Speeches, lectures, and presentations from MLIC conferences for your spiritual growth:

2011 PATRIARCHAL GREETING

 

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My Life in Christ Youth Conference
July 12-17, 2011, Boston, MA

Dearly Beloved Fr. Philip Tolbert and all participants in our 2011 BOYA Conference,

       Welcome to Boston, MA!

       Welcome to "My Life in Christ" Youth Conference!

Thank you for your invitation to open the 2011 MLIC Conference and according to our tradition to bless it with my attendance and the following words. In my opening speech I would like to stop your attention and ask all of you not to allow other people to talk you out of using what God has given you and doing what you know God wants you to do.

If you are not careful, you will allow the negative words to play over and over in your minds. They can create a stronghold.

Regardless of who has spoken negative words into your life - a parent, a spouse, a coach, a friend, or a teacher - you must cast those words down. Words are powerful. They can create barriers in your heart and mind. Sometimes one little phrase can hold you back for years. Hear what happened with me 30 years ago in Bulgaria. His Holiness our Patriarch Maxim, who was 67 years old then, invited me to visit our Troyan monastery. A man came to me and wanted the Patriarch to pray for him. I told the man: "Sir, I'm sorry, but the Patriarch can't be disturbed at this time. He's resting and getting prepared for the service tonight and tomorrow."

But this man refused to take no for an answer. He was extremely aggressive and determined. I remained kind and courteous, trying to placate the unexpected visitor. But the caller continued to press.

Finally, I said: "Sir, how about this? I will pray for you. I work with His Holiness every day. I'll be glad to pray for you."

At that, the obnoxious man turned his nose up. He said: "I don't think so. You won't do."

The words stung: "You won't do." The implicit message was: "You are not good enough. Your prayers can't get the job done."

Truly to say those words seared through my heart and mind day after day. "You won't do." Lying in bed at night, I'd think: "You don't have what it takes. You're not anointed like the Patriarch. You can't help a soul."

Indeed, I already struggled with my confidence, but even now I was allowing these negative words to play repeatedly in my subconscious mind. I couldn't shake them off, and instead allowed those negative words to hold me down for years.

Too many people don't have the confidence and the self-esteem they should because they're constantly dwelling on negative thoughts about themselves. I don't say this arrogantly, but in my mind, all day long I try to remind myself: "I am anointed, I am successful, I have the favor of God!"

If you go around thinking those kinds of thoughts, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, or infirmity won't have a chance with you. Throw your shoulders back, put a smile on your face, and be looking for opportunities to stretch into the next level.

Back in the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden food, they hid. In the cool of the day, God came to them and said: "Adam.., where art thou? And he said: I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."(Gen. 3:9-10)

I love the way God answered Adam. "And He said: Who told thee that thou wast naked?"(vs. 11)

God is saying to you today: "Who told you that you don't have what it takes to succeed? Who told you that the bad grades you could make in school would be C's rather than A's? Who told you that you are not attractive to succeed in your personal relationships or talented enough to flourish in your career? Who told you that something was wrong with you?"

Those are lies from the enemy. You need to reject those ideas and discover what God says about you.

And what does God says about you? He says: "You can do all things through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When you delight yourself in Him He will give you the desires of your heart." The Holy Scripture says: "God's gifts and His callings are irrevocable." That means God is never going to take back the potential He has poured into you. But it is up to you to decide whether you tap into them and use them or not.

In the gospel of one of our heavenly patrons St. John the Theologian, chapter 4, the Lord Jesus met a woman at a well in Samaria, and He asked her for a drink of water. She was surprised, because back then, the Jews didn't have anything to do with the Samaritans. She said: "How can You ask me for a drink?" The Lord Jesus said: "If you knew who I was, you would ask Me for a drink, and I would give you living water."

The woman thought that Jesus was talking about literal water. She said: "Sir, You don't even have anything with which to draw water. You don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. How can You possibly give the water?"

