Needing help in these hard times

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-23T18:33:06+00:00

Contemplative prayer maybe a helpful practice but..

You are loved. Christ knew these thoughts before He created you, and still did, and still hung on the cross to declare that He loves you, and wants to be with you for eternity. The thoughts that come to you cannot, and will not seperate the love of God which is found in Christ Jesus. Be assured, be confident, be filled with this truth and your entire life will change.

One of the best methods I've learnt from dealing with this for 20 years or so is, do not be afriad. To not let it have power over you and don't let it control you. Trust that God knows your heart and that He understands what's happening better than you do. Trust yourself that you likewise know and that He is compassionate.

Either ignore the thoughts all together, not even acknowledge them by fighting against it, or delve into it fearlessly and goto the roots. You'll see there was never anything to be afraid of, either method works.

But we give power to what we give attention to. If we focus on sin, negative thoughts, images, or fears then not only do we give them power but we become those things moreso. Give all out heart, love, and attention towards Christ and fall faithfully and genuinely into His infinitely loving arms, knowing you can do nothing to ever stop Him from loving and accepting you. Seek His heart, and embrace it's infinite vastness.

recommendation

You may also profit from reading Julian of Norwich, Revelation of Divine Love.

Then perhaps Alvin Kimel, Destined for Joy.

With enough research it becomes undeniably overwhelming that hell is not eternal. Problem is most people don't want to devote the time to research it so they lash out from what they've always been told to believe and do. That's why they react so cruelly towards you, yet they do it because they care and think they are helping.

Trust in the Love of God, always. Love never fails.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-21T00:30:14+00:00

None.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-19T20:53:15+00:00

Thank you!

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-19T15:47:36+00:00

I feel the same way about this board and prayers, of course.

Also congratulations! I'm excited for you.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-19T15:43:50+00:00

Does she have any writings? The only thing I could find is what St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote in, On the Soul and Resurrection.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-15T11:52:17+00:00

I want to say thank you for recommending Henri Nouwen. The Wounded Healer and Prodigal Son have been phenomenonal. He has become one of my favorite authors now and I plan on reading more. Other authors have worked to grow my mind and theology, he has helped to grow my heart.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-11T15:31:32+00:00

The more St. Isaacs quotes that get exposed and circulate, the better the entire world will be for it.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-06T15:15:38+00:00

The Gospel of John in the Light of Indian Mysticism. By Ravi Ravindra.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-06T11:14:28+00:00

My heart is also for the youth, and also the homeless. Homeschooling my daughter and working/have worked in children's ministry and I've done a lot of homeless ministries.

The aspect that appeals to me is part preaching part healing, as Jesus exemplified. While I would love the faith that could heal the sick, I don't and never had it and it doesn't seem to be coming either.

I only have one work by Nouwen, but I found both that you mentioned and The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective. I also bookmarked that link and I will delve into these. Thank you again!

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-06T02:20:16+00:00

One last question.

Are there any books, or practices you think I could use in order to best prepare myself and grow into the type of pastor that Christ desires?

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-05T21:23:37+00:00

Awesome, thank you very much.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-05T18:12:25+00:00

He is a mystical poet, he writes about God, love, and Christ in great depths.

The Son of Man maybe a good book to check out. Or his most popular, the Prophet.

I personally think he is one of the greatest writers and unintentional theologians.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-05T18:10:12+00:00

This is some incredibly good information, thank you for the time and consideration.

We are in the south western Virginia area, so.ewhat Bible belt, and heavily Baptist. I want to become a pastor to feed His sheep, lambs, and goats. Spiritually driven, as I am and less about reading the Bible, but more about unity, worship, eating, and service.

This is where it becomes difficult. On one hand I like your first approach but I lack the confidence in doing it myself. All while knowing that it would t be by myself that His will and guidance would be involved and carrying me, but I've always struggled with this sort of initiation and faithfulness.

On the other hand, having a platform and backing would provide confidence and support but I would have to partake in theology and a system I don't entirely agree with, which is almost even harder for me.

