Believe in God; - joyful or burdensome?

[seekdatruth]

**Ha ha ha
you don’t say! ))
You know what:
several of my friends broke diplomatic relationes with me
because I was too frankly talking about saune (where I am 4 times a week) and come from an hour ago
Very very funny !
They told me - it’s indecent exposure
and that’s what I did for centuries
Obviously I get per elivator to hell
**

Only if you STARE at other women and degrade them, like the US guys do.
If you’re there for your health, and you’re in your birthday suit–the way God made you, well who cares?

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**what about women who stare at us men and degrading us poor things?
No! - None of the two is done here at my place(es) I usually go to, like
europabad-karlsruhe.de/

But it’s really true, that some US friends cut relations, when I mentioned I go to sauna for centuries. That’s why I usually write “my club”.

In fact: That’s one of the places (outside of Chuch) I pray most, for it’s quiet and no disturbance at all.
There too, I had most religious talks to strangers. And it’s the truth, that hardly ever I get blunt opposition and even swearing against Christianity.
In such cases, I change the theme, for I don’t want to have the sin on my account of somebody’s blasphemy.

To get back to the topic: It really is, and I find it every day very very joyful indeed, that whatever you do, wherever you are, you are - if you practice believe in God - NEVER ALONE.

That’s what Pope Benedict XVI. pointed out at his first visit to Germany.
I think, this present pope, as well as the last one, where a cast of fortune for Christianity.

Now -let’s not forget, that CHRISTIANITY doesn’t only concern us Catholics, but also our brethrens in Jesus who belong to other churches that are Christian. Nearest to us of course, the Orthodox. Furthest I’m afraid the many protestant communities.

But let’s never push them away!

Ok, they are on the wrong track.
But how should they find back, if we don’t welcome them with open arms. It’s not our merit to be born into Catholicism. But let’s thank God for this fact

**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Hey folks - where are you?!
Let’s spread a bit of christian joy over this world.

A dear friend of mine told me the other day, that I’m totally wrong in telling people how joyful faith in God is, for in Matth 5:12 or Luke 6:23, Jesus speaks about our joy IN HEAVEN – not here!

Well, I told him; sorry, but you’re wrong: When we know what’s expecting us, then we sure enjoy a great thrill of anticipation. The deeper we are in believe, the longer lasts this joy of waiting in the knowledge what’s expecting us. Don’t say we must in cheerlessness live and just HOPE for Gods kingdom.

We are told to BE JOYFUL so man times in the New Testament, that it really would be dull to reject joy here in our life now.
So, I can’t share your view, that this joy has it’s reason in pain, martyrdom, consequent devotion and YES to the will of God only.
Such way of life I’d rather understand as unchristian.

Yes, Jesus said besides BE JOYFUL also; who follows me, takes his cross in Mt 10,38 – Mk 8,34 and others. But that doesn’t mean at all to live a life in sadness. Far more so that implies: Not to despair in spite of many a sadness we have to go through - also sadness in religious life, as we too often have to strive against worldly people who don’t understand. Even more so, when love these people. (Or modernist Priests who love relativism).

Real joy, clean joy, is a godly thing and makes you innerly rejoice.
To repel this joy in faith, to repel the joy to “know” God - is definitely wrong and unrewarding Jesus’ feat to free us for His kingdom.

Lets share the deep inner joy St. Paul is talking about and the evangelists. What should God do with grouchy Christians
**

 

[seekdatruth]

And I thought you were just a grumpy old man, Bruno!
Yes, I agree. In fact, I think it’s a sign of true faith, because if you have faith, you shouldn’t worry too much. We are not completely secure, or we’d quit striving, but if you have faith in God, you look to what comes after this life and can’t help but smile when you think about.
Unfortunately, many Catholics I’ve run into think I must not be a very faith-filled person. Do I not look grumpy enough? Did I not genuflect enough times? Do I not look as bored as everyone else during the Homily or RCIA class? Do I ask too many questions? I have no idea WHY, but here I am, feeling like I have a great day for my faith, and even feel a little joy about it, then someone has to glare at me or make a comment to suggest I’m not strong in my faith. I get it all the time. I attribute it to unfortunate insecurity on their part and say a little prayer for them that they may too be strong in their faith.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**finally a zappy and true post
me - grumpy - I dare say!
No really - even as a kid I cheered my friends up, and so I do today in my clubs or other meetings.