I wonder how many times God tells us that He wants to do something great in our lives, that we are going to be healthy and well; we are going to get out of debt. We feel it strongly, but like the woman at the well, we start thinking about what we don't have, and all the obstacles in our path, and before long, we've talked ourselves out of God's best.

This is my request to you - you must quit looking at what you don't have, and start believing that all things are possible. God is not limited to the laws of nature. He can do what human beings cannot. The key is to get your eyes off your problems and onto your God.

When God puts a dream in your heart, it may look impossible in the natural way of things. Every voice may tell you it will never happen. But if you will believe and stay in faith, and expect good things, you too can defy the odds.

I had a friend in Bulgaria, a tightrope walker, who comes from a family of several generations of circus entertainers. I asked him: "What is the key to walking on the tightrope? You make it look so easy?"

He said: "Father Joseph, the secret is to keep your eyes fixed on where you are going. You never look down. Where your head goes, that's where your body is going, too. If you look down, there's a good chance you will fall. So you always have to look to where you want to be." It's the same principle in life. Some people are always looking back, focus on their hurts and pains. Other people are looking down living in self-pity, and complaining that life is not fair. The key to rising higher is to keep looking to where you want to go. Dream big dreams! Don't focus on where you are today; keep a positive vision and see yourself accomplishing your goals and fulfilling your dreams.

Here's a key: The dream in your heart may be bigger than the environment in which you find yourself. Sometimes you have to get out of that environment in order to see that dream fulfilled. Consider an oak tree. If you plant it in a pot, its growth will be limited. Once its roots fill the pot, it can grow no further. The problem is not with the tree, it is with the environment. It is stifling growth. Perhaps you have bigger things in your heart than your present environment can facilitate. That's why, at times, God will stir you out of a comfortable situation. When you go through persecution and rejection, it's not always because somebody has it in for you. Sometimes, that's God's way of directing you into His perfect will. He's trying to get you to stretch to the next level. He knows you're not going to go without a push, so He will make it uncomfortable for you to stay where you are currently. The mistake we make at times is getting negative and sour; we focus on what didn't work out. When we do that, we inhibit the opening of new doors.

My understanding is that throughout life, we're not always going to understand everything that happens along the way. But we've got to learn to trust God. We've got to believe that He has us in the palm of His hand, that He is leading and guiding us, that He always has our best interest at heart.

In conclusion, I would like to ask you as my friends in the Lord not to die with the treasure still inside you. Keep pressing forward. Keep reaching for new heights. Give birth to what God has placed in your heart. Don't let other people talk you out of your dreams. Listen to what God says about you, not all the negative voices. When you face rejection and disappointment, don't stay there. Know that God has another plan. That closed door simply means God has something better in store. You may not have experienced God's favor in the past, but this is a new day. You have not seen, heard, or imagined the wonderful things God has in store for you. Don't be weighed down by the destructions and disappointments in life; instead, keep stretching to the next level, reaching for your highest potential. If you do that, I can tell you with confidence your best days are in front of you. God is going to show you more of His blessings and favor, and you will become a better you, better than you ever dreamed possible.

       Thank you for your attention!

       Have a blessed conference!

"The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." (2 Timothy 4:22)

+ Metropolitan Joseph

 

To the participants of the “My Life in Christ”
Annual Diocesan Youth Conference
July 12-18, 2010
Des Plaines, IL

Dear Father Philip Tolbert,

Beloved spiritual children of BOYA,

On behalf of the Holy Synod and ourselves we greet you paternally on the occasion of your Annual Youth Diocesan Conference. We thank His Eminence, our brother in Christ Metropolitan Joseph, who informed us, asking our blessing upon all of you at this your Conference.

As you know in October last year we celebrated our 95th birthday. We thank you all for your prayers on this special event.

We also want to assure you that you are in our prayers as our dear spiritual children in the Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia.