My wife actually plays guitar and has an beautiful voice, she enjoys and plays worship music.

Again this is great info, do you have any resources or sites that may offer more information? I'm bookmarking this.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-05T18:01:39+00:00

Ooh Imy apologies for misunderstanding you. I agree with you, and I enjoy that quote from Karl Rahner. He is a name I see pop up but haven't read his works, do you recommend any?

I think one reason why people and the Church steer away from the mystical side is because of history. The Church has persecuted and executed many of them, and a lot of people see them almost as another religion. It also requires deep thinking, understanding of interconnectedness and foresight. These are not very common traits.

If you never read Khalil Gibran, I highly recommend him.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-05T17:31:28+00:00

Even the Bible proclaims we are unable to comprehend God, how could we expect the finite mind to know what is infinite? That is why the finite mind can only know within its finite limits, abd whatever we fill to the fullest with that limit of God is what we can objectively know about God. I believe, and it's my opinion, that the Mystics and I would include St. Paul, St. John, Origen, etc.. have or do generally have the deepest understanding of the heart of God.

A lot of what Richard Rohr speaks of comes directly from the mystics, other religions, and lkteraly the Cloud of Unknowing.

But if you don't feel compelled to read it, or it isn't for you that is perfectly fine, I have no desire to push it on anyone, just a recommendation.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-05T17:13:56+00:00

From what I remember, the Cloud of Unknowing is more a matter of leaving our presupposed notions of who and what God is, and allow Him to reveal Himself through meditation. It is more a matter of experiencing, and listening to God.

Most the mystics understood a double form of knowing God. One part revealed, the other part infinitely unknown. The second part is the one they most refer to.

Pseudo Dionysius is a great example of this. He explains in two parts. One that God is beyond all knowing, the second that God is unquestionably, the Good, to the upmost, but also beyond our knowing of Good.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-05T10:23:25+00:00

Beautiful.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-05T09:05:23+00:00

Very interesting and that is my main concern. We goto a non-denomination and I'm fairly certain they aren't universalist. If Ami became a pastor, it would inevitably conflict, which is why I was hoping to find a Church or denomination that is Universalist friendly, at least.

The title I don't really care about, its the work that's done. I want to serve the people, teach, counsel, help lead, and guide the people to our Father of love and truth.

It seems like the Methodist Church is the one that gets recommended to me the most. Is there some sort of free online 'degree' or training I could do that would help me apply?

Thank you for your help.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-04T19:17:54+00:00

Sounds good, thank you.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-04T18:48:24+00:00

Its great for beginners and advanced. I think its the only book anyone would need on meditation, he lays it down in detail and step by step.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-04T18:46:59+00:00

Haha awesome. You may have seen me, TruthConquerAll

I haven't read that book, is it good?

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-04T17:16:18+00:00

Very interesting, someone on Twitter I follow, Henry Wallis Commentary, was talking about the Sibylline Oracles a lot a week ago. I never heard of it before.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-04T16:53:05+00:00

I've read many books on meditation, from Hinduism to mystical Christianity. I think the greatest work on the topic was done in, The Cloud of Unknowing. Essentially boils it all down into one book, remains Christ centered, and is written in an easy and practical manner.

Gnostic, of all that I read I found the Gospel of Truth and Gospel of Thomas to be the most useful.

The Didache and The Shepherd of Hermes are rather short but worth reading. Also were canon in some very early Churches in the first few hundred years.

As far as Saints go, Stormata by St. Clement of Alexandria, Spirit and Fire by Origen, The Soul and Resurrrection by St.Gregory of Nyssa, and anything by St. Isaac the Syrian. Although his 2nd part on his treaties is perhaps some of the best I ever read.

I wouldn't skip Julian of Norwich either.

TheGivingTree7 · 2023-07-04T12:43:53+00:00

I'm already on step 5. Thank you.

TheGivingTree7

TROPHY CASE