I have read this book more than once. What an amazing story filled with laughter, love, and persevering through struggles. You have been giving the gift of words and to share it with the rest of the world, we are truly blessed. I can't wait to read your next novel, and the one after that, and the one after that, and the one after that...........Please keep them coming!!!!
Hello My Amazing Friend :-) Reading your Blogs, I learn more about you and that is something I will never tire of. I am continuously in awe of all you have accomplished in your surroundings. I hope your birthday was as blessed as could be. Hugs
We almost agree! This is all very well unless YOU are the guy who is "five years in prison for crime x". My faith requires me to speak out against injustice. So I put on the full armour of God and do battle. I have to, Jesus said I must. If I don't "they" might come for me next.
Then by supplicating with copious prayers, and striving along with him in continual fastings, and subduing his mind by various utterances of words, did not depart, as they say, till he restored him to the Church, presenting in him a great example of true repentance and a great token of regeneration, a trophy of the resurrection for which we hope; when at the end of the world, the angels, radiant with joy, hymning and opening the heavens, shall receive into the celestial abodes those who truly repent; and before all, the Saviour Himself goes to meet them, welcoming them; holding forth the shadowless, ceaseless light; conducting them, to the Father's bosom, to eternal life, to the kingdom of heaven.
Let one believe these things, and the disciples of God, and God, who is surety, the Prophecies, the Gospels, the Apostolic words; living in accordance with them, and lending his ears, and practising the deeds, he shall at his decease see the end and demonstration of the truths taught. For he who in this world welcomes the angel of penitence will not repent at the time that he leaves the body, nor be ashamed when he sees the Saviour approaching in His glory and with His army. He fears not the fire.
But if one chooses to continue and to sin perpetually in pleasures, and values indulgence here above eternal life, and turns away from the Saviour, who gives forgiveness; let him no more blame either God, or riches, or his having fallen, but his own soul, which voluntarily perishes. But to him who directs his eye to salvation and desires it, and asks with boldness and vehemence for its bestowal, the good Father who is in heaven will give the true purification and the changeless life. To whom, by His Son Jesus Christ, the Lord of the living and dead, and by the Holy Spirit, be glory, honour, power, eternal majesty, both now and ever, from generation to generation, and from eternity to eternity. Amen.
Time passed, and some necessity having emerged, they send again for John. He, when he had settled the other matters on account of which he came, said, "Come now, O bishop, restore to us the deposit which I and the Saviour committed to you in the face of the Church over which you preside, as witness." The other was at first confounded, thinking that it was a false charge about money which he did not get; and he could neither believe the allegation regarding what he had not, nor disbelieve John. But when he said "I demand the young man, and the soul of the brother," the old man, groaning deeply, and bursting into tears, said, "He is dead."
"How and what kind of death?"
"He is dead," he said, "to God. For he turned wicked and abandoned, and at last a robber; and now he has taken possession of the mountain in front of the church, along with a band like him."
Rending, therefore, his clothes, and striking his head with great lamentation, the apostle said, "It was a fine guard of a brother's soul I left! But let a horse be brought me, and let some one be my guide on the way." He rode away, just as he was, straight from the church.
On coming to the place, he is arrested by the robbers' outpost; neither fleeing nor entreating, but crying, "It was for this I came. Lead me to your captain;" who meanwhile was waiting, all armed as he was. But when he recognized John as he advanced, he turned, ashamed, to flight. The other followed with all his might, forgetting his age, crying, "Why, my son, do you flee from me, your father, unarmed, old? Son, pity me. Fear not; you have still hope of life. I will give account to Christ for you. If need be, I will willingly endure your death, as the Lord did death for us. For you I will surrender my life. Stand, believe; Christ has sent me."
And he, when he heard, first stood, looking down; then threw down his arms, then trembled and wept bitterly. And on the old man approaching, he embraced him, speaking for himself with lamentations as he could, and baptized a second time with tears, concealing only his right hand. The other pledging, and assuring him on oath that he would find forgiveness for himself from the Saviour, beseeching and falling on his knees, and kissing his right hand itself, as now purified by repentance, led him back to the church.
