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Post by Charlotte on Jul 10, 2010 9:13:20 GMT -5
The largest Free Clinic in the Roman Empire was founded by Sampson the Hospitable " Sampson the Hospitable (died c.530) was a citizen of Constantinople who devoted his time to serving the poor of the city. He is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Churches. "Sampson was born in Rome to a prominent family. He was a physician who devoted much of his time to helping the poor and the sick. He turned his home into a free clinic, providing his patients with food and lodging as well as medical care. he was later ordained a priest by the patriarch. When the Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great became ill he sent for Sampson to cure him. He was the only physician in the city to do the emperor any good, and the emperor wanted to reward him." Saint Sampson told the Emperor that He had silver and gold and other riches and gave it all up for the sake of Christ. The Saint is said to have healed the Emperor by touching him. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sampson_the_HospitableEmperor of the Byzantine Empire, Justinian the Great (c. 483-565) was one "of the most important figures of the Late Antiquity and the last emperor to speak Latin as a first language. Justinians rule constitutetes a distinct epoch in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justinian_the_GreatPeter the Great defeated Charles XII of Sweden on the Saint's Feast Day, which "led to St. Sampson's veneration in Russia, including the construction of St. Sampson's Cathedral in St. Petersburg." One continually crosses the paths of Saints and Emperors as Their paths crossed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Sampson%27s_CathedralThe Hospital of Sampson www.arkeo3d.com/byzantium1200/sampson.htmlHave a great weekend Charlotte
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 11, 2010 8:12:22 GMT -5
Since all Ethick implyeth a sense of Duty in man, 'tis first to enquire whence that responsibilty OUGHT arose; a call so universal and plain-spoken that some hav abstracted a special faculty, distinct from animal bias and underivable, whereby the creature kenneth the creator's Will, that, in stillness of sound speaking to gentle souls, drowneth all silence with the joy of his presence; but to men savage or superstitious a voice of horror, maleficent, inescapable, houding them with fearful conviction of sin, as when Adam and Eve hid from the scour of God's eye. Which old tale of displeasur is true to life: because the imperativ obligation cannot be over-summ'd, being in itself the self-conscience of thatt Essence which is no other indeed than the prime ordinance that we call Law of Nature,—in its grade the same with the determin'd habit of electrons, the same with the determining instinct of unreasoning life, NECESSITY become conscient in man—whereto all insubordination is imperfection in kind.
Reality appeareth in forms to man's thought as several links interdependent of a chain that circling returneth upon itself, as doth the coil'd snake that in art figureth eternity. From Universal Mind the first-born atoms draw their function, whose rich chemistry the plants transmute to make organic life, whreon animals feed to fashion sight and sense and give service to man who sprung from them is conscient in his last degree of ministry unto God, the Universal Mind, whither all effect returned whence it first began. The Ring in its repose is Unity and Being: Causation and Existence are the motion thereof. Thru'out all runneth Duty, and the conscience of it is thatt creativ faculty of animal mind that, wakening to self-conscience of all Essences, closeth the full circle, where the spirit of man escaping from the bondage of physical Law re-entereth eternity by the vision of God.
The Divine Poet
Reality appeareth in forms to man's thought as several links interdependent of a chain....
OUR THOUGHTS DETERMINE OUR LIVES The Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica Orthodox Church
There is no spoon. All there is, is a bunch of sub-atomic particles orbiting around each other looking for a pattern to rush into. Guess who sets the pattern?
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 11, 2010 20:11:22 GMT -5
It is ironic, perhaps, that the goal of the Spiritual life is, ultimately, the complete transformation of matter.
