"During prayer, intentional, deliberate, extreme humility is
indispensable.  We must remember who speaks and what he says, this is
especially necessary during the Lord's Prayer: `Our Father...'
Humility destroys all the snares of the enemy. Ah! How much secret
pride there is in us. This, we say, I know; this I do not need; this
is not for me; this is superfluous; in that I am not a sinner. How
much sophistry of our own!"

John of Kronstadt

O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry;
now restore us! You have caused the land to quake; you have torn it
open; repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering. You have made your
people suffer hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made
us reel. You have set up a banner for those who fear you, to rally to
it out of bowshot. Give victory with your right hand, and answer us,
so that those whom you love may be rescued. God has promised in his
sanctuary: ""With exultation I will divide up Shechem, and portion out
the Vale of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is
my helmet; Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin; on Edom I hurl
my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph." Who will bring me to the
fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have you not rejected us, O
God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies. O grant us help
against the foe, for human help is worthless. With God we shall do
valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

Psalm 60

I shall speak first about control of the stomach, the opposite to gluttony, and
about how to fast and what and how much to eat. I shall say nothing on my own
account, but only what I have received from the Holy Fathers. They have not
given us only a single rule for fasting or a single standard and measure for
eating, because not everyone has the same strength; age, illness or delicacy of
body create differences. But they have given us all a single goal: to avoid
over-eating and the filling of our bellies... A clear rule for self-control
handed down by the Fathers is this: stop eating while still hungry and do not
continue until you are satisfied.

John Cassian

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the end of the earth I
call to you, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is
higher than I; for you are my refuge, a strong tower against the
enemy. Let me abide in your tent forever, find refuge under the
shelter of your wings. For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have
given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Prolong the life of
the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned
forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch
over him! So I will always sing praises to your name, as I pay my vows
day after day.

Psalm 61

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To: marksedrak@yahoogroups.com
From: Hanan Ghabriall <hgeagel1@...>
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2005 12:35:03 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Blood/Marrow drive for Andrew Awad at St. Mary's church

Dear All,

 

The Red Cross/Marrow Doner Program will be hosting a drive at St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church on Sunday March 27 from 7:30 AM- 1:00 PM.  This drive is held to try to find a bone marrow match for Andrew Awad, a young man with a rare case of Leukemia.  Please see attached flyer for more information and spread the word to everyone in your church because the best match for Andrew would come from the Egyptian community.

 

Please post a copy of this flyer at the church which you attend.  Andrew needs as many doners as possible in order for him to have a good chance at finding a match.

 

I you have any questions or need any additional information please contact the Donor program, Alicia Adame @ 714-800-1613 or Hanan Ghabriall @ hgeagel1@...

 

Thank you all and God bless!

__________________________________________________
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To post a message, send an email to: marksedrak@yahoogroups.com

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______________________________________________________

Check out the following WebPages

Coptic News
http://www.coptnews.com

Coptic Orphans
http://www.copticorphans.org

C.O.P.T.S. of Australia [Coptic Care]
http://www.copticare.org/

St. Shenouda the Archimanidrite Coptic Society
http://www.stshenouda.com/

Coptic Orthodox Christian Center (C.O.C.C)
http://cocc.lacopts.org/

Pope Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Theological Seminary (LA branch)
http://www.geocities.com/copticseminary/

St. Athanasius
Northridge, CA
http://www.st-athanasius.org

St. Athanasius Youth
http://www.stayouth.8k.com

UCLA Coptic Club
http://www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/coptic/

Cal Poly Pomona Coptic Club
http://www.csupomona.edu/~coptic/

St. Mary & St. Verena Web Pages
Anaheim, CA
http://www.saintverena.org

St. Abanoub and St. Antony
Norco, CA
http://www.saintabanoub.org

St. John the Beloved Web Page
Covina, CA
http://www.mystjohn.org/

Verse of the Day
http://www.votdonline.com

Mark Sadek
http://members.aol.com/marksadek

St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, New York
http://www.cocstgeorge.org

