☦⚜ The Orthodox Scouter: Orthodox Ecclesiology and the World of Scouting: The World

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05 July 2025

The RC Deep Dive Podcast

I've been blessed to be able to help out with a group of vintage RC car hobbyists with a new daily podcast about radio controlled cars called the RC Deep Dive. Here is the announcement that they have been making after posting our 100th episode yesterday, so I wanted to share it here too:

Our new podcast, The RC Deep Dive, just posted its 101st episode, so we thought we would dare to come announce our podcast to the RC hobbyist community! After 101 episodes, we want your questions and topic ideas for future podcasts. Our focus is on vintage, classic, rere (re-release), and modern RC cars, buggies, trucks, and vans. We review RC model vehicles, hop-ups, and give you advice on how to fix, upgrade, repair, and improve your radio-controlled vehicles and teach you about the history of the RC hobbyist community and culture. We are all about that RC life!
You can find all our links to Podcast aggregators that host the RC Deep Dive podcast at https://linktr.ee/rcdeepdive . We are available on Android Podcasts, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audible, BoomPlay, CastBox FM, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Player FM, Podbean, Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, Podcast App, Podcast Guru, Podcast,ru, PodChaser, Poddtoppen, Podmailer, Podtail, Rephonic, YouTube, and YouTube Music. Our podcast host website is at https://rcdeepdive.podbean.com/ .
We look forward to your comments, likes, subscriptions, and creating podcasts based on your suggestions and questions!
Here are our episodes so far and our planned episodes for the future, along with the dates that they were published or will be pushed to podcast aggregator apps:
The Tamiya Frog Hop-Ups: CVD or UJ Drive Shafts over the Dog Bones or Hex Drive 2025-03-27
The Tamiya Grasshopper Hop-Ups: Oil-Filled CVA Shock Dampers using Grasshopper II Parts 2025-03-28
Hidden Upgrades for the Grasshopper II from the Rising Fighter 2025-03-29
Which Grease to Use? Moly vs. AWG vs. Cera HG 2025-03-30
Which Battery Should I Use in my R/C car? 2025-03-31
Hop-Up Tires and Wheels for your Tamiya and other brand R/C Buggies, Cars, Trucks, and Vans 2025-04-01
Stabilizing Gearboxes in the Tamiya Grasshopper, Hornet, Grasshopper 2, and other R/C Vehicles 2025-04-02
The MIP Super Ball Diff for Tamiya ORV R/C Vehicles, including the Frog, Brat, Blackfoot, and Super Beetle 2025-04-03
HOW-TO: Upgrade your Tamiya Grasshopper to a Hornet and your Grasshopper II to a Super Hornet 2025-04-04
380 Tuned Motors vs 540 Motors: What's the right choice? 2025-04-05
The Special Color Edition R/C Cars 2025-04-06
Who Really Owns your Local Hobby Shop and R/C Car Brands? 2025-04-07
Let's Get into Traxxas! 2025-04-08
The Elusive Super G Tamiya R/C Buggies 2025-04-09
What Causes Grubscrew Issues in the Grasshopper 2 with a 380 Sport Tuned Motor? 2025-04-10
What are the Top 10 Selling R/C Vehicles of all Time? 2025-04-11
A Simple 3-D Printed ORV Trailing Shock Arm Can Save your R/C Car! 2025-04-12
Which Cements, Glues, and Solvents to Use on your R/C Cars? 2025-04-13
Do Low-Profile Servos Allow you to use Larger Batteries in your Grasshopper/Hornet Family of R/C Buggies? 2025-04-14
What are the Best Tools to Build your R/C Vehicle? You Might be Surprised! 2025-04-15
The Missing Cera Grease HG Mystery 2025-04-16
Sticks or Pistol Grips: Which is best for your R/C Vehicles? 2025-04-17
Tamiya vs. HobbyWing: Which ESC is Best for You? 2025-04-18
The Flysky and DSServos Takeover of R/C 2025-04-19
R/C Cars and Trucks in Pop Culture 2025-04-20
Cutting, Sanding, Masking, & Painting Lexan (Polycarbonate) R/C Vehicle Bodies 2025-04-21
HOW-TO: Fix Common Throttle and Transmitter Issues 2025-04-22