"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2ndPeter 3:13)
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 12, 2010 11:13:46 GMT -5
".... that circling returneth upon itself, as doth the coil'd snake that in art figured eternity." The Alchemists mean the complete transformation of matter and without exception declared "All Glory be to God". Everything we give to the Earth transforms it for degeneration or regeneration, and it is obvious that the Earth groans with us. The new Heaven and Earth may be when all is regenerated, or at least the New outways the old by a great margin and a new cycle can begin. That is, below. I once understood to the NTH degree that life can never not be, Creation may "sleep" for a while but must awaken again. Maybe that's why the Church teaches that Christ is "pre-eternal with the Father", and then born of the Panagia and ever Virgin Mary. It is a Mystery, the Church teaches, not given a chance by Literalists. www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2009/12/miraculous-icon-of-panagia-gerontissa.htmlMore spacious than the Heavens en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_the_SignShould any Reader here attend a Church or Cathedral, I hope it is as beautiful as Alhambra Cathedral with its pervading Spirit, especially when we recite the Necean Creed, and the doors close isolating us completely from the world, feeling and in-vision one's own degree the Kingdom in one's study of imagination. Fr. Ceko and Papadia Sandra were still absent yesterday, gentle Fr. Norman served the Matins and Divine Liturgy. My Friend D. is so funny, every time she leaves the Church she explaines to me where she is going and why. A few weeks ago we were standing in the isle talking and Bishop Maxim, always walking so quietly, couldn't pass by us. Surprised again "O, Your Grace", I stepped back but D. had her back to Him and I didn't know how to quickly stop her from talking and pull her to the side a bit, but I know by the smile that the whole scene amused His Grace. Fr. Norman commented on what is meant by "the truth shall make you free", that truth splinters into as many fragents as there are people. "Grant us in this world knowledge of Thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting." From the Church Bulletin Quote of the Day"When humans should have become as perfect in voluntary obedience as the inanimate creation is in its lifeless obedience, then they will put on it glory, or rather that greater glory of which Nature is only the first sketch."C. S. Lewis, The weight of GloryDid You Know?"The gospels and epistles and all of the books which comprise the New Testament scriptures were written in the first century. Also at this time, the first Christian communities were established in the main cities of Asia Minor and Greece, and most probably North Africa. The Church was also established in the capital city of Rome. Contrary to what is sometimes thought, the Christian Church was first an urban phenomenon which only later spread to rural areas. Also, it was composed mainly of people from what we would call today the "higher classes" of society. Thus, it is not true that Christianity gained foothold in the world of the uneducated and backward people who were looking for heavenly consolation in the face of oppressive and unbearable earthly conditions." Of the "upper classes" of the "early" Church I have given numerous examples, viz., Kings, Queens, and many born of noble and wealthy families, who gave all their possessions to the poor, established Hospitals and homes orphans and the homeless, and became Saints, Monks or Martyrs, so it can hardly be maintained as it is continually touted that those Personalities conspired to herd in all the gullable sheep to take their possession and lord their power over them. Their intention and power was other. This Humanity or "human life-wave", as one of my Teachers called it, are not only we who are alive, but also our Ancestors and Descendants, all bound together, and "the dead will be raised on Judgement Day". The Church spread from the cities to rural areas, to the land dwellers or pagans. So little of what IS. Have a great week Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 12, 2010 14:15:04 GMT -5
Today is the feast of the pre-eminent Apostles; Sts. Peter and Paul. www.executedtoday.com/images/Peter_and_Paul_icon.jpgFrom this day forth throughout the liturgical year we enter into the Apostles labor. As it is written in the Scriptures: "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." (John 4:35-38) And: "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38) This coming sunday's Gospel will be really good. Stay tuned...
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 13, 2010 10:22:17 GMT -5
I saw Sts. Peter and Paul on my calendar yesterday, but once again was drawn into Chuch History. Since the Taxi Driver told me that the Armenians were the first Christians to look for the fire, I searched for the origin of such a statement and came upon another Taxi Passenger's words: "An Armenian taxidriver in Los Angeles recently told a friend of mine that the Armenian alphabet was derived from the Ethiopian alphabet (actually, syllabary). This very astonishing notion would involve both dismissal of the historical record for Armenia and remarkable abnegation of national claims that usually only expand, not retreat -- as some Ethiopians say that their alphabet was invented autochthanously rather than derived from the Old South Arabian, as it was. I am very curious how this notion got started and if the Armenians who pass it on even know about St. Mesrop." St. Mesrop is mentioned in the last link, anyway, this article takes another direction, but my Taxi Drivers comment on fire might originate with Tiridates III of Armenia "In 301, Tiridates proclaimed Christianity as the state religion of Armenia, making the Armenian kingdom the first state to officially embrace Christianity. He is recognized as a saint by the Armenian Apostolic Church." King Tiridates III was the son of Khosrov II of Armenia, who was assassinated "by a Parthian agent named Anak", and one of the Sons of Anak was none other than Gregory the Illuminator. Conversion "The traditional story of the conversion of the king and the nation tells of how Gregory the Illuminator, the son of Anak, was a Christian convert who, feeling guilty for his own father's sin, joined the Armenian Army and worked as a secretary to the king. Christianity in Armenia had a strong footing by the end of the 3rd century AD but the nation by and large still followed Zoroastrianism." The rest of the story is also interesting, but the tradition of the Armenians being the first Christian to 'look for the fire', (or look back) according to my Taxi Driver, might have its origin with the Fire Philosopher Zoroaster. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiridates_III_of_ArmeniaThe "legendary patriarch and founder of the Amenian nation" is Hayk, as "told in the History attributed to Moses of Chorene." "Hayk was a handsome, friendly man, with curly hair, sparkling eyes, and strong arms. He was a man of giant statue, a mighty archer and fearless warrier. Hayk and his people, from the time of their forefathers Noah and Japheth, had migrated south toward the warmer lands near Babylon. In that land there ruled a wicked giant, Bel. Bel tried to impose his tyranny upon Hayk's people. But proud Hayk refused to submit to Bel. As soon as his son Aramaneak was born, Hayk rose up, and led his people back to the land of his forefathers, the land of Ararat. At the foot of the mountains, he built his home, Haykashen." Hayk defeats Bel in battle at " Gerezmank", and according to comparative mythology: "The figure slain by Hayk's arrow is variously given as Bel or Nimrod. Hayk is also the name of the Orion constellation in the Armenian translation of the Bible. Just as Hayk fled from Babylon because of Bel, whom he eventually killed, so Zeus had escaped to the mountains of the Caucasus, later to return to Sicily and hurl fatal arrows into the bodies of his titanic foes." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HaykMount Ararat viewed from space, Armenia, and Turkey. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_AraratPrehistoric Armenia "The Armenian Highland shows traces of settlement from the Neolithic era. The Shulavery- Shomu culture of the central Transcaucasus region is one of the earliest known prehistoric culture in the area, carbon-dated to roughly 6000 - 4000 BC". (The recent article I posted to facebook gives 4000 - 3000 Bc) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prehistoric_ArmeniaModern Armenia If you scroll down, on the right below the "American Athena", you can clearly see Noah's Ark, retrieved by the Armenians and converted into a Government Building I thought it was in London, when I first saw the Building which looks just like the Ark, I thought, ahh, that's where it is. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArmeniaArmenia, Persia, , Rome, Parthia, and Ethiopia "Like the Bosporan Kingdom, the history of Armenia stretches from the Golden Age of Greece through the Hellenistic Period to protracted status as a Rome, and Persian, client. The differences are that Armenia was not a Greek colony but the realm of an indigenous people of Anatolia, like the Phrygians and the Cappadocians, and Armenia outlived all the Greek colonies, all the other ancient kingdoms of Anatolia, and even Rome itself. Armenia was long subject to a long military and diplomatic tug-or-war between Rome and Parthia, then Rome and Persia, and finally Rome and Islam. Even today the Armenian language reflect strong Persian influence -- which has made it difficult to determine the affinities of Armenian with other Indo-European languages. Deep Roman influence is evident in the fact that Armenia converted to Christianity in 301 AD, more than a decade before Christianity had any official toleration or status in Romania itself. Armenia has thus traditionally been regarded as the first officially Christian country, though, with uncertainties in dating, Ethiopia may be able to challenge this." www.friesian.com/armenia.htmAnd all because of a statement from a Taxi Driver, whose name I don't even know. 'Tis just straight-forward and at times uncertain history. Charlotte
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 14, 2010 12:01:36 GMT -5
It goes without saying that Your timely passages from the Bible, and posts, are well received, by me anyway. Affinity with my last post, here and there. List of Royal Saints and Martyrs "This list of royal saints and martyrs is a list of monarchs, other royals, and nobles who have been canonized or beatified, or who are otherwise named or revered as saints and martyrs in Christian Churches." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_royal_saints_and_martyrsAbgar V of Edessa, and the Image of Christ "modernly known as the Holy Shroud of Turin." Perhaps I should first say that in writing from sources of conventional History, I fret not too much about "according" to whomever, but am more interested in the essence of an account or legend. The legend of King Abgar"Abgar was, according to Assyrian tradition, the first Christian king in history, having been converted to the faith by the Apostle Thaddeus of Edessa. Abgar was an Assyrian king in the city of Edessa. Other accounts regard this a mere legend, equating the Abgar in the story with the Syrian Abgar IX, a late second century convert to Christianity. Moses of Khoren suggests that the name of the legendary figure is a corruption of an individual's title: "... Because of his umcommon modesty and wisdom, and his old age, this Abgaros was given the title of Avag Hair (Senior Father). The Greeks and Assyrians, unable to articulate his name correctly, called him Abgar. "The legend tells that Abgar, king of Edessa, afflicted with an incurable sickness, had heard the fame of the power and miracles of Jesus and wrote to him, acknowledging his divinity, craving his help, and offering him asylum in his own residence; the tradition states that Jesus wrote a letter declining to go, but promising that after his ascension, he would send one of his disciples, endowed with his power." Eusebius of Caesarea states that Thaddeus of Edessa, who converted the King, was sent by Thomas the Apostle in AD 29. The Letter from King Abgar to Jesus "Abgar Ouchama to Jesus, the Good Physician Who has appeared in the country of Jerusalem, greeting: "I have heard of Thee, and Thy healing; that Thou dost not used medicines or roots, but by Thy word openest (the eyes) of the blind, makest the lame to walk, cleansest the lepers, makest the deaf to hear; how by Thy word (also) Thou healest (sick) spirits and