What's on your mind?

[bèlla]

No, it is not an allegory, but his creation myth is a conscious reechoing of the Hebrew account; and, though the istari are not explicitly called angels, they fill a comparable role. Saying the story is drawn from his experiences in the war is as minimising as saying it is not an allegory; in addition, the legendarium draws from life experience, his Catholic faith, and, probably mostly, his academic interests.

How much Tolkien have you read? He addressed this question many times and Christopher echoed the same. It was never a conscious decision to write a Christian book. Let alone a Catholic one.

All writers are influenced by their ideas and experiences.

 

[bèlla]

Bella, I'm not trying to come down on you hard, but there is this tendency that takes Tolkien's statements about disliking allegory and applying it to his whole life, divorcing his devout faith from his work which was inextricably linked. There are many books tracing the amount of theology underlying Tolkien's work.

The issue isn't Tolkien. I could care less about that. My concern is souls and representatives of God honoring their roles as they should.

When you're standing against demonic forces pretending to be Gandalf, Harry Potter, or another popular figure isn't going to cut it.

 

[bèlla]

Bella, I'm not trying to come down on you hard

You're not coming down on me at all. I'm not a child. The Lord scolds me. Not man. You're sharing your opinion. As am I.

 

[Hawthorne]

How much Tolkien have you read? He addressed this question many times and Christopher echoed the same. It was never a conscious decision to write a Christian book. Let alone a Catholic one.

All writers are influenced by their ideas and experiences.

Honestly, I have not read much of his work. I will concede that.

When you're standing against demonic forces pretending to be Gandalf, Harry Potter, or another popular figure isn't going to cut it.

If this is what you meant, then I do agree.

You're not coming down on me at all. I'm not a child. The Lord scolds me. Not man.

Wow, okay? This was a much stronger a response than I expected. Perhaps we have different things in mind for the phrase coming down hard. I am sorry if I caused offense.

 

[bèlla]

Honestly, I have not read much of his work. I will concede that.

I've read his work. I'm not basing my comments on limited exposure or Jackson's films. I've nearly finished the canon.

If this is what you meant, then I do agree.

That was the purpose of the post. It wasn't about Tolkien at all.

Wow, okay? This was a much stronger a response than I expected. Perhaps we have different things in mind for the phrase coming down hard. I am sorry if I caused offense.

To come down hard on someone in American vernacular is to scold. It isn't a pleasant term.

 

[public hermit]

Your weekly Maiden. You're welcome.

 

[bèlla]

*laughs @public hermit* Sugar and spice mon frere.

 

[Hawthorne]

I've read his work. I'm not basing my comments on limited exposure or Jackson's films. I've nearly finished the canon.



That was the purpose of the post. It wasn't about Tolkien at all.



To come down hard on someone in American vernacular is to scold. It isn't a pleasant term.

My statements weren't based on the films either, lol. And Tolkien wasn't really my point either, but it's gone so far afield that it seems fruitless to continue down that route.

Okay, so we did have the same expression in mind, but I thought I made it clear I wasn't even referring to you when I said that

Full disclosure, I suppose. I'm on The Spectrum. Most of the time, it is a tremendous blessing, but occasionally it causes some difficulty when engaging in dialogue with someone--especially on this website, and this is one of those times. Logic assumes you are likely a relatively friendly person.

 

[bèlla]

Okay, so we did have the same expression in mind, but I thought I made it clear I wasn't even referring to you when I said that

I know what they're talking about. They're dealing with high spirits. You can't rebuke it. You need angelic help or the Holy Spirit. It's beyond our pay grade. I've dealt with it. The Lord allowed me to experience it so I'd know the difference.

I'm viewing things from the guise of one who doesn't know. The ones who hear the message and believe that's enough. It hurts my heart. I've lived it.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Your weekly Maiden. You're welcome.

Sorry, but, as you well know by now, there's only one "maiden" in my life right now that I can see as providing me with a weekly dose of contentment. ^-^

..... It's Erin, yeah.

 

[public hermit]

Sorry, but, as you well know by now, there's only one "maiden" in my life right now that I can see as providing me with a weekly dose of contentment. ^-^

..... It's Erin, yeah.

Well, we all have our "maiden. "

 

[bèlla]

When someone asks if you’re the devil because:

• You’re not interested in them and have never given them cause to think so.
• You remind them about the pitfalls of vulnerability.
• You encourage them to allow the Lord to bring their future companion.

Then you understand the reason the Lord told us to “shake it off.” Yes, it was a believer.

 

[SarahsKnight]

When someone asks if you’re the devil because:

• You’re not interested in them and have never given them cause to think so.
• You remind them about the pitfalls of vulnerability.
• You encourage them to allow the Lord to bring their future companion.

Then you understand the reason the Lord told us to “shake it off.” Yes, it was a believer.

I am sorry that you were called that by another, especially a fellow believer, Bella. But may I say this also, while I certainly understand and appreciate the shake it off mentality so as to keep yourself from getting further burned, please take caution that actual judgment or condemnation of that believer who hurt you to creep in along with that mentality to simply distance yourself. And I preach this to myself as much as you.

