J
JRKH
Guest
I have been contemplating something for some time and wish to get the feedback and (name removed by moderator)ut of others.
I would like to assemble a, “Basic Toolbox for Spiritual Repair and Growth.
Now I do not want this to become an us versus them debate, though I fear that is asking to much for we are a “Stiff necked people”. It is just that it is obvious from those who inhabit this board (regardless of specific beliefs) that there is a great deal of common ground even within the dissention.
Jesus came to us and taught us by word and deed how to live our lives. He submitted his person to the authority of the Jewish faith, but never his conscience. He tried to show us how the simplest of rules form the great and true basis for our salvation. In all the time of his earthy ministry, He never imposed any command on us except to Love God and one another. Yet we, because we are of “Stiff neck” have managed to clutter things up with all sorts of other things.
I do not wish to discuss here the validities of the various belief systems but rather what things have proven to be the most common, fruitful, and beneficial to the Children of God.
Here is a short list of basic assumptions/goals for which we need the tools:
God created all things and nothing can exist without God.
Love of God because of his love in creating us.
Love of our neighbors because God did not create us to hate each other.
Works are an outgrowth of Love. They are the Fruit by which the tree is known.
The “Tools” are: (things I try to practice with varying degrees of success)
Prayer:, in all its forms, is the basic tool of communication between ourselves and God. Use short ejaculations throughout the day to “Keep the channel open”.
Contemplation: a listening form of prayer but not so regimented. Quiet time – alone. Particularly in church when nothing else is going on is helpful to me. I try to get to adoration whenever it is available.
Acts of kindness: The kind that are spontanious and without thought to “payback”
Forgiveness: Practiced often waste no time on “vengence” or harboring ill will.
Submission: To the will of God in our lives. This can be tricky to discern and requires a lot of prayer and contemplation.
Peace: practicing peace in the heart and keeping our minds quiet amid the noice of the world. Not becoming caught up in the transient problems of the day so as to lose sight of God’s desires for us.
Sacraments: Especially mass and communion.
These are some of the items I try to practice.
In all things I try to employ the KIS principle (keep it simple)
What works for you all.
Some of the things I listed are, of course, more specific to Catholicism, so please feel free to list things specific to your belief system. I’m looking for the common thread in these things.
Peace
James
I would like to assemble a, “Basic Toolbox for Spiritual Repair and Growth.
Now I do not want this to become an us versus them debate, though I fear that is asking to much for we are a “Stiff necked people”. It is just that it is obvious from those who inhabit this board (regardless of specific beliefs) that there is a great deal of common ground even within the dissention.
Jesus came to us and taught us by word and deed how to live our lives. He submitted his person to the authority of the Jewish faith, but never his conscience. He tried to show us how the simplest of rules form the great and true basis for our salvation. In all the time of his earthy ministry, He never imposed any command on us except to Love God and one another. Yet we, because we are of “Stiff neck” have managed to clutter things up with all sorts of other things.
I do not wish to discuss here the validities of the various belief systems but rather what things have proven to be the most common, fruitful, and beneficial to the Children of God.
Here is a short list of basic assumptions/goals for which we need the tools:
God created all things and nothing can exist without God.
Love of God because of his love in creating us.
Love of our neighbors because God did not create us to hate each other.
Works are an outgrowth of Love. They are the Fruit by which the tree is known.
The “Tools” are: (things I try to practice with varying degrees of success)
Prayer:, in all its forms, is the basic tool of communication between ourselves and God. Use short ejaculations throughout the day to “Keep the channel open”.
Contemplation: a listening form of prayer but not so regimented. Quiet time – alone. Particularly in church when nothing else is going on is helpful to me. I try to get to adoration whenever it is available.
Acts of kindness: The kind that are spontanious and without thought to “payback”
Forgiveness: Practiced often waste no time on “vengence” or harboring ill will.
Submission: To the will of God in our lives. This can be tricky to discern and requires a lot of prayer and contemplation.
Peace: practicing peace in the heart and keeping our minds quiet amid the noice of the world. Not becoming caught up in the transient problems of the day so as to lose sight of God’s desires for us.
Sacraments: Especially mass and communion.
These are some of the items I try to practice.
In all things I try to employ the KIS principle (keep it simple)
What works for you all.
Some of the things I listed are, of course, more specific to Catholicism, so please feel free to list things specific to your belief system. I’m looking for the common thread in these things.
Peace
James