+RAPHAEL+ Who's name means "GOD has healed", is the Angel of Happy Meetings and of Healing. May He keep you under his wing until our paths cross again. Keep him with you, and remember.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
For a friend in need...
Master the love that is inside of you! The love of you, the love of your children, the love of God. May this love embrace you; give you courage & strength; heal your head, heart, body and soul; and restore to you your heart's desires.
+RAPHAEL+ Who's name means "GOD has healed", is the Angel of Happy Meetings and of Healing. May He keep you under his wing until our paths cross again. Keep him with you, and remember.
+RAPHAEL+ Who's name means "GOD has healed", is the Angel of Happy Meetings and of Healing. May He keep you under his wing until our paths cross again. Keep him with you, and remember.
Day 3 Lect. 6- Jesus: Beloved Brother and Sacrament of God
Here we turn to Jesus. Jesus as the God/Son of God, and Jesus as a Man who could be our friend, our confidant, our mentor, our guide, our brother.
If a sacrament is a sign of God, the Jesus is the sacrament of God. Jesus said "If you have seen me, then you have seen the Father." He tells us that He is the embodiment of God here on Earth, so that we may KNOW who God is.n reading the parables, the miracle stories, the healing stories, we may also know the nature of God. Read them and see who God is. Let yourself feel His love for you. Let yourself fall in love with Him.
We are all called to live in (to imitate is a common way of phrasing it) Christ, but what does that MEAN? Second century christian philosopher/saint St. Irenaeus said "The glory of God is the human being fully alive."
Most Christians profess that Jesus was both fully human (being born of Mary) and fully divine (being begotten of the Holy Spirit). What this means for us is that as God, he came to us to live like us, to experience joy and suffering like us, and to die like us. To be fully human... like us. But in doing so, he came to show us LOVE like Him! To show us that we may live with integrity, honesty, compassion, justice, and with LOVE! In doing so, may we find that it is to be fully alive in God.
This is what it means for us to live like Him. For us to imitate him. For us to be Christ's emissaries in this world. Jesus broke all social, religious, economic conventions to show us God. And that in being Human, we could be as God.
"I wish I could show you the astonishing light of your own being."
When we realize that God is in us, and in everyone else, and everything else, we start to be able to see God in everyone and everything. If we all treated each other as though the other were God, then the world would be a much better place.
On Love
"Nothing has the transformative power, can move even mountains, more than LOVE."
In Luke 7:36-, we are told that Jesus is confronted with a woman who is accused of being a sinner. But she comes to Jesus, even though Jesus is seated for dinner with the Pharisees, she comes with love. With a love so great, despite her sins that she prostrates herself before Jesus and washes His feet with her tears, and drys them with her hair. She recognizes the Grace of Jesus and moves towards Him. He recognizes her repentance, her metanioa, and forgives her, releases her of her sins.
Love is hard. It's hard to do all of the time. We are not God, even as we strive to emulate Him. We are fully human, but we have the spark of the divine within us, and we are called to kindle that spark and "set the world on fire" with it.
Q: How do you relate to Jesus? How does reflecting on His humanity challenge you/comfort you?
I know that this may sound silly, but the comic strip Coffee with Jesus has been very helpful in my relationship with Jesus. Up until a couple of nights ago, I has always had a real issue with trying to reconcile the whole Jesus/God/Son of God thing. The the other night, I was laying in bed praying, and I imagined Jesus sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. It was such a powerful feeling that I actually moved my legs out of the way to give him somewhere to sit. We talked. I confessed to some problems that I was having, he gave me advice. It was really quite remarkable. I wish I had written it all down at the time, but sleep came easier that night. Being able to relate to Jesus in a more human form than ***SON OF GOD*** opens the door to a whole new relationship.
If a sacrament is a sign of God, the Jesus is the sacrament of God. Jesus said "If you have seen me, then you have seen the Father." He tells us that He is the embodiment of God here on Earth, so that we may KNOW who God is.n reading the parables, the miracle stories, the healing stories, we may also know the nature of God. Read them and see who God is. Let yourself feel His love for you. Let yourself fall in love with Him.
We are all called to live in (to imitate is a common way of phrasing it) Christ, but what does that MEAN? Second century christian philosopher/saint St. Irenaeus said "The glory of God is the human being fully alive."
Most Christians profess that Jesus was both fully human (being born of Mary) and fully divine (being begotten of the Holy Spirit). What this means for us is that as God, he came to us to live like us, to experience joy and suffering like us, and to die like us. To be fully human... like us. But in doing so, he came to show us LOVE like Him! To show us that we may live with integrity, honesty, compassion, justice, and with LOVE! In doing so, may we find that it is to be fully alive in God.
This is what it means for us to live like Him. For us to imitate him. For us to be Christ's emissaries in this world. Jesus broke all social, religious, economic conventions to show us God. And that in being Human, we could be as God.
"I wish I could show you the astonishing light of your own being."
When we realize that God is in us, and in everyone else, and everything else, we start to be able to see God in everyone and everything. If we all treated each other as though the other were God, then the world would be a much better place.
On Love
"Nothing has the transformative power, can move even mountains, more than LOVE."
In Luke 7:36-, we are told that Jesus is confronted with a woman who is accused of being a sinner. But she comes to Jesus, even though Jesus is seated for dinner with the Pharisees, she comes with love. With a love so great, despite her sins that she prostrates herself before Jesus and washes His feet with her tears, and drys them with her hair. She recognizes the Grace of Jesus and moves towards Him. He recognizes her repentance, her metanioa, and forgives her, releases her of her sins.
Love is hard. It's hard to do all of the time. We are not God, even as we strive to emulate Him. We are fully human, but we have the spark of the divine within us, and we are called to kindle that spark and "set the world on fire" with it.
Q: How do you relate to Jesus? How does reflecting on His humanity challenge you/comfort you?
I know that this may sound silly, but the comic strip Coffee with Jesus has been very helpful in my relationship with Jesus. Up until a couple of nights ago, I has always had a real issue with trying to reconcile the whole Jesus/God/Son of God thing. The the other night, I was laying in bed praying, and I imagined Jesus sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. It was such a powerful feeling that I actually moved my legs out of the way to give him somewhere to sit. We talked. I confessed to some problems that I was having, he gave me advice. It was really quite remarkable. I wish I had written it all down at the time, but sleep came easier that night. Being able to relate to Jesus in a more human form than ***SON OF GOD*** opens the door to a whole new relationship.
Day 3
I gave the woman whom I lent my cane to my last RAPHAEL medal. She asked me to pray for her children. She told me that she was a recovering addict (6 months now).
Like with the man at the Monastery, I was compelled to give her the medal. I told her that she could return it to me when next we meet.
God, I ask that you guide her and protect her and her children. Please assign Angels to their care. +AMEN+
Like with the man at the Monastery, I was compelled to give her the medal. I told her that she could return it to me when next we meet.
God, I ask that you guide her and protect her and her children. Please assign Angels to their care. +AMEN+
Friday, November 2, 2012
Session with a Spiritual Director
with Fr. Edward, S.J.
Talked about my family history, my relationship with my mom and with Dave. We talked about mine and mom's mental and emotional issues, and the hardships that we went through.
We talked extensively about my temper, and the things I might do to manage it including; working with the kids. Finding ways that they can help me. Working with Celeste. Making her the referee. If she calls a HOLD then it's a HOLD. Talked a little bit about prayer. To my children I am to be Father, Priest, and King.
We spoke of +RAPHAEL+ and my experiences with Him. That was difficult for me, and Edward chided me a bit for my concern over confiding to a priest. He recommended me to read Ezk 1-2.
We talked a bit about vocation and my call towards priesthood. Obviously the Jesuits are out of the question. He advised me to follow the idea that man was created to Praise, Reverence, and Serve the Lord. That is first. The consider what work will help me on towards that.
All in all it was a very helpful meeting, and I am thankful to God for it.
+PAX+
Talked about my family history, my relationship with my mom and with Dave. We talked about mine and mom's mental and emotional issues, and the hardships that we went through.
We talked extensively about my temper, and the things I might do to manage it including; working with the kids. Finding ways that they can help me. Working with Celeste. Making her the referee. If she calls a HOLD then it's a HOLD. Talked a little bit about prayer. To my children I am to be Father, Priest, and King.
We spoke of +RAPHAEL+ and my experiences with Him. That was difficult for me, and Edward chided me a bit for my concern over confiding to a priest. He recommended me to read Ezk 1-2.