In fact I was going to write to you, but CAF told me
“Sorry! That user has specified that they do not wish to receive e-mails.” oh - that’s gumpy
I never said a thing

Does by the way any of you know why “we” (this inner circle of CAF ) I mean none of “our threads” are mentioned in
“Hot Topics - Catholic Answers Forums - 090203”
are “our” threads minor smalltalk? Again, after the closing of the homosexual-thread, there are 2 other threads alike - but I won’t answer there, as “our” thread was closed.

What others think of your or my faith, doesn’t mean a thing! It’s God we have to please - not men: Gal 1,10
**

 

[seekdatruth]

**finally a zappy and true post
me - grumpy - I dare say!
No really - even as a kid I cheered my friends up, and so I do today in my clubs or other meetings.

In fact I was going to write to you, but CAF told me
“Sorry! That user has specified that they do not wish to receive e-mails.” oh - that’s gumpy
I never said a thing

Does by the way any of you know why “we” (this inner circle of CAF ) I mean none of “our threads” are mentioned in
“Hot Topics - Catholic Answers Forums - 090203”
are “our” threads minor smalltalk? Again, after the closing of the homosexual-thread, there are 2 other threads alike - but I won’t answer there, as “our” thread was closed.

What others think of your or my faith, doesn’t mean a thing! It’s God we have to please - not men: Gal 1,10
**

I was going to PM you one time, but I noticed you don’t have PM set up on here. I prefer to keep my email address private, especially since it’s not creative enough to be anything but my actual name.

…
Psalm 118:6

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**well, I did not allow PM’s
because it’s simply to stressy to me to find and answer the PM’s in that strange language ENGLISH
It’s a lot easier to me, to answer E-Mails, as I have a correction program in English in my Mail-Program “Mail-Apple”

Normal PM’s I had to copy and paste into another program and so on - a lot of fuss.

And often the PM’s where on such an upper class English, that it took me a while to translate into “real language”
That’s why I stopped PM’s

But I’ll be delighted to recieve an e-mail from anybody to:
Krippenfiguren at t-online.de (the “at” is @ of course)**

 

[TiggerS]

Some great statements and exchanges in this thread:thumbsup: I have nly had time for a very quick read indeed though.

Faith lifts as out of the need to understand into the realm of dark knowledge i.e. to know without understanding nor needing to understand for knowledge is higher than understanding. Understanding merely A PATH than could lead to knowledge. Faith alone can contemplate The Lord through the eyes of Hope which Hopes for what Faith tells one, and Faith contemplates The Lord through the power of Love.
“Lord increase our Faith”
“Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of all and enkindle in all the Fire of Thy Divine Love, send forth Thy Spirit and Thou shalt be created and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth” which to me is one of the most beautiful prayers to and about The Blessed Trinity ever written, with some slight amendments of my own that are not slight at all.

drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=47&ch=11&l=30&f=s#x
No of occurances of Faith Hope and Love (Charity) in the New Testament.
Faith - 231 times: here

Hope - occurs 61 times: HERE

Love - 99 times HERE /Charity - 83 times HERE

On earth we are always going to need perhaps great Faith and great Hope with great Love - we need to labour - but in Heaven Faith and Hope are totally united and fulfilled in Love With He Who Is Love. I think this could perhaps approximates what the mystics have termed simply “Spiritual Marriage” if one is called to such here on earth. Most all probably will not experience this until after death. But this cannot and could not be stated as fact - it s an assumption only - a theory based on available facts and available facts are not always therefore and thereby ALL THE FACTS full stop. Personally, I am convinced many more enter into The Dark Nightof The Soul - a totally unique and personal experience - than we realize. And The Dark Night of The Soul could be said to be the path to Union. St. Teresa of Avila does state that some will experience The Dark Night for the whole of their lives. It does not take place only on the level of prayer - rather it embraces the whole human psyche until one dies to self and rises in Christ victorious (Spiritual Marriage). Does this mean happpy chappy happy chappy. - no, I dont think it does for in Christ, His Cross is Victory as it was and is for Him and we who now bear it for Him. The resurrection was the SIGN of victory. Victory itself was The Cross. “Take up your cross daily and come follow Me”.

drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=53&ch=13&l=13&f=s#x

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child. 12 We see now through a glass in a dark manner; but then face to face. Now I know I part; but then I shall know even as I am known. 13 And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three:

but the greatest of these is charity.

