How can one NOT be excited about the promise of a reward in Heaven?
It seems to me that there are two types of religious fanatics. The ones that are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN of God and His Reward, and the ones that are SO uncertain that they must put up a front.
I KNOW that God exists. I know that Jesus is the Son of God and the Saviour of Man.
How can I KNOW these things and not shout it from the tops of the tasllest mountains?
Do I still have my doubts? And WHY? HOW?
Given what I have experienced, the dreams that have come to me. HOW CAN I HAVE DOUBT?!?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Your salvation is not a foregone conclusion.
Your salvation is not a foregone conclusion.
I wonder if the downfall of otherwise would-be "good Christians" is in their arrogance of assuming that they; by their deeds, thoughts, and what they believe to be their Faith; are already "saved."
It seems to me that the "fear of God" is not fear of retribution by way of fire & brimstone and pillars of salt, but in living each moment of every day in the knowledge that your salvation is NOT a foregone conclusion.
I wonder if the downfall of otherwise would-be "good Christians" is in their arrogance of assuming that they; by their deeds, thoughts, and what they believe to be their Faith; are already "saved."
It seems to me that the "fear of God" is not fear of retribution by way of fire & brimstone and pillars of salt, but in living each moment of every day in the knowledge that your salvation is NOT a foregone conclusion.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Another dream I had...
I drempt of Jesus and Raphael. First, Jesus was standing there, bathed in lights. I was washed over with a sense of contented happiness. The Raphael stood to his right. I could feel myself smiling, warm and happy, even in my sleep.
Then I saw a man standing on a rise, clothed and awash in white light. The light seemed to emanate from everything around him. He had long white hair and beard and long white robes with sleeves that emulated angel's wings. His robes were tied with an gold rope.
He was waiving the multitudes around him forward. I realized that this was St. Peter of the Gates. I woke up filled with joy that I might have found that Jesus and Raphael were still with me.
Then I saw a man standing on a rise, clothed and awash in white light. The light seemed to emanate from everything around him. He had long white hair and beard and long white robes with sleeves that emulated angel's wings. His robes were tied with an gold rope.
He was waiving the multitudes around him forward. I realized that this was St. Peter of the Gates. I woke up filled with joy that I might have found that Jesus and Raphael were still with me.
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Path of Right
Man does not need the Devil to make him do bad things. Man is capable of dreaming up an committing horrors that that would give the Devil nightmares. Sure, there might be an antithesis to God that we call "The Devil." If there is, His interest is NOT in the souls of the Evil Man. The Man that caused the Holocost. The Man who slaughtered thousands upon thousand in Rowanda. The Man who betrayed the trust of the Children. He already has those. He is vying for the souls of the Good Man that strays from the Path of Right.
Do what you know is Right. Not The Church's Right. Not your Guru's Right (unless you're Guru is Andy Fedder, then you had better damn well pay attention.) Not your Mom's or your Dad's Right. YOUR RIGHT. You know what it is. You know that sometimes it is hard. But try to stay on the Path of Right anyway. It will serve you well in the end. And for the Love of whatever God you worship, serve, deny, have a passive-aggressive relationship with, whatever... don't do Right for fear of the Devil. Just do Right because it is the Right thing to do.
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A rant inspired by an advertisement that I saw on FaceBook about "The Face of the Devil" or some foolishness like that.
Do what you know is Right. Not The Church's Right. Not your Guru's Right (unless you're Guru is Andy Fedder, then you had better damn well pay attention.) Not your Mom's or your Dad's Right. YOUR RIGHT. You know what it is. You know that sometimes it is hard. But try to stay on the Path of Right anyway. It will serve you well in the end. And for the Love of whatever God you worship, serve, deny, have a passive-aggressive relationship with, whatever... don't do Right for fear of the Devil. Just do Right because it is the Right thing to do.
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A rant inspired by an advertisement that I saw on FaceBook about "The Face of the Devil" or some foolishness like that.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Lost my way
I feel as though I have lost my way. Not so much strayed from the path, as missed a turn somewhere.
I thought I felt him the other day while driving, but then the doubt drove the feeling away. Did I miss my calling. my opportunity again? I so wish that I could recover that First Dream. To make sense of what had happened may have helped me see where I was supposed to go. Now I feel as though all of that has slipped away.
Would I be worthy to done the Armor of God and pick up my flaming sword to defend The Gate?
I thought I felt him the other day while driving, but then the doubt drove the feeling away. Did I miss my calling. my opportunity again? I so wish that I could recover that First Dream. To make sense of what had happened may have helped me see where I was supposed to go. Now I feel as though all of that has slipped away.
Would I be worthy to done the Armor of God and pick up my flaming sword to defend The Gate?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Am I moved?
Am I moved? What is it that I want so badly that it makes my heart ache with longing and sorrow?
I took blessing at communion today and now I am struck sorrowful. I do not understand.
I took blessing at communion today and now I am struck sorrowful. I do not understand.
Monday, January 18, 2010
A dream I had
As I lay half sick and half asleep in bed, I half pondered my thoughts on Christianity, and indeed Christ himself.
I half prayed in my drowsiness to God for answers to my many unanswerable questions.
Even as my eyes were closed, many images flashed before my mind. Images of cathedrals, crosses, then the face of Jesus, cowled in a hood, but looking down at me so that his face was plain.
This was not the Anglo-Saxon Jesus of western art, but a realistic, Middle-Eastern looking face.
There was an artistic quality to the image, but not one that I can readily associate with any piece of art that I have seen.
As I saw this image, a voice spoke to me. It was a very synthetic (or metallic, like speaking down a tunnel) voice but it spoke encouragingly to me. Even as I was drifting further towards sleep, I tried to focus on what it was saying. The only words I could discern were "...my dear...". The rest was garbled, and I thought at the time; "Is that Aramaic?" Then my years of doubt tumbled in and the image and the voice faded away. I was puzzled and saddened, but then I slept.
I half prayed in my drowsiness to God for answers to my many unanswerable questions.
Even as my eyes were closed, many images flashed before my mind. Images of cathedrals, crosses, then the face of Jesus, cowled in a hood, but looking down at me so that his face was plain.
This was not the Anglo-Saxon Jesus of western art, but a realistic, Middle-Eastern looking face.
There was an artistic quality to the image, but not one that I can readily associate with any piece of art that I have seen.
As I saw this image, a voice spoke to me. It was a very synthetic (or metallic, like speaking down a tunnel) voice but it spoke encouragingly to me. Even as I was drifting further towards sleep, I tried to focus on what it was saying. The only words I could discern were "...my dear...". The rest was garbled, and I thought at the time; "Is that Aramaic?" Then my years of doubt tumbled in and the image and the voice faded away. I was puzzled and saddened, but then I slept.
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