Your story reminded me of another one that I thought might be uplifting to share.
This is an extra-biblical story about the Apostle John, as told by Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 to 215 A.D.) in his article "Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?."
This is the last section of the piece, and I find it so powerful that I'm moved to tears almost every time I read it. I hope you are encouraged by it.
Part 1 of 3: --------------
And that you may be still more confident, that repenting thus truly there remains for you a sure hope of salvation, listen to a tale, which is not a tale but a narrative, handed down and committed to the custody of memory, about the Apostle John. For when, on the tyrant's death, he returned to Ephesus from the isle of Patmos, he went away, being invited, to the contiguous territories of the nations, here to appoint bishops, there to set in order whole Churches, there to ordain such as were marked out by the Spirit.
Having come to one of the cities not far off (the name of which some give ), and having put the brethren to rest in other matters, at last, looking to the bishop appointed, and seeing a youth, powerful in body, comely in appearance, and ardent, said, "This (youth) I commit to you in all earnestness, in the presence of the Church, and with Christ as witness." And on his accepting and promising all, he gave the same injunction and testimony. And he set out for Ephesus. And the presbyter taking home the youth committed to him, reared, kept, cherished, and finally baptized him. After this he relaxed his stricter care and guardianship, under the idea that the seal of the Lord he had set on him was a complete protection to him. But on his obtaining premature freedom, some youths of his age, idle, dissolute, and adepts in evil courses, corrupt him. First they entice him by many costly entertainments; then afterwards by night issuing forth for highway robbery, they take him along with them. Then they dared to execute together something greater. And he by degrees got accustomed; and from greatness of nature, when he had gone aside from the right path, and like a hard-mouthed and powerful horse, had taken the bit between his teeth, rushed with all the more force down into the depths. And having entirely despaired of salvation in God, he no longer meditated what was insignificant, but having perpetrated some great exploit, now that he was once lost, he made up his mind to a like fate with the rest. Taking them and forming a band of robbers, he was the prompt captain of the bandits, the fiercest, the bloodiest, the cruelest.
After having come out so strongly against force, it seems good to add one more story here to balance it out. I don't want people who might read this to get the wrong impression. If force is wrong, it would be wrong for me to pressure or "force" people to give it up too.
I'm reminded of a story that I read regarding the early Quakers. From what I've read, the early Quakers had somewhat different views and beliefs than modern ones, but I'm not an expert on this.
Anyway, a man, who was a soldier or police officer (I don't remember which), who was also a believer, asked George Fox, the founder of the Quakers, whether he should continue to carry his sword.
George Fox replied, "Carry it as long as you can."
About a year later, the two met again, and George Fox, noticing that the man did not carry a sword, asked him about it. The man replied, "I did as you said: I carried it as long as I could."
I love this story, because it shows me two things: 1) the man did eventually lay down his sword, but 2) it happened according to God's timing and purpose, not according to man's.
I think this is a good thing to remember. When talking about social change, or perhaps the abolition of government via anarchy, or even when talking about giving up the use of force, like I did above, I think it's important to remember that this needs to come from God, not man. For how will man convince another man to give up his sword? Or how will he convince him to give up his power or his government, or even his country? The best way is for this change to come from within, by the power of God.
For God still uses men who carry the sword to serve His purpose. They are called "ministers of God" in Romans 13:4. But as necessary a such a man is, he is still a minister of the old system, the system of eye for an eye, the system of "5 years in prison for crime X." That system still exists, but we don't have to remain in it, or in other words, of that system. But we can only escape it by doing good, and at that point, it has no power over us, since there would be nothing to punish. And even if we were punished for doing good, it would be to our eternal benefit, with riches in heaven, where our treasure and hearts and thoughts of home and country really should be.
