Loss of Mystery

[isshinwhat]

That was great, Joe. Amen, brother.

Neal

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by Quaffer
Hey humblejoe,

Wow this is pretty thought provoking stuff.  I believe we have lost the art of meditation too.  Scripture tells us meditate on Him and His Word but I think that very few of us actually do it.  I think the main reason could be that those who know how to do it are not teaching the younger and enexperienced how.

That's interesting Quaff. As a child, even before knowing of meditation, or even praise or worship, I knew of it. I felt it, in my soul, in my "innermost parts". I've had it, really, all my life, even when I was unaware, even before I knew what it was.

I have been surprised at how often I have heard another Christian, whose known the Lord for some time, say, they don't know what to say to God when they pray. 

That is quite frightening. But the thing is, when we do not know what to say, the Holy Spirit will speak for us, and as the precious St. Thérèse of Lisieux so beautifully puts it:

"I have not the courage to force myself to seek beautiful prayers in books; not knowing which to choose I act as children do who cannot read; I say quite simply to the good God what I want to tell Him, and He always understands me." - Story of A Soul, Chapter X

AND...

"Prayer is, for me, an outburst from the heart; it is a simple glance darted upwards to Heaven; it is a cry of gratitude and of love in the midst of trial as in the midst of joy! In a word, it is something exalted, supernatural, which dilates the soul and unites it to God. Sometimes when I find myself, spiritually, in dryness so great that I cannot produce a single good thought, I recite very slowly a Pater or an Ave Maria; these prayers alone console me, they suffice, they nourish my soul." - Story of A Soul, Chapter X

OHH!!!!! My soul doth melt... hahaha... *sigh*

The "slain in the Spirit" thing can be a hot topic.  However, like you said there is good reasoning behind it.  But even that has lost it's mystery.

Very few revere the grand mystery of God any longer. But may I always seek it with all my heart.

When I was a child, growing up in the penticostal church, I use to see people lay on the floor for hours.  Now, they fall down, they immediately get back up.  And, there seems to be very little change, although we can't see their heart.

Well, now I agree with you there. People just don't seem to have the patience to stay still and know the presence of God. If memory serves, there was a certain prophet that laid down in the streets for... what was it?... days??? lol

As a child of course, I did what I saw the adults doing and never did "see" any changes.  However, a few years ago, I basically got "zapped" by the Holy Ghost and my personality changed dramatically.  People told me I glowed.  Coworkers started asking me if I was in love.  I'd say, yes, I fell in love with Jesus.

I am very glad that you received such an experience. I must admit, I am very skeptical about "slain in the Spirit" experiences, but I will not be so proud(as I have learned) as to discredit the intent and feelings of another's heart. I know now that there are genuine spiritual experiences(although I have seen many shams), and I will not judge other people's love and zeal for God.

Now I'd known the Lord the majority of my life.  I was saved, and I had a very close relationship with God.  But I'd never had that happen before.

That's not too hard for me to imagine. I believe, personally, that sometimes a person receives a glimpse, maybe here, maybe there, but it doesn't happen often. Such is the nature of God's mystery. It is the ornamentation in the concerto of our lives.

Meditating, for me, goes way beyond just thinking about God and what He's done.  It involves my whole being.  My body, my soul, and my mind. 

Oh yes, most definitely! There is a dwelling upon God that takes effort, or perhaps just a moment of dedicated thought, just a spark, just an extension of heart, truly, toward God.

It's during those times that God is able to reach down and poke at areas that He needs to change.  It's during those times that I'm able to tell Him my heart.  It's during those times He's able to tell me His heart.

Yes, I understand. Such times of personal revelation are extremely substantial, and I don't think that very many Christians at all ever experience it. Such a pity... I weep...

Wow, Joe, thanks for bringing this subject up.  I just love talking about Jesus.

Later brother . . .

Thanks for responding! This most definitely is an enjoyable discussion.

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by isshinwhat
That was great, Joe. Amen, brother.

Neal

Haha... I'm tellin ya brother... I'm a mystic in the making.

Peace

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Joe,

You have such a tender heart toward the Lord. How refreshing that is. Although I'm having a little trouble seeing the word "mystic" used as christian. Hmm!

As a child, I too expereinced that knowing or understanding of God. God talked to me through everything that happend to me or around me.

I think that all children are initially born with that knowing, however, more often than not, it gets ripped out by other people or things that happen to them or around them. There is often no one in their life watering that knowing, therefore, it becomes stagnent or dies. But thank You Jesus, that He brings revivel to stagnent and life to death.

I remember one time, as a young adult about your age, listening to the Pastor talk about intamacy with Jesus. Even though I already had close fellowship with Him, I felt my heart begin to ache. I thought "How can I get closer to Him". I wanted more. My heart ached for more.

Of course the Holy Spirit is the perfect and best teacher. There are some though who don't know how to go to Him for help either.

God is so huge. There is so much of God that we don't see. Some see more than others, but yet there's always still more.

We should never become satisfied with where we're at in our knowledge or understanding of God. There is so much to discover about Him. It will take an eternity to discover it all. What a joy that will be. 

How exciting that we serve such an immeasurable God. He is so willing to reveal Himself to us. All we have to do is ache for Him, and then go after Him.

Thanks Joe, 

Barbara 

 

[SnuP]

As a child of course, I did what I saw the adults doing and never did "see" any changes. However, a few years ago, I basically got "zapped" by the Holy Ghost and my personality changed dramatically. People told me I glowed. Coworkers started asking me if I was in love. I'd say, yes, I fell in love with Jesus.

Now I'd known the Lord the majority of my life. I was saved, and I had a very close relationship with God. But I'd never had that happen before.

[line]
I remember one time, as a young adult about your age, listening to the Pastor talk about intamacy with Jesus. Even though I already had close fellowship with Him, I felt my heart begin to ache. I thought "How can I get closer to Him". I wanted more. My heart ached for more.

How exciting that we serve such an immeasurable God. He is so willing to reveal Himself to us. All we have to do is ache for Him, and then go after Him.

Wow Quaffer, there is a lot of annointing on your post.


Humblejoe and Quaf, have y'all heard of Madam Guyon?

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by SnuP
Wow Quaffer, there is a lot of annointing on your post.


Humblejoe and Quaf, have y'all heard of Madam Guyon?

 

No . . .who is she?

 

[SnuP]

She was a chatholic who was imprisioned for writing about using prayer, meditation, and scripture to build a deep relationship with God. In the 1600's Jeanne Guyon wrote a book entitled "Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ". Louise XIV order her imprisionment because of this work and another on the Song of Songs, calling her a heritic. Watchman Nee later, spoke very highly of her because of this work.

 

[Caedmon]

I've never heard of that lady. Thanks for the info.

 

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by Quaffer
Joe,

You have such a tender heart toward the Lord. How refreshing that is.

Aww, thank you Quaffie.