We talked a bit about vocation and my call towards priesthood. Obviously the Jesuits are out of the question. He advised me to follow the idea that man was created to Praise, Reverence, and Serve the Lord. That is first. The consider what work will help me on towards that.
All in all it was a very helpful meeting, and I am thankful to God for it.
+PAX+
Day 2 Lect. 5 - Cleaning the Bigger Lens: Structures and "isms"
Structures and "isms"
In this session we discussed government, organizational, and social sin. Even as Jesus was suffering at the hands of his persecutors, so was Peter "keeping warm by the fire" of his denial. How often do WE "kept warm" while we we know that others were suffering?
We may not be able to fix everything, "there will be poor always" sang Ted Neely in Jesus Christ Superstar, but we need to be aware of what is happening around us.
How do we respond to the call of the cold, the hungry, the thirsty and the oppressed? How do we serve as the hands and feet of Christ in the world?
What can we do? What can *I* do?
It is not easy to think of these things. It is hard to get our minds out of our comfort zone. But we really do need to look at it, but it can be hard to see>
What are we afraid of? WHO are we afraid of?
Who do we have a difficult time seeing?
How do I become more compassionate towards those less fortunate than I?
Think about the was in which we generalize people. By groups, race, gender, religion, social strata.
We have to start by really looking at these things under a microscope and being honest with ourselves about them. This is probably the hardest part of these seminars so far for me. I like to think of myself as not being prejudiced, as being compassionate towards all, but I know that I am not. I have more prejudices than I care to admit.
It is only then that we can truly clean the bigger lens, see more clearly, more broadly, more deeply, so that we may love more completely.
Notes from the Scriptures:
Isiah 58- The misguided fasting of the self-righteous and God's instruction on the proper fast.
Sounds like big government and politics.
John 8:1-11- Jesus, the Stoning of an Adulteress, and the Pharisees
Let us not judge, for we are imperfect ourselves. People who live in glass houses...
Micah 6:1-8 What does God want of us?
Not our sacrifices, not our works He wants us to Love and be Loved and walk humbly with Him.
James 2:1-5 Favouring the Rich Man over the Poor Man
Do we not do this every day? Do we not gravitate towards those people who we think are more like us, or can do more for us? Sometimes (often) we see only what material benefit a person has to offer without ever being aware of the spiritual gifts that one might have to offer.
Luke 7:36-50 A Sinner Forgiven (Tears and Hair)
Even with greater sin, so is there greater forgiveness. The self-righteous do not see their own sins.
In this session we discussed government, organizational, and social sin. Even as Jesus was suffering at the hands of his persecutors, so was Peter "keeping warm by the fire" of his denial. How often do WE "kept warm" while we we know that others were suffering?
We may not be able to fix everything, "there will be poor always" sang Ted Neely in Jesus Christ Superstar, but we need to be aware of what is happening around us.
How do we respond to the call of the cold, the hungry, the thirsty and the oppressed? How do we serve as the hands and feet of Christ in the world?
What can we do? What can *I* do?
It is not easy to think of these things. It is hard to get our minds out of our comfort zone. But we really do need to look at it, but it can be hard to see>
What are we afraid of? WHO are we afraid of?
Who do we have a difficult time seeing?
How do I become more compassionate towards those less fortunate than I?
Think about the was in which we generalize people. By groups, race, gender, religion, social strata.
We have to start by really looking at these things under a microscope and being honest with ourselves about them. This is probably the hardest part of these seminars so far for me. I like to think of myself as not being prejudiced, as being compassionate towards all, but I know that I am not. I have more prejudices than I care to admit.
It is only then that we can truly clean the bigger lens, see more clearly, more broadly, more deeply, so that we may love more completely.
Notes from the Scriptures:
Isiah 58- The misguided fasting of the self-righteous and God's instruction on the proper fast.
Sounds like big government and politics.
John 8:1-11- Jesus, the Stoning of an Adulteress, and the Pharisees
Let us not judge, for we are imperfect ourselves. People who live in glass houses...
Micah 6:1-8 What does God want of us?
Not our sacrifices, not our works He wants us to Love and be Loved and walk humbly with Him.
James 2:1-5 Favouring the Rich Man over the Poor Man
Do we not do this every day? Do we not gravitate towards those people who we think are more like us, or can do more for us? Sometimes (often) we see only what material benefit a person has to offer without ever being aware of the spiritual gifts that one might have to offer.
Luke 7:36-50 A Sinner Forgiven (Tears and Hair)
Even with greater sin, so is there greater forgiveness. The self-righteous do not see their own sins.
Day 2 Lect. 4 - Cleaning the Lens: That I May See
Cleaning the Lens, that I may see...
Scripture readings:
John 8- The Adulterous Woman
John 9- Jesus, the Blind man, and the Pharasees
Romans 5- We have been justified by Faith
Psalm 32- Blessed are the Forgiven
Cleaning the Lens is about being able to view our faults, and our sins, through the lens of God's Love, rather than through the lens of Man's guilt.
One of the biggest "turn-offs" for people on Christianity is the whole Sin and Guilt thing. Who can blame them? Nobody wants to admit on their own that they are flawed, and they damn sure don't want somebody else telling them that they are flawed.
But if we can get past our Egos long enough, we can really examine our lives and our thoughts and really admit that we have issues (some greater than others, some lesser, it really doesn't matter). Once we can do that, coupled with the knowledge that God loves us, wholly, unconditionally, no matter what, and that He wants us to change (metanoia) so that we may be closer to Him, it suddenly becomes clearer and easier that there is a real opportunity to have a real relationship with God. One that is based on Love and not guilt and fear.
Remember... God does not condemn us for our sins... we do.
We are going to use the word "sin" here, as it is part of the vernacular, but it must be understood that "sin" is not doing things that the Bible says that we should not do (although that can be part of it), but sin is doing those things which are counter survival, and/or counter to bringing us closer to God. Sin is not "breaking the LAW OF GOD, therefore YOU are GOING to HAAEEEELLLLL!!!... Umm, no... Sin is "hamartia"... missing the target. Error. It is correctable. I was really quite (pleasently) suprised to even read the Wikipedia not on the origin of the word:
Once we can honestly confront our sins, we can begin the process of "metanoia" or change of heart and mind. "There is nothing 'once and for all' in a decision to change." The process takes time, and patience, and discipline, and the willingness to stay open to God and let Him help you.
Ignatius talks about Attachment and Indifference. Iggy's idea on indifference is de-tachment from those things that keep us from God.
What are WE attached to that keeps us from God?
The Sin of Separation
We talked about sin as "what separates us from one another?" How do we relate to our fellow man, especially when there is cause for stress in the relationship. These stresses can be: Attitudes, judgements, preconceptions, lack of compassion. Lack of Affinity. (See my entry on Affinity, Reality, and Communication, ARC)
We were asked to examine areas or people in out lives that we had trouble with in this department. For me it is p-eople that I have communication barriers with, either through their having a learning disability, a language barrier, or their being say... a dog. I have a problem with homeless people. I feel bad for them, but I find that I have to wall up my compassion for them lest I give them the clothes off my back. (I have had too many unfortunate run in's with the homeless to NOT put up a wall between myself and them. Something I suppose I should work on.)
We are meant to be CHRIST in the world. We are meant to be a LIGHT. We cannot keep ourselves covered up with a basket.
The Sin of Self Neglect
There must be a balance between serving others and taking care of OUR needs.
What things in my life am I attached to that are actually harmful to me?
What loops play over and over in my mind that keep me down? Harpies?
What or WHO is my sabatuer?
How am I honouring the Gift of Me?
*God will forgive us if we forgive us. Can we forgive ourselves and turn away from those things that we know are not of God?*
From John 9-
We get so hung up on our own preconceived notions, or rigid thoughts, that we fail to see the miracle standing right in front of us.
From Romans 5-
We have been justified by faith.
Rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
Suffering leads to endurance
Endurance builds character
Character developes hope
Hope will not shame us as God's Love has been poured into us.
We are reconciled to God by God's love for us, even as we were sinners before Jesus' death.
As one sin lead to condemnation and spiritual death, so does one act of righteousness lead to salvation and eternal spiritual life.
From Psalm 32-
Blessed are the forgiven says David. Confess your sins to God, be forgiven, and sin no more. Rejoice in the Lord and know that you are forgiven!
