Listen

 One of my greatest faults is not taking time to listen. I know in the Quaker faith this is one of the key elements and perhaps something I had to learn the hard way. The past few months my health has been poor and I went for a few exams and surgeries. My very nature for anyone who knows me is too work constantly , or spend time repairing or building. When I run out of things at home go somewhere else to keep busy. Last week I spent time in the Intensive Care Unit teetering at a dangerously high temperature convulsing and thinking this was it. God had me where I needed to be quiet and still.
 My first reaction was to pray but instead I listened too weak to do anything else. Being the first in triage my room for the next three days was in front of the nurses station. In the ICU a man was brought in next to me after driving a motorcycle 100MPH into oncoming traffic, who in my opinion was in worst shape. But I had a real nasty blood infection which needed immediate care. The doctor in charge had them add two more IV's and replace the needles with larger ones.  They hit me with antibiotics for bacteria, virus and fungus not having enough time for cultures to grow and analyze. On the second day my temperature went to 102, then 101 and eventually normal.
 During this time I listened to the suffering around me. Men screaming with pain during the night , on all sides. There would be no rest for three days, one thing I also remembered was the nurses station where they talked about their boyfriends and had some laughter amongst the chaos. They were all very good to me - did not like all the needles but it was par for the course. While listening peoples lives unwound around me. My children came to visit and we had a chance to talk about things that eluded us in the past fast paced world. I never felt alone or scared but was reminded of Gods presence in our daily lives. Everything I was hearing , God was hearing. The suffering, the gossip and the laughter it was very powerful.

 Psalms 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”

 In the end I recovered went home and prayed but will forever take time to listen. Not just when there is no other choice but on a regular basis. One thing that sticks out in my mind is the doctor saying the bad news is you have blood poisoning - the good news is you are cancer free. Praise God! Sometimes we have to take the bad news with the good.

  

the Bride

  We search the scriptures for the defined church and find that it is a Bride. Yes- a  noun that means a woman about to be married. Here we have a masculine text where often the apostles describe God as being a masculine creator , Yet - God describes himself as I am. 2 Corinthian 2:14 "Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the fragrance of his knowledge by us in every place" (KJV) and in other versions it may not say his but refer to him. In the bible it always speaks of the brethren or sons as Gods chosen. Very few instances does it speak of daughters or sisters in a reference to the unity except when referring to the whole church as a bride. So here we have the Bride which is to come , the Bride of Christ that we await and Jesus describes the event as a wedding in his parable of the wedding feast. If we are awaiting such a bride , as it is clearly stated in Revelations and in Jesus own words, then why is the church hierarchy made of mostly men.
 There are some who would define the church in a physical sense, you sit here another sits there. Actually the church is spiritual and God is spirit. We can only define things in sense of our own vocabulary, we can never define God - since God is omnipotent. We can only make references within our own realm of knowledge. We are describing a time of great happiness, a feast which the ultimate joy is shared. This time the scriptures best rendering is a Bride , in a life we know it is the ultimate procession to see the Bride coming down the aisle. Here comes the Bride we sing and the bride is so lovely.
 Does the Church need woman? Most definitely - without woman there can be no church. Their feminine nature  is essential to be the Bride. It bothers me when women are brought to a lower stature because of the religious traditions institutionally  keeping them from holding offices and teaching. That is why I avoid such churches , some would like to go back 2000 years and re-instate slavery and oppression to woman. The bible was written in a time when there was slavery and woman were oppressed that is the reality. The apostles often wrote in the spectrum of the times they lived because we are in the 20th century I write in the spectrum of our time. Society has evolved since biblical time we do not need to go back to slavery and woman do not need to be oppressed, it is the secular blinders they wear not spiritual glasses. If the church were perfect the wedding would have already happened over 2000 years ago. It took many years of evolution to bring about in society the changes we have now and some parts of the world are not yet evolved. Women are still oppressed in  50% of the world and Yes- because of traditional religious beliefs. Religion not spirituality is oppressing woman.
 Is the bible correct , is it sound in its treatment of woman? I will say it was written over 2000 years ago, it is still the best book for spiritual teaching and good for instruction. We just need to read it with spiritual and not traditional glasses.The Holy Spirit fills women , gifts them spiritually and has done so even before the times of Christ. Without woman there would be no children,  no Bride.
-amen. 