Faith in The Lord is the greatest of joys simply because one is in love with Him and when one is in love one desires the happiness of the other more than one’s own for one’s greatest happiness is to know the other is happy and delights in one. To this end, St. Paul states:
drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=62&ch=2&l=10&f=s#x

6 The husbandman, that laboureth, must first partake of the fruits. 7 Understand what I say: for the Lord will give thee in all things understanding. 8 Be mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ is risen again from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my gospel. 9 Wherein I labour even unto bands, as an evildoer; but the word of God is not bound. *

10

• Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. 11 A faithful saying: for if we be dead with him, we shall live also with him. 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. 13 If we believe not, he continueth faithful, he can not deny himself. 14 Of these things put them in mind, charging them before the Lord. Contend not in words, for it is to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Tiggs
*If we cannot find our answers in Scripture, time to pack up and go home as orphans. *

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**I didn’t really figure out what you are trying to tell us – might be due to my poor English.

Today a lady asked me; where is this joy in Christianity you call out?
In brief and if there’s no time for longer discussions, I always answer simply: The joy of

• NEVER TO BE ALONE -
  At any time and any situation being able to talk to God.

Yes, of course; faith hope and love is the foundation of being a Christian as we read in 1Cor 13:13
And Saint Paul goes on: Greatest of the tree is Love!

But it’s no use talking about love, without having and share out love to others – in fact to anyone.

This can be done by a nice word, a warm smile, a happy greeting, sharing others fait, empathize with others, laughing with others, a nice mail, caring for others, listening to others, and much more.

This is joy and brings joy back. A far heavier and more profound joy than any silly joke. Joy that lasts in eternity.
**

 

[Michael_David]

Tigger,

I believe you are saying that Joy comes first without understanding, simply Knowing. (On a Spiritual level.)

I agree! This is done like a child. They just are! If they get bruised they cry and go to Ma/Pa, get it kissed to make it better, then run off and just are again.

This child only knew that Ma/Pa would make it better, they did not have understanding of how. Here is that Faith/Hope of a child our Lord asks of us too.

And Joy again returns…

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Exactly so; joy comes first without understanding, simply knowing MY FATHER IS THERE AND I CAN GO TO HIM TO BE COMFORTED ANY TIME.

That’s why Jesus said in Mk 10,15: I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

But then of course, later, when we grew insightful and knew about Jesus word, we ought to do alike, but now with reason and love and devotedness to God and men (much so like Mother Teresa)-

St. Paul covered that theme in 1Kor 13,11 such:
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

What brings more joy among heaven and earth, but love?!

When we know we are loved, we are joyful.
God loves you and everyone of us, as we all are created by God! God loves us - if we do not push God away. He never leaves anyone; it’s us who leave God.

People will love us too – if we love them first.

**

 

[Michael_David]

Yes Bruno,

And there are even things in life, as adults, that we do not understand and have to simply go to God ‘knowing’ He can make it better… like a child again.

But, the bricks already laid on that foundation, as we understand them, are the Love you speak of. The ‘Empathy’ we share.

So yes, first Faith, second Hope, third Love… equals Joy! And again, we simply ‘are’… just like a child, only in adulthood. (Speaking of our physical state and our spiritual state at the same time.)

 

[Realcatholicgk]

Yes Bruno,

And there are even things in life, as adults, that we do not understand and have to simply go to God ‘knowing’ He can make it better… like a child again.

But, the bricks already laid on that foundation, as we understand them, are the Love you speak of. The ‘Empathy’ we share.

So yes, first Faith, second Hope, third Love… equals Joy! And again, we simply ‘are’… just like a child, only in adulthood. (Speaking of our physical state and our spiritual state at the same time.)