But confession and forgiveness must be followed by change. We must remain vigilant and disciplined to not fall back into the sleep of this world.
Scripture readings:
John 8- The Adulterous Woman
John 9- Jesus, the Blind man, and the Pharasees
Romans 5- We have been justified by Faith
Psalm 32- Blessed are the Forgiven
Cleaning the Lens is about being able to view our faults, and our sins, through the lens of God's Love, rather than through the lens of Man's guilt.
One of the biggest "turn-offs" for people on Christianity is the whole Sin and Guilt thing. Who can blame them? Nobody wants to admit on their own that they are flawed, and they damn sure don't want somebody else telling them that they are flawed.
But if we can get past our Egos long enough, we can really examine our lives and our thoughts and really admit that we have issues (some greater than others, some lesser, it really doesn't matter). Once we can do that, coupled with the knowledge that God loves us, wholly, unconditionally, no matter what, and that He wants us to change (metanoia) so that we may be closer to Him, it suddenly becomes clearer and easier that there is a real opportunity to have a real relationship with God. One that is based on Love and not guilt and fear.
Remember... God does not condemn us for our sins... we do.
We are going to use the word "sin" here, as it is part of the vernacular, but it must be understood that "sin" is not doing things that the Bible says that we should not do (although that can be part of it), but sin is doing those things which are counter survival, and/or counter to bringing us closer to God. Sin is not "breaking the LAW OF GOD, therefore YOU are GOING to HAAEEEELLLLL!!!... Umm, no... Sin is "hamartia"... missing the target. Error. It is correctable. I was really quite (pleasently) suprised to even read the Wikipedia not on the origin of the word:
"In Abrahamic contexts, sin is the act of violating God's will. Sin can also be viewed as anything within individuals that violates the ideal relationship between them and God.
"The word derives from “Old English syn(n), for original sunjō,... The stem may be related to that of Latin sons, sont-is guilty. In Old English there are examples of the original general sense, 'offense, wrong-doing, misdeed.' The Biblical terms that have been translated from Greek and Hebrew literally refer to missing a target, i.e. error."
Once we can honestly confront our sins, we can begin the process of "metanoia" or change of heart and mind. "There is nothing 'once and for all' in a decision to change." The process takes time, and patience, and discipline, and the willingness to stay open to God and let Him help you.
Ignatius talks about Attachment and Indifference. Iggy's idea on indifference is de-tachment from those things that keep us from God.
What are WE attached to that keeps us from God?
The Sin of Separation
We talked about sin as "what separates us from one another?" How do we relate to our fellow man, especially when there is cause for stress in the relationship. These stresses can be: Attitudes, judgements, preconceptions, lack of compassion. Lack of Affinity. (See my entry on Affinity, Reality, and Communication, ARC)
We were asked to examine areas or people in out lives that we had trouble with in this department. For me it is p-eople that I have communication barriers with, either through their having a learning disability, a language barrier, or their being say... a dog. I have a problem with homeless people. I feel bad for them, but I find that I have to wall up my compassion for them lest I give them the clothes off my back. (I have had too many unfortunate run in's with the homeless to NOT put up a wall between myself and them. Something I suppose I should work on.)
We are meant to be CHRIST in the world. We are meant to be a LIGHT. We cannot keep ourselves covered up with a basket.
The Sin of Self Neglect
There must be a balance between serving others and taking care of OUR needs.
What things in my life am I attached to that are actually harmful to me?
What loops play over and over in my mind that keep me down? Harpies?
What or WHO is my sabatuer?
How am I honouring the Gift of Me?
*God will forgive us if we forgive us. Can we forgive ourselves and turn away from those things that we know are not of God?*
From John 9-
We get so hung up on our own preconceived notions, or rigid thoughts, that we fail to see the miracle standing right in front of us.
From Romans 5-
We have been justified by faith.
Rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
Suffering leads to endurance
Endurance builds character
Character developes hope
Hope will not shame us as God's Love has been poured into us.
We are reconciled to God by God's love for us, even as we were sinners before Jesus' death.
As one sin lead to condemnation and spiritual death, so does one act of righteousness lead to salvation and eternal spiritual life.
From Psalm 32-
Blessed are the forgiven says David. Confess your sins to God, be forgiven, and sin no more. Rejoice in the Lord and know that you are forgiven!
But confession and forgiveness must be followed by change. We must remain vigilant and disciplined to not fall back into the sleep of this world.
On the Role of Saints
Looking back, I do not remember the source of this revelation... if I was reading a book at the time, or listening to a lecture, or simply praying:
On Saints...
Praying to, or invoking a Saint, is asking that Saint to guide you, lend you his or her strength or wisdom, or more importantly, asking them to pray to God *with* you, when you feel you do not have the strength to do it alone.
On Saints...
Praying to, or invoking a Saint, is asking that Saint to guide you, lend you his or her strength or wisdom, or more importantly, asking them to pray to God *with* you, when you feel you do not have the strength to do it alone.
Day Two Lect. 3 : Principle and Foundation
We believe that God creates all things and that we may find in them God's presence and energy by learning to share our lives with other people and care for our kinship with all all that wonderfully shares and supports our lives.
How has creation been the "hiding place and revelation of God" for you?
What have you "learned" about God from looking at creation?
Reflection: As Christians we believe we come from a loving God who freely creates us to discover the mystery of God's love in our lives.
Sacramentality: The view that God is in all things in the world.
God is found in all things, great and small.
All of the Earth, including ourselves, are given to us so that we may find God.
Lectio Divina (Divine Reading)- practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's Word. It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word.
Traditionally Lectio Divina has 4 separate steps: read, meditate, pray and contemplate. First a passage of Scripture is read, then its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God.
1. What does it say?
2. What does it say to YOU?
3. How do you respond to it?
4. Be still, contemplative.
Spirit and matter are one. Is not matter made of energy? Is not Spirit made of energy? Is not God... Energy? God is in, of, and IS everything!
God is revealed in everything!
By holding a duelistic viewpoint:
Secular vs. Sacred
Profane vs. Holy
Matter vs. Spirit
is to limit God.
I only started to really recognize God in and as nature when I started hiking with Celeste. I understood it even more when I had the "Big Bang Cognition." The Big Bang as the beginning of God's Creation: "Let there BE..."
Q?: How is it that what I am learning here seems so radically removed from what I always though I knew about Catholicism?
Notes from recommended scriptural readings:
Hos 11:1-4
Despite our faults, despite our stubbornness, God will still love us. He will not give up on us.
Rom 1:19-20
God shows Himself to us plainly in the everyday world. We must CHOOSE to see it!
How has creation been the "hiding place and revelation of God" for you?
What have you "learned" about God from looking at creation?
Reflection: As Christians we believe we come from a loving God who freely creates us to discover the mystery of God's love in our lives.
Sacramentality: The view that God is in all things in the world.
God is found in all things, great and small.
All of the Earth, including ourselves, are given to us so that we may find God.
Lectio Divina (Divine Reading)- practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's Word. It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied, but as the Living Word.
Traditionally Lectio Divina has 4 separate steps: read, meditate, pray and contemplate. First a passage of Scripture is read, then its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God.
1. What does it say?
2. What does it say to YOU?
3. How do you respond to it?
4. Be still, contemplative.
Spirit and matter are one. Is not matter made of energy? Is not Spirit made of energy? Is not God... Energy? God is in, of, and IS everything!
God is revealed in everything!
By holding a duelistic viewpoint:
Secular vs. Sacred
Profane vs. Holy
Matter vs. Spirit
is to limit God.
I only started to really recognize God in and as nature when I started hiking with Celeste. I understood it even more when I had the "Big Bang Cognition." The Big Bang as the beginning of God's Creation: "Let there BE..."
Q?: How is it that what I am learning here seems so radically removed from what I always though I knew about Catholicism?
Notes from recommended scriptural readings:
Hos 11:1-4
Despite our faults, despite our stubbornness, God will still love us. He will not give up on us.
Rom 1:19-20
God shows Himself to us plainly in the everyday world. We must CHOOSE to see it!
Day 2 Lect. 2 "Who are You, oh God, and Who am I?"
Notes from Lecture 2 - Who are You, Oh God, and Who am I?
The questions for this lecture were:
What images of advance or detract from your relationship with God?
What would you like to say to God about that?
Who best personifies God's love for you? (God with Skin reference.)
What prevents you from receiving God's love?