BRAT Attack! Why those Subaru BRAT Wheels & Tires are so Popular On R/C Buggies 2025-04-23
What is that Cardboard Disk that goes on your 540 Motor? 2025-04-24
What do Shock Damper Oil Colours and Numbers Mean? 2025-04-25
Which Shock Oil is Best for the Grasshopper/Hornet Family of R/C Buggies? 2025-04-26
What is the Best Shock Damper Oil for ORV Chassis Based Tamiya R/C Models? 2025-04-27
HOW-TO: Easily Fix R/C Vehicle Steering Issues 2025-04-28
Is Using Marine Grease in R/C Cars a Good Idea? 2025-04-29
HOW-TO: Fix Broken Shock Towers 2025-04-30
HOW-TO: Solve Servo Woes 2025-05-01
Aftermarket Third Party Hop-Up Option Makers 2025-05-02
HOW-TO: Lower the CoG on the Lunchbox & other R/C Monster Trucks 2025-05-03
Upside Down Shock Dampers? 2025-05-04
The RC Deep Dive Podcast Theme/Intro song 2025-05-05
Is a Frog with a MIP Super Ball Diff Slower? 2025-05-06
Why is the Tamiya Frog Called the Mighty Frog in Japan? 2025-05-07
R/C Boy: The Radio-Controlled Vehicle Manga 2025-05-08
R/C Street in Hong Kong 2025-05-09
The History of R/C Vehicles 2025-05-10
What are LiFe Batteries and are they Worth the Tamiya Tax? 2025-05-11
What are RTR, XB, & XSA R/C Vehicles? 2025-05-12
Minimum & Maximum Temperatures for R/C Components 2025-05-13
What was the CPR Unit in R/C Vehicles? 2025-05-14
What is the Best Wheel and Tire Choice for your 4WD R/C Cars? 2025-05-15
What is Understeer & Oversteer, and How Do You Fix It? 2025-05-16
Tamiya R/C Vehicle Promo Videos 1976-2025 2025-05-17
Steel vs. Aluminium Pinion Gears: Does it Really Matter? 2025-05-18
What is a Square Set Up? 2025-05-19
HOW-TO: Upgrade your Grasshopper with Hornet Parts 2025-05-20
HOW-TO: Upgrade to Oil Filled Shocks on the FAV & SRB Chassis R/C Buggies 2025-05-21
Why are Ball Bearings an Essential Hop-Up and Which Bearings are Best in R/C Cars? 2025-05-22
Red vs. Blue vs. Green vs. Orange Thread Lock in R/C Cars 2025-05-23
What was the R/C Vehicle Golden Age? 2025-05-24
Our Potential New Theme Song for the RC Deep Dive Podcast 2025-05-25
Shock Spring Sizes & Colours: What Does it All Mean? 2025-05-26
HOW-TO: Clean and Maintain Your R/C Vehicles 2025-05-27
What R/C Cars Have Different Names in Japan vs the RotW? 2025-05-28
Where are R/C Vehicles Most Popular? 2025-05-29
Why Tamiya Subaru BRAT Wheels and Tires Instantly Sellout! 2025-05-30
Are O-Rings Needed in CVDs and UJs? 2025-05-31
ORV Gearbox Bearings: Tamiya Metal or Fast Eddy Rubber Seals? 2025-06-01
R/C Cars and their Place in Japanese Culture 2025-06-02
Is the Vintage 3-Piece Wheel Actually Superior? 2025-06-03
The Evolution of R/C Car Wheel Connectors 2025-06-04
What is Binding and How to Fix it? 2025-06-05
Are CVDs Necessary in the HotShot Family of R/C Cars? 2025-06-06
The T-Tool: The Iconic 4-Way or Cross Box Wrench History 2025-06-07
HOW-TO: Identify Causes and Fix Rear Axle Slop 2025-06-08
The Importance of Getting the Frog's Front Arms Right 2025-06-09
Beyond the Frog: Tamiya's Racing Championships 2025-06-10
Pro-Line & CRP Bumpers: Improved Function & Fashion! 2025-06-11
Best Wheels & Tires for the GH2 or Super Hornet 2025-06-12
Best Foam Inserts for Hornet Large Diameter Wheels 2025-06-13
What is Camber and How Do you Adjust it? 2025-06-14
What to do About the Extra-Long Frog Body Mounts? 2025-06-15
Where in the World are the Best Vintage R/C Car Racetracks? 2025-06-16
Design Thinking in Tamiya's First 100 R/C Buggies 2025-06-17
Hacking Flysky R/C Vehicle Transmitters 2025-06-18
HOW-TO: Remove Decals from R/C Vehicles 2025-06-19
Why do the FGH R/C Buggies Remain Iconic After Over 40 Years? 2025-06-20
Why is Tamiya’s Lavender Paint not the Correct Hue? 2025-06-21
What Exactly do the ORV Radius Arms Do? 2025-06-22
Let’s Get into Kyosho! 2025-06-23
The Bumper Paradox: How Stronger Parts Wreck your R/C Cars! 2025-06-24
HOW-TO: Prepare, Glue, Vent, and Balance your R/C Tires 2025-06-25
Decoding Different Diff Oils for your R/C Vehicle’s Differential Gears 2025-06-26
