What is currently on your mind?

[Robban]

From a paper written by Aryeh Citron entitled "Moshiach"

The Talmud mentions various signs to identify the generation in which
Moshiach will arrive.

One sign is,
"There will be no fish available for purchase, even for sick people".


Good it says "for purchase" not that fish will become extinct.

Though it may seem unlikely, but who would have dreamed there would be a
pandemic 2020?

One interpretation is that there will be discovered (or is already discovered) a

certain fish that gives out a sort of ink as part of it's defense system.

This ink is considered priceless in making of medicines.

Maybe therefore it says, "even for the sick."

Other signs,
There will be many troubles and difficult decrees.

There will be inflation in food prices

There is fiddling going on, read on a packet of sliced salmon,

"Product of Norway, produced in Poland (probably meaning prepared and sliced in Poland) and shipped to Sweden for sale.

And we wonder why food is so expensive.

 

[timothyu]

We are distracted by shortages and changes since the beginning of the pandemic, but we great should be keeping our eyes on who is benefitting from these changes they are calling the Great Reset rather than the changes themselves.

 

[angelsaroundme]

"Nachmanides distinguishes between the World to Come, in which the physical body is present and the ancient Temple rebuilt, and the World of Souls (olam haneshamot), where the soul goes after the death of the body. Unlike Maimonides, who believed that the resurrection of the dead would be followed by a second death and the eternal rest of souls in the World to Come, Nachmanides believed the resurrected would enjoy eternal physical life in the messianic age."

"Rabbi Yaakov says: This world is like a hallway before the world to come. Fix yourself in the hallway so you may enter the drawing room."

"He would say: One hour of repentance and good deeds in this world is better than all the time in the World to Come. And one hour of pleasure in the World to Come is better than all the time in this world."

 

[timothyu]

Ever notice how institutional religions like to make it all about what is in it for us rather than about the will of God (where what is in it for others)? Guess they know what draws in the customers.

 

[Philip_B]

In the pandemic we give thanks that:

• The greeting of peace has been rescued from being intermission.
• We have been rescued from believing the primary purpose of the church is fundraising.

 

[Robban]

Ever notice how institutional religions like to make it all about what is in it for us rather than about the will of God (where what is in it for others)? Guess they know what draws in the customers.

Abraham got it right from the word go.

Abrahams desert resturant,
A large tent with four openings so as not to miss
a passer -by.
He gave them a feast of a meal and drink.
when it was time for them to leave they wanted
to know how big the bill would be.

There is no bill Abraham would tell them,
on the house.

The Almighty One above is providing,
most were thankful and accepted what Abraham
told them.

But not all,
"That was a terrific meal Abraham how much do I owe you?"
"Nothing."
"What,
you mean you are not charging?"
"No, the One above is footing the bill."
But the traveller insisted on paying.

"Aw, come on Abrahan, you don't expect me to believe that, surely?"
"Well I was kind of hoping but if you insist on paying, so be it."

And Abraham handed him the bill
an enormous amount.

The traveller protested loudly,
"This is scandalous."

"No, it is not cheap having food and drink delivered this far out in the desert."

 

[Paidiske]

Ever notice how institutional religions like to make it all about what is in it for us rather than about the will of God (where what is in it for others)? Guess they know what draws in the customers.

See, I find this kind of comment so annoying. I feel like I spend so much of my time and energy, pushing the brown smelly stuff uphill, trying to get my congregation out of the rut of - the way we've always done things, the established relationships within which we're comfortable, the style of worship that feels safe - to get them to look around at creative possibilities, at establishing new networks of relationship and community, at taking local mission seriously as a raison d'être, and so on, for the sake of the reign of God.

And a lot of the time, as the saying goes, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast," and I feel like what I'm doing makes no difference, or almost no difference. Which is one thing, but then for others to come along and point and criticise, as if that is what "the church" wants or is trying to achieve, is galling.

 

[timothyu]

for the sake of the reign of God.

But that is right in that it is all about Him, not us. His Kingdom come, His will be done (not ours)

 

[Paidiske]

But that is right in that it is all about Him, not us. His Kingdom come, His will be done (not ours)

Yes. But it's the accusation that we don't care about that, but just want to "draw in customers," that grates.