I will attempt to answer these, and similar questions from other lectures through what will probably come out as a chaotic smattering of quotes, notes, references, insights (from then and now), and seemingly nonsensical whimsies. Some of these things I will elaborate of in future entries.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God loves us wholly, unconditionally, no matter what.
If only we could see each other, shining like the sun with the love of God.
My "God with Skin" is Celeste. Her strength, her love, her never-ending devotion to those she loves. It is said that God loves you at least as much as the person who loves you most. Well, if God loves me at least as much as I love Celeste, then I am a pretty lucky guy.
God is more for us than we are for ourselves.
God is Universal, God is God, God Is.
Sometimes trying to think of God gives me vertigo. Like trying to comprehend the infinite vastness of space. But then sometimes God is a pinprick of light, but a point that contains all of the energy that ever was and ever will be. I cannot thing of God in human terms except through CHRIST.
As for Jesus... He is my coach, my coffee mate, my friend and my guide.
Maybe if God really was able to be personified, it would be easier to understand His will and His doings and His purposes.(There was a lot of talk as God as Santa- Always seeing who is good, and who is bad, and meting out justice accordingly. Or God as Father; loving disciplinarian. There was no talk of God as Daddy (Abba) which I am in retrospect grateful for, because that particular viewpoint grinds my nerves for some reason. Although after doing a bit of research, it turns out that Abba is not really equal to Daddy (as it is commonly used in seeker churches). It does (or can) carry a more respectful weight to it if that makes any sense.)
Sometimes the idea of Zen does seem easier because it holds no sense of urgency. No compelling drive that says we have a limited amount of time at our disposal. Use it wisely.
On Celeste being my God with Skin... Sometimes so much so that if I had to choose between Her and God, I don't know if I would know how to respond.
The chaos, the busyness, the constant hum of activity in my life is a constant barrier between me and my relationship with God. THAT is why I am HERE! :-) (I remember writing this. I was in my Hidey-hole and it came upon me like a revelation. There was an immense sense of Presence, Calm, Joy, in that statement.)
The questions for this lecture were:
What images of advance or detract from your relationship with God?
What would you like to say to God about that?
Who best personifies God's love for you? (God with Skin reference.)
What prevents you from receiving God's love?
I will attempt to answer these, and similar questions from other lectures through what will probably come out as a chaotic smattering of quotes, notes, references, insights (from then and now), and seemingly nonsensical whimsies. Some of these things I will elaborate of in future entries.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God loves us wholly, unconditionally, no matter what.
If only we could see each other, shining like the sun with the love of God.
My "God with Skin" is Celeste. Her strength, her love, her never-ending devotion to those she loves. It is said that God loves you at least as much as the person who loves you most. Well, if God loves me at least as much as I love Celeste, then I am a pretty lucky guy.
God is more for us than we are for ourselves.
God is Universal, God is God, God Is.
Sometimes trying to think of God gives me vertigo. Like trying to comprehend the infinite vastness of space. But then sometimes God is a pinprick of light, but a point that contains all of the energy that ever was and ever will be. I cannot thing of God in human terms except through CHRIST.
As for Jesus... He is my coach, my coffee mate, my friend and my guide.
Maybe if God really was able to be personified, it would be easier to understand His will and His doings and His purposes.(There was a lot of talk as God as Santa- Always seeing who is good, and who is bad, and meting out justice accordingly. Or God as Father; loving disciplinarian. There was no talk of God as Daddy (Abba) which I am in retrospect grateful for, because that particular viewpoint grinds my nerves for some reason. Although after doing a bit of research, it turns out that Abba is not really equal to Daddy (as it is commonly used in seeker churches). It does (or can) carry a more respectful weight to it if that makes any sense.)
Sometimes the idea of Zen does seem easier because it holds no sense of urgency. No compelling drive that says we have a limited amount of time at our disposal. Use it wisely.
On Celeste being my God with Skin... Sometimes so much so that if I had to choose between Her and God, I don't know if I would know how to respond.
The chaos, the busyness, the constant hum of activity in my life is a constant barrier between me and my relationship with God. THAT is why I am HERE! :-) (I remember writing this. I was in my Hidey-hole and it came upon me like a revelation. There was an immense sense of Presence, Calm, Joy, in that statement.)
I Arise Today- The Deer's Cry
The
Deer's Cry
I arise today through the strength of heaven
Light of sun, radiance of moon
Splendor of fire, speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea
Stability of earth, firmness of rock
I arise today through the strength of heaven
Light of sun, radiance of moon
Splendor of fire, speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea
Stability of earth, firmness of rock
I arise today
through God's strength to pilot me
God's eye to look before me
God's wisdom to guide me
God's way to lie before me
God's shield to protect me
God's eye to look before me
God's wisdom to guide me
God's way to lie before me
God's shield to protect me
From all who
shall wish me ill
Afar and a-near
Alone and in a multitude
Against every cruel, merciless power
That may oppose my body and soul
Afar and a-near
Alone and in a multitude
Against every cruel, merciless power
That may oppose my body and soul
Christ with
me, Christ before me
Christ behind me, Christ in me
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me
Christ behind me, Christ in me
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me
Christ in
the heart of everyone who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
I arise today
--
Recorded on " Lisa" by Lisa Kelly, Celtic Woman Records
Adapted from The Prayer of St. Patrick, circa 400 A.D.
Day 2- Rough Night and Remorse
9 hours of sleep... my bed is horribly uncomfortable (toooo soft), and my shower was broken (They fixed it very quickly). Other than that, so far I am enjoying myself.
Experiencing some reservations about oversharing my experiences with people.
At the social last night, I met a woman named Diane. We got to talking, and by the end of the conversation, I had told her about my conversion experience. I always feel very uncomfortable with that. As if I am telling something that is supposed to be kept secret. I think I need to explore this a little more deeply.
Experiencing some reservations about oversharing my experiences with people.
At the social last night, I met a woman named Diane. We got to talking, and by the end of the conversation, I had told her about my conversion experience. I always feel very uncomfortable with that. As if I am telling something that is supposed to be kept secret. I think I need to explore this a little more deeply.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Wherever you find Him
Every day, a boy went wandering in the woods near his home. After a while, his father grew concerned about whether it was safe for him to be out there so much. One day, the father asked; "What are you doing out in those woods, son?" And his son replied, "That's where I go to look for God." The father thought for a moment and said "Why in those woods, son? God is the same wherever you find him." But the boy looked at his father and said, "I know dad... but I'm not."
An Unspeakable Secret
"Here is an unspeakable secret: Paradise is all around us, and we do not understand." -Thomas Merton
Day 1 Lecture 1 - Is God Lost?
Day One- Lecture 1
Introduction-: Is God Lost?
I came here this weekend with no expectations. As I told my wife, if I get 72 hours of uninterrupted sleep, I will have gotten something good out of it. Anything else will be bonus.
Modern life keeps us always going at a breakneck pace. Physical noise, spiritual noise, psychic noise, noise, noise, noise, noise noise... What needs quieting? I do. I can't seem to figure out how to turn off the internal TC and radio long enough to even consider that God might want to tell me something, much less what it might be.
I am here seeking God, and therefore myself.
"An Unspeakable Secret..."
"Boy in the woods..."
Introduction-: Is God Lost?
I came here this weekend with no expectations. As I told my wife, if I get 72 hours of uninterrupted sleep, I will have gotten something good out of it. Anything else will be bonus.
Modern life keeps us always going at a breakneck pace. Physical noise, spiritual noise, psychic noise, noise, noise, noise, noise noise... What needs quieting? I do. I can't seem to figure out how to turn off the internal TC and radio long enough to even consider that God might want to tell me something, much less what it might be.
I am here seeking God, and therefore myself.
"An Unspeakable Secret..."
"Boy in the woods..."
The Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
my memory, my understanding
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
Retreat Day 1 - 01 November 2012
Ignatius Hose Jesuit Retreat Center
November 1-4, 2012
Arrived around 1545 and got settled in. They were very gracious about moving me to a downstairs room when they say me walking with my cane.
Rested, for a bit, then wandered the grounds, the bookstore, and the library, then retired to my quarters to meditate.
Attended 1730 All Saints Day Mass. Very nice. I had very little trouble following along, even without a guidebook. Not so unlike Anglican Mass. I felt no stress to "keep up". I just flowed with it as the spirit moved me.