Can Washers Fix Axial and Radial Play in R/C Ball Bearings? 2025-06-27
Which Screws are the Best to Use in R/C Vehicles? 2025-06-28
HOW-TO: Get a HobbyWing 1060 Power Switch to Fit Correctly in a Tamiya R/C Model Chassis 2025-06-29
The 10 Must-Have Hop-Ups for the Tamiya Frog 1/10th Scale R/C Buggy 2025-06-30
Tamiya RC Cleaner Products Reviewed 2025-07-01
To Paint On-Sprue or Off-Sprue? 2025-07-02
What Exact Colour of White or Yellow Paint Ought to be Used for Headlights? 2025-07-03
What is Tamiya Gear Diff Putty and How Do You Use It? 2025-07-04
What are the Dry and Cure Times for Tamiya AS, PS, TS, X, and XF Paints? 2025-07-05
Vintage BRAT Attack vs. RestoMod Hornet Large Diameter Hop-Ups 2025-07-06
The RestoMod Movement, Blockhead Motors, and Jun Watanabe 2025-07-07
R/C Rally Car Legends: Audi Quattro vs. Lancia 037 2025-07-08
Do Softer Shock Springs Require Hard Damper Oil? 2025-07-09
What are Parma Double Wheel Adapters and How Do They Work? 2025-07-10
R/C Jargon: Racing, Bashing, Crawling, Driftin, Speed Running, and More! 2025-07-11
HOW-TO: Fix Lexan (Polycarbonate) Body Shell Cutting Mistakes 2025-07-12
R/C Rally Car Legends: Audi Quattro vs. Lancia 037 2025-07-13
Should You Grease Your Gearbox Where it Connects to Your Chassis? 2025-07-14
HOW-TO: Fix White Stress Lines in Your R/C Model Chassis 2025-07-15
The Evolution of the Vintage and ReRe Grasshopper/Hornet Family Chassis 2025-07-16
HOW-TO: The Rock Hopper Custom GH2 Build 2025-07-17
The (Mighty) Frog's Superiority Amongst Vintage and ReRe 2WD R/C Buggies 2025-07-18
HOW-TO: Use Pearl PS Paints on RC Model Polycarbonate Body Shells 2025-07-19
Team Associated Green Slime, Black Grease, and Stealth Diff Lube 2025-07-20
Why Aluminum Knuckles for the HotShot Family of 4WD R/C Buggies? 2025-07-21
CA Super Glue vs. Clear Silicon Sealant for Tire Glueing 2025-07-22
Are Grasshopper and Hornet Shock Brace Bars the Real Deal? 2025-07-23
Fixing All Front End Slop in the HotShot Family of 4WD R/C Buggies 2025-07-24
What is the History of the R/C ORV Chassis and it's Many Colors? 2025-07-25
Why are the Pro-Line and CRP ORV Hop-Up Bumper Exactly the Same? 2025-07-26
Hopper to Rocket: The History of Speedrunning the Tamiya Grasshopper 2025-07-27
HOW-TO: Fix Mismatched Electronics Connectors in R/C Vehicles? 2025-07-28
What is the CRP ORV Chassis Stiffener for the BRAT, Frog, Blackfoot, Super Beetle, etc.? 2025-07-29
What are the Most Popular Colors to Paint the Tamiya Frog R/C Buggy? 2025-07-30
Anytime Baby! The Wild Story of Tail Wing Mottos on Tamiya R/C Buggies 2025-07-31
The Super Sabre v Thunder Shot Problem of 1987 and 2022/2023 2025-08-01
Should you Combine Ball Diffs with Carbon Fiber Gearboxes and Support Tensioners? 2025-08-02
HOW-TO: Paint Chrome Details on Your R/C Model Vehicles? 2025-08-03
Changing Chassis: Why Some Tamiya ReRe R/C Models Have Very Different Chassis 2025-08-04
Power to the People: Alternate Placements of the Power Switch 2025-08-05
The Electric Handy Drill: A Great Hop-Up Tool that Need Hop-Ups Inself! 2025-08-06
To Paint the Windows or Not to Paint the Windows? That is the Question 2025-08-07
What are Hop-Up Nerf Wings , and Do You Really Need Them Today? 2025-08-08
HOW-TO: Get the Most Out of Your A3 Hobby Mats and R/C Car Stands 2025-08-09
How Can the Miniature Manufacturing CNC Alloy Heatsink Save Your R/C Model Vehicle? 2025-08-10
HOW-TO: Fix the Hornet Shocks Preventing Proper Grasshopper Bofy Fitment 2025-08-11
What is the Best Material for Static Balancing R/C Model Vehicle Wheels and Tires? 2025-08-12
HOW-TO: Fix the Front Top Shock Mount Screws From Sticking Out So Far 2025-08-13
The Frog Fit: The Proper Way to Mount Your R/C Buggy Body Shell 2025-08-14
What Does the CRP HotShot Nerf Wing Do, and Can it Fit the Super HotShot? 2025-08-15
C-Ring Necessity in Stock vs. Hopped-Up Frogs 2025-08-16