 

[timothyu]

Yes. But it's the accusation that we don't care about that, but just want to "draw in customers," that grates.

Understood, but most appeal to what people want for themselves rather than what God wants. Oh look at me, I can be saved rather than oh happy day, God is going to remove the governance of man and rule again. I'm glad to see you appear to be of the latter.

 

[partinobodycular]

I feel like what I'm doing makes no difference, or almost no difference.

Perhaps it doesn't, in anyone's eyes but His.

You're asking others to follow a course that they may not fully see, your greatest testament is that you're willing to do the same.

 

[Robban]

Understood, but most appeal to what people want for themselves rather than what God wants. Oh look at me, I can be saved rather than oh happy day, God is going to remove the governance of man and rule again. I'm glad to see you appear to be of the latter.

Yeah, you may have put your foot in it mate, haha.

 

[timothyu]

Yeah, you may have put your foot in it mate, haha.

There are two sides in everything. When it comes to the word of man regardless of institution, the wide path will dominate over the narrow.

 

[MehGuy]

My language disability has been very bad these couples of days. Can barely get any understandable sentences out. It's strange, sometimes my brain can digest and spit out worders better than other days. Like sometimes I feel like I have no language disability. My mind has been pretty fuzzy too, not sure if it's related in any way to stress. Sadly, I feel like I'm so used to stress that I cannot tell the difference between not being and being stressed anymore.

Been somewhat depressed about this. These last few days have not been psychologically good in general. Only bright side was that I forgot to wear a mask at a gas station and a female cashier hit on me.

I don't know... I feel scatterbrained right now too. Like I have no footing.

 

[Robban]

My language disability has been very bad these couples of days. Can barely get any understandable sentences out. It's strange, sometimes my brain can digest and spit out worders better than other days. Like sometimes I feel like I have no language disability. My mind has been pretty fuzzy too, not sure if it's related in any way to stress. Sadly, I feel like I'm so used to stress that I cannot tell the difference between not being and being stressed anymore.

Been somewhat depressed about this. These last few days have not been psychologically good in general. Only bright side was that I forgot to wear a mask at a gas station and a female cashier hit on me.

I don't know... I feel scatterbrained right now too. Like I have no footing.

Sorry to hear that, could well be stress.

It shows itself in many forms and depending on many factors. (not sure if that is a word )

 

[MehGuy]

Sorry to hear that, could well be stress.

It shows itself in many forms and depending on many factors. (not sure if that is a word )

I do worry... that I'm becoming desensitized to way too many things.

I mainly like to sleep these days... like the less I'm aware of the world the happier I am.

 

[Robban]

I do worry... that I'm becoming desensitized to way too many things.

I mainly like to sleep these days... like the less I'm aware of the world the happier I am.

Well, you are not alone, I wished I could go in hibernation Novenber last year, I will have to be careful what I wish for in future.

Today I took a bus to get some shopping,
have not been outside the door since last Thursday.

But it is getting lighter
for each day that passes.

Take it easy on yourself.

And get well soon.

 

[MehGuy]

Well, you are not alone, I wished I could go in hibernation Novenber last year, I will have to be careful what I wish for in future.

Today I took a bus to get some shopping,
have not been outside the door since last Thursday.

But it is getting lighter
for each day that passes.

Take it easy on yourself.

And get well soon.

I'm never going to get well.

I used to hate sleep when I was younger, but now it's like a very valuable period of the day for me. Some say sleep is the cousin of death.

 

[Robban]

I'm never going to get well.

I used to hate sleep when I was younger, but now it's like a very valuable period of the day for me. MuchSome say sleep is the cousin of death.

Much worse is not being able to sleep.

"Futile is it to sit up late and eat the bread of tension, when He gives His loved ones sleep."

 

[MehGuy]

Much worse is not being able to sleep.

"Futile is it to sit up late and eat the bread of tension, when He gives His loved ones sleep."

Oh yeah, glad I have the kind of depression that makes me sleepy compared to the kind of depression that makes one an insomniac.

Unless you're alluding to death... yeah, it's not the same as sleep... I guess part of me finds it alluring to pretend death is like one big eternal sleep.