This is an absolutely beautiful place. Celeste- I cannot wait for you to see it.
The main Chapel sits on the edge of the bluff over the Chattahoochee River. The whole back wall is glass so that you are looking out into the canopy of the trees. The sun setting in the tree tops was beautiful.
Off to the Social.
Very noisy. Met a woman from South Carolina named Diane. Very nice woman. Cancer survivor. Excellent conversation. Told her a little about my history. This was her second trip here to the Ignatius House.
Great food!
After the Social we met at the Chapel for the official start of the retreat with an Orientation Lecture.
November 1-4, 2012
Arrived around 1545 and got settled in. They were very gracious about moving me to a downstairs room when they say me walking with my cane.
Rested, for a bit, then wandered the grounds, the bookstore, and the library, then retired to my quarters to meditate.
Attended 1730 All Saints Day Mass. Very nice. I had very little trouble following along, even without a guidebook. Not so unlike Anglican Mass. I felt no stress to "keep up". I just flowed with it as the spirit moved me.
This is an absolutely beautiful place. Celeste- I cannot wait for you to see it.
The main Chapel sits on the edge of the bluff over the Chattahoochee River. The whole back wall is glass so that you are looking out into the canopy of the trees. The sun setting in the tree tops was beautiful.
Off to the Social.
Very noisy. Met a woman from South Carolina named Diane. Very nice woman. Cancer survivor. Excellent conversation. Told her a little about my history. This was her second trip here to the Ignatius House.
Great food!
After the Social we met at the Chapel for the official start of the retreat with an Orientation Lecture.
Ignatius House Retreat Center Photos
 |
| View from my hidey-hole where I did most of my journaling. |
 |
| Down the Walk of the Stations toward the river. |
 |
| Down the Walk of the Stations toward the river. |
 |
| Fountain of the Living Waters. |
 |
| Stations of the Cross. |
 |
| Fountain of the Living Waters. |
 |
| Entry to the Chapel |
 |
| Annie from Florida |
 |
| View from inside the Chapel |
 |
| Holy Font and St. Ignatius Relics. |
 |
| The main hall. |
 |
| Seclusion. |
 |
| Path down to the waterfall. |
 |
| Private residence of the Center Director. |
 |
| WAAAYYYYY down there is the Hootch. (Chattahoochee River) |
 |
| Stairway to... |
 |
| Up the path |
 |
| The facilities |
 |
| The outdoor chapel and tower. |
 |
| Fireplace in the atrium. |
 |
| The atrium |
 |
| From inside the library |
 |
| The Library |
 |
| The Library |
 |
| The Dining Hall |
 |
| The Dining Hall |
 |
| Back up from the River |
 |
| Deck overlooking the River |
 |
| Waaaaayyyyy down there... |
 |
| A lovely place to sit. |
 |
| Stations of the Cross |
 |
| Stations of the Cross |
 |
| View from the back yard. |
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Everthing, everywhere...
We are all made of stars, we are all made of
God. We are all made of everything, from everywhere that ever was. From
the Big Bang, to the edge of time; from the starting point to the finish
line. What is made of you, is made of me; and we're all made of God,
and that makes us free.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Another, in response...
To
my mind, the Bible is a compilation of works, written by men, but
inspired by God. The OT, particularly the Torah, is a mythological
account of the origins of the Jewish peoples. It is their creation
story, the origin of their people, their understanding of the world that
they live in and the God that they serve. The rest of the OT is a
history of their people. And like all histories, it is written from a
cultural perspective. It is important to differentiate between the OT
being a history of the Jewish people, and a history of the world.
The NT of course being a collection of stories (the Gospels), letters, and tractates, written by several and diverse authors over a period of time (about 200 years), relating to the life of Yeshuah (Jesus)*, and the establishing and running of churches in his name throughout the region. Again, these stories and letters are written from a cultural perspective.
If you are arguing for the infallibility of the Bible from a historical viewpoint, then that is not an argument that you can win with me. (You only need examine the four Gospels to disprove historical infallibility) What is FAR more important is what the Bible, the teachings of Jesus in particular, can teach us about living, here on earth, and at a spiritual/eternal level.
It doesn't matter if the Bible is historically accurate. It doesn't matter if it was breathed out by God himself though the human authors, and on to the paper. What matters is the spiritual truths that are contained inside. Some of them plain, and some of them obscure. All of them relevant, and all of them eternal.
*Ye(ho)shua would have been the Hebrew-Aramaic name given by Mary and Joseph to the child who is now known by the Anglo-Latin name of Jesus. We come by the English name Jesus by way of the Latin "Ihsus", by way of the Greek "Ἰησοῦς" (Iēsous).
The NT of course being a collection of stories (the Gospels), letters, and tractates, written by several and diverse authors over a period of time (about 200 years), relating to the life of Yeshuah (Jesus)*, and the establishing and running of churches in his name throughout the region. Again, these stories and letters are written from a cultural perspective.
If you are arguing for the infallibility of the Bible from a historical viewpoint, then that is not an argument that you can win with me. (You only need examine the four Gospels to disprove historical infallibility) What is FAR more important is what the Bible, the teachings of Jesus in particular, can teach us about living, here on earth, and at a spiritual/eternal level.
It doesn't matter if the Bible is historically accurate. It doesn't matter if it was breathed out by God himself though the human authors, and on to the paper. What matters is the spiritual truths that are contained inside. Some of them plain, and some of them obscure. All of them relevant, and all of them eternal.
*Ye(ho)shua would have been the Hebrew-Aramaic name given by Mary and Joseph to the child who is now known by the Anglo-Latin name of Jesus. We come by the English name Jesus by way of the Latin "Ihsus", by way of the Greek "Ἰησοῦς" (Iēsous).
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
GOoDness...
"Realize how good you really are."
If GOD is GOoD, and we are created in GODs image, then we must be GOoD.
Someday's we don't feel so good. Someday's I'll bet we even wonder if
God is as good as everyone makes him out to be. Those are the days when
it is hardest, but most important to trust that God is GOoD, and that
YOU are GOoD.
Mother Teresa of
Calcutta said, (and I paraphrase): "If I am hungry, give me someone to
feed. If I am sad, give someone to comfort. If I am naked, give me
someone to clothe..."
It is in our times of tribulation,
especially spiritual tribulation, that we are faced with a choice. The
choice of succumbing to our troubles, or of mustering the strength to
find the GOoDness within us. Finding GOD's GOoDness within us. Finding
GOD's Image within us.
Take a moment today, to realize the GOoD within you.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, (and I paraphrase): "If I am hungry, give me someone to feed. If I am sad, give someone to comfort. If I am naked, give me someone to clothe..."
It is in our times of tribulation, especially spiritual tribulation, that we are faced with a choice. The choice of succumbing to our troubles, or of mustering the strength to find the GOoDness within us. Finding GOD's GOoDness within us. Finding GOD's Image within us.
Take a moment today, to realize the GOoD within you.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Storms...
Sometimes the thunderstorms just build up in my head. They roll and boil, then go flat and silently grey. When the calm comes, I start to come back out of myself, but then a sudden gust of wind and a crash of lightning later, and I am nothing but a sick and broken man in a sea of casualties.
Just one night, I would like to get through an evening without something knocking me off my keel. Just one night, I would like to get through an evening without bitching my kids out for something. Sometimes something they have done. Sometimes because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Rarely deserving of the malevolence that issues forth from my festering pie hole. Sometimes I wonder if I need to be back on some sort of medication. I hate my temper. I hate that the littlest, stupidest thing can set it off. I hate that once it is loose, I cannot seem to reign it back in until it has run it's course. (Thank you DF for teaching me the power of rambling, vehement, 30 minute lectures) This is my thing that I would like to give up to God. I cannot do it alone. I cannot be in charge of it any more. I don't want it any more!
I am going to go take some tylenol now, and go to bed.
Just one night, I would like to get through an evening without something knocking me off my keel. Just one night, I would like to get through an evening without bitching my kids out for something. Sometimes something they have done. Sometimes because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Rarely deserving of the malevolence that issues forth from my festering pie hole. Sometimes I wonder if I need to be back on some sort of medication. I hate my temper. I hate that the littlest, stupidest thing can set it off. I hate that once it is loose, I cannot seem to reign it back in until it has run it's course. (Thank you DF for teaching me the power of rambling, vehement, 30 minute lectures) This is my thing that I would like to give up to God. I cannot do it alone. I cannot be in charge of it any more. I don't want it any more!
