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My Spiritual Journal, Seeking the Presence of God, Interior Silence, real Christianity & humility

The Art of Prayer: "What happens to the soul when we greatly desire to pray, or when we are drawn to prayer, and how should we behave? Everyone experiences this desire in greater of lesser degree as they proceed on the path of the Christian life, once they have begun to seek God by personal effort, until they finally reach their goal of a living communion with Him. They also experience it after having attained to this goal. It is a state resembling that of a man plunged in deep thought, withdrawn within himself, concentrated in his soul, paying no attention to external surrounding, to people, things and events. But when a man is plunged in thought it is the mind which is at work, whereas here it is the heart. When the longing for God comes, the soul is collected within itself, and stands before the face of God, and either pours out before Him its hopes and the sufferings of its heart, like Hannah, the mother of Samuel; or glorifies Him, like the most holy Virgin Mary; or stands before Him in wonder, as the Apostle Paul often stood. Here all personal actions, thoughts, and intentions cease; and everything external departs from the attention. The soul itself does not wish to be occupied with anything extraneous. This may happen in church or during the rule of prayer, or during reading or meditation, and even during some exterior occupations or in company. But in no case does it depend on your will. He who has once experience this longing may remember it and desire its repetition, he may strive towards it, but he himself will never attract it by his own exertion: it comes of itself.

Only one thing depends on our free will--when this state of longing comes, do not allow yourself to destroy it, but take the utmost care, so as to give it full opportunity to remain within you as long as possible.

He who has repented travels towards the Lord. The way to God is an inner journey accomplished in the mind and heart. It is necessary so to attune the thoughts of the mind and the disposition of the heart that the spirit of man will always be with the Lord, as if joined with Him. He who is thus attuned is constantly enlightened by inner light, and receives in himself the rays of spiritual radiance. The light of thy countenance, O Lord, has been marked upon us!

Yet there are many who expect to approach God merely by outer words and deeds. They live in expectation, but they never come near; for they do not follow the right way. To such we make this appeal: approach God with the mind and heart and you will be enlightened and will no longer be defeated by the enemy, who at present--despite all your external correctness--constantly overcomes you and puts you to shame in your thoughts and in the feelings of your heart. Drawing near to God in your mind and heart will give you power over all other moments of the soul, and power to put the enemy to shame whenever he attempts to shame you.

You must never regard any spiritual work as firmly established, and this is especially true of prayer; but always pray as if beginning for the first time. When we do a thing for the first time, we come to it fresh and with a new-born enthusiasm. If, when starting to pray, you always approach it as though you had never yet prayed properly, and only now for the first time wished to do so, you will always pray with a fresh and lively zeal. And all will go well. If you are not successful in your prayer, do not expect success in anything. It is the root of all.

A certain brother by the name of John came from the coastal country to the holy and great father Philemon, and clasping his feet, said to him: 'What must I do, Father, to be saved? I see that my mind is distracted, and wanders hither and thither where it should not.' After a short silence, Philemon said to him: 'This is a sickness suffered by those who are external, and it remains in you because your love of God is not yet perfect; up till now the warmth of the love and the knowledge of God has not yet arisen in you.' The brother asked him, 'What then shall I do?' 'Go', answered the father, 'and for the time being practice secret meditation in your heart; this will cleanse your mind of its sickness.' The brother, not understanding what was told him, said to Philemon: 'What is this secret meditation, father?' 'Go,' he answered, 'preserve sobriety in your heart, and in your mind repeat soberly, with fear and trembling, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner." (from the 'Art of Prayer')

Saturday September 6, 2008 - 08:52am (PDT) Permanent Link | 0 Comments
Lord, help me!: I just love this story because it confirms the teaching of Scriptures that it is the meek that will inherit the earth.

"A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour." -Matthew 15:22-28

This woman was truly "meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29)! Jesus gives her a chance to shine and be forever praised for her great humility and faith.

Lord give me more opportunities!

please pray for me a sinner,

Ron

Monday September 1, 2008 - 03:13pm (PDT) Permanent Link | 0 Comments
28 and counting: Honey,

Who would of ever guessed you would have put up with a goof like me this many years.

I love you! Happy Anniversary.

"The words will never show the you I've come to know"

Friday August 29, 2008 - 07:45pm (PDT) Permanent Link | 2 Comments
Jesus, I want to follow Your example: We all know that Jesus is God and there was many prophecies about Him in the Old Testament. These prophesies even spoke of His greatness and power, His glory and splendor. But think about when He was on earth, He was so meek and lowly.

We are told in the Scriptures:

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:5-7)

Jesus said: "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." (Matt. 11:29)

Now I am sure that I could go through the Scriptures and pick out verses that exalt us Christians. Jesus was God and had many prophecies proving He was the Christ. But He humbled Himself and tells us to do likewise. When someone is healed He tells them don’t tell anyone.’ When St. Peter says that He is the Christ, Jesus tells Him not to tell anyone. Is this the example that we Christians are following?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3)

Thursday August 28, 2008 - 07:35pm (PDT) Permanent Link | 0 Comments
Come and abide in me: There is a prayer that we 'Orthodox' pray many times a day:

O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth
Who are in all places and fill all things, the
Treasure of good things and Giver of life, come
and abide in us. Cleanse us from every stain
and save our souls, O Good One.

and here is the song that I've been singing many times the past few days:

Wednesday August 27, 2008 - 03:10pm (PDT) Permanent Link | 0 Comments