13 April 2025

The year was 1985. Little did I know my prayer would be answered 40 years later!

We had new neighbors down the street. Mike and J.J. Vigil had moved out of state. In their place were new Filipino neighbors, Malcolm and Douglas MacLean. Malcolm was my younger brother, Eric's age. Douglas was younger and the first one to start the Tamiya obsession in our neighborhood when he bought the Grasshopper, a 1/10 scale remote control buggy. These were the types of R/C cars that required you to build everything from boxes and bags of parts and required lots of tuning and you painted them yourself. They would take easily 6 hours to build with a father's help.

Some of my brothers friends, Scott and Jeff, also got Grasshoppers. But Malcolm eventually got the Hornet, which came out later that year, which was a supercharged version of the Grasshopper. Eric followed, as did some others.

I watched and learned, and I fell in love with the Frog, known as the Mighty Frog in Japan, where Tamiya originated. It came out in 1984 but was more expensive and more complicated than either the Grasshopper or the Hornet. Unfortunately, it was too expensive and I never got the Frog. Instead, eventually, when visiting my cousin, Dana Genereaux, in 1985, who was my brother's age and also had a Hornet, I got the Pajero, pronounced Pah-Hair-Oh, but I mistakenly pronounced it Puh-Jer-Row. Looking through my cousin's catalogues and magazines, I still wanted that Frog, as it was the best looking RC buggy in my eyes.

Forty years later similar things happened again. Tamiya still makes these rc cars but have updated the technology over the last four decades. My youngest son, Cyril, wanted the Candy Lime Green Edition of the Grasshopper, and it was a hit. My younger son, Daniel, soon decided that he wanted the Black Edition Grasshopper II, which was a reimagined version of the Grasshopper, that was the equivalent of the Super Hornet, a souped-up version of the original Hornet. Watching the enjoyment Cyril got in building and bashing his car, he wanted to have that same enjoyment. I got them all the best hop-ups to make sure they had the best of the updated features available from both Tamiya and small third-party companies.

Then the moment came. My boys wanted me to get an RC car too, so I could race with them, against their new rc buggies. I eventually agreed, and got a Tamiya Frog re-release as an early birthday and Father's Day gift. I took my time building it over 3 weeks and finally got a chance to drive my dream buggy, forty years later!

Sometimes God says no to your prayers, but it is, "No, not now, but maybe someday later." I am thankful for this blessing that came 40 years later and is even more appreciated than it would have been back in the day.

You can see more photos on my instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/vhaidrasaga/

07 October 2024

American Christian Nationalism?

American Christian Nationalism is coming up in the news a lot lately. But what does the Church have to say about this movement that seems to have its root in the heresy of phyletism and tribalism? Here are the five Orthodox Christian articles that I was able to find on this pertinent subject that address this from the point of view and instruction from the Orthodox Church Fathers and saints.

For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church published as an official position statement by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Endorsed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the New Rome, and All Holy Athos.

Nationalism is Not Christian by Father Theodore Bobosh of Saint Paul Orthodox Church in the OCA: Orthodox Christian Church in America & regular contributor at OrthoChristian.com. I see this article has been shared on many sites in the Orthodox online world.

Christian Nationalism [PART ONE], [PART TWO], & [PART THREE] by Father William Olnhausen, of Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church. This blog post has also shared on many other sites, but as with the above, I wanted to share the link to the original.

Rejoicing in a Nation’s Saints—Without Nationalism by Mother Cornelia, a Russian Orthodox Christian Nun.

Orthodoxy & Nationalism by Dr. Nicholas Sooy of St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church and regular writer in the Orthodox Christian periodical, Jacob's Well, a journal published by the Diocese of New York and New Jersey of the OCA: Orthodox Church in America.

What articles have you seen about the Orthodox Church's stand on Christian Nationalism, especially the modern movement in the United States of America?

25 September 2024

What Septuagint (Old Testament) to Use for Study?

The Orthodox Church uses the Septuagint over the errant Masoretic Old Testament for many reasons previously mentioned in articles on this blog. See the following blog posts for more on that:

"Protestant Myths About the Deuterocanonical Old Testament"
from 02 August 2010
"The Text of the Orthodox Bible"
from 25 November 2010
"Metropolitan Isaiah: Which English Translation of the Bible Should I Use?"
from 29 September 2011
"Why Orthodox Christians Prefer the Septuagint"
from 10 March 2012

But if you aren't fluent in Greek, then which English translation should you use for Bible study? While the Lancelot C. L. Brenton Septuagint Version is written in a poetic style like the KJV and NKJV versions of Holy Writ, it is not as good for accuracy, as beauty is the more important goal.

After decades of studying this, and since Holy Apostles Convent has yet to make an Orthodox Old Testament or a Prophetologion, I have settled on the NETS: A New English Translation of the Septuagint translation. It uses a more wooden literal translation for better understanding like The Orthodox New Testament and The Orthodox Psalter (Psalterion), which makes it worthy for study.

This is how the translators and editors at the Oxford University Press describe their translation:

"The Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of Jewish sacred writings) is of great importance in the history of both Judaism and Christianity. The first translation of the books of the Hebrew Bible (plus additions) into the common language of the ancient Mediterranean world made the Jewish scriptures accessible to many outside Judaism. Not only did the Septuagint become Holy Writ to Greek speaking Jews but it was also the Bible of the early Christian communities: the scripture they cited and the textual foundation of the early Christian movement.
Translated from Hebrew (and Aramaic) originals in the two centuries before Jesus, the Septuagint provides important information about the history of the text of the Bible. For centuries, scholars have looked to the Septuagint for information about the nature of the text and of how passages and specific words were understood.
For students of the Bible, the New Testament in particular, the study of the Septuagint's influence is a vital part of the history of interpretation. But until now, the Septuagint has not been available to English readers in a modern and accurate translation. The New English Translation of the Septuagint fills this gap."

