Orthodoxy and the P90X

The older I get (sigh!) the more I have learned to take God's word literally. Take for instance, the following passage:
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."  - Philippians 2: 12-13

Now I know what some of you must be thinking due to the title of this post and the emphasis added to the words "work out". You're thinking, " Oh!, I bet he is going to talk about how the Orthodox do a lot of standing, bowing, lying down, etc."  "EHNNT!" (loud buzzer sound for wrong answer).  No, that's not what I mean. (especially since I have not experienced the lying down part, this is done sometime, is it not?)
No, lately my life has taken on the experience that is described in that "Golden Oldie" from 1961 by Bobby Lewis : " Tossin" and Turnin' "

" I couldn't sleep at all last night!  
Got to thinkin' of you.
Baby things weren't right, 
Well I was tossin' and turnin'
Turnin' and tossin'
a-tossin' and  turnin' all night!"


Whoa! Talk about getting a work out! P90X you ain't got nothing! Whew!

You see here is what's going on inside my sparse grey matter. I read quite a bit. I have searched out oodles of stuff about Orthodoxy on the web. Add to all of that, the books that I have read or I am in the processing of reading concerning the Orthodox Church. My list so far:
"The Orthodox Church"  by (Ware)
"Becoming Orthodox" (Gillquist)
"Let Us Attend" (Farley)
"From Darkness to Light" (Field)
" The Apostolic Fathers" (Sparks)
"Praying With The Orthodox Tradition" (Ware-Parenti-Clifford)
I have even skimmed through, "The Philokalia" (sorry Fr. Gary, but I couldn't resist! But, I have not totally read it so that should count for some sort of obedience, shouldn't it?)
PLUS, I have delved into the "Orthodox Study Bible".
Now, combine all this printed matter with "Podcasts" on Ancient Faith Radio, and let me tell you, I am one excited dude who just can't seem to get enough about the "TRUE CHURCH" that I have now discovered.

"I kicked the blankets on the floor!
Turned my pillow upside down.
I never never did before.
Cause I was tossin' and turnin'
Turnin' and tossin' 
a-tossin' and turnin' all night!"


Like most folks I like to read at night in bed. So I open up, flip pages and lose myself in the author's words.
Questions get answered, questions get raised and bookmarks get placed. Prayers are said, lights go off.

Then...........

"Jumped out of bed!
Turned on the light.
I pulled down the shade,
Went to the kitchen for a bite! (actually, at this part I open up a book)
Rolled up the shade, (I never touch the shades, but it is in the song, so I think it works)
Turned off the light, (This I do!)
I jumped back into bed,
It was the middle of the night!"


Now, my thoughts are NOT about, " I am doing the right thing, you know, considering leaving my present church to become an Orthodox Church Christian type person. Not at all! What I am doing here is trying to take in all I can via the written word. Hunger, hunger, hunger.

I also realize that reading can only take me to certain places and that the true experience lies in the actual experience, and so far the actual has been fantastic!

Saturday past I attended only my 3rd Vespers Service, but already I feel the worship and prayers taking up residence in me and then being past onto Heaven, (talk about being filled!) I have had absolutely no problem (coming from an Evangelical background) with bowing, making the Sign of the Cross and kissing the icons. Or, understanding the doctrine, I find myself amazed and humbled by it all. Thank you, O Lord our God.

Some things I have noticed at Vespers and questions about veneration. There are various icons about the Nave that the people go up to. Not talking about what is on the Iconostasis, but about the other areas of the Nave. Some people go to all of them and some people only go to a select few, I wonder why? Also, on one of the side walls of the Nave there is a carved wooden cross and some folks go that also, I haven't yet gone to it mainly because I am not sure if it's okay, but it must be, since some folks do.
Also I am so "amazed" ( seems like my favorite word about this journey) about how prayers are said in the "plural". The use of  we, our, us etc., so beautiful to do and I understand the reason why. One other thing, I am starting to "catch on" to the singing during Vespers and I find that I am able to get about every third word right! LOL! Sometimes I just slide along with the musical tones and offer up a " Hymn of Hummm..." you know, right now, that works for me and I look forward to knowing all the words. What a blessing!
Guess, my buddy Jim can help me out here, but I do appreciate and desire all comments, so please feel free to make them!

While I am on the subject of comments, I cannot express to all of you who are reading and/or posting comments here on this blog, how much I truly appreciate hearing from each one of you, you are all a giant blessing to me! Thank-you all!

I am looking forward to attending my first Divine Liturgy very soon. So far I have been fortunate to been able to use my wife's car to go to Vespers (she is a nurse and works a lot Saturday nights) but, that will change when it comes to attending on Sunday morning, I will be riding in on my Harley, talk about a work-out! Oh, Baby!!!!