those who are tormented with lunatic demons, and how, again, Thou raisest the dead to life. And, learning the wonders that Thou doest, it was born in upon me that (of two things, one): either Thou hast come down from heaven, or else Thou art the Son of God, who bringeth all these things to pass. Wherefore I write to Thee, and pray that Thou will come to me, who adore Thee, and heal all the ill that I suffer, according to the faith I have in Thee. I also learn that the Jews murmer against Thee, and persecute Thee, that they seek to crucify Thee, and Destroy Thee. I possess but one small city, but it is beautiful, and large enough for us two to live in peace." A good Prayer, really, for to raise the dead of this world to Life. The Doctrina then continues: "When Jesus had receivd the letter, in the house of the high priest of the Jews, He said to Hannan, the secretary, "Go thou, and say to they master, who hath sent thee to Me: 'Happy art thou who hast believed in Me, not having seen Me, for it is written of Me that those who shall see Me shall not believe in Me, and that those who shall not see Me shall believe in Me. As to that which thou hast written, that I should come to thee, (behold) all that for which I was sent here below is finished, and I ascend again to My Father who sent Me, and when I shall have ascended to Him I will send thee one of my disciples, who shall heal all thy sufferings, and shall give (thee) health again, and shall convert all who are with thee unto life eternal. And the city shall be blessed forever, and the enemy shall never overcome it." Eusebius says that Jesus Himself wrote the letter, but Biblical Scholars now generally think the letter(s) were fabricated. King Abgar told Jesus that his city was small but beautiful, and large enough for the two of them to live in it, intimating that he probable meant his body which will be healed and blessed forever. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abgarus_of_EdessaThe Image of Edessa, not made by human hands "John of Damascus, the leading architect of the church dogma favoring icons, specifically mentioned that Jesus "is said to have taken a piece of cloth and pressed it to his face, impressing on it the image of his face, which it keeps to this day. "This latter concept of an "image not made by hands" ( acheiropoietos) formed the foundation on which the Eastern Orthodox doctrine of icons was later created in the 8th century. This doctrine held that Jesus made the first icon of himself by pressing a wet towel to his face, miraculously imprinting the cloth with his features — thus creating the prototype for all icons of Jesus, and an implied divine approval for their creation. The image is modernly known as the Holy Shroud of Turin." The Holy Shroud of Turin as we generally know it, is said to be the cloth in which Jesus' body was wrapped in the tomb. Here, the Image of Edessa is different and looks painted. The "Image Not-made-by-hands" of the Orthodox Church. "We call Christ's image 'Christ' ... The Icon of Christ is nothing other than Christ, apart, of course, from the difference in essence".orthodoxwiki.org/Image_Not-made-by-handsCharlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 14, 2010 19:32:15 GMT -5
Treasure in Heaven "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) "From the first moment of the awakening of the spirit by grace, man's consciousness and yearning pass from the creation to the Creator, from the earthly to the Heavenly, from the temporal to the eternal. In this realm lies his treasure, and there is his heart. He does not expect anything here, all his hopes are in the world beyond. His heart withdraws from whatever belongs to this world, nothing in it attracts him, he does not set his expectation on anything here and does not look for present joy. It is in the good things to come that he rejoices, it is these that he firmly hopes to posses. This transplanting of a man's treasure and the hopes of his heart is an essential feature of the awakened and burning spirit. It makes man essentially a pilgrim on earth, seeking his Fatherland, the Heavenly Jerusalem." (From 'The Art of Prayer) "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." (Romans 12:12) Now, this might seem to some to be some sort of, 'Pie in the sky' spirituality, but for those who have ears to hear, they recognize that the Resurrection is a BODILY Resurrection and that, "the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (Romans 8:21) A new Heaven and a new Earth thenewwriters.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/a-new-heaven-and-a-new-earth.jpg
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 15, 2010 9:41:03 GMT -5
Thank you also always for the beautiful paintings. The first two verses I remember well from my Childhood, we used them quite a lot in everyday life when someone had to have everything they saw, never considering the words seriously. The second on the list of Royal Saints and Martyrs is Alexander of Nevsky, Grand Price of Novgorad Please refer to post 649 on page 44 Great reading en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_NevskyMeanwhile, Nicholas Flammel Much pleaseth God procession If't be done in devotion "First, the mysteries of our future and undoubted Resurrection, at the day of Judgement and coming of good Jesus (whom may it please to have mercy upon us) a history which is well agreeing to a churchyard. And secondly they may signify to them which are skilled in Natural Philosophy, all the principal and necessary operations of the mastery. These hieroglyphic figures shall serve as two ways to lead into the heavenly life; the first and most open sense teaching the sacred mysteries of our salvation; (as I will show hereafter) the other teaching every man that hath any small understanding in the stone, the linier way of the work, which being perfected by any one, the change of evil into good, takes away from him the root of all sin (which is covetousness) making him likeable, gentle, pious, religious, and fearing God, how evil soever he was before. For from thence forward he is continuously ravished with the great grace and mercy which he hath optained from God, and with the profoundness of his Divine and admirable work." A good Day Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 15, 2010 10:32:43 GMT -5
My eldest son, Alexander is named after St. Alexander Nevsky.
