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You kinda remind me of Longfellow's....
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostAside from that, I can identify with a lot of what you say, but "occupy til I come" comes to mind --- just keep busy doing the things the Lord told us to do, and be faithful in obedience."For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6
"Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
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Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View PostWe should be busy. Maybe its as simple that I wish I would get a little pat on the back from God meaning "Well done." I think everyone knows a job goes better when the boss gives some encouragement.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View PostI am conscious of my limits and how I can't do it all. I am conscious that everything and everyone in this world will die. I want a better connection to the eternal, the spiritual, to my eternal Father, Savior, and Holy Spirit. [par. 4]For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>
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I think we can reach a point where we take our spiritual lives/health for granted. We disbelieve or neglect the fact that we can draw upon the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome various forms of addictions and neuroses. We may find ourselves spending inordinate amounts of time engaging in nonsense, meanwhile our bible reading and prayer life is getting very little attention. We may de-emphasize the existence of the spiritual realm to our detriment.
I find teaching/testimonies by ex-New Agers, spiritualists, etc. to be refreshing at times as they've usually experienced profound interactions with the spiritual realm and their testimonies and so forth can rouse us from spiritual slumber.
Now of course we can over-emphasize the spiritual world and focus on that which we ought not to, but if we have our spiritual lives in order, generally that will be reflected in our day-to-day living, and we will be equipped to live a well-rounded life, God-honoring life.
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Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View PostI want a better connection to the eternal, the spiritual, to my eternal Father, Savior, and Holy Spirit.Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
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Originally posted by Scrawly View PostNow of course we can over-emphasize the spiritual world and focus on that which we ought not to, but if we have our spiritual lives in order, generally that will be reflected in our day-to-day living, and we will be equipped to live a well-rounded life, God-honoring life.
I have been thinking about this thread and as I read through it I saw their was a lot of emphasis on doing. Certainly we are called to serve our Lord and God. Yet as best I can recall, Jesus never called the Pharisees lazy. I think sometimes we mistake our doing for serving.
There are two errors to avoid: "Being so earthly minded that we're of no heavenly use" and "Being so heavenly minded that we're of no earthly use." I think doing can lead to the first error.
I guess my questions come down to: how do you help someone who is busy doing but is spiritually empty? Let's assume its not a salvation or sin issue.
If a Biblical story helps, think about Jesus' encounter with the rich, young ruler."For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6
"Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
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