 

[SarahsKnight]

I was thinking, I took a break from watching The Good Place on Netflix just now to swing by here as I often do at several points throughout the day. For those who know of the details of the story of this quirky little tv series, perhaps you can understand why I felt some vague sense of irony when coming to CF in the midst of it and seeing that half of the suggested threads on the front page seem to consist of fellow humans - believer and nonbeliever alike - suffering greatly in some way in life, and are crying out for help. I can see many threads like that featured here half the time I make a new visit, for Serena's sake.
From where I am at in the show's last season, The Good Place for all of its comedic tone seems to acknowledge that fact, that humans suffer and thus the choices they make for good or for evil shouldn't be weighed up on some totally black-and-white scales to where their place in the afterlife - between the traditional view of heaven and hell - is decided upon whether the sum total of their choices in Earthly life fall the slightest bit into the positive or negative. If God judged us fit for eternal life or eternal death in the same way, then even the best of us would most likely be fated to the latter. No one would be saved. So thank God that He decided on Something better than that, understanding our iniquities, infirmities, and life's complications (such that sometimes we sin and fall short of His perfect standards even when we intended to do good and help one another, because there might have been unintended negative consequences in the longrun due to our well-meaning actions), and that is Jesus Christ.


This is what I believe; that God loves us and intends no evil or darkness for us, and His Son is living proof. That there is always hope for a better tomorrow, and an eternity at the end of it all where finally at last all sufferings and problems go away forever. And we can shoulder on through our failings and sufferings to that end in His love and grace. Atheists and other unbelievers who have yet to come to believe in Christ, I encourage you to seek out also what the Lord has graciously enabled myself, Bella, Public Hermit, and so many others to see over the course of our lives. This is not a judgment of you or even an intended passive-aggressive insult or any such thing, for we, all as mortal humans, are ultimately no better than you. This is my admonishment, for whatever it can be worth.

 

[bèlla]

I am sorry that you were called that by another, especially a fellow believer, Bella. But may I say this also, while I certainly understand and appreciate the shake it off mentality so as to keep yourself from getting further burned, please take caution that actual judgment or condemnation of that believer who hurt you to creep in along with that mentality to simply distance yourself. And I preach this to myself as much as you.

Thank you SK.

The Parable of Tares and Wheat (Matthew 13:24-30) provides the underlying influence for my comment. I know what it refers to in the natural. I've worked on a farm. And Christ unpacks the spiritual meaning for our edification. The tares are amongst us. That isn't restricted to the church. They appear wherever God's work is intended. Their goal is to undermine it.

@ReesePiece23 and I shared personal experiences with agents of the adversary. Some people fall into his clutches through ignorance. Others willingly bend the knee and serve him. Both will stand against believers. The majority aren't brazen. They're chameleons who blend into the environment.

I wasn't hurt by the remark. I was surprised. It isn't something you'd hear every day. Up until that point, I regarded the fascination in the natural. I never considered the spiritual reasons for their obsession. But I knew something was off. The hollowness is evident. That's what I've been sensing. There's nothing behind the words.

When you're pursuing a work for the Lord you'll attract many elements. Including wolves and tares. They'll attach themselves at the hip. But they're spiritual hindrances. They shouldn't be trusted or embraced.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

I have been watching YouTube videos of brain scientists talking about how meditation changes the brain. Cool!

 

[ReesePiece23]

I have been watching YouTube videos of brain scientists talking about how meditation changes the brain. Cool!

I know... *Nods wearily*

But no one will ever listen to me. They think I'm an agent for Satan.

 

[bèlla]

I know... *Nods wearily*

But no one will ever listen to me. They think I'm an agent for Satan.

You're no agent of Satan. Silly people. You're in God's camp.

 

[ReesePiece23]

You're no agent of Satan. Silly people. You're in God's camp.

They hear me talking about mindfulness, raga and peace and immediately fear the worst. I think it's mostly THEM projecting their fear onto me to be honest.

Ten minutes into a morning raga is usually when Jesus gives me His briefing for the day. There's more than one way to skin a cat y'know. Prayer isn't a linear thing.


*Also, with meditation I get away with a LOT less sleep than everyone else.

 

[bèlla]

They hear me talking about mindfulness, raga and peace and immediately fear the worst. I think it's mostly THEM projecting their fear onto me to be honest.

If every one did the same thing and approached God with a similar mindset; we'd have difficulty ministering to others on a different frequency. God doesn't make clones. We're fashioned for our purpose.

Ten minutes into a morning raga is usually when Jesus gives me His briefing for the day. There's more than one way to skin a cat y'know. Prayer isn't a linear thing.

Your vibe and personality has a greater meaning. You aren't being different for the sake of doing so. Its directing you towards a holy work. Your behavior will resonate with the ones you're meant to impact.

I'm recalling the story of David's anointing. Samuel had his own ideas about the future king. But the Lord set him straight.

Your heart's in the right place. That's all that matters.