I am going to go take some tylenol now, and go to bed.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
On Yeshua being married:
Recently the hoopla in the news has been of the fragment of parchment from a codex that has been dubbed "The Gospel of Jesus' Wife." No conclusions as to it's authenticity, meaning, or even it's implications have been drawn. The Church denies the possibility of Yeshua (Jesus) having been married, or even having been a sexual being in any context. Some connection to "original sin" and the sex act being sinful by its very nature. (I will address "original sin" in another post)
My question is; "So what if he was." How does that change anything? If anything, it seems to me that Yeshua's being married makes far more sense than his not. As a Jew at the time, it would have been expected of him to have taken a wife by the age of thirty. Did he not say that he was the 'fulfillment of the Law," and that "not one iota of the Law would be changed"? Secondly, if he came down here as a human, to partake of the whole human experience, would it not stand to reason that marriage (which is one of the Sacraments) would be part of that experience?
Yeshua's being married makes him that much more human, and therefore makes his sacrifice on our behalf that much more meaningful and powerful. This idea that Jesus was as pure as the driven snow puts him above/against the humanity which he came to be a part of, so that humanity could come and be a part of Him.
My question is; "So what if he was." How does that change anything? If anything, it seems to me that Yeshua's being married makes far more sense than his not. As a Jew at the time, it would have been expected of him to have taken a wife by the age of thirty. Did he not say that he was the 'fulfillment of the Law," and that "not one iota of the Law would be changed"? Secondly, if he came down here as a human, to partake of the whole human experience, would it not stand to reason that marriage (which is one of the Sacraments) would be part of that experience?
Yeshua's being married makes him that much more human, and therefore makes his sacrifice on our behalf that much more meaningful and powerful. This idea that Jesus was as pure as the driven snow puts him above/against the humanity which he came to be a part of, so that humanity could come and be a part of Him.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Spiritual Cosmonaut
The
Holy Scriptures are like the sky or the ocean. You look out and you see
the truth of them. They are vast, and eternal, and on the surface they
are plain in their meaning. If you
are a sailor or a pilot of this world, they tell you all you need to
know, in their movements and motions. But then there are cosmonauts.
Those who would delve headlong into the depths, beyond the waves, and
beyond the clouds.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
An old man's dream...
I dreamt an old man lay on his death bed. He knew his time was near, and he was afraid. He wished to repent of the evil things he had done in his life. He prayed to God for Forgiveness. He prayed to God for Mercy. He prayed to God and he feared. And God replied; "It cannot be by Fear that you come to Me. Not fear of death, nor fear of Hell. You can only come to me through Love. Love of Me, love of Life, love of All. When you know Love, you will know Me." And the old man slept.
Consider that you are already wise:
Your wisdom is not complete or flawless, but it does exist in the depths
of you. It exists because God has designed the universe in such a way
that, if we pay any attention
at all, we will learn. As we solve problems, survive grief, create
something new, or help others heal, wisdom develops and grows in our
hearts and minds.
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/2012/09/21/consider-that-you-are-already-wise/
http://deepeningfriendship.loyolapress.com/2012/09/21/consider-that-you-are-already-wise/
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Rediscovering Christianity
Thursday, September 13, 2012
I do not support "Special Rights"
I do not support Gay Rights. I do not support
Woman's Rights. I do not support Minority Rights. I support Human
Rights. I believe that every person, (who is not a convicted criminal, a
Prisoner of War, or has otherwise legitimately had their rights limited
or revoked) should have equal access to all of the rights granted to
the populace by the constitution of the land in which they reside.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Given up on God
A lot of people have given up on God. They have given up on God because they expect God to be manifest in the exterior, physical world. What with all of the hate, and all of the hurt in the world, who can blame them for giving up? But the outer world is not God's immediate concern. God's immediate concern is the inner world. "The Kingdom of God is within you," is not just some cliche corporate line. We are God's creation. We are created in the likeness of God. That is to say, as spiritual beings, we are as/of God. Until we truly, and by "we" I mean ALL of us, and by "truly" I really mean TRULY, all of the way down to the core of our being... figure that out, the world will remain full of hate and hurt. You see, it is really up to us. Not God. Some of you may have given up on God, but God has not given up on you. And neither have I.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
A Prayer of Holy Communion
Oh Lord, thank you for this gift of Holy Communion.
By Your Grace, our bodies and souls become one.
You came into this world, became human, lived as a human, died as a human, and were resurrected again as God, so that we humans, your beloved creations, may come into You, live in You, die in You, and become resurrected in You.
In Your Holy Name, by our Lord Christ Jesus.
+AMEN+
By Your Grace, our bodies and souls become one.
You came into this world, became human, lived as a human, died as a human, and were resurrected again as God, so that we humans, your beloved creations, may come into You, live in You, die in You, and become resurrected in You.
In Your Holy Name, by our Lord Christ Jesus.
+AMEN+
+Message+
+I feel your petty hatreds grinding against my soul like hot sand. They claw at my face and they tear at my heart.
You say you love everyone, but your words are tainted with hatred toward the one thing that loves you beyond all measure.+
You say you love everyone, but your words are tainted with hatred toward the one thing that loves you beyond all measure.+
Friday, August 31, 2012
Chronological New Testament
A chronological New Testament is not only about sequence, but also
about chronological context -- the context-in-time, the historical
context in which each document was written. Words have their meaning
within their temporal contexts, in the New Testament and the Bible as a
whole.
Seeing and reading the New Testament in chronological sequence matters for historical reasons. It illuminates Christian origins. Much becomes apparent:
Chronological New Testament
Seeing and reading the New Testament in chronological sequence matters for historical reasons. It illuminates Christian origins. Much becomes apparent:
Chronological New Testament
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Denial
"It is equally as dangerous to deny the supernatural, as it is to immediately jump to it as an explanation."
From a conversation with Celeste regarding the necessity/reality of exorcism in the modern world.
From a conversation with Celeste regarding the necessity/reality of exorcism in the modern world.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Praying for Satan
"But who prays for Satan? Who in eighteen centuries, has had the common
humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most, our one fellow
and brother who most needed a friend yet had not a single one, the one
sinner among us all who had the highest and clearest right to every
Christian's daily and nightly prayers, for the plain and unassailable
reason that his was the first and greatest need, he being among sinners
the supremest?" -Mark Twain
I think it is an excellent and thought provoking point. But before we (being I in the Royal Plural) jump headlong into the fray, let us clarify a few points:
1. Satan is not an entity. It is a title. More correctly, it is ha-Satan, or "opposer, accuser, or adversary" in Hebrew. You will find in the Scriptures that this is on office in the celestial hierarchy (Divine Council) (See Job 1).
2. The fallen angel that see seem to be referring to here is commonly known as Satan, the Devil, or Lucifer. None of these are quite correct. As previously mentioned, Satan, or ha-Satan is an office of state. The word Devil comes from the Greek "diabolos, which means "slanderer" or "accuser." Lucifer is 4th century Vulgate Latin for "shining one" or "morning star." It has a long and rather complicated etymology, but ultimately stems from a reference made in the scriptures of Judaic Enochian mythology. The bottom line here is that neither Judaic not Christian Scripture actually NAME the First of the Fallen, so we are forced to rely on the extrapolative interpretation of pre-Christian and early Christian writers. For the Sake of argument though, we will call our antagonist, Satan, as it fits in with our original missive.
So what we have here is an Angel. An Archangel. Perhaps God's first and most powerful angel. An Archangel who strays from its purpose and aspires to power. Aspires to the Throne of God. War breaks out in Heaven, and ultimately Satan and His followers (1/3rd of the Angelic Host) are defeated and cast out of Heaven, and into the outer darkness. Into the Chaos. Later, we will call this Gehenna, then even later, Hell. So, if you properly understand your scriptures, then you will understand that Hell is not a place, but a state of being. The state of being in separation from God. So here we have Satan, cast out of Heaven, and therefore separated from God, therefore in...Hell. And I rather suspect that he is pissed. And being an angel, an immortal creation, time and space have no real significance to him, so he will stay pissed for a very long time. So who is he going to take it out on? Us humans. God's most loved creation. Raised in status above all of the Angels of Heaven. He is going to continue to fulfill his role as "The Adversary", only now he is going to do it on his own terms. (This metaphore is best saved for another discussion).
