmer, it shall never be put asunder for you are unable to break it, unable to contain it for you cannot fathom its purity.

You may distort, you may twist and bend goodwill, but you are the fool, for every weapon you’ve made, there is one to destroy it and her name is HUMILITY.  For her earthly raiment adorns the race you hate and she was made in the light of the Heavenly Kingdom.  May the fear of her haunt you until the end of days when you shudder at your utter defeat.

Mark it well what you think is the weakness of your prey.  Close in and cast your obnoxious fumes in our face and know that your nearness advances our faith and causes the beacon flame to reach higher and burn brighter.  We know your aims and how you loathe the servants of your Enemy.  We know we are but food to you and we know what makes you glad...

            We are not as unprepared as you might think.

                                             Sincerely,

                                             Your lifetime adversary

                                              and servant of your Enemy.

©2011Amy L. Thornton

*If you've never read C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, I highly recommend you do so.