Your attendance at Church this year has been commendable! This coming Sunday however, I believe will be particularly noteworthy....
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 16, 2010 8:07:42 GMT -5
I remember.
I'm sure Father Ceko will be back this Sunday. I don't know about other People, but I have missed Him and Papadia Sandra.
It is very hot in LA and I have to be at work early.
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 16, 2010 10:37:53 GMT -5
The penultimate truth of human nature is this: Beneath the layers of the onion...A Diamond!
"I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.(Psalms 82:6)
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 17, 2010 19:14:55 GMT -5
Even though Saint, Sage, and Alchemist affirm that we are gods, and "Horus reckons thee among the gods", it can't be believed for not understood and so far from being taught correctly.
Years ago I asked my Friend, a staunch Catholic and now assistant Minister who wanted me to rejoin the Church, how does the Priest comment on "Ye are gods", and "be ye wise as serpents". She said she doesn't know about that, only that she is going to Jesus upon dying.
You might remember, in the very beginning, when I posted the 'Diamond Poem', and because it is so beautiful....
Power of the Light, all-merciful and healing, Of heaven's Arch, the vessel surrogate, Reach thou my dark, each blot and lack revealing, Till my dull sphere by thine is permiate; Undo the fetters of this self-made prison, Anb by thy solvent make me all atoned, Until from earth's sepulchral shadows risen, (Love's child redeemed that long in tears has groaned) The upward path I take, by Fire ensplendoured, And from this cindered flesh through pain untold, Despite despair, in death past death regendered, Earth's lead transmute to heaven's eternal gold.
Part out my pigmy; from this coal shall rise The living Stone, the Diamond of the Wise.
The Divine Poet
PS While I wrote this "they" were talking about Diamonds on TV.
Charlotte
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 22, 2010 7:28:08 GMT -5
'Tis vacation time, supposed to be but not for me.
I was glad to see Father Ceko back, so in His element and cheerful when He mingles with the People.
Concerning all of us being Children of God, Saint Paul says this: "Now I say this, that each of you say, "I am Paul," "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."
Commentary on the five Loaves and two Fish
"A spritual interpretation of this miracle given by the Fathers teaches that the five loaves idicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which are broken open in Christ and thus feed the universe. The two Fish represent the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teachings of the fishermen. The gathering of the leftovers by the apostles shows that the teachings the faithful are unable to grasp are nevertheless held in the consciousness of the Church. May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to fill our hunger with His word."
Quote of the Day
"God has landed on this enemy-occupied world in human form... The perfect surrender and humiliation was undergone by Christ: perfect because He was God, surrender and humilation because He was man."
Methought I heard two words when .... and walking back to my place methought I must be imagining things or my Mind is playing tricks on me, or Father Ceko said them, but it was nor His voice and I definately heard them.
A great day to All
Charlotte
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Post by Don Barone on Jul 22, 2010 14:23:45 GMT -5
... "A spiritual interpretation of this miracle given by the Fathers teaches that the five loaves indicate the five books of the Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy), which are broken open in Christ and thus feed the universe. The two Fish represent the Gospel Book and the Epistle Book, the teachings of the fishermen. The gathering of the leftovers by the apostles shows that the teachings the faithful are unable to grasp are nevertheless held in the consciousness of the Church. May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to fill our hunger with His word." ....
An interesting explanation of the miracle
Best Don Barone
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 23, 2010 8:49:08 GMT -5
Hi Don,
Maybe you haven't read all of Steven's posts. Page 27, # 397
"One thing I do know for sure, from my own experience, is that, the more conscious we are of our oneness with God, the more immediately matter responds to the touch of our consciousness, what we INTEND will come into being INSTANTANEOUSLY.