St. George Coptic Orthodox Church
Bellflower, CA
http://www.stgeorge-lacopts.org

St. George Youth
Bellflower, CA
http://www.stgeorgeyouth.com/

Archangel Michael
Santa Ana, CA
http://www.archangelmichaeloc.org

St. Mary & Archangel Raphael
Burlington, Vermont
http://copticvt.tripod.com

myCopticChurch.com - The Coptic Experience
http://www.myCopticChurch.com/

Cal State Fullerton Coptic Club
http://www32.brinkster.com/csufcopticclub/homepage.html

Coptic Liturgical Vestments and other Liturgical items
http://www.heavenlyembroidery.com

St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church
Las Vegas, NV
http://www.saintmary-coptic-orthodoxchurch-lasvegas.org/

St. Antony Monastery (California - USA)
http://www.stantonymonastery.net/

orthodoxbookstore.org
http://www.orthodoxbookstore.org

Heavens Grocery Store
Author Unknown

As I was walking down life's highway many years ago and I came upon a
sign that read Heavens Grocery Store. When I got a little closer the
doors swung open wide. And when I came to myself I was standing
inside. I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere. One
handed me a basket and said "My child shop with care."

Everything a human needed was in that grocery store, and what you
could not carry you could come back for more.

First I got some Patience.
Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding, you need that everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two.
And Charity of course I would need some of that too.
And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.

My basket was getting full but I remembered I needed Grace,
And then I chose Salvation for Salvation was for free
I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me.

Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill, for I thought I
had everything to do the Masters will.

As I went up the aisle
I saw Prayer and put that in, for I knew when I stepped outside I
would run into sin.
Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf.
Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel

"Now how much do I owe?"

He smiled and said, "Just take them everywhere you go."

Again I asked "Really now, how much do I owe?"

"My child" he said, "God paid your bill a long long time ago."

(Abba Isidore the priest) said, `If you fast regularly, do not be
inflated with pride, but if you think highly of yourself because of
it, then you had better eat meat. It is better for a man to eat meat
than to be inflated with pride and to glorify himself.'

From the Sayings of the Desert Fathers

"A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never
get over."

- Benjamin Franklin

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be
shaken. How long will you assail a person, will you batter your
victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take
pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they
curse. For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from
him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be
shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my
refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your
heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Those of low estate are but
a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go
up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in
extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do
not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard
this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O
Lord. For you repay to all according to their work.

Psalm 62

The Penny
Author Unknown


You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being
good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever
heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to
spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene,
was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine
home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have
this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live.

The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to
the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the
opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was
enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that
evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her
husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long,
silent moment.

Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on
the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped,
and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and
picked up the penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found
a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single
penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could
stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had
a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of
some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for
the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies
before! What was the point of this?

"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words "United
States of America."

"No, not that; read further."

"One cent?" "No, keep reading."

"In God we Trust?"

"Yes!"


"And?"

"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.
Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every
single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a
message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass
it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God
at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do
trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were
gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me.
Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful.

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I
stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and
fretting! In my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words,
"In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.

It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in
the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is
patient...

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Serve to Learn 2005 - APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED

Here is an opportunity to volunteer overseas in Egypt for 3 weeks.  You will
teach English to vulnerable children as guests of Bishops and leave an
everlasting impact on children.

When:  July 16 - August 6, 2005

Qualifications: 18 years or older, working knowledge of Arabic, no teaching
experience required.

Application:  http://www.copticorphans.org/involved/serve-to-learn.htm.

Deadline EXTENDED TO:  March 25, 2005

FAQ:  http://www.copticorphans.org/involved/stl/FAQs.htm


“I would recommend Serve to Learn to the whole world. It is more than just
giving your time and effort, but it’s a great experience to be among these
kids.”  - 2004 participant.

Coptic Orphans is a Christian organization that was founded in 1989. The
organization has helped over 7,700 children escape poverty through literacy and
other educational programs. Please visit our website at www.copticorphans.org.

Please call 703.641.8910 or email info@... with any further
questions.

Please feel free to forward this announcement.