As an added bonus, the version linked above is the same size as the other aforementioned books, as seen in the photo of one of my bookshelves above.

14 September 2024

Christ Opening the Eyes of the Blind Man through the Works of His Apostles and their Disciples

Just like previously with my physical therapist, my doctor at MyoCore (MyoFascial Release and Chiropractic) and I were talking about the stories behind the stories in the Holy Writ, such as how the reason that Jesus used dirt to make the blind man see was because the blind man was born without eyes and Christ was showing us that he was God by making human organs from the dust, like he did when he created Adam in the Garden of Eden on the sixth day.

He, being unaware of many of these connections that fascinated by them, asked for 5 or 6 books that would open his eyes to these connections. Thus I suggested the following:

I also pointed to him to the following three blog articles I wrote on this blog:

If you or anyone you know are interested in the connections of the Old Testament to the New Testament, or the stories behind the stories in the Bible, as explained by the apostles and their disciples, check out these books and articles, which will help you see what perhaps you were once blind to and you too can have your eyes opened like the blind man that Christ healed.

13 September 2024

How Should We Live?

Because we all need a reminder from time to time, including myself...

Luke 3:11 “And answering, he saith to them, ‘The one who hath two tunics, let him share with him who hath not; and the one who hath food, let him do likewise.’”
Acts 5:32 “And of the multitude of those who believed there was one heart and soul; and not even one of them was saying that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but all things were common to them.”
Acts 5:34 “For neither was there any among them in need; for as many as were owners of lands or houses, selling them, they were bringing the values of those being sold,”
Romans 15:1-2 “We then who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. For let each of us be pleasing his neighbor for the good, toward building up.”
Iakovos (James) 2:15-16 “Now if a brother or sister be naked and wanting of daily food, and any of you should say to them, ‘Go in peace, warm yourselves and feed yourselves,’ but ye give them not the necessities of the body, what is the profit?”

The above quotes are taken from The Orthodox New Testament: Volume 1, The Holy Gospels, Evangelistarion & The Orthodox New Testament: Volume 2, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation, Praxapostolos.

10 September 2024

More on Some of You Wrongly Trying to Elevate Worldly National Politics to Dogma

Just a few reminders from the Holy Writ, which you should be holding above that of politicians, if you are a Christian, even if only in name. I offer these quotes without commentary, as they should be clear to anyone that this vile gnashing of teeth over politicians as if they were saviours to you, your land, your city, your state, your country, and the world is contrary to the teachings of the Church and thus, Antichrist behaviours which you should repent of. I say this, having once been guilty of this same mortal sin.

The following quote is from The Orthodox Psalter with Commentary (Psalterion):

Psalm 145:2 (146:2) Do not have trust in rulers, in sons of men, in whom there is no salvation.

The following quote is from The Orthodox Study Bible:

1st Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 12:19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”

The following quotes are taken from The Orthodox New Testament: Acts, Epistles, and Revelation, Volume 2:

Romans 12:14 Keep on blessing those who persecute you; keep on blessing, and not cursing.

Romans 13:1-7 Let every soul be subject to authorities which govern. For there is no authority except from God. So that the one who sets himself against the authority hath withstood the ordinance of God; and they who have withstood shall receive judgement to themselves. For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to bad ones. And dost thou wish not to be afraid of the authority? Be doing that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same. For he is a minister of God to thee for the good. But if thou be doing evil, be afraid; for not in vain doth he bear the sword, for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to the one who practiceth that which is bad. Wherefore it is necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath, but also because of the conscience. For on this account ye also pay tributes; for they are public workers of God, persevering for this same thing. Render then to all their dues: to whom the tribute is due, the tribute; to whom the customs duty, the toll; to whom the fear, the fear; to whom the honor, the honor.

Titus 3:1-2 Be reminding them to submit themselves to rulers and authorities, to obey a superior, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to not be contentious, but equitable, showing forth meekness toward all men.

Hebrews 13:17 Be obedient to those who lead you, and keep on submitting, for they are watchful for your souls, as those about to render an account, that they may do this with joy, and not groaning; for this would be unprofitable for you.