We come to you with this, our patriarchal message, because sometimes you just need something spoken over your life. You need someone to jump start your faith, to breathe new life into year dreams. You may have been through a thousand disappointments. In the natural, worldly way of viewing things, you may have every reason to give up on what God has put in your heart. But we are asking you to let this simple phrase take root: Your time is coming.

Do not forget that God is in control of your life. He knows exactly where you are. He knows even the hidden dreams He has put in you. The Holy Bible calls this “the secret petitions of our heart”. These are the dreams you have not shared with anyone. Maybe you thought they would never work out. Or you buried them because they didn't happen on your timetable.

But God still has a way to bring them to pass. Draw the line in the sand and say: “That's it, I'm done being complacent. I believe every dream, every promise, even the secret petitions of my heart will come to fulfillment.”

When you have that kind of attitude, all the forces of darkness cannot stop God from bringing your dreams to pass.

You may be discouraged. Negative thoughts may come. You have to shake off those thoughts and stay in an attitude of faith, an attitude of expectancy.

You will go through unfair situations. We all do. When somebody does you wrong or you get some bad breaks, do not make the mistake of constantly dwelling on the downside. Stay in an attitude of hope, an attitude that says: “It may look impossible, but I know God is my vindicator.”

You may have been through a series of losses. Life may not seem fair. Be aware: if you are not careful, your negative thoughts will draw in more of the negative. It begins with one unfair situation, and then we perpetuate it by having and holding onto the wrong mind-set. Paternally we are asking you to break out of that rut. You may have been through an unfair situation, but it's not over until God says it's over.

God always has the final say, and He is a God of justice. God sees every wrong that's ever been done to you. He sees every unfair situation. He says that if you will stay in faith, if you will keep your hopes up, He will make your wrongs right. He will bring justice into your life.

So, this conference is your time to put your shoulders back and boldly declare: “My time is coming. I am a victor and not a victim.”

May the blessing of the Lord be always with you!

+ Maxim

Patriarch of Bulgaria
July 12, 2010 Sofia

 

To the participants of the 11th Annual “My Life in Christ”
Diocesan Youth Conference

July 12-18, 2010
Des Plaines, IL

Rev. Fr. Philip,
Dearest Beloved young friends in the Lord,
Glory to Jesus Christ!

Welcome to Des Plaines and to our 11th Annual Diocesan My Life In Christ Youth Conference.

I am so pleased to see you again and to bless the conference, wishing you good health, peace, spiritual energy, strength and wisdom.

In this, my arch-pastoral opening message to you, I would like very much to assure you that you are closer to God than you think.

I don't know where you are headed, what your dreams are, or how many obstacles you have to overcome. But I know and see that you are here, and I encourage you to let these words reach deep down into your spirit. Receive them by faith: You are closer to God than you think.

My experience as your spiritual arch-pastor assures me that, until I met you here, my perspective was limited and so was my thinking. I knew only what I had prayed for. And God answered my request. He gave me a fresh perspective. He knows more about the trail ahead of me. That's why I assure you that you are closer to Him than you think, because He also knows more about what lies ahead for you.

I know, a global recession has forced many to postpone their dreams and cancel their plans. You may have lost your job. You may have lost your savings, maybe even your home. It could be that you have health concerns or relationship problems. Maybe you are frustrated because it is taking so long to get where you want to be in your life. Yet now is not the time to talk yourself out of your goals and dreams. Now is not the time to get discouraged. You may think that you are far away from God. You may feel you have so far to go to reach Him. But the truth is, you just don't know. Your dream may be just around the corner. You may think it will take another youth gathering and conference. But if you stay in faith who knows? It may just be starting today. You are closer than you think. I believe it is your time!

God wants to breathe new life into your dreams this year. He wants to breathe new hope into your heart. You may be about to give up on a lifelong goal. But God wants you to hold on. He says that if you will get your second wind, if you will put on a new altitude and press forward like you are headed down the final stretch, you will see Him begin to do amazing things.

Thus your declarations should be: “I am closer to God than I think! I can keep my promise to Him. I can overcome this sickness. I can make this business work. I know I can find a new job.”

Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy is coming in the morning.” You must get up each day knowing this could be the day you get the break you need. This could be the day you see your health turn around. This could be the day you find that perfect job. This could be the day you meet the man or woman of your dreams. This could be the day your troubles are resolved.

The Lord tells us, in Zechariah 9:12, “Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.” It's easy to give up. It’s easy to get discouraged. But God wants us to be so full of hope, so full of expectancy, that we just can't help believing for the best. We are to be “prisoners of hope.”

When you are a prisoner of something, it's like you are chained to it. You can't get away from it. I know people who are prisoners of fear, prisoners worry, prisoners of doubt. You've heard them. “Nothing good ever happens to me. It's never changing. It's just been too long.” They are chained to despair and discouragement. But we are called to live with purpose! Break those chains! Become a prisoner of hope! No matter how long it takes, no matter how impossible it looks, your attitude should be: “I can’t help but be optimistic. I know it will work out. I know I will overcome. It may be taking a long time, but I know that this, too, shall pass. It may be difficult, but I know that means I'm close to my victory.”

Today is the day!

Is today the day for you to accomplish your goal, to land your dream job, to find love, to restore your health? You are closer than you think to a better life, a richer relationship, a healthier body.

Reward awaits you if you remain steadfast in your faith. Don't let doubters ruin your optimistic spirit. If somebody says to you: “What is it with you? What makes you think everything will work out? Do you really believe you will always succeed?”

Just tell the doubters: “I don't think it will happen, I know it will happen! I am a prisoner of hope. I can't get away from it. I just can't make myself get negative. I just can't make myself complain. I am living with purpose. Hope feeds my faith and lifts my spirits.”

The doubters may say: “Well, I don't know why. I saw the medical report. It doesn't look good for you.”

“Yes, but I have another report,” you can tell them. “It says God is restoring health back unto me.”

They may say: “Well, I saw your child. I don't think he'll ever do what's right.”

“Really?” you will answer. “I have another report. It says, ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

It is natural that you may not see any of this. It may not look like it will come to pass. But that's okay. The Scripture says: “We walk by faith and not by sight.” That means we don't have to see it to believe it. It's just the opposite. If we believe it, then we see it.

Take your dreams and the promises God has put in your heart and every day declare that they will come to pass. Just say something like: “Father, I thank You that my payday is coming. You said no good thing will You withhold, because I walk uprightly. And I believe even right now You are arranging things in my favor.”

Are you a prisoner of fear? Worry? Self-pity? Negativity? Break those chains and become a prisoner of hope. Expect God's favor. Believe that He is working in your life, even right now.

God has put dreams and desires in your heart.

We all have goals we want to accomplish and situations we believe we will turn around. But often when it is taking a long time and things are not working out, it is easy to lose our enthusiasm. That's when the negative thoughts come, saying: “It never will change. You never will get well. You never will climb out of debt. That child never will straighten up.”

If you listen to those negative thoughts, you will likely become discouraged and give up on your dreams. Many times we miss out on God's best because we give up too soon. We don't realize how close we are to victory.

Hold on to your faith. Another few days of believing, another few weeks of doing the right thing, or another few months of staying in faith and you will see that promise come to pass.

Right now, you are so close to seeing that situation turn around, That answer you've been praying about is just right around the corner. You can't afford to get discouraged. You can't afford to give up now.

That's what the Scripture says in Hebrews 10:35. It tells us not to cast away our confidence, for it will be richly rewarded. That's saying if we will stay in faith, if we will keep believing, keep hoping, keep doing the right thing, God promises there will be a reward. One translation says, in effect: “Don't get discouraged. Payday is coming.”

When you are tempted to get down, and things are not going your way, keep telling yourself: “This may be hard. It may be taking a long time. But I know my God is a faithful God. And I will trust in Him, knowing that my payday is on its way."