Yahoo! Groups Links

In a village there was said to be a man who fasted to such a degree
that, he was called `the Faster'. Abba Zeno had heard of him, and he
sent for him. The other came gladly. They prayed and sat down. The old
man began to work in silence. Since he could not succeed in talking to
him, the Faster began to get bored. So he said to the old man `Pray
for me, Abba, for I want to go.' The old man said to him. `Why?' The
other replied, `Because my heart is as if it were on fire and I do not
know what is the matter with it. For truly, this when I was in the
village and I fasted until the evening, nothing like this happened to
me.' The old man said, `In the village you fed yourself through your
ears. But go away and from now on eat at the ninth hour and whatever
you do, do it secretly.' As soon as he had begun to act on this
advice, the Faster found it difficult to wait until the ninth hour.
And those who knew him said, `The Faster is possessed by the devil.'
So he went to tell this to the old man who said to him, `This way is
according to God.'

O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh
faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So
I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and
glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will
praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my
hands and call on your name. My soul is satisfied as with a rich
feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you
on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you
have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. My
soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to
destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall
be given over to the power of the sword, they shall be prey for
jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall
exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

Psalm 63

The Regret Factor
Author Unknown

"Of all the sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these - it might have
been."

"Imagine for a moment that your life is over and you're standing in a big room
with a VCR.  God inserts a tape with your name on it, labeled, 'What might have
been.'  It details everything He wanted to accomplish through you - if only
you'd allowed Him to.

"It details: (a) how He wanted to bless you financially, but you were afraid to
sow and be generous with God and others. (b) how He wanted to use your talents,
but you lacked the discipline to develop them. (c) how He offered you great
relationships, but you weren't truthful and loving enough to maintain them. (d)
how He longed to develop in you the character of Christ, but you refused to deal
with your sin, resist temptation and pursue spiritual growth.

"Paul says, 'We will all face God...and take what's coming...good or bad.'  But
there's a bright side!  As long as you're still breathing you can close the gap
between what is, and what can be.  Stop for a moment and ask yourself, 'What can
I do now to minimize the regret factor later?

Here's what: start renewing your mind with God's word instead of filling it with
junk.  Use your finances to build His kingdom and you'll discover that God keeps
giving 'seed to the sower' (2 Cor. 9:10 NIV).  And how about making time to
disciple somebody?  That way your influence will exceed your life span.  It's
not too late to become who you might have been - if you're will to start today!"

I recommend to anyone that is enjoying marksedrak, to also join this
group, it is called bkaras and is focused in California but has
members from 6 different countries.

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        name="Click here to join bkaras"

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Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from the dread
enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the scheming
of evildoers, who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words
like arrows, shooting from ambush at the blameless; they shoot
suddenly and without fear. They hold fast to their evil purpose; they
talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, "Who can see us? Who can
search out our crimes? We have thought out a cunningly conceived
plot." For the human heart and mind are deep. But God will shoot his
arrow at them; they will be wounded suddenly. Because of their tongue
he will bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake with horror.
Then everyone will fear; they will tell what God has brought about,
and ponder what he has done. Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and
take refuge in him. Let all the upright in heart glory.

Psalm 64

If you are enjoying the membership of Orthodox-Forum i recommend
joining bkaras, a fellow Coptic Orthodox group, which will fulfill all
your necesities as a Copt.
Thank you!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bkaras/

I shall speak first about control of the stomach, the opposite to gluttony, and
about how to fast and what and how much to eat. I shall say nothing on my own
account, but only what I have received from the Holy Fathers. They have not
given us only a single rule for fasting or a single standard and measure for
eating, because not everyone has the same strength; age, illness or delicacy of
body create differences. But they have given us all a single goal: to avoid
over-eating and the filling of our bellies... A clear rule for self-control
handed down by the Fathers is this: stop eating while still hungry and do not
continue until you are satisfied.

John Cassian

Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion; and to you shall vows be
performed, O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come. When
deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, you forgive our transgressions. Happy
are those whom you choose and bring near to live in your courts. We
shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, your holy temple.
By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our
salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the
farthest seas. By your strength you established the mountains; you are
girded with might. You silence the roaring of the seas, the roaring of
their waves, the tumult of the peoples. Those who live at earth's
farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the
morning and the evening shout for joy. You visit the earth and water
it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you
provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it. You water
its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with
showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with richness. The pastures of the
wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows
clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.

Psalm 65