Remember...

~Memories by Faei



Memories...I seem to go there the older I become...back into time...a place of memories.

Some good, some bad...some blanked out...some I long to see and sense more clearly...

Memories.

Now, friends, read these next words carefully. Slow down and don't go jumping to conclusions regarding the day when our Master, Jesus Christ, will come back and we assemble to welcome him. Don't let anyone shake you up or get you excited over some breathless report or rumored letter from me that the day of the Master's arrival has come and gone. Don't fall for any line like that.

Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a real dog of Satan. He'll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he'll then set himself up in God's Temple as "God Almighty." Don't you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?

You'll also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time. That doesn't mean that the spirit of anarchy is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don't worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away. The Master appears and—puff!—the Anarchist is out of there.

The Anarchist's coming is all Satan's work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they're so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it—gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they're banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.

Meanwhile, we've got our hands full continually thanking God for you, our good friends—so loved by God! God picked you out as his from the very start. Think of it: included in God's original plan of salvation by the bond of faith in the living truth. This is the life of the Spirit he invited you to through the Message we delivered, in which you get in on the glory of our Master, Jesus Christ.

So, friends, take a firm stand, feet on the ground and head high. Keep a tight grip on what you were taught, whether in personal conversation or by our letter. May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.~2 Thes 2 MSG

Remember.

Richard Rohr - Kindred Spirit

I subscribe to the somewhat controversial Richard Rohr's devotional from the Center for Action and Contemplation I find his writings inspirational and even challenging at times. I am not a "conservative Christian" per se (if you were looking to label me), and I like to keep my heart and mind open to how God works in and through those who are passionate about what they are learning in the Word and by the Holy Spirit...saying as much, I have found a kindred spirit in Fr. Richard's experience and I wanted to share a sample with my readers. (I love how after he shares, there is a "Starting Prayer", a simple sentence to encourage the reader to meditate upon the words written and follow through into a dialogue with God.)

~

(Continuing on the topic of)
Mysticism

The final experience of mysticism, after the optimistic explosion that we usually call hope, and the ensuing sense of safety, is of deep rest. It’s the verb I’m told that is most used by the mystics: “resting in God.” All this striving and this need to perform, climb, and achieve becomes, on some very real level, unnecessary. It’s already here, now. I can stop all this overproduction and over-proving of myself. That’s Western and American culture. It’s not the Gospel at all.
We’ve all imbibed the culture of unrest so deeply. We just cannot believe that we could be respected or admired or received or loved without some level of performance. We are all performers and overachievers, and we think “when we do that” we will finally be lovable. Once you ride on the performance principle, you don’t even allow yourself to achieve it. Even when you “achieve” a good day of “performing,” it will never be enough, because it is inherently self-advancing and therefore self-defeating. You might call it “spiritual capitalism.”

From Following the Mystics through the Narrow Gate ...
Seeing God in All Things (CD, DVD, MP3)

Starter Prayer: Fall into the love of God.

When Time Runs

All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless~Ecclesiastes 2:23

Don't forget to take the time to nourish you mind, your body, and your soul or you may end up like this:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Matthew 11:28