Iakovos (James) 1:26-27 If anyone among you seem to be religious, while he bridleth not his tongue, but deceivith his heart, the religion of this one is vain. Religion pure and undefiled before the God and Father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

1 Peter 2:13-25 Therefore be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as being supreme, or to the governors, as being sent by him indeed for punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good; for so is the will of God that by doing good ye may muzzle the ignorance of foolish men— as free, and not as those who are having freedom as a cloak of wickedness, but as slaves of God. Honor all, be loving the brotherhood, be fearing God, be honoring the king. Household slaves, be subject in all fear to your masters, not only to the good and fair, but also to the crooked. For this is a grace if for the sake of conscience toward God anyone endure griefs, suffering unjustly. For what kind of good report is it if, when ye sin and are buffeted, ye shall endure? But if, when ye do good and suffer, ye endure, this is a grace from God. For to this ye were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving behind for you an example, that ye should follow His footsteps: "Who did not sin, neither was guile found in His mouth"; "Who, when He was reviled, reviled not in return; when He suffered, He threatened not, but kept on giving Himself over to Him Who judgeth righteously; Who "Himself carried up our sins" in His body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, should live to righteousness—by Whose bruise "ye were healed." For ye were "as sheep being led astray," but were turned about now to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

29 August 2024

I'm so Sick and Tired...

...too many people, not only Orthodox Christians, but people who declare any faith, or even no faith at all, have made it clear their one and only true religion. It is, sickeningly, whatever their political party tells them to believe. Their only 'saviour' is their favoured political candidate.

It should be clear to any person of faith, that neither American party of the duopoly teaches the same as the Bible. Each pick and choose parts to say that they do, and show how their opponents' teach the opposite, but as politics prove time and time, politicians and political parties cannot be trusted.

"Do not have trust in rulers, in sons of men, in whom there is no salvation."

-Psalm 145(146):3

Bible verse comes from THE ORTHODOX PSALTER: THE PSALTERION OF THE PROPHET AND KING DAVID, With the NINE ODES and the interpretation of how the Psalterion ought to be recited during the whole year Translated into English from the Greek according to the Seventy, and compiled, arranged, and versified according to the Greek Psalterion, including Patristic Commentary.

23 October 2023

A True History of Palestine and Israel 🍉

This true history, given by The Reverend Priest, Father David of Saints Constantine and Helen Antiochian Orthodox Church, is a great telling of the history of Palestine and Israel of the last 2000+ years, that simply states facts without excusing any of the many evils done by either the Zionists nor Hamas.

His message of the forgotten people of this world begins at 01:26:00 at https://www.youtube.com/live/WyRTVHB6sE4?si=nrsaWCElm5JiMOgg and I cannot reccomend this highly enough.

12 April 2023

Who is "Cereal"?

Once upon a time, my youngest son was errantly called Cereal by a substitute teacher, who could not pronounce his name. Seeing that he is a skateboarding enthusiast, and some of the skaters he admires have nicknames like Bam, Benson, Blinky, Boo, Bucky, Dune, Gator, Holmes, Horsey, Jinx, Manchild, Mutt, Ollie, Pork Loin, Slomo, Sluggo, Spanky, Steak, Wee-Man, Yelawolf, Zorlac, etc. he decided to roll with it.

Could be worse, I guess.🤷🏻But in many ways, his nickname became official when the some of his most-beloved skaters from Death Skateboards, his favorite skateboarding company, wished him a happy birthday, using his nickname of Cereal at https://www.instagram.com/p/CqPd6SEO2cX/.

10 November 2022

Connecting the Dots & Finding the Hidden Truths Behind Well-Known Stories

As I mentioned in my last post, I recently shattered my ankle, damaging a lot of the soft tissue in my lower leg and foot. I have had home health nurses and physical therapists visiting my home three times a week since then to help me get to the point where I am now walking with a very cool yet functional cane.

My physical therapist and I were talking about the stories behind the stories in the Bible, such as how the reason that Jesus used dirt to make the blind man see was because the blind man was born without eyes and Christ was showing us that he was God by making human organs from the dust, like he did when he created Adam in the Garden of Eden on the sixth day.

He, being unaware of many of these connections, yet fascinated by them, asked for books that would show him more. Thus I suggested the following six books for him:

I also pointed to him to the following three blog articles I wrote on this blog:

If you or anyone you know are interested in the connections of the Old Testament to the New Testament, or the stories behind the stories in The Holy Writ, check out these books and articles, which will help you see what previously was unseen to you.

08 November 2022

Have You Seen Them? The Quest for Wide Skate Shoes!

For those of you who don't know, I have wide feet. When getting back into skating, I found that Vans are now way too narrow (Yes, even the pro models - I confirmed with Vans that they intentionally have made all of their shoes narrower in order to save on materials, thus increasing profit). and I cannot wear them. I finally found that the vegan suede Vallelys by Cariuma stretched to fit my wide feet and stood up to a beating.

In May, I suffered a triple ankle fracture and dislocation and am finally walking after 6 months of recovery and healing with strenuous PT (physical therapy). However my left foot and ankle are now wider than before and I no longer can even get my Cariuma Vallely skate shoes on. Cariuma confirmed that the vegan suede Vallely shoes were their best shoes for wide feet and refunded the camel coloured pair I had on pre-order (I currently have charcoal and black Vallely shoes). So I reached out to the subreddit, r/OldSkaters, for suggestions for truly wide shoes.

