I awakened early this morning with 2Chronicles 16:9 running through my head:
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
Out of Darkness into the Light
After writing the contemplation Mercy upon All, I continued to read and meditate upon the book of Jeremiah. I quickly saw that that what I had written there was confirmed over and over again—that this book is not merely a historical record of how and why the children of Israel were driven by God from the “Promised Land” to go into Babylonian captivity at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. It is rather the story of the prodigal son all over again, the story of man departing from his origin in God (symbolized here by the “Promised Land”) and the repeated assurance that he will return. It is a parable of everyone’s journey out of darkness into light (which I believe God has revealed the entire Bible to be).
Mercy upon All
Since I heard the word from the Lord that I should arrange my life so that I will be free to read, meditate and write (see Following Christ and Minimalism), I’ve had difficulty finding peace doing all the other “good” things which present themselves to me as a means of escaping the awesome responsibility I feel when writing what I believe are revelations from God. But last night before I could fall asleep, I once again committed myself to continue doing that which I feel called to do, relegating everything else in my life to a place of secondary importance.
How We Experience God
Whatever we conceive God to be in our consciousness is the way we experience God—because our experience is objectified consciousness—individual and collective.
No Restraints
August 25, 2017
Because I was working on the contemplation How We Experience God (beginning with Adam and Eve), I was just systematically reading the book of Genesis. I read that immediately after the flood God had compassion upon mankind, knowing that “the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth” (8:21).He again gave man dominion over all the rest of creation and even gave him permission to eat meat (9:2-3).
All Things to All Men
I was reading the book of Titus where Paul is giving Titus instructions about the qualifications for the elders that he is to “ordain” “in every city.” I wondered why this was even included in Scripture as I began to see how many doctrines have come from Paul’s words (both here and in many of his other letters containing instructions), doctrines that have come from reading these scriptures by the “letter” rather than the “Spirit,” doctrines which have put people under the law and in bondage, the very thing Paul warned us against in so many of his writings.
Perfect in One: Growing up into Christ
I wish to read three scriptures, one from Jesus and two from Paul. I want you to pay particular attention to the words “wisdom,” “perfect,” “glory,” “hidden” and “mystery.”
Following Christ and Minimalism
I’ve been drawn to do some “research” on the minimalist movement in the past few days, particularly the writings of “the minimalists”—Joshua Fields Millburn and his best friend of over 20 years, Ryan Nicodemus, whose documentary “Minimalism” I had watched on Netflix (and was intrigued by) several months ago.
Because they are not obviously “Christian,” I’ve had some feelings of guilt for spending my time with them, but this morning upon awakening at 3:30 AM, I realized that God was speaking to me through these two young men who have demonstrated the courage to follow their hearts (in very practical and concrete ways) in a materialistic culture which is blatantly against all they are espousing in their lives and their writings.
It Is Finished
Jesus has issued to us the most appealing of all invitations:
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.