"That is how "MIRACLES" occur. There are no miracles, simply a higher determinism which enters into and supersedes the time/space laws of physics which we are familiar with and which act as a governor and buffer for us until we are able to create at will with responsibility towards the whole."
Jesus spoke many Parables and the Church Fathers explain many things. Steven too, has given much insight.
Sincerely
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 23, 2010 23:47:19 GMT -5
Well, we're finally back in Kansas after our brief stay in OZ. It was a pleasure seeing you Dorothy! We look forward to many more of such happy occasions!
P.S. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain...
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 24, 2010 8:59:22 GMT -5
Dorothy meets People on the Yellow Brick Road who make her very uncomfortable, especially when she gets near the Emerald City where she encounters Hammer-Heads and fighting Trees, but one of Dorothy's Companions, the cowardly Lion, is even worse off until the Wizard who works behind the curtain orders him to drink an unknown liquid enabling him to leap across chasms. I remember the Lion having a Golden and Dorothy an Emerald Heart. Saint Spyridon, never far but now front and center since there is a false uncle in this Tempest, perhaps the one not to pay attention to because he borrowed some of the Saint's liquor that, which in Quadling Country effectuates a temporary waking, but
Will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming, The clouds methought would open and show riches Ready to drop upon me, that when I wak'd, I cried to dream again.
Good thing also that Dorothy has Toto without whom she will not go back to Kansas.
A pleasant weekend One and All
Charlotte
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 25, 2010 8:38:56 GMT -5
This absolution of Reason is not for all to see: But any man may picture how Duty was born, and trace thereafter its passage in the ethick of man. Ther is a youg black ouzel, now building her nest under the Rosemary on the wall, suspiciously shunning my observation as I sit in the porch, intentiv with my pencil as she with her beak: Coud we discourse together, and wer I to ask for-why she is making such pother with thatt rubbishy straw, her answer would be surely: 'I know not, but I MUST.' Then coud she take persuasion of Reason to desist from a purposeless action, in but a few days hence when her eggs wer to hatch, she would look for her nest; and if another springtide found us here again, with memory of her fault, she would know a new word, having made conscient from the MUST to the OUGHT. I halt not then nor stumble at how the duteous call was gotten in course of nature, rather it lieth to show how it was after-shapen in man from physical to moral ends, and came no longer only to affirm but sometimes even to oppose the bidding of instinct, positing besides OUGHT the equivalent OUGHT-NOTS, the stern forbiddances of those tables of stone that Moses fetch'd out of the thunder of Sinai. And since we see how man's judgment of Right and Wrong varied with education—and thatt without effect to strenghten or weaken Duty—, we conclude therefrom that education shapeneth our moralities. And when and whereas Conscience transfigureth the Instincts —to affection, as aforesaid, from motherly selfhood, and to spiritual love from lust of breed—, we find Duty therewith extended in the moral field. Thus 'tis (as missionaries tell) that head-hunters who seek relish in refinement of cruelty, will yet to soft feeling respond at gentle appeal: my dog would do as well, coud he understand my speech. Yet tho' we see how birds in catering for their young stint not their self-devotion, and punctiliously observe distributiv justice; and that dutiful dogs urged by conflicting calls wil stand awhile perplex'd in dumb deliberation—ne'ertheless because the true spiritual combat is unknown to brutes, moralists teaching virtue as an end-in-itself repudiate any sanction from motiv engaged on animal welfare, and make utility a cant term of reproach; tho' on their higher plane spiritual conduct is also utilitarian: For virtue subserveth the soul's comfort and joy, therewith al no less useful, nay more requisit than is material comfort to our full happiness in self-realization of perfected nature; the which a sound doctrine of pleasure will confirm.
Denial of Use hath done our virtue wrong, while some belittle also our Ethick, saying the subject is of matter unknowledgeable in scientific sense, taking contingency from the imperfection of man. Granted, wer all men perfect, none would seek virtue; nor should I now debate of it, but neither again wer all omniscient, would any seek knowledge: yet go we hunting after truth insatiably as the Saints after holiness, who, comforted by least attainment, persevere,—Seeking the Lord whom they hav found: and if a check or fault show more in Ethick, 'tis that the hunter is on fuller cry after true happiness than after mental truth; or he thinketh at least to hav well nosed his desire, and he nameth his quarry 'Satisfaction of soul.' Whereas the absolute Truth, whatever thatt may be, or is, he hath not an inkling, nay nor any cause, save in spiritual faith, ev'n to hope well of it. ('Tis for such lack of stand that deep thinkers, who plot intellectual approaches to the unknown, will lean unconsciously upon ethick, or in the end incline graciously to'ards it.) Now any deficiency is more discernable in an object known than in a thing unknown to us, and in the discussion of it ther is better likehood of agreement.
