Wisdom is your perspective on life, your sense of balance, your understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other. It embraces judgment, discernment, comprehension. It is a gestalt or oneness, and integrated wholeness.

~ Stephen R. Covey (author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People)

 

Beautiful view of the river while on board a "floating restaurant".

 

Loboc River, Bohol, Philippines

Gare du Midi, Bruxelles

I realize that some people cannot stand the Light and the Heat....in my Eyes.......and they must disable comments.......but I love them anyway. 💞

I have come to realize......

Nobilities, indecencies, heroic impulses, cowardly ravings, good and bad, white and black — the mystery of mysteries, the central island of nescience in a sea of science, the dark spot in the lighted room of knowledge, the unknown quantity, the X in the universal problem.

 

Dr. Frank Crane

I remember sneaking off to a Taco Bell on Buford Highway or a to the Dairy Queen over in Tucker to deep dive into this classic by Saint Louis de Montfort. It triggered all my anti-Marian bias, but as I read it alongside Newman's Mary, The Second Eve, I was able to keep pace. By the time I finished both books I was decidedly Marian in my beliefs. It would take me a couple more years to better understand beliefs like the Immaculate Conception, but i was well on my way. At this time I was still attending a Methodist Church and a fellow at a nearby Cokesbury store used to jokingly call me the Marian Methodist. In less than three years I would finally be confirmed. What amazing days those were.

Next day, on 12th of October, in the morning we visited Hemis Monastery again for a detailed study. This time I photographed many of the mural paintings and some fine wooden works inside the monastery. Many of the paintings reflected an unique mixing of Hinduism and Buddhism.

  

Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage, located in Hemis, Ladakh, India. Situated 45 km from Leh, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Hemis Monastery existed before the 11th century and was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. The annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava is held here in early June.

 

Terma and tertöns : The essence of Tebetan Buddhism.

Padmasambhava (lit. "Lotus-Born"), also known as Guru Rinpoche, is a literary character of terma (Terma or "hidden treasure"- are key Tibetan Buddhist teaching, which the tradition holds were originally esoterically hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his consorts, in the 8th century for future discovery at auspicious times by other adepts, known as tertöns. As such, they represent a tradition of continuous revelation in Tibetan Buddhism. Termas are a part of Tantric Literature. Tradition holds that terma may be a physical object such as a text or ritual implement that is buried in the ground (or earth), hidden in a rock or crystal, secreted in a herb, or a tree, hidden in a lake (or water), or hidden in the sky (space). Though a literal understanding of terma is "hidden treasure", and sometimes objects are hidden away, the teachings associated should be understood as being “concealed within the mind of the guru”, that is, the true place of concealment is in the tertön's mindstream. If the concealed or encoded teaching or object is a text, it is often written in dakini script: a non-human type of code or writing).

  

Terma is an emanation of Amitabha (Amitābha or Amideva, is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism. Amitābha is the principal buddha in the Pure Land sect, a branch of Buddhism practiced mainly in East Asia, while in Vajrayana Amitābha is known for his longevity attribute, magnetising red fire element, the aggregate of discernment, pure perception and the deep awareness of emptiness of phenomena. According to these scriptures, Amitābha possesses infinite merits resulting from good deeds over countless past lives as a bodhisattva named Dharmakāra. "Amitābha" is translatable as "Infinite Light," hence Amitābha is also called "The Buddha of Immeasurable Life and Light" ).

Terma that is said to appear to tertons (A tertön is a discoverer of ancient texts or terma in Tibetan Buddhism) in visionary encounters and a focus of Tibetan Buddhist practice (Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Bhutan, Kalmykia and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, and India (particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Dharamsala, Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. It is also practiced in Northeast China. Religious texts and commentaries are contained in the Tibetan Buddhist canon such that Tibetan is a spiritual language of these areas. The Tibetan diaspora has spread Tibetan Buddhism to many Western countries, where the tradition has gained popularity. Among its prominent exponents is the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. The number of its adherents is estimated to be between ten and twenty million).

 

History

Hemis Monastery existed before the 11th century. Naropa, the pupil of the yogi Tilopa, and teacher of the translator Marpa is connected with this monastery. A translation was made by A. Grünwedel (Nӑro und Tilo,: Festschrift Ernst Kuhn, München 1916) of Naropa's biography that was found in Hemis monastery.

In this manuscript Naropa (or Naro) meets the "dark blue" (Skr.: nila: dark blue or black) Tilopa (or Tillo), a tantric master, who gives Naropa 12 "great" and 12 "small" tasks to do in order to enlighten him to the inherent emptiness/illusoriness of all things. Naropa is depicted as the "abbott of Nalanda" (F. Wilhelm, Prüfung und Initiation im Buche Pausya und in der Biographie des Naropa, Wiesbaden 1965, p. 70), the university-monastery in today's Bihar, India, that flourished until the sacking by Turkish and Afghan Muslim forces. This sacking must have been the driving force behind Naropa's peregrination in the direction of Hemis. After Naropa and Tilopa met in Hemis they travelled back in the direction of a certain monastery in the now no longer existing kingdom of Maghada, called Otantra which has been identified as today's Otantapuri. Naropa is consered the founding father of the Kagyu-lineage of the Himalayan esoteric Buddhism. Hence Hemis is the main seat of the Kagyu lineage of Buddhism.

In 1894 Russian journalist Nicolas Notovitch claimed Hemis as the origin of an otherwise unknown gospel, the Life of Saint Issa, Best of the Sons of Men, in which Jesus is said to have traveled to India during his "lost years." According to Notovitch, the work had been preserved in the Hemis library, and was shown to him by the monks there while he was recuperating from a broken leg. But once his story had been re-examined by historians, Notovitch confessed to having fabricated the evidence. Bart D. Ehrman states that "Today there is not a single recognized scholar on the planet who has any doubts about the matter. The entire story was invented by Notovitch, who earned a good deal of money and a substantial amount of notoriety for his hoax". However, the Indian Pandit Swami Abhedananda also claims to have read the same manuscript, and published his account of viewing it after his visit to Hemis in 1921. Abhedananda claims on the book jacket that it was translated for him with the help of a "local Lama interpreter." In the same vein, Notovich did not initially translate the manuscript, but reported his Sherpa guide did so as Notovitch could not read the original text. Notovich's version of the manuscript was translated from Tibetan to Russian to French to English. According to Swami Abhedananda's account, his Lama's translation was equivalent to the one published by Notovich. The Gutenberg Project has published the entire manuscript as a free ebook.

 

Hemis Festival

The Hemis Festival is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) venerated as the Dance Performance at Hemis Monastery representative reincarnate of Buddha. He is believed to have been born on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Monkey year as predicted by the Buddha Shakyamuni. It is also believed that his life mission was, and remains, to improve the spiritual condition of all living beings. And so on this day, which comes once in a cycle of 12 years, Hemis observes a major extravaganza in his memory. The observance of these sacred rituals is believed to give spiritual strength and good health. The Hemis festival takes place in the rectangular courtyard in front of the main door of the monastery. The space is wide and open save two raised square platforms, three feet high with a sacred pole in the center. A raised dias with a richly cushioned seat with a finely painted small Tibetan table is placed with the ceremonial items - cups full of holy water, uncooked rice, tormas made of dough and butter and incense sticks. A number of musicians play the traditional music with four pairs of cymbals, large-pan drums, small trumpets and large size wind instruments. Next to them, a small space is assigned for the lamas to sit.

The ceremonies begin with an early morning ritual atop the Gompa where, to the beat of drums and the resounding clash of cymbals and the spiritual wail of pipes, the portrait of "Dadmokarpo" or "Rygyalsras Rimpoche" is then ceremoniously put on display for all to admire and worship.

The most esoteric of festivities are the mystic mask dances. The Mask Dances of Ladakh are referred collectively as chams Performance. Chams performance is essentially a part of Tantric tradition, performed only in those gompas which follow the Tantric Vajrayana teachings and the monks perform tantric worship.

Source: Wikipedia and others.

 

oil painting on canvas panel; 5x7"; SOLD

 

Cheerful, bird of truth, mind mysteries, joy, heals/balances/opens perceptions, teaches about voicing impressions and expressions. Titmouse teaches to use our voice and the immense power of small things and with small ideas. Titmouse teaches courage and empowerment along with being bold with discernment. A natural curiosity awakens your senses and surroundings. Pay attention to social settings. He teaches the art of flexibility. Incubation for development is 6-8 weeks time. Are you sharing your thoughts and opinions right now? Titmouse can show how to express ideals with timing.

"Everyone needs a place to rest, a time to rejuvenate and restore your soul. A soul without rest is vulnerable to doubt, disease, and dread. Without soul care, you risk being ineffective for the long term. So, allow your soul to catch up with your activity through rest. A restless soul loses hope and perspective.