I got many suggestions and reached out to the skate shoe companies to ask what their widest shoes were. Nike SB, New Balance Numeric, and Adidas Skate Shoes were all out, as their shoes are narrow and have no wide options. Plus, I prefer to support skater-owned companies (like Death Skateboards, Film Trucks, Snot Wheels, Zealous Bearings, etc.) when I can.

Shoe #1 was the Etnies Marana. I was excited by its fashion-forward looks, but unfortunately, I could not even put my foot in it, just like my Cariuma Vallelys. Immediate return. Etnies Footwear confirmed this was their widest shoe.

Shoe #2 was the DC Court Graffiks. They looked nice, and thankfully, I could get my foot in, but the toe box was way too narrow. Sent them back. DC Shoes confirmed this was their widest shoe.

Shoe #3 was the Osiris D3 2001s arrived and they were a chonky shoe that seemed to fit good with a wider toe-box but, while comfortable as-is, will definitely require some breaking in at the upper over the toes and at the achilles tendon area. Osiris Shoes confirmed this was their widest shoe.

Shoe #4 was the Globe Mens Tilt Skate Shoe. I could get my foot in with some pushing, but then it slid in nicely. It felt really good... ...until my toes hit the toe-box. Immediately I felt compressing pressure on my pinky toe. Not only on my recovering broken ankle, but the good foot too. While these looked good, there was no way I would be able to wear them. Globe Shoes did not respond to my query on if this was their widest shoe or not.

And so the winner is...

...Based on my experience, for people with wide feet, your best choice is going to be the Osiris D3 2001 Skate Shoes, and I went with the Gold/Grey/Beige colorway model. If your toes are small, you might be able to get away with the Globe Tilt or the DC Court Graffik Skateboard Shoes, but the Etnies Marana is a definite no go, no way, no how. I hope this helps someone out there struggling to find good quality wide skate shoes like I was.

04 April 2022

POLL: The Pandemic & Orthodox Churches

If you are a part of any Orthodox Church (Eastern or Oriental) in the USA, please click on the link below to take part in a large national survey. It's about the effects of the pandemic on parish life, and is funded by the Louisville Institute. Your responses are strictly anonymous. Please also pass this on to any Orthodox friends or relatives; the more participants, the more meaningful the data will be! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PandemicAndYourParishNow

10 March 2022

Help and Pray for Ukraine

Are you wondering how to donate and help Ukraine besides prayer, and don't want your money to errantly end up in the hands of scammers? You can donate money that will 100% go the Ukrainian people, without any executive or administration fees to pay anyone a salary through the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA at https://www.uocofusa.org/news_220224_1 marking your donations with the comment, "LET’S HELP UKRAINE". They have already used this money to get everyday supplies and medical supplies to the people of Ukraine and evacuate an orphanage of children and their teachers to Poland with the donations that they have received so far. If you prefer to donate with Facebook's own platform, you can do so at the Facebook page of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA at https://www.facebook.com/uocofusa.

14 October 2021

Real Cancel Culture

Cancel culture is real and both the left and right are guilty of using it against their perceived enemies. Sometimes it can be used to shutdown a harmful practice, but often times it can also be harmful to the innocent. In my lifetime I remember BADD (Bothered About Dungeons & Dragons) trying to shut down D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) in the 1980's due to the Satanic Panic, which has been proven to be a false and unnecessary panic. My Dungeon Master's (referee's) parents bought into it and did not allow their son to play D&D anymore at his house. Instead we had to play a Christian RPG (Role-Playing Game) called Dragon Raid at his house. We still played Dungeons & Dragons at my house, because my parents did not buy into the panic. You can read more about the fraudulent Satanic Panic and attempts to cancel D&D at https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26328105

Recently a priest's blog was removed from Ancient Faith Radio after multiple warnings about not posting about partisan politics. This was not a case of internet opinion charging him before he was in a court of law, but a company that warned a content provider to stop a prohibited activity over and over until they felt they had to remove him. People cried "Cancel Culture" but this is NOT cancel culture. He was removed from one platform, no judgement was made upon him as a bad person, and AFR even offered to help him set up his blog at new platform. AFR only made a statement about it because the priest had made one first, claiming he was cancelled (Which he has now, thankfully retracted). I am not even a fan of AFR, but these are facts, which I will not twist because I like and respect the priest in question.

However in the modern day, there are actual victims of cancel culture in the world. The problem is that this is done off of accusations, not someone being found guilty in a court of law. In fact, one of these cancelled creators, Zak Smith, actually ended up suing his accusers and was found that he was being defamed and that the accusers had to pay-up and/or post retractions to their accusations. But those facts were not important to the Twitter troll mobs who keep spreading the accusations (only made on social media) and as such, no one will publish Zak's work. Zak, thankfully, makes lots of money from his art, but the TTRPG is missing out by not having his Adventure Campaigns which are also works of art. There are others that are also being cancelled and it is hurting their ability to make a living for them and their family. To this end, I recently interviewed Zak, being a fan or his art and writing and wanting to get the facts of his story from his POV without the interviewer (me) passing judgement. WARNING: This interview has adult language and talks about adult situations.

