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I posted a summary of last Sunday's sermon on Jesus at the well in Samaria from John 4 here, if anyone is interested.
Is the fear of God maybe a compromise, something that is necessary because we have a fallen nature which would compel us to sin if we didn't stay in the fear of God? So that then, in Heaven, on and after that glorious day, there will not be any fear of God anymore, no matter how small or huge?
Following is Pope Benedict XVI's Message for the World Day of Peace, January 1, 2010:
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE BENEDICT XVI
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE
WORLD DAY OF PEACE
1 JANUARY 2010
IF YOU WANT TO CULTIVATE PEACE, PROTECT CREATION
1. At the beginning of this New Year, I wish to offer heartfelt greetings of peace to all Christian communities, international leaders, and people of good will throughout the world. For this XLIII World Day of Peace I have chosen the theme: If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation. Respect for creation is of immense consequence, not least because "creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God's works",[1] and its preservation has now become essential for the pacific coexistence of mankind. Man's inhumanity to man has given rise to numerous threats to peace and to authentic and integral human development – wars, international and regional conflicts, acts of terrorism, and violations of human rights. Yet no less troubling are the threats arising from the neglect – if not downright misuse – of the earth and the natural goods that God has given us. For this reason, it is imperative that mankind renew and strengthen "that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying".[2]
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Suggestions in any area (acceptance, teaching, witnessing etc.) are more than welcome. I love this kid to death but sometimes...
- Location:home
- Mood:
worried - Music:z104
A few weeks ago, I asked everyone to pray for me as I had a graduate school interview that afternoon. I got notice today that I was accepted into the program. Thanks so much for your prayers.
I don't think I will ever write books or something like that, but I do have an amount of intelligence and I do think a lot. Sometimes it's not easy with my schizophrenia, but intellectual workout especially through writing and reading is important to me anyway, and I do not want to let go of it, even when it stresses me in my illness.
Another question of mine is, if you consider yourself a christian thinker, how do you best relax your mind? I used to play computer games, but somehow I feel that it's becoming a childish thing for me and I want to get away from it, in the sense of how Paul meant it when he said that when he became an adult he stopped doing childish things. I've really been addicted to gaming and I have a hard time relaxing by other means. I've noticed that I like to watch movies of the sillier variant, ie funny comedies or hollywood entertainment films and such. But I can't watch those movies all the time.
I think I need to learn to relax myself through getting more used to simple manual labor like it is needed to be done in a household with a big garden. I'm making progress there but still it's not as easy for me as it seems to be for other people because I've basically lived alone for 10 years and now I sometimes feel like a little alien in our house (I live with my parents again).
I also write poetry and would like to improve my skills there. What can you teach to someone who wants to write christian poetry specifically? I've noticed that when I read poetry with christian themes I often end up preferring the unusual, odd kind of poetry, particularly when it comes to imagery and technique and choice of words. My heart isn't really into the kind of conventional christian poetry people put in their yahoo geocities web pages.
As for other christian thinkers, I admire Chesterton and CS Lewis a lot. They always insist on truth, yet also remain creative, funny and imaginative. This is something I would like to incorporate into my writings as well, that I have something of substance to say, something of importance when it is called for, but also that my words have an original whiff to them.
So, whatever it is that comes to mind for you now, advice, warning, recommendation, whatever, be encouraged to speak up.
Thanks for reading and God bless!
If this works, here's a picture of us...
The One Who Ran Away
Jesus what do you say to the one who ran away?
Jesus what do you say to the one who ran away?
(Jesus)
I lost the most amazing grace I ever found
You walked on water side by side your greatest love
I saw the current that stole you from heaven's shore
You drifted far and deep and I know
I lost the most amazing grace I ever found
You loved to dance as I watched you from above
I never needed a word. Your smile told me more
You let me risk my heart and I know
I lost the most amazing grace I ever found
Your first love remembers the day you were born
This world has hurt you, and drawn you far from me
And I long, for the day, when you return
I hope and I pray, for that coming day
I hope and I pray, for that coming day
When you return
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
( Read more... )
I'm of course celebrating Christmas in line with the denomination I'm converting into, as I expect others will be doing as well (regardless of one's theological stripes). Regardless, the application of this should be pretty universal; it's a good and timely reminder of us to focus on practical loving.