Whenever life grows difficult and the pressure is turned up, that's a sign that your time is near. When lies bombard your mind, when you are most tempted to get discouraged, and when you feel like throwing in the towel, that's not the time to give up. That's not the time to back down. That's the time to dig in your heels. Put on a new attitude. You are closer than you think.

You may have had a lot of things come against you. I know sometimes it seems like the more you pray, the worse it gets. You do the right thing, but get the wrong results. Maybe you're treating somebody kindly and respectfully, but they're being unkind and discourteous to you. The easy thing would be to say: “Forget it! I don't have to put up with this.” “This marriage never will work.” “I'll never be able to raise this child.” “I don't like this job.”

Instead of getting discouraged, instead of going around all sour, you need to have the attitude to say: “I've come too far to stop now. I've been through too much to back down. I realize the pressure has been turned up, because I'm about to give birth to my dreams!”

A couple I know told me their son was on the wrong path, running with the wrong crowd. He had addictions he needed to overcome. They were doing everything they could to help him. They found him a new place to live away from his drug-using friends. They found a support group for him. They were praying more than ever. But they said: “Dedo Vladika, it seems like the more we pray, the more we try, the more we believe, the worse he gets.”

They were so concerned. But I told them what I'm telling you. The reason the pressure has been turned up is because you're close to your victory. The enemy would not be fighting so hard if he didn't know he was about to lose his grip on this child.

If you will keep believing, keep hoping, keep doing the right thing, and if you stay strong for that final push, you will see the situation turn around. You will see that promise come to pass.

It's just like a woman having a baby. The first month or two is not that difficult. No big deal. The mother-to-be looks and feels much the same. But then in a few months she gains the baby's weight. She carries around the extra pounds. Her feet may swell up. Her back may hurt. She may have some nausea, some morning sickness. But, as the Lord says in the Gospel of John 16:21, “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.”

I read about an experiment that attempted to measure the power of attitude in rats. The researchers wanted to see how the rats' attitudes affected their will to live. They put one rat in a large tub of water with high sides so it could not get out. Then they put the tub in a dark room. They timed how long the rat would keep swimming before it gave up. The rat lasted a little over three minutes.

Then the researchers put another rat in the same tub, but this time they allowed a bright ray of light to shine into the room. That rat swam more than thirty-six hours, seven hundred times longer than the rat with no light.

Why was that? The rat with no light had no hope. When he looked ahead he saw only darkness. There wasn't any reason to keep swimming. That's what happens when we don't expect God's favor. We lose faith that we can overcome our obstacles. We don't believe that God is in control, so we lose our passion, we lose our enthusiasm.

That’s why it's so important – especially in times of difficulty – to keep reminding yourself: “The Creator of the universe is directing my steps. He has me in the palm of His hand. And even though this is difficult, I know it's just a matter of time before it turns around. I know my payday is coming.”

You may be about to give up on a dream. You think it's been too long. It never will change. It will never work out. But you must get your fire back.

Fan that flame. Keep that dream alive. Even though it's taking a long time, good news is, God still has a way to bring it to pass.

Please, when you have lost your energy and enthusiasm, remember my message: God is breathing new life into your dreams. You will feel the wind of His spirit lift your sails once again. You are not meant to simply endure life. Barely getting by is not acceptable. You were meant to dance on top of the waves!

Tell yourself each and every day: “Today is the day! I am closer to God than I think!”

Remember that it is always darkest before the dawn. More challenges mean you're closer to your victory. Don't give up on your dream. Don't give up your relationship because the waters get rough. Don't give up on living a healthy life because illness brings you down. Times may grow tough but remember, there are rewards for staying in faith.

God promises your payday is on its way. If you will learn to be a prisoner of hope and get up every day expecting God's favor, you will see God do amazing things. You will overcome every obstacle. You will defeat every enemy. And I believe and declare that you will see every dream, every promise God has put in your heart, come to pass.

Have a blessed Youth Conference!

With love in Christ,

+ Metropolitan Joseph