So, before I get too far afield... Should we pray for Satan? Would we be praying for the redemption of what we believe to be an entity, the ultimate embodiment of evil, here on Earth to corrupt the hearts and souls of man? Or would we be praying for a Fallen Angel, a lost sheep, one who is blinded by his misguided anger, so that he might once again see the light and the love of God, and want to go home? Or would we be praying for an idea? The idea of the redemption of everything on Earth that stands between the Human Spirit and the perfect reunification with God? Can you forgive Satan enough to pray for him? I don't know if praying for Satan can help. But I do know that it cannot hurt. I know that I will.
I think it is an excellent and thought provoking point. But before we (being I in the Royal Plural) jump headlong into the fray, let us clarify a few points:
1. Satan is not an entity. It is a title. More correctly, it is ha-Satan, or "opposer, accuser, or adversary" in Hebrew. You will find in the Scriptures that this is on office in the celestial hierarchy (Divine Council) (See Job 1).
2. The fallen angel that see seem to be referring to here is commonly known as Satan, the Devil, or Lucifer. None of these are quite correct. As previously mentioned, Satan, or ha-Satan is an office of state. The word Devil comes from the Greek "diabolos, which means "slanderer" or "accuser." Lucifer is 4th century Vulgate Latin for "shining one" or "morning star." It has a long and rather complicated etymology, but ultimately stems from a reference made in the scriptures of Judaic Enochian mythology. The bottom line here is that neither Judaic not Christian Scripture actually NAME the First of the Fallen, so we are forced to rely on the extrapolative interpretation of pre-Christian and early Christian writers. For the Sake of argument though, we will call our antagonist, Satan, as it fits in with our original missive.
So what we have here is an Angel. An Archangel. Perhaps God's first and most powerful angel. An Archangel who strays from its purpose and aspires to power. Aspires to the Throne of God. War breaks out in Heaven, and ultimately Satan and His followers (1/3rd of the Angelic Host) are defeated and cast out of Heaven, and into the outer darkness. Into the Chaos. Later, we will call this Gehenna, then even later, Hell. So, if you properly understand your scriptures, then you will understand that Hell is not a place, but a state of being. The state of being in separation from God. So here we have Satan, cast out of Heaven, and therefore separated from God, therefore in...Hell. And I rather suspect that he is pissed. And being an angel, an immortal creation, time and space have no real significance to him, so he will stay pissed for a very long time. So who is he going to take it out on? Us humans. God's most loved creation. Raised in status above all of the Angels of Heaven. He is going to continue to fulfill his role as "The Adversary", only now he is going to do it on his own terms. (This metaphore is best saved for another discussion).
So, before I get too far afield... Should we pray for Satan? Would we be praying for the redemption of what we believe to be an entity, the ultimate embodiment of evil, here on Earth to corrupt the hearts and souls of man? Or would we be praying for a Fallen Angel, a lost sheep, one who is blinded by his misguided anger, so that he might once again see the light and the love of God, and want to go home? Or would we be praying for an idea? The idea of the redemption of everything on Earth that stands between the Human Spirit and the perfect reunification with God? Can you forgive Satan enough to pray for him? I don't know if praying for Satan can help. But I do know that it cannot hurt. I know that I will.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Thoughts from the Firefly
Book: What are we up to, sweetheart?
River: Fixing your Bible.
Book: I, um... [alarmed] What?
River: Bible's broken. Contradictions, false logistics - doesn't make sense.
[she's marked up the bible, crossed out passages and torn out pages]
Book: No, no. You-you-you can't...
River: So we'll integrate non-progressional evolution theory with God's creation of Eden. Eleven inherent metaphoric parallels already there. Eleven. Important number. Prime number. One goes into the house of eleven eleven times, but always comes out one... Noah's ark is a problem.
River: Fixing your Bible.
Book: I, um... [alarmed] What?
River: Bible's broken. Contradictions, false logistics - doesn't make sense.
[she's marked up the bible, crossed out passages and torn out pages]
Book: No, no. You-you-you can't...
River: So we'll integrate non-progressional evolution theory with God's creation of Eden. Eleven inherent metaphoric parallels already there. Eleven. Important number. Prime number. One goes into the house of eleven eleven times, but always comes out one... Noah's ark is a problem.
Book: Really?
River: We'll have to call it early quantum state phenomenon. Only way to fit 5000 species of mammal on the same boat.
[rips out page]
River: We'll have to call it early quantum state phenomenon. Only way to fit 5000 species of mammal on the same boat.
[rips out page]
Book: Give me that back.
[snatches back remains of bible from River]
Book: River, you don't fix the Bible.
River: It's broken. It doesn't make sense.
Book: It's not about making sense. It's about believing in something, and letting that belief be real enough to change your life. It's about faith. You don't fix faith, River. It fixes you.
Book: River, you don't fix the Bible.
River: It's broken. It doesn't make sense.
Book: It's not about making sense. It's about believing in something, and letting that belief be real enough to change your life. It's about faith. You don't fix faith, River. It fixes you.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Mother Teresa?
So I was on my lunch break earlier this week, sequestered away in one of the unused offices, meditating on the Jesus Prayer. I had managed to clear my mind, turn off the internal TV and radio, and just focus on the words. Then suddenly, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, white and blue striped robe and all, popped up out of the darkness which had taken on the form or a crowd, and kissed me on the cheek. Needles to say, my session was over, but I am still going "Huh?"
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Already there...
You show me a Christian who
says "When you die, you will burn in Hell." and I will show you a
Christian who is already there and just doesn't know it yet.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Sometimes I think...
Sometimes I think I would like to just let go. Let go of all my worldly cynicism, all of my concrete anchors, all of my grounds in what I think is reality, all of my concerns over how others will think of me, of how I think of myself. Sometimes I think I would like to just let go and experience God. Delusional I say? Sometimes I think it would be better to be delusional and happy, bathed in the light of God's love than sane and miserable in this dark world so full or doubt, fear, hate, and absolute death.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Haters gonna Hate
There are a lot of Christians out there who do a very poor job of expressing their religious and spiritual convictions. They use the Bible as a weapon, they cherry pick the scripture to justify their own sociopolitical ends, and above all they forget that Christ said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
So to address the point;
1. If you attack hate with hate, even if it disguised as righteousness, it is still hate, and will separate you from God.
2. If you are busy loving God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, then you are too busy to be judging others and telling them how to live their lives, or that their way of living is wrong.
3. You cannot change the world en-mass. You can only change it one person at a time. If you are not willing to invest the time in one person, then you should not be wasting your time and breath on the masses.
4. Only when you can accomplish 2. above, can you proceed to "Loving your neighbor as yourself." For once you have known and loved God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, you will know that despite our individual aberrations, we are all God on the inside.
5. It is possible to disagree with someone without hating them, and it is possible to love someone without agreeing with them. "Judge not, lest you be judged." is the phrase to remember.
I get a lot of scatter fire from my non-Christian friends against Christianity in general, accusing us of intolerance. At the same time, they show their own intolerance by painting with such a broad brush.
Debbie*: If you have made it this far, congratulations. Most people don't follow my ramblings for this long. It is admirable that you "hate having that which is wrong in GOD's eye's being called right, normal, and acceptable." Except for the "hate" part. Hate implies that you have issued judgement against that thing or person. It is not our job to judge or to hate. It is our job to love, pray, and seek to help others. It is our job to lead by shining example of God's Love. It is our job to open ourselves to God, exposing our own inadequacies, so that WE may be healed, and in turn go out and heal others. Recognize the mote in your own eye before pointing out the speck in another's, seek to help those who will listen, and knock the dust off your shoes for those who won't. Everyone comes to God in their own time and in their own way. YOU cannot force it upon them. As for others calling you names for standing up for what you believe in, ask yourself: Are you doing it in such a way that exhibits love, compassion, and forgiveness, or are you doing it in such a way as it puts others on the defensive?
Hater are going to hate, dust off your shoes, say a prayer, and walk away.
*This missive was originally a letter to an individual.
So to address the point;
1. If you attack hate with hate, even if it disguised as righteousness, it is still hate, and will separate you from God.
2. If you are busy loving God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, then you are too busy to be judging others and telling them how to live their lives, or that their way of living is wrong.
3. You cannot change the world en-mass. You can only change it one person at a time. If you are not willing to invest the time in one person, then you should not be wasting your time and breath on the masses.
4. Only when you can accomplish 2. above, can you proceed to "Loving your neighbor as yourself." For once you have known and loved God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, you will know that despite our individual aberrations, we are all God on the inside.
5. It is possible to disagree with someone without hating them, and it is possible to love someone without agreeing with them. "Judge not, lest you be judged." is the phrase to remember.
I get a lot of scatter fire from my non-Christian friends against Christianity in general, accusing us of intolerance. At the same time, they show their own intolerance by painting with such a broad brush.
Debbie*: If you have made it this far, congratulations. Most people don't follow my ramblings for this long. It is admirable that you "hate having that which is wrong in GOD's eye's being called right, normal, and acceptable." Except for the "hate" part. Hate implies that you have issued judgement against that thing or person. It is not our job to judge or to hate. It is our job to love, pray, and seek to help others. It is our job to lead by shining example of God's Love. It is our job to open ourselves to God, exposing our own inadequacies, so that WE may be healed, and in turn go out and heal others. Recognize the mote in your own eye before pointing out the speck in another's, seek to help those who will listen, and knock the dust off your shoes for those who won't. Everyone comes to God in their own time and in their own way. YOU cannot force it upon them. As for others calling you names for standing up for what you believe in, ask yourself: Are you doing it in such a way that exhibits love, compassion, and forgiveness, or are you doing it in such a way as it puts others on the defensive?
Hater are going to hate, dust off your shoes, say a prayer, and walk away.
*This missive was originally a letter to an individual.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Part of the Solution...
I stand up and apologize to the world for eons of misinterpretation and misappropriation of Holy Scriptures of Judaism and Christianity.
I apologize for and stand against the atrocities that have been, and are being committed in God's Holy name.
I stand against the hate rhetoric of the "Christian Right".
I stand against the literalistic interpretations of the Holy Scripture that have bred a culture of ignorance, fear, and hatred over the ages.
I stand up for Christ Yeshuah of Nazareth, called Jesus, who came as a perfect example of Man and God, to this world to reunite the human spirit with the source of all creation.
I stand up for loving your neighbor as yourself.*
I stand up for prayer, contemplation, and love over anger, rashness, and hate.
I stand up for spreading messages that kindle the hearts and minds of your fellow human beings, rather than denigrating them or their beliefs.
I stand up for leading by example, not by volume, money, power or any other worldly influences.
I have a lot of friends who are of other religious and spiritual paths. I love them all, with no reservation towards their religious practices or spiritual beliefs.** But when they post statements and meme's on social media boards that generalize all of Christianity and all Christians as being ignorant, bigoted, and hateful, I wonder if they realize that they are being just as intolerant as those they are accusing of intolerance. I also wonder if they know or care that they are including me, their "friend", in their accusations.
I have never been one to shove my religion/spirituality down another's throat. I do not post Christian Propaganda on my FaceBook page explaining why God is better than x, y, or z.***
I do not decry others for their "ungodly heathen ways." I pray for my friends and family that they may find peace with God, and serve their time on this planet, and in this universe, in ways that leave it better than they found it.
So before you speak or act, criticize or complement, condone or condemn, etc., ad nauseam; ask yourself: Is what I am going to do or say True? Is it Helpful? Is it Kind?**** Will it result in the betterment of this planet that we all have to share, or will it create even more ill will and divisiveness.
*If you do not love yourself, and are therefor incapable of loving your neighbor, then I suggest that you get off the bus and get that mess sorted out. Because that is a long, lonely, and dreadful way to live. If you need someone to talk to about it, call me.
**I don't have to agree with my friends to love and respect them. In the end, every individual will stand and know if they have been right or if they have been wrong.
*** Say, a colour television set.
**** There is a difference between "nice" and "kind." What you have to say may hurt someone's feelings in the short run (see the other qualifiers), But you don't have to be a dick about it.
I apologize for and stand against the atrocities that have been, and are being committed in God's Holy name.
I stand against the hate rhetoric of the "Christian Right".
I stand against the literalistic interpretations of the Holy Scripture that have bred a culture of ignorance, fear, and hatred over the ages.
I stand up for Christ Yeshuah of Nazareth, called Jesus, who came as a perfect example of Man and God, to this world to reunite the human spirit with the source of all creation.
I stand up for loving your neighbor as yourself.*
I stand up for prayer, contemplation, and love over anger, rashness, and hate.
I stand up for spreading messages that kindle the hearts and minds of your fellow human beings, rather than denigrating them or their beliefs.
I stand up for leading by example, not by volume, money, power or any other worldly influences.
I have a lot of friends who are of other religious and spiritual paths. I love them all, with no reservation towards their religious practices or spiritual beliefs.** But when they post statements and meme's on social media boards that generalize all of Christianity and all Christians as being ignorant, bigoted, and hateful, I wonder if they realize that they are being just as intolerant as those they are accusing of intolerance. I also wonder if they know or care that they are including me, their "friend", in their accusations.
I have never been one to shove my religion/spirituality down another's throat. I do not post Christian Propaganda on my FaceBook page explaining why God is better than x, y, or z.***
I do not decry others for their "ungodly heathen ways." I pray for my friends and family that they may find peace with God, and serve their time on this planet, and in this universe, in ways that leave it better than they found it.
So before you speak or act, criticize or complement, condone or condemn, etc., ad nauseam; ask yourself: Is what I am going to do or say True? Is it Helpful? Is it Kind?**** Will it result in the betterment of this planet that we all have to share, or will it create even more ill will and divisiveness.
*If you do not love yourself, and are therefor incapable of loving your neighbor, then I suggest that you get off the bus and get that mess sorted out. Because that is a long, lonely, and dreadful way to live. If you need someone to talk to about it, call me.
**I don't have to agree with my friends to love and respect them. In the end, every individual will stand and know if they have been right or if they have been wrong.
*** Say, a colour television set.
**** There is a difference between "nice" and "kind." What you have to say may hurt someone's feelings in the short run (see the other qualifiers), But you don't have to be a dick about it.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Rise Christians Rise
The problem with Christianity is not Christianity in of itself. The
problem with Christianity is a proportionally small, but overly vocal
segment of its members who have misinterpreted, and misappropriated the
scripture, and twist it and turn it to their own socio-political
agendas. This has been the problem for 1500 years, and if we don't
police ourselves, all we will ever get is bad press, and the public
opinion of us as a whole will be negative. I don't know exactly how this
should be done, except that if you are a Christian who wants to share
true message of Christ with the world, we need to step up rise up and be
more visible, more vocal, and more Christian than the hacks who are
giving the rest of us a bad name.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Four Compass Points for the Spiritual Life
"Just like our earthly fallings-in-love, falling in love with God is both
indescribably sweet and potentially quite disorienting. Here are four
orienting points for your journey."
Sunday, July 8, 2012
ICON: Jesus the Pancreator, c. 11th Century
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Unorthodox Christianity by Dennis Wheeler
An excerpt from the blog of one Dennis Wheeler. I could not have summed up my feelings on this better myself. Thank you Dennis for your insight.
After years of
thought and pondering, I have come to view my faith as one of what I have
deemed to call "Unorthodox Christianity". To understand, I need to define the
word "Christianity", for I find this moniker to be one much misaligned and
misused in the common culture of my present world.
"Take care not to be
deceived, for many will come in my name saying "I am he..."
The prevalence of the
name/word "CHRIST" as the religious banner of so many institutions, from the
Catholic Church to the Mormon Zionist culture, and the adaption as revelation
of the teachings of Jesus as developed into Mohammedism and Neo-Judaism
(Talmud), the term Christian is often cloudy in definition.
For the purposes of
definition for my own personal belief: Christianity refers to a belief system
based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary and Joseph, a
carpenter's son, purported to be the Christ, the saving spiritual son of God,
manifest in the flesh to extend to us the wisdom and teaching of God, represented by him in his teaching as "father".
Jesus was the spiritual son of God, manifest in the physical
son of Joseph and Mary, utilizing that vessel as the medium through which to
teach us the mysteries of our existence that our religions had attempted to
define.
From that broad
definition, my own definition of Christian: One who believes in, and strives to
adhere to the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.
Notice I say: "strives
to adhere to" the teachings of Jesus, all of us fall short of the spiritual
maturity that Jesus attained. One must always be striving to attain to be a
Christian in Jesus' image by this definition.
The basis for any "judgement" of authenticity: striving in adherence to Jesus' most fundamental
teaching:
Love One Another.
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