**Hi Michael,

I understand you point, however, I think the order doesn’t matter, You need all three. Some people have “Hope” but no faith nor love, they get the other two through their hope! Others have Love, but have little or no Faith or Hope. Still others may have Faith, but do not Love or have much Hope. We need all three and they are provided by God.**

 

[Michael_David]

Hi Real,

I believe all of these are in the same seed, as you say. Much like the Olympic rings are connected and overlapped. And yes, some ‘experiences’ start in one place and work toward the others, while other ‘experiences’ go around the circle in another direction. This then is how each grow, in common with the others.

It’s hard to be generally-specific, but no harder then being specifically-general.

 

[Realcatholicgk]

…It’s hard to be generally-specific, but no harder then being specifically-general.

**
Hi Michael,

You could say that, I couldn’t! The attendants would increase my medication!

OK, Now for “Sweet” time:

A little boy wanted to meet God.
He knew it was a long trip to where God lived,
so he packed his suitcase
with a bag of potato chips,
and a six-pack of root beer
and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks,
he met an old woman.
She was sitting in the park,
just staring at some pigeons.
The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase.

He was about to take a drink from his root beer
when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry,
so he offered her some chips.
She gratefully accepted and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty
that the boy wanted to see it again,
so he offered her a root beer.
Again, she smiled at him.
The boy was delighted!
They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling,
but they never said a word.

As twilight approached, the boy realized
how tired he was and he got up to leave;
but before he had gone more than a few steps,
he turned around,
ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug.
She gave him her biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his
own house a short time later,
his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.
She asked him,
‘What did you do today that made you so happy?’

He replied, ‘I had lunch with God.’
But before his mother could respond, he added,
‘You know what?
She’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!’

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy,
returned to her home.
Her son was stunned by the look
of peace on her face and he asked,
‘Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?’

She replied,
‘I ate potato chips and drank root beer in the park with God.’
However, before her son responded, she added,
‘You know, he’s much younger than I expected.’

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,
a smile,
a kind word,
a listening ear,
an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
People come into our lives for a reason,
a season,
or a lifetime
Embrace all equally!

Go have lunch with God…bring chips.

God Bless**

 

[Michael_David]

Hi Real,

Your “Sweet Time” is oh so True!!!

(His yoke is light…)

PS: Just tell the attendants you heard it from some nut on the internet… they may let you out for a stroll on the grounds

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring,

**or a friendly mail even when we don’t know this person, but are in the same club, forum or other circles.

Why are we anxiously considered to stay anonymous and avoid closer contacts to others?! That’s neither love, nor joy - it’s rather the contrary.

It’s no use to talk about it - one must do it!

That goes especially for me **

 

[Realcatholicgk]

Hi Real,

Your “Sweet Time” is oh so True!!!

(His yoke is light…)

PS: Just tell the attendants you heard it from some nut on the internet… they may let you out for a stroll on the grounds

Yea, Right, Like they would allow us on the Internet! The last time I went out side they stripped my cell and found my computer. It took me over 6 years to make this one. It looks like a lamp but the TV screen may give it away! I tap our the words in morse code! Took 3 hours to type this reply. Then Bruno wants he to write him E-mails because he is loney!

Hey, Bruno, Get a hobby! A potato chip is in the mail! Hey, Great Idea! Everyone mail Bruno one potato chip!

Now Michael, I don’t want to start any rumors. You know that about me. I am sure Bruno go to “steambaths”! :bigyikes: Enough said?

 

[Realcatholicgk]

Hi Real,

Your “Sweet Time” is oh so True!!!

(His yoke is light…)

PS: Just tell the attendants you heard it from some nut on the internet… they may let you out for a stroll on the grounds

**

Hi Michael,

Yea, Right, Like they would allow us on the Internet! The last time I went outside they stripped my cubical and found my computer. It took me over 6 years to build this one. It looks like a Mechanic’s lantern but the TV screen may give it away! I have to tap out the words in morse code! Took over 3 hours to type this reply. Then Bruno wants me to write him E-mails because he is loney!

Hey, Bruno, Get a hobby! A potato chip is in the mail! Hey, Great Idea! ** [SIGN]Everyone mail Bruno one potato chip! [/SIGN] **
Now Michael, I don’t want to start any rumors. You know that about me. I am sure Bruno go to “steambaths”! :bigyikes: Enough said?
Watch Bruno will quote health reasons etc! ~

God Bless**

 

[pete_29]

Bruno is lonely. Hey Bruno, Facebook:thumbsup: