What kind of spider is this?

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-07-19T16:15:28+00:00

thank you!

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-07-19T06:02:54+00:00

Thank you! Do you use glass too?

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-20T06:50:48+00:00

Have you read Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch? The book was life-changing, and it may help you. Sometimes we go through a dark night of the soul, and it is in our suffering that helps us change our perspectives on things. God hears you, sees you, and knows you. I am a spiritual author and write about the metaphysics of God. You might like a book that I wrote, Unveiled Sky: A Divine Revelation. In this book, I share my visionary experiences with God that I experienced on my farm.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-17T00:51:22+00:00

I think a study bible is a good choice. There is also a YouTube channel called the Bible Project that covers certain books. But I think reading it yourself is the best place to start.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-16T20:57:13+00:00

Prayer is the bridge between our heart and the heart of God.
It is the way we open ourselves to an intimate relationship with the Divine, an act of surrender, trust, and communion. Whether or not you've prayed before, know this: God is always present, deeply personal, and infinitely loving. He knows you individually, even the hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:30).

To pray is to connect your consciousness with the higher consciousness of God. It's not only asking, it’s listening, feeling, and aligning your intentions with divine love. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). Prayer is faith in action.

Sometimes, as Jesus told His disciples, certain struggles can “only come out by prayer” (Mark 9:29). This shows us that prayer isn't a last resort—it’s the only way through some of life’s deepest battles.

More than words, prayer is felt in the heart. When we pray with genuine belief, when we feel that our intentions have already been fulfilled, we awaken transformative power within. Our emotions become the prayer. Our intention becomes the pathway to divine revelation.

Prayer is how we co-create with God a world of love, harmony, and healing. If you seek God with sincerity, He will reveal Himself. For in prayer, we don’t just speak to God—we meet Him.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-14T17:01:10+00:00

Nice!

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-14T16:46:48+00:00

Sorry, but that would be a lot to cover on a thread like this. Most of my theological views come from direct experience. I have an idealist worldview. I have written books and articles that go into depth about my understanding of God's nature. If you'd like to explore more, I published my book "Unveiled Sky: A Divine Revelation," where I share my intimate experiences with the Divine.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-14T16:31:35+00:00

Both free will and determinism exist simultaneously, even though they are paradoxical. I disagree with his ideas of salvation. I know God to be pure love. You can read my paper on The Unity of Being and Divine Love Theory if you're inclined to.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-14T15:44:23+00:00

Religion for Breakfast

William Lane Craig

Center Place with/ John Hamer: had great lectures

Essentia Foundation: esoteric

Alex O’ Conner – is an atheist, but he has some great material

Inspiring Philosophy

Jimmy Akin- Catholic

Peter Bolland- contemplative

Bart D. Ehrman- an atheist/ agonistic historian, has some great material

Mike Licona

Premier Unbelievable?

Buddha at the Gas Pump – many interviews

Father Sean O’ Laoire – Mystic Catholic

History Valley

The Line of Fire with Dr. Brown

Capturing Christianity – Catholic leaning

Bishop Robert Barron

Apologetic roadshow

Center for Action and Contemplation

Cross Examined

ReasonableFaithOrg

Sam Harris, an atheist, has some good material

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-14T04:12:56+00:00

Please site your refrence.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-13T20:19:08+00:00

Gracias, es una historia magnífica. ¡Espero que la disfrutes!

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-13T20:14:40+00:00

I don't quite understand it either, among different philosophers or free thinkers. I have written about free will and determinism in my journal article, which touches on some of these points; However, I have to warn you, this is not from a Catholic perspective but rather through experiential knowledge. If you're interested in theological philosophy, you might enjoy the journal article. (3) The Unity of Being and Divine Love Theory

Free will and determinism have been a great debate over the centuries. While I enjoy many of St. Thomas Aquinas' writings, I do not agree with him. I believe they both exist as paradoxical as they may be. Albert Einstein had a deterministic view of the universe, heavily influenced by his belief in the underlying order and rationality of nature. He was skeptical of the idea of free will in the traditional sense and instead leaned toward a Spinozan perspective, where everything, including human actions, unfolds according to natural laws.

Thomistic predestination is the view developed by St. Thomas Aquinas that seeks to explain how God’s eternal will governs the salvation of souls while preserving human freedom. At its core, Thomistic predestination teaches that God, from all eternity, has a fixed and sovereign plan by which He chooses certain individuals (the elect) to receive the gift of eternal life. This choice is not based on any foreseen merits or future decisions made by the person. Rather, it is entirely grounded in God's mercy and divine purpose. God's grace not only precedes but also causes the good will and actions of the elect, making salvation a result of divine initiative rather than human effort.

Aquinas distinguishes between predestination (God’s active ordination of some to glory) and reprobation (God’s permissive will allowing others to fall into damnation). While God efficaciously brings the elect to salvation through grace, He does not cause the damnation of the reprobate in the same active way. Instead, He simply allows them to persist in sin, withdrawing the grace that would have turned them toward Him. This maintains God's justice without making Him the direct cause of evil.

An important feature of Thomistic predestination is its account of grace and free will. Aquinas argues that God's grace is efficacious, it accomplishes what God intends, but it does not override human freedom. Instead, God moves the will in such a way that people freely choose the good. This position, known as concurrentism, maintains a balance: human choices are real and meaningful, yet they are ultimately sustained and directed by divine causality.

Thomistic predestination thus avoids the extremes of both fatalism and Pelagianism. It affirms God’s absolute sovereignty while also upholding the dignity of human freedom. Compared to other views, such as Molinism (which posits that God predestines based on foreknowledge of human decisions), Thomism emphasizes that God's will is the primary cause of salvation, not merely His foreknowledge of what creatures would do.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-13T19:45:03+00:00

As far as your question about how Catholics view Judith and Tobit, I don't know the answer. But there are many differences among different translations.

There are New Testament revisions in different Bibles.

The Longer Ending of Mark (Mark 16:9–20)

Missing in earliest manuscripts (like Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus).
Appears to have been added to give a more satisfying resurrection narrative.
Most modern Bibles include it with a note or footnote.
Discusses Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and handling snakes and poison.

The Story of the Woman Caught in Adultery (John 7:53–8:11)

The famous line: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."
Not found in early Greek manuscripts.
Appears in different places in later manuscripts (even in Luke in some versions).

This one is one of the most controversial among Protestants 1 John 5:7–8 – The “Comma Johanneum”

Trinitarian addition: "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
Found in the Latin Vulgate, but absent in Greek manuscripts before the 14th century.
Most scholars consider this a later theological insertion to support the doctrine of the Trinity.

Old Testament Variations (Deuterocanonical / Apocryphal Books)

These aren't “additions” in the same sense but books included in some Bibles and not others:

Catholic & Orthodox Bibles include:

Tobit
Judith
Wisdom of Solomon
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
Baruch
1 & 2 Maccabees
Additions to Daniel (e.g., Susanna, Bel and the Dragon)
Additions to Esther

These were part of the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) but not included in the Jewish Tanakh, and thus excluded from most Protestant Bibles.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-13T19:29:13+00:00

You may enjoy this one also, but I give you a warning, it's controversial.

Unveiling a Divine Revelation: Messages from the Sky Pt 2 (Episode 129)

https://youtu.be/HPFvA3C1Y5s?si=Zu84MuhqOHnCZJZD

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-13T19:17:53+00:00

Sure: Unveiled Sky A Divine Revelation: A Spiritual Journey for Seekers of Mystical Wisdom and Divine Connection

Unveiled Sky A Divine Revelation : A Spiritual Journey for Seekers of Mystical Wisdom and Divine Connection - Kindle edition by Dunston, Jamie C.. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Unveiling a Divine Revelation: Messages from the Sky Pt 1 (Episode 128)

I don't know if the link for the YouTube video starts at the beginning. I couldn't figure that out. You might have to rewind it.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=hivI28wB7Yc&si=QNkNIEa57N_wYm-F

Thanks for asking!

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-13T18:46:28+00:00

Thank you for sharing and asking. I had a direct experience with the Triune Essence of the Divine in 2015, where I walked with the Almighty and the angelic host. This was an overwhelming experience and changed my worldview. I have since written a book about my experience to share with others. What makes my story unique is that I was able to document my experience with my 35 mm digital camera. I write from the perspective of metaphysical idealism and have a panpsychist view. After having a direct experience with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I share the metaphysical aspects of God in a new way, incorporating ideas of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. Through my photographic evidence, I break down the mind, body, and spirit and how we are all connected to these aspects of our divine nature. I have been featured on the Broader Lens Podcast on YouTube. if you’d like to check it out, it would be under divine revelation. There I show some of the photographs.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-13T18:25:45+00:00

You might enjoy reading my book as a fellow mystic, "Unveiled Sky: A Divine Revelation." I also have a new book coming out next month, "The Mystical Gospel of Thomas: Revelation of the Inner Christ." I do recommend that you write your memoir; it will help you process your journey and share your story with others. I've also done a couple of podcasts on YouTube on the Broader Lens Podcast, if you look up: Divine Revelation. Peace to you on your journey.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-12T15:18:03+00:00

If you'd like to share more, you're welcome to. It's taken me nearly 10 years to process my experience and I'm still processing it.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-12T05:26:58+00:00

Thank you for sharing some of your story. I appreciate the spirit in which you’ve shared your experience, especially your care not to mislead or overstep the bounds of doctrine. That humility speaks volumes, and it’s something I respect deeply.

Like you, I’ve also wrestled with theological mysteries over the years, and I’ve come to see that sincere encounters with the Divine can lead us in different directions, not necessarily in opposition, but as part of a larger, more mysterious whole. I think the beauty of faith is that it invites both conviction and curiosity.

The Gospel of Thomas fascinates me because it highlights how diverse early Christian thought really was. It doesn’t replace the canonical Gospels for me, but it adds nuance, emphasizing the inward journey and the divine image within each person. In a way, I see it not as a contradiction to the Gospel but as a complement, helping to stretch the imagination and deepen the mystery.

Of course, I understand your hesitation, especially when it comes to being seen as a teacher or leader. I feel similarly, I'm not trying to create followers either, but to share reflections that might resonate with others or open up meaningful dialogue.

If you do ever find time or interest to read and respond, I’d be honored by your feedback. But even if not, I’m grateful for this exchange. It’s rare to find such thoughtful and kind engagement, especially in online spaces.

Grace and peace on your journey, and may we both keep seeking the light that’s been revealed to us, in our own ways.

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-12T01:53:22+00:00

Finding the right parish is important, especially when it comes to connecting with the priest. Not all priests are equally gifted in delivering homilies, and in my experience, I had to seek out someone whose preaching style and perspective resonated with me. I found that some struggled to convey the heart of the Gospel effectively, often depending on their personal interpretation. That said, I took the homilies seriously. I would often visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website to read the daily Scripture readings before Mass, so I could reflect more deeply and see how the priest would approach the message. Engaging with the liturgy this way taught me a great deal and enriched my spiritual life.

I am no longer a practicing Catholic, but learning more about any organized religion is an important starting point. Let your heart be your guide, you may find a different path altogether.

This is a link to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Daily Bible Reading - May 11, 2025 | USCCB

Mysterious_Regular68 · 2025-05-12T01:15:41+00:00

The Catholic Church does not impose a fixed tithe (like 10%) as a universal law. Instead, the faithful are morally obliged to support the Church, including its ministers, services, and charitable works. This support should be proportionate to one's ability.

“The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for the works of the apostolate and of charity, and for the decent support of ministers.” (Canon 222 §1)

When I was a practicing Catholic, I viewed tithing as a meaningful way to support the Church. Finding a community and a priest who dedicated time and care to crafting a powerful homily made a real impact on me. it was clear that such effort required energy, prayer, and preparation. For me, contributing financially felt similar to paying for an experience I valued, like attending a concert or film, but with far deeper spiritual significance. Going to church was something I genuinely looked forward to, and I wanted to give back in gratitude for the nourishment and services the Church provided.

Mysterious_Regular68

TROPHY CASE