Hey Joe! My name is Talaya. I know Mary probably has mentioned me. (she better had!) I thank you for sharing. It means a lot to me. Around the same time this happened to you, my brother Terry was shot and killed. Talking with Mary about this really helped me forgive whoever it was that killed my brother. Both of us going thru something very tragic in our lives helped us grow together closer to the Lord and closer to eachother. I am glad that you have admitted what you have done and also that you are asking for forgiveness. It wasn't easy to forgive, but I know that is what God wants. I also just pray for he or she that killed my brother that they may give their life to the Lord and know that they may be forgiven. I do pray for you and I pray that God will continue to use you. You have an awesome mom and sister! I know they both love you very much. Joe keep pressing on! Rejoice always! Talaya
RSS
Hugs
Then by supplicating with copious prayers, and striving along with him in continual fastings, and subduing his mind by various utterances of words, did not depart, as they say, till he restored him to the Church, presenting in him a great example of true repentance and a great token of regeneration, a trophy of the resurrection for which we hope; when at the end of the world, the angels, radiant with joy, hymning and opening the heavens, shall receive into the celestial abodes those who truly repent; and before all, the Saviour Himself goes to meet them, welcoming them; holding forth the shadowless, ceaseless light; conducting them, to the Father's bosom, to eternal life, to the kingdom of heaven.
Let one believe these things, and the disciples of God, and God, who is surety, the Prophecies, the Gospels, the Apostolic words; living in accordance with them, and lending his ears, and practising the deeds, he shall at his decease see the end and demonstration of the truths taught. For he who in this world welcomes the angel of penitence will not repent at the time that he leaves the body, nor be ashamed when he sees the Saviour approaching in His glory and with His army. He fears not the fire.
But if one chooses to continue and to sin perpetually in pleasures, and values indulgence here above eternal life, and turns away from the Saviour, who gives forgiveness; let him no more blame either God, or riches, or his having fallen, but his own soul, which voluntarily perishes. But to him who directs his eye to salvation and desires it, and asks with boldness and vehemence for its bestowal, the good Father who is in heaven will give the true purification and the changeless life. To whom, by His Son Jesus Christ, the Lord of the living and dead, and by the Holy Spirit, be glory, honour, power, eternal majesty, both now and ever, from generation to generation, and from eternity to eternity. Amen.
Time passed, and some necessity having emerged, they send again for John. He, when he had settled the other matters on account of which he came, said, "Come now, O bishop, restore to us the deposit which I and the Saviour committed to you in the face of the Church over which you preside, as witness." The other was at first confounded, thinking that it was a false charge about money which he did not get; and he could neither believe the allegation regarding what he had not, nor disbelieve John. But when he said "I demand the young man, and the soul of the brother," the old man, groaning deeply, and bursting into tears, said, "He is dead."
"How and what kind of death?"
"He is dead," he said, "to God. For he turned wicked and abandoned, and at last a robber; and now he has taken possession of the mountain in front of the church, along with a band like him."
Rending, therefore, his clothes, and striking his head with great lamentation, the apostle said, "It was a fine guard of a brother's soul I left! But let a horse be brought me, and let some one be my guide on the way." He rode away, just as he was, straight from the church.
On coming to the place, he is arrested by the robbers' outpost; neither fleeing nor entreating, but crying, "It was for this I came. Lead me to your captain;" who meanwhile was waiting, all armed as he was. But when he recognized John as he advanced, he turned, ashamed, to flight. The other followed with all his might, forgetting his age, crying, "Why, my son, do you flee from me, your father, unarmed, old? Son, pity me. Fear not; you have still hope of life. I will give account to Christ for you. If need be, I will willingly endure your death, as the Lord did death for us. For you I will surrender my life. Stand, believe; Christ has sent me."
And he, when he heard, first stood, looking down; then threw down his arms, then trembled and wept bitterly. And on the old man approaching, he embraced him, speaking for himself with lamentations as he could, and baptized a second time with tears, concealing only his right hand. The other pledging, and assuring him on oath that he would find forgiveness for himself from the Saviour, beseeching and falling on his knees, and kissing his right hand itself, as now purified by repentance, led him back to the church.
Your story reminded me of another one that I thought might be uplifting to share.
This is an extra-biblical story about the Apostle John, as told by Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 to 215 A.D.) in his article "Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?."