The Divine Poet
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 26, 2010 8:01:24 GMT -5
Re-reading my last post, I have to say again, 'just because I know what I'm talking about doesn't mean anybody else does', though you must admit I'm being hammered.
Perhaps my Promethean abilities are refined by Association with you, seems like every Sunday morning I sense what might happen at Saint Steven's, or not, so yesterday I felt His Grace would serve the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Norman did serve the Matins.
Walking on Water
The Disciples were in a boat "in the middle of the sea, tossed by waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them , saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boistreous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out saying, "Lord, save me." And immediately Jesus streched out Hi hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat the wind ceased."
His Grace, Bishop Maxim, commented on the contrary wind of our doubts, how Faith is of the utmost importance on our journey to the Kingdom, and that "supernatural" things are available to us also. When discussing Religion, well known is 'I believe it when I can walk on water', "When can I walk on water?" Ans someone will say, "When you become like Jesus."d
The AE also had Set the bringer of storms from the desert.
Quote of the Day
"Love may forgive all infirmities and love still in spite of them, but Love cannot cease to will their removal."
C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
We're working in West LA all week, so off I am.
Have a great week
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 26, 2010 21:14:32 GMT -5
environnement.ecoles.free.fr/bible%20illustrations%20dore/images/gravure%20dore%20bible%20-%20jesus%20marche%20sur%20les%20eaux.jpg"verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matthew 17:20) Now, we may choose to believe that the Lord was exercising Hyperbole here and was merely speaking allegorically; I, however, choose to believe that He was speaking quite literally and was trying to give us an idea of our own natural abilities as sons and daughters of the living God. "When God so wills the natural order is overcome for He does whatsoever He wills." The principle thing in our Spiritual life is heartfelt devotion; to stand before God with the mind in the heart. The closer we come to God, the more He can share His consciousness and His Blessings with us. Mind over matter is the golden key.
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 27, 2010 6:31:10 GMT -5
Moving the Mountain, as I mentioned before, I once experienced years ago. How it came about I can't remember but know it wasn't in a Dream. I have been reading the Bible for many years to pluck out the Mysteries - what I thought a passage meant. For me, it's akin to reading Shakespeare, once I start I can't stop, as it is also with other inspired Writings. Perhaps I was reading the passage and my Soul responded, it was awesome and on a high plane of Consciousness as I was not aware of this 'reality'. I remember It clearly and aspire to this Consciousness while in this World - is what this yarn is all about.
"Now, practice, how to make the same thine owne", bids the Divine Poet, daily striving nearer to His Universal Mind.
The water crystals confirm the Saint's Knowledge that every prayer changes the Universe, in science it is Thought, even as sand produces patterns by Sound. In Church again and again we petition for mercy and "save us by Thy Grace", and the Priest raises His hands in Prayer, I often think of the beneficent effect on the phenomenal Universe.
Mind over matter is what His Grace meant by saying that these things are available to us, using the word "supernatural". Father Ceko also introduced me to Him who looked at me and said, "so, it's about you", and I see a great Mind.
Charlotte
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 28, 2010 8:08:22 GMT -5
What I meant was by being near the Emerald City, Fr. Ceko, Fr. Norman, and His Grace are not nearly as severe in Instructions as you can be at times. Mind over matter is the golden key. I know indeed the difference between my insight of moving mountains and literally overcoming the natural order by sharing God's Consciousness, most marvelous and hard to believe, but Saint and Sage have so testified and demonstrated. Years ago I read that denying the very possibilty of such a feat prevents its occurrance and it kept my Mind open, as did my insight. of course, that was long ago and much has transpired since. Generally and accepted, Mind over matter has become nothing more than forget about the situation at hand and do something else. Among others, I found this Curious Crucifix of Rila Monastery "one of the curious attraction of the Rila Monastery is the wooded crucifix, which took the Monk Rafail 12 years to carve during thr eighteenth century. The relic has a place of honour among the artefacts displayed in the smallish museum. Engraved on the half-a-metre tall cross, there are 140 Biblical scenes with over 1,500 participants, some of which are the size of a rice grain. The microscopic figures cover both sides of the entire cross. The monk, in an inhuman display of patience, carved out the relic with a needle and, as a result, lost his sight. "The monastery's museum also contains interesting church plate samples, documents certifying donations from Tsarist Russia and personally from Ivan the Terrible, as well as a fingerprint mashine imported from Vienna. The images of devils trying to spoil people's good deeds may not have great artistic value, but are fun to look at." The Crosier of the Bishop can be discerned in the Cross. Rila Monastery en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rila_MonasteryCharlotte PS Heard that Deepak Chopra recently spent time in a Monastery, hence His new hair growth, just in case you see Him somewhere.
