Anonymously Autistic has nominated me for the Three Day Quote Challenge. I am torn here, because after a lifetime of avoiding denomination I now have no means of wriggling out of nomination. Except maybe to blame AA for choosing such a great quote that I know that I will never be able to equal her inspiration.
So “Thank-you,” Anna.
Here is my favorite quote, penned by George Bernard Shaw when he sent Man and Superman to his friend Arthur Bingham Walkley:
This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
I have many reasons for returning to this quotation.
First, the distinction between joy and happiness, the first being something that arises from within while the second is a response to temporary external stimulus.
Secondly, the wisdom (as Jesus suggests in the parable of the talents) that power is not awarded to self-seekers, but only to those that serve. When we honor that compact, we do indeed become like unto a force of nature, causing others to move in sympathy with our purpose, sometimes even against their conscious intention.
And finally the sense that the body is simply an adjunct to spiritual service. I wear my scars without shame.
There are some people that I would like to get quotes from, so I think that I will propagate the challenge. As Anna, I will not be offended if any among you decline.
The challenge rules are:
- 3 quotes in 3 days
- Thank the person who nominates you
- Nominate three more people each day.
Hoo-hah on the last one!
everdeepening 
“For the Kingdom, and the power and the glory are (His), now and forever.”
Hi Brian, hope you are well. But still enough.
What good is a Church that cannot repent!
Blessings and peace to you-
MM
Imago Dei does not equal Dei
Believe me: I have been Gideon.
“Imago Dei does not equal Dei.” Could you offer a scriptural reference for this?
John 14:10:
“The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”
What does it mean to be a God? In His case, wasn’t it to surrender to the authority of love? And then we have immediately [John 14:12]:
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Being open to the need to live these words in a traumatized world, I am unmoved by the examples and words of those that offer their humanity as an excuse to avoid his charge upon us. SOMEBODY HAS TO TRY, and in the trying, we learn that power comes not from us, but from above. As Jesus on the cross, we have no power, we are simply a tool in the hands of love.
Surrender self-concern, and receive love eternal! Does it hurt? Of course: the world is in pain. But I am saying that Jesus’s teachings were that Humanity is meant to be populated by Gods. Each needs only to pick up a cross and carry it. Take heart! Have courage! Have faith!
So, given that context: what is wrong with offering my experience to others as an encouragement?
Do you understand what you said? I think not and hope not. I will consider more, and work up a better response. We do think you have a right heart. It is very difficult to think things out alone, I know. “Why do you call me good” One there is who is good (Luke…) I’ll work more on it. The error is classic, and it is very difficult to understand “Is it not written, I said you are gods, sons (italics) of the Most High” But that is why the Jews sought to stop him, and if he were not who he said he was, this may have been justified. We are sons through the “only begotten son,” wheras he is not a son through our mediation. It does say both, and we have to hold both, rather than losing one end of the paradox. That is why we repent, but he does not repent, except maybe for us. But your right, the Church, the body of the faithful, (perhaps including the angels, as you found) is in one sense His presence in the world. The name is very dangerous, and beyond mystery. Can you tell what the vowels are and what it means? We do not even know our own names!
Peace and blessings again, this stuff is not easy, and we make a lot of mistakes.
Yes, my friend, and please understand: I understand that some of my arguments are with myself. There are certain phrases that the “Pharisees and Sadducees” use to beat down the spark of light when it blooms in the person of simple faith. I find myself sometimes reacting to that history, rather than the intention of the writer. I apologize.
Luke 18:19; John 1:12-14; 10:31-36;18:6-8; 8:58; 3:7-9;18 are the numbers. We are glad you are not in Israel! Wphfew!
+;Revelation 1:8** with 17:8 for contrast, and further study. Hence, it seems easy fur us to see that John the Apostle wrote the Revelation (As is now commonly denied), because no one else can talk this way.