This is the last section of the piece, and I find it so powerful that I'm moved to tears almost every time I read it. I hope you are encouraged by it.
Part 1 of 3:
--------------
And that you may be still more confident, that repenting thus truly there remains for you a sure hope of salvation, listen to a tale, which is not a tale but a narrative, handed down and committed to the custody of memory, about the Apostle John. For when, on the tyrant's death, he returned to Ephesus from the isle of Patmos, he went away, being invited, to the contiguous territories of the nations, here to appoint bishops, there to set in order whole Churches, there to ordain such as were marked out by the Spirit.
Having come to one of the cities not far off (the name of which some give ), and having put the brethren to rest in other matters, at last, looking to the bishop appointed, and seeing a youth, powerful in body, comely in appearance, and ardent, said, "This (youth) I commit to you in all earnestness, in the presence of the Church, and with Christ as witness." And on his accepting and promising all, he gave the same injunction and testimony. And he set out for Ephesus. And the presbyter taking home the youth committed to him, reared, kept, cherished, and finally baptized him. After this he relaxed his stricter care and guardianship, under the idea that the seal of the Lord he had set on him was a complete protection to him. But on his obtaining premature freedom, some youths of his age, idle, dissolute, and adepts in evil courses, corrupt him. First they entice him by many costly entertainments; then afterwards by night issuing forth for highway robbery, they take him along with them. Then they dared to execute together something greater. And he by degrees got accustomed; and from greatness of nature, when he had gone aside from the right path, and like a hard-mouthed and powerful horse, had taken the bit between his teeth, rushed with all the more force down into the depths. And having entirely despaired of salvation in God, he no longer meditated what was insignificant, but having perpetrated some great exploit, now that he was once lost, he made up his mind to a like fate with the rest. Taking them and forming a band of robbers, he was the prompt captain of the bandits, the fiercest, the bloodiest, the cruelest.
I'm reminded of a story that I read regarding the early Quakers. From what I've read, the early Quakers had somewhat different views and beliefs than modern ones, but I'm not an expert on this.
Anyway, a man, who was a soldier or police officer (I don't remember which), who was also a believer, asked George Fox, the founder of the Quakers, whether he should continue to carry his sword.
George Fox replied, "Carry it as long as you can."
About a year later, the two met again, and George Fox, noticing that the man did not carry a sword, asked him about it. The man replied, "I did as you said: I carried it as long as I could."
I love this story, because it shows me two things: 1) the man did eventually lay down his sword, but 2) it happened according to God's timing and purpose, not according to man's.
I think this is a good thing to remember. When talking about social change, or perhaps the abolition of government via anarchy, or even when talking about giving up the use of force, like I did above, I think it's important to remember that this needs to come from God, not man. For how will man convince another man to give up his sword? Or how will he convince him to give up his power or his government, or even his country? The best way is for this change to come from within, by the power of God.
For God still uses men who carry the sword to serve His purpose. They are called "ministers of God" in Romans 13:4. But as necessary a such a man is, he is still a minister of the old system, the system of eye for an eye, the system of "5 years in prison for crime X." That system still exists, but we don't have to remain in it, or in other words, of that system. But we can only escape it by doing good, and at that point, it has no power over us, since there would be nothing to punish. And even if we were punished for doing good, it would be to our eternal benefit, with riches in heaven, where our treasure and hearts and thoughts of home and country really should be.
My name is Talaya. I know Mary probably has mentioned me. (she better had!) I thank you for sharing. It means a lot to me. Around the same time this happened to you, my brother Terry was shot and killed. Talking with Mary about this really helped me forgive whoever it was that killed my brother. Both of us going thru something very tragic in our lives helped us grow together closer to the Lord and closer to eachother. I am glad that you have admitted what you have done and also that you are asking for forgiveness. It wasn't easy to forgive, but I know that is what God wants. I also just pray for he or she that killed my brother that they may give their life to the Lord and know that they may be forgiven. I do pray for you and I pray that God will continue to use you. You have an awesome mom and sister! I know they both love you very much. Joe keep pressing on!
Rejoice always!
Talaya