Comparitive Faith

 Why is there Doctrine? Most denominations and christian faiths have a statement of beliefs which I think is great. It is good to know what others stand for or believe before becoming a member or supporting their organization. Perhaps this open statement of faith will help you in making a personal statement of faith. For I believe the church we attend or belong to will not be as important as our personal faith commitment. Yes- we need to find others who believe as we do to encourage us, it is nice to belong to something.
 I have found as we start to compare faiths, those that believe they are right and everyone else is wrong be wary. Because no one knows the hour or day the world will end, and we certainly are continually seeking knowledge of the things of faith and spirituality. We will never be all-knowing therefore it is better to be objective and discern things as they come. When we get to the point where we start shopping for religion or Christianity on the internet, just like we are shopping for a piece of luggage it may be time to take a deep breath and relax , deep breath -relax. You will not find God on the internet, or the TV set, or the radio.
 I was listening to the radio and found God- that sounds so magical , it may be you found something suggestive and perhaps a seed of faith was planted. Do you even know what that person on the radio believes or what Doctrinal statement  is behind the voice. I am all for evangelism but we need to be discerning and take a personal responsibility for our faith. Do not get overcome with the handsome man with the flashy suit of commercial faith. If you find a suitable church that matches close to what you believe and builds on your personal experience be content. Because you have achieved what so few have and that is contentment.
 Three things about finding a suitable place to worship.

1. Do they believe as your personal experience and the Holy Spirit has led you. Is the bible the main book for spiritual guidance. I have read the bible cover to cover and by subject at least 5 times. My    personal feelings are each time it is read new thoughts are discovered. It is very important not to just read it once. God gives us what we need for that day another day we may need something else. Give us this day our daily bread.

2. Do they have a doctrinal statement of faith that you can read and discern. Maybe they have a      complex catechism or additional books you are not at first aware of. You agree with the Nicene and Apostolic creed but not these others. That is alright , take the time to read through them - pray about whether it is something you are willing to accept and if not move on.

3. Do you feel anxious or depressed , are you being misled. Does the church not allow woman to participate and you are a woman. Does it teach prejudice , remember it is about a personal relationship with God. Self denial is not denying oneself spiritual growth and happiness.More important than all the doctrine and beliefs is that you are loved. When you leave the worship service ,  you should have less burdens, more joy and something you are willing to share with others. I remember being told that Jesus was not our friend he was God and we should fear him. I never went back there, Jesus is Lord but also a friend to me. I do not have all the answers but have joy.

peace and joy-
earl.

Ad Somniator

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To the Procrastinator tomorrow has come. To the Dreamer today is here. To the Lord here I am.

The Faith Seed

 A person who has been in the faith for a long time and especially one who has witnessed spiritual manifestation or miracles is not necessarily the one with the most measure of faith. According to scripture it more blessed to have not seen and still believe. We see the excitement of new believers often becoming more ambitious in their salvation after making such a leap. Soren Kierkegaard who was a great christian theologian of the 1800's wrote about this in his spiritual writings. One who is coming from an objective uncertainty and makes that leap has more faith during that moment in their life than any other.
 Does this mean our faith diminishes or does not grow with time. Not necessarily but if the seed of faith is not planted in good ground and watered it will not grow. The miracle of the faith seed , is the size is  compared to a mustard seed being very tiny. How it is made to grow and is cared for will depend on its success. We cannot rely on miracles or follow them to grow to our full spiritual potential. Only faith pleases God , and this is expressed throughout history and scripture. How pleasing is it for a person who comes from objective uncertainty to salvation - very pleasing. We can sense the power of the Lord , when salvation is preached and new believers come to Christ.
 We often look for revival or pray for it in a church, we can see those that grow are those that preach salvation and have an evangelical format. The existing congregation can experience a revival if they make a leap of faith toward other uncertainties. I remember going to church a few times before the message of salvation was preached, what if I had not returned the 3rd time.
 I was starting to be uncertain of keeping my blog but then realized that maybe just one person may get  something from it. If anything it is sort of like writing spiritual  memoirs that you are willing to share. The worst thing to me is to have no beliefs at all , no faith and to not be willing to share it.
My intention is only to share and let the one who reads make their own leap from an objective standpoint. 
 quote:
 Faith is a leap to higher ground , even a flea has mastered the art.   