We need to be patient and let the facts come out in courts of law when accusations are made and remember, at least in America, that people are considered innocent until proven guilty. We don't need a litany of Heart Queens yelling, "Off with their head" anytime anyone is accused of anything bad.

02 February 2021

My 2nd Novel, "Vhaidra & the DRAGON of Temple Mount" is NOW Available!

Many of you know that besides blogging here at the Orthodox Scouter, I am also top-selling author of epic fantasy fiction novels. My first novel, Vhaidra & the DESTINY of Nikodemos was a top-seller at Barnes & Noble, was a HPB Pick at Half-Price Books, and sold well at Amazon and more than 50 bookstores across the USA and in more than 20 countries.

Today, I wanted to share that yesterday I released my second novel in THE VHAIDRA SAGA, a sequel to Vhaidra and the DESTINY of Nikodemos that is titled, Vhaidra and the DRAGON of Temple Mount. This novel takes the characters through many years of peace followed by the beginning of some very big troubles. Here is the back cover blurb for it.

The War of the Dragons begins here...
What secrets lie in Sicyon's mysterious Temple Mount? Who are ATHIE, DAMIANOS, and KOSMAS, and what is their connection to the orphaned half-dragon MIKHAIL? Are the forces that are purportedly working for a better tomorrow in Sicyon truly what they say they are?
After the devastating Battle of Sicyon in “Vhaidra & the DESTINY of Nikodemos,” House Iroas ascends as VHAIDRA the dark elf monk and NIKODEMOS the human cleric raise a powerful house of half-drow warriors in the overworld. Meanwhile, the young half-dragon, MIKHAIL, his human milkmaid and astonishing ranger, MIRIAM, and the flirtatious dwelf dancer, TI'ERRA, change the ascetic half-orc wizard, ELDER DIONYSIOS, forever, as his hidden history intersects with his future, whether he likes it or not.
The obsidian half-dragon grows from a baby to Sicyon’s powerful stylite and protector, but will his abilities be enough to stave off both the imminent threat of the mighty white dragon from the north or will Sicyon get a long cold winter that it can never wake from? Will the diabolical forces within Sicyon that conspire against ARCHON JUSTINIAN and his allies be able to exploit VHAIDRA, NIKODEMOS, TI'ERRA, ELDER DIONYSIOS, MIRIAM, and MIKHAIL to create the civil war that they so desire? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the exciting adventures of Vhaidra & the DRAGON of Temple Mount!

It is currently available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and eBay, and will be in many more bookstores very soon. It is already getting 5-star reviews, and like my previous novels it has been enjoyed by people of all ages and people who never had read fantasy novels before.

07 October 2020

The National EOCS Virtual Religious Retreat is this Saturday!

Please go to https://www.eocs.org/2020-religious-retreat-registration to sign up for this first virtual national retreat for the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting!

Preliminary Schedule (times are EDT)

1:00 pm - Opening Remarks and Prayer

1:10 pm - Presentations from churches with Scouts chartered to them:

St. Demetrios, Astoria, NY & St. John the Theologian, Tenafly,NJ

1:30 pm - Breakout sessions on North American Eastern Orthodox Saints Peter the Aleut & Olga Michael. Ambassadors from Holy Cross presenting to Scouts separated into Grade levels K-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12

2:00 pm - Presentations from churches with Scouts chartered to them:

St. Nicholas, Flushing, NY,
Holy Cross, Brooklyn, NY
St. John the Baptist, Euless, TX

2:25 pm - Breakout Sessions on North American Eastern Orthodox saints

Saint John Maximovitch
Saint Nikolaj Velimirovic

Ambassadors from Holy Cross presenting

Separated into Grade levels K-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12

2:55 pm – Presentations from churches with Scouts chartered to them.

St. Demetrios, Camarilo, CA

3:05 pm - Scouting Religious Awards recognitions(only for those present)

Scout & Ambassador Talent Show
Closing Remarks and Prayers
Vespers

15 August 2020

My Novel, "Vhaidra & the DESTINY of Nikodemos", is Available Internationally in Both eBook and Paperback Versions NOW!

My novel, Vhaidra & the DESTINY of Nikodemos, is now available as an eBook, for those of you who prefer electronic versions of books rather than the paper and print versions.

Currently at Amazon it is ranked #3 in Romantic Action & Adventure and #15 in Fantasy Action & Adventure for new releases (released in the last 90 days) as of today! At Barnes & Noble it is ranked #1 in English Drama, #4 in Fantasy Drama English Literature, and #22 in Epic Fantasy in new releases (released in the last 30 days)! Thank you to all of you helped my novel get such great numbers! I am super happy to be listed amongst the top books in these genres, (Othello, Richard III, Harry Potter, etc.)

I'm asking everyone to take a photo of them with my book or reading it for my readers collage, and to give the book a 5 star review if they can. If you cannot for any reason, please reach out to me with your feedback, as feedback is a gift! Here are some of the people who have already sent me photos of them with my novel.