Most of you will be able to find ways to contribute and aid the needs of others right in your very own community. If you have the means and the intention to contribute on a global level, I highly recommend Christian Aid's programme, called Present Aid, which offers aid to people in developing countries all around the world.
I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story
I've had a friend once who always told me that a human must try to really be a human. I've put that away thinking it's too humanistic for me as a christian. But let's consider Christ - He became a human, and it must have been difficult for him sometimes as well. If therefor being human was Christ's difficulty, it may do us good to enter in such a difficulty all the same.
And if Jesus found it a good thing to become a human, we too may find it a good thing. If God decided that He needed to acquire a greater mercifulness through becoming a human, maybe we too should see a transcendence in becoming a human.
That's why I must take back my comment on renouncing my humanity in favor of my christianity. In sofar as christianity is about making people being more like Jesus, and in sofar as being a human is central to how Jesus is like, I must in fact pick up my humanity and bear it. Maybe it means a cross sometimes, but doesn't that really remind me to Jesus' life? And of course there is joy to this, the possibility that I can accept myself for once, if maybe not always. But, for now, to say that I am human, what in fact I am a human no matter what I think or do, sounds like a good idea for today.
If I am a human in the way God intends it for me, then I am enjoying a similarity with Jesus Christ. And there must be a blessing involved with this. There must be healing there. My friend was right and I was wrong, I must be a christian human rather than only a christian. There must be things in common between me and the rest of humanity. I may exist primarily for God, but "the second commandment is like it, to love my neighbor like myself".
On this day in 1968 the world lost perhaps the greatest Catholic author of the 20th century, a spiritual guide who will go down among the great contemplative writers in Catholic history. Thomas Merton died this day, 41 years ago, and 27 years to the day after his entrance into the Trappist monastery, the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemane. Like millions of others, my own life has been profoundly impacted by Thomas Merton. He is still supremely influential in opening the paths of contemplation to those who have a loving desire for God, who seek God through pray and through silence. He was profoundly important in helping everyday Catholics recognize that contemplation is not simply a call for monastics and cloistered religious, but rather is a vocation for all mankind.
It is interesting, today happens to be a day on the Roman calendar where no feast day occurs. And the feasts of saints are typically celebrated on the anniversary of their death. I'm just saying, the anniversary of Thomas Merton's death happens to occur on a date where there are no other feasts…
In honor of this anniversary I am going to include here a section from his great autobiography, Seven Storey Mountain. The following passage recounts his first ever visit to Gethsemane, where he would eventually come back and stay for good. Here is Thomas Merton's first encounter with the Trappists, in his own words:
( Under the cut )
The organisers hope that chance meetings and attendance at the 600 different formal meetings, will lead to new partnerships between religious groups.
What are your views on world religions coming together?
- Location:Berkhamsted, UK
I was singing HALO by Beyonce (just because). A portion of the lyric made mention of two words "Saving grace" that got me wondering. I took the time understanding the song and i came to a conclusion that it did not refer to God (maybe am wrong). I have always believed, saving grace could only come from God. His (God's) Saving Grace. Or maybe this is an American idiom of some sort?
Educate me please. Enlighten me too. Thanks. I haven't googled and wikied yet btw. Wanna know what you guys think. Salamat.
- Mood:awake
I know I may be a little paranoid about the whole thing, but part of me considers the problem a real danger that I must address somehow. But it's like walking through the fog. I have moments in which this fear isn't present at all. But I have moments when it overwhelms me and then I get into serious spiritual trouble. I am trying with all my might to prevent evil, and then just when I try to let go and to relax again the evil creeps through. For example, recently at night I tried to pray the Our Father, and it was good at first. But then suddenly I had the thought "be careful that you don't pray this prayer to the devil as your father". I get such thoughts now and then. I try to calm down and think nothing and pray to God for another time, but it scares my heart that I get such thoughts. And with that fear in my heart I try again to prevent it but only succeed at remembering the evil happening at another occassion when I want to pray.
I'm not sure what I want from you, but it would be nice if you could say a prayer about it, perhaps that my heart would become firmer? That my intuition gets better? I don't see myself in any real danger because in the last years my willingness to stay with God has increased, and also my faith. But I can't predict the course of my future life so maybe the crap will come down on me again some day. Thank you.
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