He was not

  Enoch - walked with God and he was not.
 A strange somewhat mysterious thing happened- Enoch disappeared. Could he have been abducted by aliens or angels so to speak. Did he enter another dimension or did Enoch find the gate , the narrow gate spoken about in the bible that few will find. It is written that God took him away.
We also read of the transfiguration of Jesus , where Moses and Elijah appeared. Elijah the second person in the bible to have disappeared.It is written chariots of fire appeared and that he was taken in a whirlwind. We also find that Moses had died but the Lord had taken him and buried him, no one knew where his grave was.
  We see later where Jesus died and was resurrected from the dead. He stayed for awhile upon the earth , had conversations with his mother and also the apostles. He is said to also return again some day, the second coming. What can we depict from all this, that those who had walked with God were taken and some returned or will return. Death really had no power over these men , they were of faith. Now what also amazes me is that  some were able to describe the kingdom of heaven even before they died or were taken. To be able to describe something you had to have been there.
 That is why I believe heaven is an actual place that exists it amazes me how some believe heaven was not created yet. It has always been there and Satan was cast down from heaven. We can see Elijah was taken , so was Enoch where did they go? heaven. I also am amazed at those who think they are going to have to wait till they die to be cleansed from sin. The fact that Isaiah was cleansed by a heavenly being and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to the apostles to cleanse them. Many men and woman today have received the Holy Spirit and been cleansed, my experience can also tell you - this is real.
 Have some been taken by God , since Enoch - perhaps some are taken from this world and may return in another time.We live in the bubble of time but does God? What we experience first hand is precedent over what we read or others suppose. I believe Enoch was taken by God as the bible states. I also believe in a narrow passage or gate where heaven is able to be visited by persons even today. The people in the bible did not all just have visions - some went there.

Study and smile

 


Nat King Cole -  smile.

What I did not know then and know now. Many years ago after accepting Christ and being very excited about new found faith, I was willing to give up everything and study. Everyone was encouraging - my brother and I left home to study at an accredited Bible Institute. Giving up years of our lives solely to this purpose - we did.

   2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved.

  Upon returning home to the church we left , something strange occurred. We were no longer the young men full of vigor and hope. Now we were learned men of the scriptures - we were a threat to the powers that be. Would we challenge their authority - steal their flock. It never occurred to me they were more comfortable with the ignorance of a child like faith , than that of a learned leader. Had we remained sheep it would have been more acceptable to them.
  Acceptable to the group but is ignorance acceptable to God. I pondered this because when Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil- she was asked to leave the garden of Eden, along with Adam who also partook. It had been a question why do we study to show ourselves to be approved of God when in the beginning this knowledge got them in trouble. This question often is asked - is ignorance bliss? What is acceptable to some may not be to others.
 I found knowledge is not a curse, ignorance is not bliss. For if we allowed others to dictate to us only because we were not educated - we would never be liberated from the mob. Most people define themselves by the mob which they inhabit. To be truly independent is to have the knowledge to come to your own conclusions. Independent thinkers are not welcome in a dominant society, I for one do not want to be dominated.
 If you do not feel like studying a book , study insects or birds. Study yourself , I have done this and actually laughed at myself a lot, not that I am a funny person but why not laugh once in awhile instead of criticizing. Laughter really is good medicine, as long as it is not at someone else expense. When does being a christian become impractical - when we lose inner peace, when we condemn ourselves. When we lose our joy it is time to re-think our position , listen and find it again.
 Does knowledge of scripture bring us closer to God , or does faith. I guess you can say scripture is supposed to build our faith, we can also build our faith by prayer and fasting, listening, praising and giving thanks. We can allow God to use us in building faith maybe it might be something simple like being kind. Smile when you do not always feel like it, I had days where it was hard to do just that. It was Nat King Cole that sang that wonderful song smile though your heart is breaking.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I85ApzR43jU

A man once said, smile though your heart is breaking.
He sang it in tenor, yes- he was the great Nat King Cole.
If your always  down, and wear a frown -your face will pay a toll.

Through all your trials, keep your smiles;
Life may not be full of bliss.
Whatever comes your way my friend remember this.

The face we share, is the one we wear.