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 29, 2010 7:24:15 GMT -5
Contemplative Morning
Oh let the sun beat down my face With stars to fill my dream. I am a traveler of both time and space To be where I have been.
To sit with elders of a gentle race This world has seldom seen. They talk of days for which they sit and wait When all will be revealed.
Love to All
Charlotte
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 29, 2010 9:43:07 GMT -5
The entire 'Multiverse' is an ongoing miracle which God INTENDS into being from micro-second to micro-second. We, as sons and daughters of the living God, cooperate in the creation of the reality we then experience and interact with.
The quality of our life is determined by the degree of harmony and balance our creation of reality is in relationship to God's overarching Intentions.
Of course, the subconscious and unconscious mind, which plays a major role in this whole process of creation, can play tricks on us!
Thus, our need for a genuine, spiritual practice, as the one offered to us by the Orthodox way of life, which puts us through an ongoing and consistent process of Purification/Illumination/Deification.
On the other side of this process is another kind of reality. A multiverse of limitless creative freedom in complete balance and harmony with ALL-THAT-IS.
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Post by Don Barone on Jul 29, 2010 23:21:41 GMT -5
Visions for Charlotte ...
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 30, 2010 8:31:15 GMT -5
Thanx Don Have you been listening to the Dead? I think BDs lyrics. I read some of the comments below, everybody loves Jerry, listened yesterday morning to all sorts of songs. Jerry in the Stars I read your post on fb concerning dreams, 'reality' and dreams, but these dimensions (7) are within us and there is a membrane allowing the crossover. I read that we go through these 7 dimensions unawares from idea or thought to action. the last. Remarkable is that we never see the observer of our dreams. One sentence in the song: "Muttering small talk at the wall while I'm in the hall", is how I feel on fb, some walls I can't access at all. Anyway, I just want to make it to the "other side" Steven mentions, which I know exist. And off to work I go Love Charlotte
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Post by Charlotte on Jul 31, 2010 9:01:10 GMT -5
Anyway, Don, I was wondering yesterday during work why you sent me this 'Vision'. Was my contemplative mood contagious? I also went back to your fb page, sorry for my snail pace, sure wish I could move like hell as J Page in that song, wonder if he was granted an Audience by the Queen when he went to Court that time. Listened to the two songs, "All my Tears Washed Away", and "In The Arms Of The Angel" which I love, and thought it odd that you posted them considering your disposition. About dreams, you say that sometimes the line between this reality and the dream world is blurred. I too but rarely, when remembering something, wonder if I dreamed it or if it happened in what we call 'the real world', but we know that we take things from this world into our dreams and vis-a-vis, but there are 5 types of dreams. Now I had a vivid and 'long' dream last night about the Wedding of Chelsea Clinton, which I heard about but gave no thought to, really, so why this relatively extensive dream? In it, the Wedding Feat was not held in New York but in a House of wealthy people where I work at times. Since they forgot to send me an Invitation I was wondering why I was there, and just when I wanted to leave I saw Chelsea coming up the stairs, hence stayed in the background so as not to be noticed. On a landing slightly above me, I watched absolutely radiant Chelsea in a beautiful white gown and veil walk on accompanied by her Mother and Father who was literally towering over and twice the size of Hillary. There were many people and He towered over all of them. How strange, I thought. Of course, many other detail were in in the dream. Usually, a dream begins to fade shortly after waking, not this one, I see it clearly now and made such an impression that I know I will not forget it. So whence this dream since? I could not have seen it clairvoyantly since it has not yet taken place. Is Chelsea radiant with Joy and invisions her Wedding so vividly that I picked up on it 3000 miles away? And why, since I hardly minded it? I'll wait for a Photograph to see if there is any resemblance to my dream, other thoughts I keep to myself. A great weekend to you and All Charlotte Sorry, forgot the link to the Cross in yesterday's post www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/07/curious-crucifix-of-rila-monastery.html
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 31, 2010 12:41:39 GMT -5
When we are in the middle of a dream, we tend to accept what we are experiencing as 'real'. It is only when we 'wake up' that we realize that we have been dreaming. The same can be said for our 'Waking life', that it is just another level of dream that we need to 'Wake up' from.
To paraphrase Ignati Brianchininov in his description of the word, "Prelest": Our fallen condition consists of "Believing in mirages" that we take for reality and then act accordingly.
This is a disadvantageous state to be in that we need to 'Wake up' out of.
Dear Charlotte, Look me up on FB and send a friend request please.
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Post by renwdimgink on Jul 31, 2010 22:25:26 GMT -5
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