 

Stop right now and take an audit of your soul. Is it strung out and anxious? If so, rearrange your schedule for rest before it rearranges you. A non-restful pace is unsustainable, and a restful place is necessary to persevere. Do not fall for the false feeling that activity somehow equals progress or success. Without rest, you are going nowhere fast. If you intensify the pace, you are going nowhere, faster.

 

Rest allows you to re-calibrate your priorities and replenish your cistern of creativity. Your work rhythms may require a day with no scheduled appointments. Indeed, each resting place looks different, depending on your need. For example, your resting place may be the quiet screened porch, where you relax with a cup of coffee and a good book.

 

For someone else, a resting place may be a comfortable couch, where they nap to the steady beat of raindrops pelting the rooftop. It can be the park where you walk with your best friend, a secluded drive in the countryside, or an adventurous exploration of the great Pacific Northwest. Whether your resting place is the beach, the mountains, or in front of a good movie, make time to engage with it. God speaks to you in your place of rest. This is one of His favorite spots to shape your soul.

 

Furthermore, your resting place allows you to resist temptation. Fatigue causes you to stumble and fall through life. If you are working through exhaustion, you may be missing God. A lethargic life struggles to listen to God, and a heart worn down from weariness has a hard time hearing His voice. A depleted spirit is not primed for discernment, and decision-making during duress can be dreadful.

 

Therefore, go away to a resting place. Find God and find yourself under the canopy of His creation. A resting place is your protection from yourself, from evil influences, and from lost perspective. Above all else, your resting place reveals God in a refreshing way. His program takes on a new priority in His place of rest. Your confidence is resurrected. Your trust takes on a new level of intensity. Your patience leads to a deeper understanding of what it means to wait on the God.

 

A resting place is for your sake and His. It is necessary to experience God’s very best for you and your family. Discover your resting place in prayer, and go there often. Repentance follows rest, and robust relationships result from rest. Your best and most creative ideas emerge from relaxed meditation on God. Wisdom resides in rest."

“God will speak to this people, to whom He said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest” Isaiah 28:11 b

(from Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey, )

 

Hope your weekend is filled with "fun and rest" and "rest in your fun", my very talented friends! Enjoy Him, cause' He sure enjoys YOU! : )

Photoshopped. Canvas textured.

  

Next day, on 12th of October, in the morning we visited Hemis Monastery again for a detailed study. This time I photographed many of the mural paintings and some fine wooden works inside the monastery. Many of the paintings reflected an unique mixing of Hinduism and Buddhism.

  

Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage, located in Hemis, Ladakh, India. Situated 45 km from Leh, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Hemis Monastery existed before the 11th century and was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. The annual Hemis festival honoring Padmasambhava is held here in early June.

 

Terma and tertöns : The essence of Tebetan Buddhism.

Padmasambhava (lit. "Lotus-Born"), also known as Guru Rinpoche, is a literary character of terma (Terma or "hidden treasure"- are key Tibetan Buddhist teaching, which the tradition holds were originally esoterically hidden by various adepts such as Padmasambhava and his consorts, in the 8th century for future discovery at auspicious times by other adepts, known as tertöns. As such, they represent a tradition of continuous revelation in Tibetan Buddhism. Termas are a part of Tantric Literature. Tradition holds that terma may be a physical object such as a text or ritual implement that is buried in the ground (or earth), hidden in a rock or crystal, secreted in a herb, or a tree, hidden in a lake (or water), or hidden in the sky (space). Though a literal understanding of terma is "hidden treasure", and sometimes objects are hidden away, the teachings associated should be understood as being “concealed within the mind of the guru”, that is, the true place of concealment is in the tertön's mindstream. If the concealed or encoded teaching or object is a text, it is often written in dakini script: a non-human type of code or writing).

  

Terma is an emanation of Amitabha (Amitābha or Amideva, is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism. Amitābha is the principal buddha in the Pure Land sect, a branch of Buddhism practiced mainly in East Asia, while in Vajrayana Amitābha is known for his longevity attribute, magnetising red fire element, the aggregate of discernment, pure perception and the deep awareness of emptiness of phenomena. According to these scriptures, Amitābha possesses infinite merits resulting from good deeds over countless past lives as a bodhisattva named Dharmakāra. "Amitābha" is translatable as "Infinite Light," hence Amitābha is also called "The Buddha of Immeasurable Life and Light" ).

Terma that is said to appear to tertons (A tertön is a discoverer of ancient texts or terma in Tibetan Buddhism) in visionary encounters and a focus of Tibetan Buddhist practice (Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet, Mongolia, Tuva, Bhutan, Kalmykia and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, and India (particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Dharamsala, Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. It is also practiced in Northeast China. Religious texts and commentaries are contained in the Tibetan Buddhist canon such that Tibetan is a spiritual language of these areas. The Tibetan diaspora has spread Tibetan Buddhism to many Western countries, where the tradition has gained popularity. Among its prominent exponents is the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. The number of its adherents is estimated to be between ten and twenty million).

 

History

Hemis Monastery existed before the 11th century. Naropa, the pupil of the yogi Tilopa, and teacher of the translator Marpa is connected with this monastery. A translation was made by A. Grünwedel (Nӑro und Tilo,: Festschrift Ernst Kuhn, München 1916) of Naropa's biography that was found in Hemis monastery.

In this manuscript Naropa (or Naro) meets the "dark blue" (Skr.: nila: dark blue or black) Tilopa (or Tillo), a tantric master, who gives Naropa 12 "great" and 12 "small" tasks to do in order to enlighten him to the inherent emptiness/illusoriness of all things. Naropa is depicted as the "abbott of Nalanda" (F. Wilhelm, Prüfung und Initiation im Buche Pausya und in der Biographie des Naropa, Wiesbaden 1965, p. 70), the university-monastery in today's Bihar, India, that flourished until the sacking by Turkish and Afghan Muslim forces. This sacking must have been the driving force behind Naropa's peregrination in the direction of Hemis. After Naropa and Tilopa met in Hemis they travelled back in the direction of a certain monastery in the now no longer existing kingdom of Maghada, called Otantra which has been identified as today's Otantapuri. Naropa is consered the founding father of the Kagyu-lineage of the Himalayan esoteric Buddhism. Hence Hemis is the main seat of the Kagyu lineage of Buddhism.

In 1894 Russian journalist Nicolas Notovitch claimed Hemis as the origin of an otherwise unknown gospel, the Life of Saint Issa, Best of the Sons of Men, in which Jesus is said to have traveled to India during his "lost years." According to Notovitch, the work had been preserved in the Hemis library, and was shown to him by the monks there while he was recuperating from a broken leg. But once his story had been re-examined by historians, Notovitch confessed to having fabricated the evidence. Bart D. Ehrman states that "Today there is not a single recognized scholar on the planet who has any doubts about the matter. The entire story was invented by Notovitch, who earned a good deal of money and a substantial amount of notoriety for his hoax". However, the Indian Pandit Swami Abhedananda also claims to have read the same manuscript, and published his account of viewing it after his visit to Hemis in 1921. Abhedananda claims on the book jacket that it was translated for him with the help of a "local Lama interpreter." In the same vein, Notovich did not initially translate the manuscript, but reported his Sherpa guide did so as Notovitch could not read the original text. Notovich's version of the manuscript was translated from Tibetan to Russian to French to English. According to Swami Abhedananda's account, his Lama's translation was equivalent to the one published by Notovich. The Gutenberg Project has published the entire manuscript as a free ebook.

 

Hemis Festival

The Hemis Festival is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) venerated as the Dance Performance at Hemis Monastery representative reincarnate of Buddha. He is believed to have been born on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Monkey year as predicted by the Buddha Shakyamuni. It is also believed that his life mission was, and remains, to improve the spiritual condition of all living beings. And so on this day, which comes once in a cycle of 12 years, Hemis observes a major extravaganza in his memory. The observance of these sacred rituals is believed to give spiritual strength and good health. The Hemis festival takes place in the rectangular courtyard in front of the main door of the monastery. The space is wide and open save two raised square platforms, three feet high with a sacred pole in the center. A raised dias with a richly cushioned seat with a finely painted small Tibetan table is placed with the ceremonial items - cups full of holy water, uncooked rice, tormas made of dough and butter and incense sticks. A number of musicians play the traditional music with four pairs of cymbals, large-pan drums, small trumpets and large size wind instruments. Next to them, a small space is assigned for the lamas to sit.

The ceremonies begin with an early morning ritual atop the Gompa where, to the beat of drums and the resounding clash of cymbals and the spiritual wail of pipes, the portrait of "Dadmokarpo" or "Rygyalsras Rimpoche" is then ceremoniously put on display for all to admire and worship.

The most esoteric of festivities are the mystic mask dances. The Mask Dances of Ladakh are referred collectively as chams Performance. Chams performance is essentially a part of Tantric tradition, performed only in those gompas which follow the Tantric Vajrayana teachings and the monks perform tantric worship.

Source: Wikipedia and others.

 

"For if the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also "

James 2:26

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't know if it's appropriate to share it with in this public page, but I am not

mentioning names or make indication who it is. But this is just simply airing

my deepest concerns in writing.

I don't necessarily aim at getting reactions or feedbacks regarding this I wrote.

As it gets so complicated to read and understand this. I'm not even sure if

anyone reads this as I do sometimes skip reading what people put under

their photos when I'm in a hurry . So I knew what it's like . Let's face it,

most of us are having time constraints and I understand it all.

Anyway , maybe it's better few or no one reads this

at all to only misunderstand me or for the worse think I am the

dark villain hiding in white robe. This is simply a form of coping

mechanism I do to ventilate things a little bit more but

maintaining anonymity with the person concern whilst

expressing my stand in the Lord .

  

I prayed and approached dearly an extended family whom I thought has gone astray

from walking with God. This person was used to be born-again Christian, we go

in the same church , we were baptized underwater together as a group . But

now this person was completely transformed to a different persona than what

she used to be. She go to night clubs, heavy partying with the ungodly friends,

and from her posted pictures alone , is worrying me , as they surely weren't

something of familiar modesty and of anyone living walking with the

ways of God. Base from my observations alone, it gets me burdened

of this person for some time .

After this person's crumbled marriage , then followed few failed relationships.

Then being in a live-in relationship right now , is just like submitting to the

commands of the devil over-again, another fornication on the plate .

It another defeat coming on this person .We can't always with

live chronically lying too. Having continually /wilfully sinning in life is making

portals of darkness and demons to oppress our lives. Having known

the commandments of God , this person is aware of what she's doing .

My heart broke of how this person have gone through . Instead of knowing

it is the time to cling on to the Lord closer , rather it gets her farther and

farther from the Lord. I am not condemning but we have to judge

righteously as we are told - that from my discernments this person

needs pure deliverance .

An unmarried union still fall under fornication . I am deeply saddened

this person has completely backslidden from God.

 

As believers we are told in the Book of Isaiah that we have the accountability

of warning people whose ways are doomed to the pits of hell if they would not

repent. Being a christian like many us are and claim to be , we should not remain

like an undercover agent - an under cover christian . Many do shy

away or are embarrassed to say the name of Jesus so they can please people

and gain approval of the world . You see many Christians- to- be are friends

of the world. Some take on the ideas of political correctness , moral relativism

which eradicates moral absolutes , that which is completely contradicting the

commandments of God .

 

If we don't warn our love ones according to God's ways, we

have their blood in our hands because we didn't take our duty to

warn them. Many are men pleasers as most of us are , because we

are afraid to offend and hurt people in case it goes the other way

around. But then we are not pleasing God . We tend to compromise the work

of God by fear of possible retributions from people we love should we interfere.

Giving warnings to people we care about , if all done by pure love , I believe

is our duty as Christians . It's our duty of love if only possible to snatch away

all our loves ones from going to the pits of hell.

 

We can not force anyone to follow the Lord but we can give encouragements .

Choosing God is a personal decision and individual choice from the heart.

The act of reminding the person you care about is a duty. Should this person perish

then you've washed your hands from your accountability, and you've done your part .

  

So going back to this extended family member , my cares was taken

badly by this person. Despite how I said it to her with love and gentle words .

She virtually pushed me back and justified herself going to church and still claim

she is a Christian and that God is love and that with God there is peace.

That she said when God is peace, that I should not talk to her like it .

That what I am talking to her wasn't of peace , then it should not be of God.

Then she flush me out / blocked me out. This person is in my prayers of

deliverance .

 

We can't follow the Lord when one foot also dancing with the world and enjoying

all music offered to devils. Most musicians , bands singing for the world today

are for the world not for the Lord. In fact many do engage with occult practices

dark covenants - yet millions are hooked with their music.

 

Friendship of the world is an enemy of God, pure and simple.

 

"You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the

world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is

the enemy of God."

James 4:4

 

Most churches nowadays are giving sermons about God and His very nature full of

love but they're avoiding sermons of conviction of sins and call for pure repentance.

People with itchy ears like to listen to sermons like this , as everything is ok ,

even then living with the ways of the world is ok, too. These churches have big

followings as people feel comfortable with the sermons . The great apostasy is

happening and many are falling into the trap of world deception and are heading

to pits of hell.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  

Interesting Discussions : ( repost )

  

Tribulation-Now Radio, 14th July 2013 - Alien Human Hybrids Living

  

Tribulation-Now Radio, 19th June 2013 - Inside the Gates of Heaven with Oden

 

EXPOSED Satan's Last Days Hybrid Breeding Program - Part 1 Biblical Framework

 

The Hybrid Breeding Program by LA Marzulli

  

Did Comet ISON Cause an Apocalypse in the Ancient Past?

 

I strong verse proclaiming the demand of God for us .I like this verse .

If one likes to serve God and do love God with all their hearts, then demonstrate it with your actions that you love God truly .Jesus is coming soon . See the signs as was told in the Bible.

The Spirit of God will guide you if you search truly for truth and ask God .If you are close to the Lord ,you will know time is getting so near .

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

DESTRUCTION OF DAMASCUS IS HAPPENING RIGHT IN OUR TIME!

THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST DAYS BIBLICAL PROPHECIES TO BE FULFILLED AND NOW UNDERWAY - for Damscus as heap of ruins.

 

Are these middleast wars happening today specific and connecting to what Jesus said as signs of His coming - " rumours of wars"in Matthew 24 .

Too many wars happening through the ages between countries ,Kingdoms .

But when this will involve the ordained nation of Israel , my gut feeling says -this is it !

I do feel we are right into the Birth pangs.

 

Can any external forces stop this conflict in Syria ?

 

I doubt it . Syria conflict has reached the point of no return .

 

This prophecy of Damascus has to be fulfilled otherwise what God has told will make Him become a liar.Just observed what happens next --

 

The Bible stated in the book of Isaiah chaper 17 of the horrible events that will take place in the lands of Israel and Syria. One of these events is the disappearance of Damascus as one of the premiere cities in the world. The oldest continuously inhabited city on the planet, Damascus has witnessed at least 5,000 years of human history, and some historians believe the city actually dates back to the seventh millennium BC. In fact, Paul was on the road to Damascus when Christ first appeared to Him, an event that transformed not only his life, but the course of human history.

 

To those Christians keeping an eye of events linking to prophecies ,I assume you know these things to happen and I don't doubt this is the one.

   

“This message came to me concerning Damascus: ‘Look, Damascus will disappear! It will become a heap of ruins. The cities of Aroer will be deserted. Sheep will graze in the streets and lie down unafraid. There will be no one to chase them away. The fortified cities of Israel will also be destroyed, and the power of Damascus will end. The few left in Aram will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 17:1-3 (NLT)

 

But Israel would never be removed ,the Bible said so.

Though Israel become a burdensome stone ,perhaps of what Israel will do to all those nations on alliance coming to attack her .These gonna happen friends .

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

PROPHECY HAPPENING IN OUR TIMES - proves the Bible is the word of God !!!!

 

HEAVY FIGHTING IN DAMASCUS from Paul Begley

    

Breaking News - British Forces Invade Assad's Compound - Look into Isaiah 17:1 - not happened ever to Damascus ,now happening in our times !!!!

   

Mid-East Prophecy Update - June 17th, 2012

    

Breaking News - Furious Turkey mobilizes tanks, troops to Syrian border

   

Turkey Tanks At Syria Border, Russia Recognizes Palestine!

   

Turkey Deploying Tanks on Syrian Border

  

www.arewelivinginthelastdays.com/articles.htm - good site of the prophecies!

  

www.arewelivinginthelastdays.com/road/mewar.html - MIDDLEAST WAR

Psalm 83 war - Listen /watch the video .

    

Turkey Threatens Syria With Retaliation

   

Carl Gallups on the Rob Schilling Show - LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN EGYPT - Shocking!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Christian views of the prophecies and end time events happening :

  

The Watchers 2: Signs In The Heavens and the Earth - by Dr. Marzulli

   

Breaking News - Gulf Armies on High Alert Pending Syria Action

  

Syria "NATO To Attack Damascus" Unconfirmed / Assad Confined

 

Endtime News Update 6-28-12

  

Perry Stone Defends The Pre-Tribulation Rapture - Zechariah 9:14

   

Jewish Christian details Possible Rapture Timeline from Hebrew Calendar

     

The Rapture will happen (1 of 3)

  

The Rapture will happen (2 of 3)

       

The Rapture will happen (3 of 3)

     

Prophetic signs that have taken place this month (June 2012)

    

Obamacare Supreme Court Ruling! RFID? Micro-Chip 666

   

Maine Prepares For Zombie Apocalypse Emergency Drills!

    

MAINE PREPARING FOR ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE RIGHT NOW!!!

Zombies in Texas ,NY ,Illinois ? lol ,this is it ,as people want it .

I 've said from my observations through the years that halloween has captivated hearts of many with evidence by how get on with celebrating it .Majority of people regard it as non-harmful part of tradition .Some would get to the extent to defend it like mad .The halloween spirit has also influenced the fashion industry . Around halloween many dressed up especially children as little witches ,zombies ,vampires etc ,from mild to extreme playing trick or treats.Halloween fashion is a big industry .There's big trading for dark paraphernalias,to clothing , halloween house decors ,music ,food products such as candies and cakes .Western culture has adopted it into its tradition to put jack-o -lanterns in their front yards without even its dark origins . Then you get rise of a different vampirism inspired fashion ,portrayed as cool and hip trend among the youths .The arrival of the Harry Potter series of books /movies ,rise of vampiric movies /tv series e.g. Stephany Meyer's Vampire saga added more fkavour to dominion of darkness in our age especially with young people who hardly recognize "back and white".These factors lay foundations of change for the unsuspecting lukewarm /apostate majority in acceptance of transforming dark essence of the occult into many lives with with very poor discernment .

Made me wonder where's the christian churches in these changing times to stand for the truth of Christ . Churches seem to have gone quiete from real issues of the times. I wonder if this is the real fulfilmment of prophecies about end time apostacy of the church - meaning ,many will leave faith in the end times .Apart from growing desbelief you can see of people, many will follow false doctrines,new age doctrines /doctrines of demons proliferating .Even Satanism is now considered a religion . It's not anymore any secret or a taboo .With the explosion of occults ,witchcrafts ,Satanism in our midst ,the churches have gonee timid . I suspect many churches must have gone lukewarm , apostate or gone completely comatose to make a stand to defend the faith .In terms of zombies happening in real life in our time ,possibly it will.There are evidence suggesting events fitteng descriptions of zombie-like pestilence which had occured and cost many lives in the past .Just do your own research.The Holy Bible also has passages implying of zombies " walking pestilence" and also in the Book of Zaccharia .I don't have time to give verses references yet but I'll repost this later .

  

The Elite's Eugenics Agenda : Alex Jones / Lord Monckton

     

Saudis Forces Mass On Jordan, And Iraq Borders War

 

London Olympic Evacuation plan,Drones and 200,000 casket linings EXPOSED by Reporter

    

NEW Terrorist Threat - 2012 London Olympics - Undercover Journalist - with interview of the undercover journalist Lee Hazledean .

The Colors of Buddha Statues - Symbolism and Practical Application from a Rovingian Perspective - The Buddha Of Hadda by Daniel Arrhakis (2026)

 

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The Symbolism of Colors in Buddha Statues: A Rovingian Perspective

 

Compositions, Meanings, and Practical Applications in the Ritualism of Nomadic Monks

 

The compositions, the colors of the stones, and the features of Buddha statues are elements laden with meaning in the Buddhist context, representing virtues, elements, and aiding in the transformation of human illusions into wisdom.

These attributes are not merely decorative; they serve as true meditative and spiritual instruments, especially in the Rovingian perspective, where traditional iconography dialogues with ritualistic practices.

 

The Five Specific Colors (Pancha-varna) and Their Meanings

 

In Tibetan Buddhism, five fundamental colors symbolize the "Five Pure Lights," each associated with elements and virtues:

 

- Blue: Represents wisdom and healing.

 

- White: Symbolizes learning and knowledge.

 

- Red: Is linked to vital force and passion.

 

- Green: Relates to balance and karma.

 

- Yellow: Signifies firmness and renunciation.

 

Spiritual Energy of Stones and Colors from a Rovingian Perspective

 

For Rovingian nomadic monks, both stones and colors possess an intrinsic spiritual energy. These elements can be used in ritualistic processes of protection and restoration of balance, both local and personal, being essential tools in spiritual practice.

 

Face Painting and the Use of Colors in Rituals

 

Red is the most commonly used color in monks' face painting, but more demanding rituals may require other colors. These are applied to the forehead or chin in a vertical line, and in rare cases, may cover the entire face and hands.

Circular or elliptical shapes are always avoided, distancing themselves from the representative sacredness of the Buddha's own Urn.

 

This Rovingian approach mixes iconographic tradition and ritualistic pragmatism, making the symbolism of colors dynamic, transmuting from the stone to the body through pigments.

 

Symbolism of Colors and Ritualistic Application

 

In the Rovingian tradition, colors not only have an aesthetic function, but are true instruments of spiritual balance. Each color has a distinct meaning and application:

 

*White (Peace and Purity): Used to dispel mental confusion. The white mark on the forehead anchored the clarity of Vairocana, transforming the monk's face into a "screen of emptiness," symbolizing the abdication of individuality and making him a pure channel for spiritual intervention.

 

*Black (Stable Wisdom): Applied to transmute anger into discernment, invoking the energy of Akshobhya. Used for the absorption of negativity and protection.

 

*Yellow/Gold (Renunciation): Represents spiritual prosperity. Its use in rituals aims to attract good fortune and strengthen detachment.

 

*Green (Fearless Action): Focused on growth and protection against fear, being the color of the active harmony of Amoghasiddhi.

 

*Red (Vital Force): Predominant in the monks' paintings, it represents Amitabha's compassion and the transformation of desire. It invokes vital and ancestral energy, being the color of action and vigor to confront local demons or purify places marked by dramatic events.

 

*Orange: Symbolizes the supreme wisdom of Dharma. It represents humility, renunciation of material desires, and commitment to spiritual practice.

 

*Blue (Healing): Associated with the Medicine Buddha. Blue pigments or stones like lapis lazuli are used for the absorption of dense energies and spiritual healing.

 

The Practice of Face Painting and Ritualistic Rigor

 

The Rovingian tradition establishes a clear distinction between the devotee and the deity:

 

- Geometric Forms: Vertical lines on the forehead or chin align the monk's energy with the axis of the world.

 

- Circle/Urn Prohibition: Painting circular or elliptical shapes that imitate the urn, the symbol between the eyebrows of the Buddha, is not permitted, ensuring that the monk acts only as a channel, without usurping the sacredness of full enlightenment.

 

- Full Coverage: In highly demanding rites, color may cover the entire face and hands, functioning as a "vibrational armor" to confront deep local imbalances.

  

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O Simbolismo das Cores nas Estátuas de Buda: Perspetiva Rovingiana

 

Composições, Significados e Aplicações Práticas no Ritualismo dos Monges Nómadas

 

As composições, as cores das pedras e as feições das estátuas de Buda são elementos carregados de significado no contexto budista, representando virtudes, elementos e auxiliando na transformação das ilusões humanas em sabedoria. Estes atributos não são apenas decorativos; servem como verdadeiros instrumentos meditativos e espirituais, especialmente na perspetiva rovingiana, onde a iconografia tradicional dialoga com práticas ritualísticas.

 

As Cinco Cores Específicas (Pancha-varna) e Seus Significados

 

No budismo tibetano, cinco cores fundamentais simbolizam as "Cinco Luzes Puras", cada uma associada a elementos e virtudes:

 

- Azul: Representa sabedoria e cura.

 

- Branco: Simboliza aprendizagem e conhecimento.

 

- Vermelho: Está ligado à força vital e paixão.

 

- Verde: Relaciona-se com equilíbrio e karma.

 

- Amarelo: Significa firmeza e renúncia.

 

Energia Espiritual das Pedras e Cores na Perspetiva Rovingiana

 

Para os monges nómadas rovingianos, tanto as pedras quanto as cores possuem uma energia espiritual intrínseca. Estes elementos podem ser usados em processos ritualísticos de proteção e de reposição de equilíbrios, tanto locais quanto pessoais, sendo ferramentas essenciais na prática espiritual.

 

Pinturas Faciais e Uso das Cores em Rituais

 

A cor vermelha é a mais utilizada nas pinturas faciais dos monges, mas rituais mais exigentes podem requerer outras cores. Estas são aplicadas na testa ou no queixo em forma de risco vertical, e em casos raros, podem cobrir toda a face e mãos. Evita-se sempre a forma circular ou elíptica, afastando-se da sacralidade representativa da Urna do próprio Buda.

 

Esta abordagem rovingiana mistura tradição iconográfica e pragmatismo ritualista, tornando o simbolismo das cores dinâmico, transmutando-se da pedra para o corpo através de pigmentos.

 

Simbolismo das Cores e Aplicação Ritualística

 

Na tradição rovingiana, as cores não têm apenas função estética, mas são verdadeiros instrumentos de equilíbrio espiritual. Cada cor tem um significado e aplicação distintas:

 

*Branco (Paz e Pureza): Utilizada para dissipar confusão mental. O traço branco na testa ancorava a claridade de Vairocana, transformando o rosto do monge numa "tela de vazio", simbolizando a abdicação da individualidade e tornando-o um canal puro de intervenção espiritual.

 

*Negro (Sabedoria Estável): Aplicado para transmutar raiva em discernimento, invocando a energia de Akshobhya. Usado para absorção de negatividade e proteção.

 

*Amarelo/Dourado (Renúncia): Representa prosperidade espiritual. Seu uso em rituais visa atrair sorte e fortalecer o desapego.

 

*Verde (Ação Destemida): Focado no crescimento e proteção contra o medo, sendo a cor da harmonia ativa de Amoghasiddhi.

 

*Vermelho (Força Vital): Predominante nas pinturas dos monges, representa compaixão de Amitabha e transformação do desejo. Invoca energia vital e ancestral, sendo a cor da ação e vigor para confrontar génios do lugar ou purificar locais marcados por eventos dramáticos.

 

*Laranja: Simboliza sabedoria suprema do Dharma. Representa humildade, renúncia aos desejos materiais e compromisso com a prática espiritual.

 

*Azul (Cura): Associado ao Buda da Medicina. Pigmentos azuis ou pedras como lápis-lazúli são usados para absorção de energias densas e cura espiritual.

 

A Prática das Pinturas Faciais e o Rigor Ritualístico

 

A tradição rovingiana estabelece uma clara distinção entre o devoto e a divindade:

 

- Formas Geométricas: Os riscos verticais na testa ou no queixo alinham a energia do monge com o eixo do mundo.

 

- Proibição do Círculo/Urna: Não se permite pintar formas circulares ou elípticas que imitem a urna, sinal entre sobrancelhas, do Buda, garantindo que o monge atua apenas como canal, sem usurpar a sacralidade da iluminação plena.

 

- Cobertura Total: Em ritos de elevada exigência, a cor pode cobrir toda a face e mãos, funcionando como uma "armadura vibracional" para enfrentar desequilíbrios locais profundos.

   

John Henry Cardinal Newman's Apologia Pro Vita Sua and a small compilation of some of his Marian quotes, Mary, The Second Eve.

Contemplative Ways:

 

In all complexity, can we be simple?

 

In successes, can we be humble?

 

After sinning, can we foregive ourselves?

 

Can we love all, while warring?

 

Can we bias filled, not hate?

 

Have a marvelous Sunday with God!

 

EXPLORE # 369 on Monday, June 23, 2008

Aun sigo pensando en un titulo para esta foto,...

 

En fin, hoy fue un muy buen dia!(60F/15C en Enero! yuppi!) Disfrute mucho el sermon que predico el pastor Otto sobre Filipenses en la iglesia y siento que Dios me animo por medio de su Palabra a amar mas a mis hermanos y no fijarme en si ellos me están amando o no. Y al contrario orar para que podamos amar con discernimiento,conocimiento y con el concepto que Dios tiene de lo que es verdaderamente amar. Ademasssss de unos cambios en la musica (BATERIA!<3) y de poder ver a mis hermanos&hermanas en Cristo:). Despues tuvimos a unos nuevo amigos para comer y conocernos mejor. Me animaron mucho a seguir adelante cuando vieron mis pinturas y fotos y eso obviamente me animo mucho asi que de ahi, Dan & yo nos fuimos en un mini-viaje por la carretera siguiendo el atardecer:)! y esta fue una de las fotos que conseguí, taran!

 

El Fin:P

 

Prints/Impresiones

Twitter___________

 

I'm still thinking for a title for this photo...

 

Anyway, today was a really good day!(60F on January!!!wohoo!) I really enjoyed listening the sermon that Pastor Otto preached about Philippians & i feel like God encourage me through His Word to love my brothers&sisters more & to not put attention if they are loving me or not. On the contrary, to pray so that we can love with discernment, knowledge and the concept that God has of what truly love is. AND also....i really enjoyed the changes that we had in our worship music (DRUMS!<3) & to be able to see my brothers&sisters in Christ.:) After that we had a couple new friends over for lunch and we were able to get to know each other a little bit better. They encourage me a lot to keep going with photography & painting when the saw my art. And obviously that encourage me even more. So then, Dan & i took a mini-trip on the highway following the sunset! And this is one of the photos i got. :)

 

The End:P

  

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**If you are interested on getting a PRINTS and other things go to the link below:)

fineartamerica.com/featured/through-the-sunset-mariana-wa...

Je suis Charlie: We are all transparent in this world, knowing how each other might feel on certain issues, why should anyone be above someone else because they believe in something others don't? Distressingly a lot of discernment and killings caused by allegiance to an old man long ago and now most probably because of the barbaric actions getting extinct.

 

__________________________________

Outlining a Theory of General Creativity . .

. . on a 'Pataphysical projectory

 

Entropy ≥ Memory ● Creativity ²

__________________________________

 

Study of the day:

 

In earlier times, Watch it ! The little bird is coming out ! was a common sentence used by my grandfather to signal us to stay still during the exposure ! I was waiting for a long time without to see any bird coming out, of course. Now I believe I know why !

  

THE ALLEGORY OF CAMERA & OBSCURA

 

Once upon a time there was two small dark boxes, illuminated with certainties. Two small empty heads, full of hope, and whose sensitive soul was waiting until the external light penetrates them to dazzle them with an image of the "True Reality”. At the proper time, they finally opened.

 

Camera in pursuit of the Absolute, wanted all to see without any reflection. All, absolutely All ! Then, at the proper time, she decided to be totally overcome by the "True Entropic Reality", all her sensitivity offered to intensely feel everything, without any prejudice, without thinking one second with all these words which darkens the mind more than they enlighten it. She installed a hypersensitive film which she will push in spite of its coarse grain. She tuned her diaphragm to the maximum aperture, a long time, and gave up herself to ecstatically feel the whole true light of the whole True Entropic Reality.

 

Obscura in quest of the Universal Knowledge, wanted all to know precisely, he wanted all to understand and memorize with a maximum of details and discernment. Then at the proper time, he decided to focuse a depth of field as deep as possible, to choose a pause time as short as possible, to be sure to get the highest neatness of the True Real Universal Memory. He installed a hyperfine grain film which he will develop energetically to compensate its low sensitivity. He tuned the aperture at less than anything, and adjusted the pause time at an infinitesimal fraction of nothing.

 

The moral of the story ? All the photographers will say it to you !

 

Camera obtained the most luminous image which is at ounce the fuzziest one, an immaculate uniform Absolute Entropic white 100%blank.

 

Obscura obtained the finest image which is at ounce the darkest one, an immaculate uniform Universal black 100%blank.

 

From now on, they choose exposures suitable to create less blind images.

 

Camera finally formed in her several suspicions of True Reality. They are images as poor of Absolute Sensitivity as weak of Universal Knowledge, but they are marvellous and magic images, illuminated by unexpected shapes and colors, whistled by the calls of colored shadows. In the neighbourhood of the Absolute Entropy, each cell of Camera opens like a white sapphire prism dispersing and breaking up the Entropic light in colored iridescences. Now, from her cells juxtaposition are emerging lines and shapes, metamorphosing the dazzling Entropic light in simple but unknowable .. transcendent shadows, only lacking some .. illusive bird calls to give them a name.

 

Obscura finally formed in him several suspicions of True Reality. They are images as poor of Universal Knowledge as weak of Absolute Sensitivity, but they are marvellous and magic images, rich of ambiguous signs and senses. In the neighbourhood of the Universal Memory, each cell of Obscura opens like a black sapphire crystal dispersing and breaking up the universal darkness in colored enlightening sparks. Now, from his cells juxtapositions are emerging vowels, consonants and others signs, metamorphosing the gloomy universal darkness in simple but unknowable .. transcendent bird calls, only lacking some .. illusive shadows to give them a sense.

 

Listen ! The little birds are shading off !

_________________________________

rectO-persO | E ≥ m.C² | co~errAnce | TiLt

 

 

__________________________________________________

Outlining a Theory of General Creativity . .

. . on a 'Pataphysical projectory

 

Entropy ≥ Memory ● Creativity ²

__________________________________________________

 

Study of the day:

 

Allégorie de Camera ▲ Obscura

(ou comment il n'est de discernement et d'entendement qu'en renonçant dialogiquement, à la quête d'une Absolue perception et d'une Universel connaissance.)

 

Il était une fois deux petites boîtes sombres, illuminées de certitudes ; deux petites têtes vides, pleines d'espoir ; dont l'âme sensible attendait impatiente que la lumière extérieure les pénètra pour faire naître en elles une image vraie de la Réalité Vraie.

 

Quand le moment fut venu, elles s'ouvrirent.

 

Camera, en quête d'Absolu voulait tout ressentir sans chercher à comprendre. Tout percevoir, absolument Tout ! Le moment venu, elle décida de se laisser submerger par la plus violente énergie possible, toute sa sensibilité offerte à la jouissance de tout engloutir intensément, sans aucun jugement, sans penser une seconde avec ces mots qui obscurcissent l'esprit plus qu'ils ne l'éclairent. Elle installa un film hypersensible qu'elle pousserait au développement malgré son gros grain. Elle ouvrit son diaphragme au maximum, longtemps, et s'abandonna à l'ivresse extatique d'absorber sans retenue tout le flot entropique de la Réalité Vraie qui s'engouffrait en elle.

 

Obscura, en quête d'Universel voulait tout comprendre sans se laisser émouvoir. Tout concevoir ! Absolument tout ! Le moment venu, elle décida de tout distinguer avec la plus grande profondeur de champ possible, toute son intelligence concentrée à tout discerner avec finesse, sans la moindre distorsion, sans céder à la tentation de croire à ces apparences qui éblouissent plus qu'elles n'éclairent. Elle installa un film à grain hyperfin qu'elle développerait rudement pour compenser sa faible sensibilité. Elle ouvrit dans son diaphragme un interstice minuscule, un infime instant, et concentra toute sa minutieuse lucidité à détecter le sens de la moindre particule de Réalité Vraie qui parviendrait à s'infiltrer en elle.

 

La morale de cette histoire ? Tous les photographes vous la dirons !

 

Camera obtint l'image la plus lumineuse qui soit, c'est à dire l'image la plus floue à la fois, d'un blanc aussi immaculé qu'uniforme.

 

Obscura obtint l'image la plus nette qui soit, c'est à dire l'image la plus sombre à la fois, d'un noir aussi immaculé qu'uniforme.

 

Laquelle eut tort ou raison ? Laissons cette dichotomie manichéenne à tous les donneurs de leçons stupides, à tous les castrateurs en théologie du mal et du bien, à tous les marchands de bonnets d'âne du saint marché des bons-points, à tous les coureurs de records à podiums collectionneurs d'échecs à médailles.

 

Observons plutôt comment la diajonction de leurs expériences respectives leur apporta finalement la réponse ultime à la question initiale : Quelle image peut-on discerner de la Réalité Vraie ? Ou autrement dit, avec la joie de pictosopher : Quelle est l'épaisseur des apparences ?

  

Désormais, lorsqu'elles choisissent une ouverture et un temps de pause susceptibles de former des images moins aveuglées, Camera et Obscura sentent se former en elles quelques soupçons de Réalité Vraie, des images aussi pauvres de Sensibilité Absolue que démunies de Connaisssance Universelle, mais des images merveilleuses et magiques, aussi riches de signes ambivalents que de sèmes ambigus, illuminées de formes et de couleurs inattendues, toutes d'innonbrables demiVérités.

 

Elles sont devenues sages, parce qu'elles savent que tout en prenant des milliards d'autres images, la Réalité Vraie leur restera à jamais inconnaissable. Elles sont devenues sages lorsqu'elles cherchent ce qu'il y a hors champ, lorsqu'elles cherchent ce qui se passait avant et ce qui arrivera après, lorsqu'elles cherchent l'invisible sous l'infra-rouge et au-delà de l'ultra-violet, lorsqu'elles cherchent ce qu'il y a à voir ailleurs quand elles sont là, et là quand elles sont ailleurs, en somme lorsqu'elles cherchent, . . simplement parce qu'elles cherchent.

 

Elles sont devenues sages lorsqu'elles s'interrogent sur ce que pensent et ressentent profondément, les autres petites chambres obscures d'à coté. Lorsque de temps en temps, interconnectées sur le réseau des réseaux des camera-obscura, elles se racontent leurs éblouissements respectifs et partagent leurs aveuglements réciproques.

 

Elles sont devenues sages, émerveillées d'être des mémoires qui résistent à l'Entropie, émerveillées d'être sensibles à l'infime surface visible de l'inconnaissable, émerveillées d'être à la fois transcendantes et superfétatoires, où que ce soit, quand que ce soit, sur le pli du Vide Médian.

 

__________________________________________________

(debating against the Plato's allegory of the cavern) :

  

"Allegory of Camera ▲ Obscura".

 

Once upon a time there was two small dark boxes, illuminated with certainties, two small empty heads, full of hope, and whose sensitive soul was waiting until the external light penetrates them to dazzle them with an image of the "True Reality”. At the proper time, they finally opened.

 

Camera in pursuit of the Absolute, wanted all to see without any reflection. All, absolutely All ! Then, at the proper time, it decided to be totally overcome by the "True Entropic Reality", all its sensitivity offered to intensely feel everything, without any prejudice, without thinking one second with all these words which darkens the mind more than they enlighten it. It installed a hypersensitive film which it will push in spite of its coarse grain. It tuned her diaphragm to the maximum aperture, a long time, and gave up itself to ecstatically feel the whole true light of the whole True Entropic Reality.

 

Obscura in quest of the Universal Knowledge, wanted all to know precisely, it wanted all to understand and memorize with a maximum of details and discernment. Then at the proper time, it decided to focuse a depth of field as deep as possible, to choose a pause time as short as possible, to be sure to get the highest neatness of the True Real Universal Memory. It installed a hyperfine grain film which it will develop energetically to compensate its low sensitivity. It tuned the aperture at less than anything, and adjusted the pause time at an infinitesimal fraction of nothing.

 

The moral of the story ? All the photographers will say it to you !

 

Camera obtained the most luminous image which is at ounce the fuzziest one, an immaculate uniform Absolute Entropic white 100%blank.

 

Obscura obtained the finest image which is at ounce the darkest one, an immaculate uniform Universal black 100%blank.

 

From now on, when it chooses an aperture and a time of pause suitable to create less blind images, Camera finally formed in it several suspicions of True Reality. They are images as poor of Absolute Sensitivity as weak of Universal Knowledge, but they are marvellous and magic images, illuminated by unexpected shapes and colors.

 

In the neighbourhood of the Absolute Entropy, each cell of Camera opens like a white sapphire prism dispersing and breaking up the Entropic light in colored iridescences. From her cells juxtaposition are emerging lines and shapes, metamorphosing the dazzling Entropic light in simple but unknowable .. shapes, only lacking some .. words to name them.

 

From now on, when it chooses an aperture and a time of pause suitable to create less blind images, Obscura finally formed in it several suspicions of True Reality. They are images as poor of Universal Knowledge as weak of Absolute Sensitivity, but they are marvellous and magic images, rich of ambiguous signs and senses.

 

In the neighbourhood of the Universal Memory, each cell of Obscura opens like a black sapphire crystal dispersing and breaking up the universal darkness in colored enlightening sparks. From her cells juxtapositions are emerging now vowels, consonants and others signs, metamorphosing the gloomy universal darkness in simple but unknowable .. words, only lacking some .. shapes to imagine them.

 

__________________________________________________

rectO-persO | E ≥ m.C² | co~errAnce | TiLt

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise .

Proverbs 6:6

 

"How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?"

Proverbs 6:9

 

"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."

Proverbs 13:4

 

Note: I'm not mocking this guy I found sleeping under the tree near church premises. I don't know what he does for a living. I just saw it as a great photo opportunity. This post isn't personally denegrating this fellow, but only as an example in general.

 

The Bible doesn't condone lazybones ( I'm not talking about this guy, but to many across the board as there are people who are lazy, although they can work ,they like the easy way by being dependent on others.We all have to work with all honesty at heart. Paul the apostle work at the same time during his ministry of the gospel of Christ and wasn't dependent of what other people can give to him or from the church people for his food.

 

" For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." 2 Thessalonian 3:10

 

I do noticed some Christians do make their own ministries online particular in YouTube and asking for donations . I am not saying about the Christian researchers as they invested time to bring about facts, they are NOT what I am talking about.

There's one I've come across who made a particular video , declaring her plea for more donations since her ministry has saved souls and blessed people. What ? This person is a stay at home mom. You can claim you saved people . In the first place it's the Holy Spirit that convicts people's hearts, not a ministry or taking back God's glory to ones own. A ministry to save souls is only a tool spreading the word.

This persona has already had 45 people making donations worldwide and she's encouraging many to donate out thousand plus subscribers.

Personally, I can't see the reason to donate .God help me if I am wrong. Thisis my take: If she didn't evangelize outside, or have hired workers for Jesus to spread the gospel or rent a building, miscellaneous expenses to cover external work etc. example as in a registered church ,then why does she ask for donations .Why should she ask money from people if everything was done at leisure of her home ... all I could see was she just reads news headlines associated to end times prophecies ? God supplies our needs but we are not expected to just sit around and wait for manna falling from heaven or beg people. In my understanding, it's like saying :

 

" I just feel so lazy to go out find a job, I just like doing Jesus' end time videos, it's God's work , please give me your money who are blessed and saved from my videos."

 

I do feel that's wrong , especially declaring it clearly, it feels like begging food in the name of Jesus. Can't Jesus supply this particular Christian's needs? It's making money out of the name of Jesus, which to me is not right. My spirit grieves with people calling themselves Christians making money out of God's name. You think that's credible service to God ?

 

I am not making judgements but discernments. Since I am not a member of any church, neither I do attend church service every Sunday, I fall into no church membership. I am not promoting my status, a church ( not a building but fellowship of Christians helped us grow spiritually), I just didn't find a suitable church for me. But being a christian, I give money offering to God through other means, directly to the poor or helping the vulnerable group of people. I don't give to registered charities, as I knew big slice of those donations will go to administration services down the line and I do believe only smaller fraction reaches directly to those people in need . I am not convicted to donate through them. I am not saying either it's wrong to donate on registered Charities. Personally, I follow my heart's convictions. I have seen many destitute citizens back in my own village / town, that's where my heart goes.

 

Services given to the Lord should be free ( not through making Jesus videos in YouTube channels and asking for donations). God will reward services given to Him whole heartedly. No one should make business and profit using the name of God !

 

I pray these type of Christians would realize and be convicted to the truth of what they doing through the power of the name of Jesus !

   

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Interesing YT vids I came across weeks ago :

 

*Chrislam One World Religion Emerging

*Paranormal Police Encounters ~ This has brillant testimonies.To the unbelieving, there must be God !

 

* Vampires and Werewolves Real or Fake - The Prophecy Club

    

* Steve Quayle "Zombies, Demons and Fallen Angels" 1 of 3

  

Bryan Melvin died and went to hell, and have seen lost human spirits in hell stored in cubes and tortured.

Nowadays, there are many testimonies coming out from people confessing their strange experiences of NDE's /OBE's telling about the afterlife.

 

Here's what the Bible says :

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions"

Joel 2: 28

 

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams."

Acts 2:17

  

"... and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. "

Revelation 20:10

 

*Bryan Melvin: To Hell and Back Pt. 1 of 3

  

* Bryan Melvin: To Hell and Back Part 2 of 3

  

* Bryan Melvin: To Hell and Back Pt. 3 of 3

   

* The Bible and Self Defense

    

~~~~~~~~~~~~~<<~~~~~~~~~~<@

  

Thank you for your last views and comments my friends .

Hope you all have a nice day :)

Sorry, this is post and run, a bit busy today. But I'll be back for my flickr time seeing your photos tomorrow Friday :)

God bless you all in Christ and you take care.

 

Con Yolada García.

Although we can not perceive any consciousness in stones or plants does not mean that consciousness does not exist there. There is no unconscious matter. Some quality of discernment occurs in everything in the cosmos although we are often only aware of such qualities in humans and certain animals.

These other consciousnesses or intelligences consolidate archetypes which create those “forms” which are the collective memories of genetic awareness which guide evolutionary development.

Kodak Vision3 250D film processed in ECN-2 with bleach bypass is beautiful. I once said that I don’t shoot color when the sun isn’t shining. This is mostly true. But this was an exception.

 

.

.

.

‘Of Discernment’

 

Camera: Bolsey Jubilee (c1955)

Film: Kodak Vision3 250D (5207)

Process: DIY ECN-2 (Bleach Bypass)

 

Roy, New Mexico

ꒌ ﹏﹏ ГЕНЕРАЦИЈА, танкер за течна горива низводно низ делту Рајне.

 

Ово је прва серија слика коју сам поставио овог новог, тек начетог априла 2026. Свима који ово читају и гледају желим благополучан, миран и добрим чињењем плодан април. Желим вам много ’погођених’ снимака у првом месецу који у целини лежи у пролећу – за неке најлепшем годишњем добу. У овом месецу нас чека експлозија светлости, још 29 дана, а онда у мају — експлозија живота! Што су и два најважнија предуслова и компоненте сваке фотографије :)

 

► █░▓ ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ GENERATION passing 'my' groyne keeping a safe clearance to PANDORA (behind, blocked by the closer vessel).

 

Germans are not always nice. Why didn't that crew member from seconds ago wait till he passed 'my' groyne? So that I could wave to him and include him in the picture?

 

GENERATION is an inland, liquid cargo tanker, sailing under the flag of Germany. She is 109 meters long and 11 meters wide with a draught of 2,3 meters. Here seen downstream. At the moment of uploading this she is stopped at the town of Niederkassel (near Cologne in Germany) on the river Rhine.

 

PANDORA (further, just the superstructure and the stern), is an inland motor freighter, sails under the flag of Netherlands. She is 110 meters long and 11,5 meters wide with a draught of 2,5 meters. Here seen just passing by the beacon at Buurtje in North Brabant. At the moment of uploading this she is underway on the river Scheldt at the Dutch/Belgian border.

 

Captured two minutes after the astronomical sunset. With the sun at the surface of the Earth gone, all the light on the water is reflected from the sky. Being already subdued, the scenery was dark and murky. So I lifted the brightness of the scenery a bit.

 

This is the first series of images I am uploading in April of 2026. I want each and everyone of you who made it so far, reading this caption and enjoying the scene, a happy, peaceful and sunny April this year. Lots of necessary wisdom. Undisturbed reflexion. Creative approach and clear insightful outlook on the world around us. Lots of worthy clicks and timeless captures as well as sound discernment in the first month that lies fully in the spring. It has just commenced. April is the Light Bringer, and May is the Life Bearer. Both being those very essentials we need so much for our photography!

 

Panasonic G90 / Lumix G Vario 12-35mm/f2.8 zoomed in to 30 mm (60 mm in full-frame terms, my favourite focal length). Overexposed ⅔ of a stop. Handheld with support. Shutter speed priority 1/400 of a sec resulting in f/2.8 at ISO 800 – WB manual (shade). Sooc jpeg edited in Photos 10.0. Uncompressed, cropped to 16×10 format.

 

~SHORTCUTS~ ...→Press [F11] and [L] key to engage Full Screen (Light box) mode with black background ↔ Press the same key or [Esc] to return... →Press [F] to "Like" (Fave)... →Press [C] to comment.

 

To start the slideshow: go to my ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏsᴛʀᴇᴀᴍ. At the upper right of the screen – right next to the 'search' magnifying glass🔍 – click the small ‚play‘▶️ ᴀʀʀᴏᴡ inside the symbol of a ᴍᴏɴɪᴛᴏʀ️ rectangle.

 

File name: P1064547

If you live in Europe or Nordic countries you will probably recognize this already an iconic red toy oven by BRIO. In Finland many generations of us have played with them and I remember them too from my childhood. There are of course modernized versions of toy ovens in the market with all the flashy lights, sounds and whatever, but I feel that a simple one gets the job done best. It was one of our most wanted Christmas present and we have already had couple of fresh meals done with it.

 

I'm pretty satisfied with this picture, even if I missed focus a bit. As much as I'm trying to develop my own approach to photography, I find these kind of shots most important. I could get all the recognition in the world, Flickr-favourites and photography awards (hah, like I actually could get any of those), but it can't touch the simple fact that photographing Auras first years is most important and long-lasting photographic catalog I'm going to make in my life. Documenting and constructing an imagery of her childhood is, I think, an important mission which will be stratified into her identity later on. Of course there is a whole culture of social relations involved too, but visual sources are also important part of that. While these photographs will become windows to her forgotten past, it makes me ask, how should I approach this mission, which is undeniably too challenging to any photographer? I guess the answer is same as with parenthood in general: as good as I can with all the values, knowledge and discernment I have available today. Trying to photograph everything that feels important. And what could be more important than Aura playing for the first time with her soon precious to become toy oven.

 

Year of the Alpha – 365 Days of Sony Alpha Photography: www.yearofthealpha.com

by Mary Oliver

 

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

 

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

 

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, “Stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches.

 

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,

“and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine.”

Having grown up in the South (southern United States), it took a southern writer like Flannery O'Connor to peel the scales from my eyes. She showed me a different vision of spirituality and American belief. Although there are stand alone versions of Wise Blood, the one I read was in this edition, 3 By Flannery O'Connor.

Im not a good photographer and yes there is some sharpening and color adjustments in this photo. I do want to learn very much, so that i can become productive in this art and be able to share with confidance.

...And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” ~ Genesis 1 :28

  

1 Corinthians 7:2

" But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband."

   

Hebrews 13:4

" Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."

 

Man is for woman and woman is for a man , not man for a man or woman for woman .The Biblical verses that supports the truth can hurt ...but not my words but by the Word of God .

  

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Dark Times but blessed are they that trust fully in God , making Him their fortress .

  

State Run Religion and Prepping for "Mass Fatalities" By Alex Jones ' INFOWARS ~ Hmmm very interesting .

   

EVIL POSSESSED NYPD COP ,make it sure you're not on his list passed on to his cohorts with the same sick fetish , demonically lusting cannibalism on women:

   

* NYPD cop charged in sick kidnap - cook plot involving 100 women

     

* NYPD Cop Plot To "Slow Cook" 100 Women "Zombie Cult" Demons!

  

* Prosecutors: NYPD officer conspired to kidnap, cook, eat women

  

Perverse and twisted times we are living in , a generation with less reverence or knowledge of God ;

evil considered as good and good considered evil.

 

* Steve Quayle "FREEDOM FROM LUST"

  

* Planned Parenthood praises sexual pleasure for kids

Now advocating 'removal' of laws allowing 'parental involvement' in decisions

 

* Satanism In Music Industry

 

* Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged part 1 of 2

  

* Iran Fires On USA Drones In Persian Gulf!!

   

* "Last Exit Before Babylon" Beautiful warning message to everyone not just Americans -- seek Jesus now ,never so late.

    

* Why People Around the World Should be Terrified of Obama ( And Christians Should be Thankful)

A fascinating perspective :-/

 

Instead of fear and worrying isn't it time to keep looking up with joy because it points to big changes soon to come and as foretold of Jesus coming .Look at world events ,earthquakes in diverse places of greater intensity ( Matthew 24 ) ,millions of animal deaths almost like everyday from one corner of the world to the next ,apocalyptic disasters one after another ... not the least ,the division of the promise land of God is on the big agenda right on our present day and President Obama is unto this in favor of the division of the land ,which I get the shivers of this thought ,but the Biblical text had stated this will happen .

Take note in Genesis 12 :2 - 3 "those who curse Israel will be curse " and Read Zechariah 12 ,God will cut down nations into pieces of those who attack Israel and divide His land . Make no mistake things will get so bad when your nation will be unto division of Israel .We are right in the cusp of the dark days towards the Tribulations .Read you Bible friends but no fear --- Jesus said "let not your hearts be troubled " rather put your trust in Jesus . I do believe everything happened for a purpose ,even the reelection of President Obama in my opinion and of other who are watching closely , is part of the fulfillment of prophetic events that should happen in our timeline ,what was foretold is unfolding . But keep holding on to the hope ,as this means we are close to Jesus coming to bring lasting peace on earth . This earth will never end .It's this evil world as we knew it that will come to its end - then the millenial reign of Jesus on earth ,the Bible said so .To every Christians ,it's time to keep our ways right with God in case we have slipped a little away from our walk with God , ask for true discernment to see things right from the Lord not from man. It's time to prepare ,keep your lamps with oil like 5 of the 10 virgins ( as the door to the bridegroom will shut soon ) , forsake the love of the things of this world , ask Jesus to search your hearts ,and put your lives right and stronger with Him .He is coming soon ,Maranatha !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Location :

Malapascua Island , Central Visayas ,Philippines

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Thank you for the views and comments friends .

God bless :)

 

__________________________________________________

Outlining a Theory of General Creativity . .

. . on a 'Pataphysical projectory

 

Entropy ≥ Memory ● Creativity ²

__________________________________________________

 

Etude du jour:

 

L'allégorie de Camera & Obscura

(ou comment il n'y a de discernement qu'en tempérant à la fois, inséparablement, la quête d'une Absolue perception et d'une Universel connaissance.)

 

Il était une fois deux petites boîtes sombres, illuminées de certitudes ; deux petites têtes vides, pleines d'espoir ; dont l'âme sensible attendait impatiente que la lumière extérieure les pénétrât et fît naître en elles une image vraie de la Réalité Vraie.

 

Quand le moment fut venu, elles s'ouvrirent.

 

Camera, en quête d'Absolu voulait tout ressentir sans chercher à comprendre. Tout percevoir, absolument Tout ! Le moment venu, elle décida de se laisser submerger par la plus violente énergie possible, toute sa sensibilité offerte à la jouissance de tout engloutir intensément, sans aucun jugement, sans penser une seconde avec ces mots qui obscurcissent l'esprit plus qu'ils ne l'éclairent. Elle installa un film hypersensible qu'elle pousserait au développement malgré son gros grain. Elle ouvrit son diaphragme au maximum, longtemps, et s'abandonna à l'ivresse extatique d'absorber sans retenue tout le flot entropique de la Réalité Vraie qui s'engouffrait en elle.

 

Obscura, en quête d'Universel voulait tout comprendre sans se laisser émouvoir. Tout concevoir ! Absolument tout ! Le moment venu, elle décida de tout distinguer avec la plus grande profondeur de champ possible, toute son intelligence concentrée à tout discerner avec finesse, sans la moindre distorsion, sans céder à la tentation de croire à ces apparences qui éblouissent plus qu'elles n'éclairent. Elle installa un film à grain hyperfin qu'elle développerait rudement pour compenser sa faible sensibilité. Elle ouvrit dans son diaphragme un interstice minuscule, un infime instant, et concentra toute sa minutieuse lucidité à détecter le sens de la moindre particule de Réalité Vraie qui parviendrait à s'infiltrer en elle.

 

La morale de cette histoire ? Tous les photographes vous la dirons !

 

Camera obtint l'image la plus lumineuse qui soit, c'est à dire l'image la plus floue à la fois, d'un blanc aussi immaculé qu'uniforme.

 

Obscura obtint l'image la plus nette qui soit, c'est à dire l'image la plus sombre à la fois, d'un noir aussi immaculé qu'uniforme.

 

Laquelle eut tort ou raison ? Laissons cette dichotomie manichéenne à tous les donneurs de leçons stupides, à tous les castrateurs en théologie du mal et du bien, à tous les marchands de bonnets d'âne du saint marché des bons-points, à tous les coureurs de records à podiums collectionneurs d'échecs à médailles.

 

Observons plutôt comment la diajonction de leurs expériences respectives leur apporta finalement la réponse ultime à la question initiale : Quelle image peut-on discerner de la Réalité Vraie ? Ou autrement dit, avec la joie de pictosopher : Quelle est l'épaisseur des apparences ?

  

Désormais, lorsqu'elles choisissent une ouverture et un temps de pause susceptibles de former des images moins aveuglées, Camera et Obscura sentent se former en elles quelques soupçons de Réalité Vraie, des images aussi pauvres de Sensibilité Absolue que démunies de Connaisssance Universelle, mais des images merveilleuses et magiques, aussi riches de signes ambivalents que de sèmes ambigus, illuminées de formes et de couleurs inattendues, toutes d'innonbrables demiVérités.

 

Elles sont devenues sages, parce qu'elles savent que tout en prenant des milliards d'autres images, la Réalité Vraie leur restera à jamais inconnaissable. Elles sont devenues sages lorsqu'elles cherchent ce qu'il y a hors champ, lorsqu'elles cherchent ce qui se passait avant et ce qui arrivera après, lorsqu'elles cherchent l'invisible sous l'infra-rouge et au-delà de l'ultra-violet, lorsqu'elles cherchent ce qu'il y a à voir ailleurs quand elles sont là, et là quand elles sont ailleurs, en somme lorsqu'elles cherchent, . . simplement parce qu'elles cherchent.

 

Elles sont devenues sages lorsqu'elles s'interrogent sur ce que pensent et ressentent profondément, les autres petites chambres obscures d'à coté. Lorsque de temps en temps, interconnectées sur le réseau des réseaux des camera-obscura, elles se racontent leurs éblouissements respectifs et partagent leurs aveuglements réciproques.

 

Elles sont devenues sages, émerveillées d'être des mémoires qui résistent à l'Entropie, émerveillées d'être sensibles à l'infime surface visible de l'inconnaissable, émerveillées d'être à la fois transcendantes et illusoires, là, dans l'Entre, sur le pli du Vide Médian.

 

__________________________________________________

 

Study of the day (debating the Plato's allegory of the cavern)

  

"THE ALLEGORY OF CAMERA & OBSCURA".

 

Once upon a time there was two small dark boxes, illuminated with certainties, two small empty heads, full of hope, and whose sensitive soul was waiting until the external light penetrates them to dazzle them with an image of the "True Reality”. At the proper time, they finally opened.

 

Camera in pursuit of the Absolute, wanted all to see without any reflection. All, absolutely All ! Then, at the proper time, it decided to be totally overcome by the "True Entropic Reality", all its sensitivity offered to intensely feel everything, without any prejudice, without thinking one second with all these words which darkens the mind more than they enlighten it. It installed a hypersensitive film which it will push in spite of its coarse grain. It tuned her diaphragm to the maximum aperture, a long time, and gave up itself to ecstatically feel the whole true light of the whole True Entropic Reality.

 

Obscura in quest of the Universal Knowledge, wanted all to know precisely, it wanted all to understand and memorize with a maximum of details and discernment. Then at the proper time, it decided to focuse a depth of field as deep as possible, to choose a pause time as short as possible, to be sure to get the highest neatness of the True Real Universal Memory. It installed a hyperfine grain film which it will develop energetically to compensate its low sensitivity. It tuned the aperture at less than anything, and adjusted the pause time at an infinitesimal fraction of nothing.

 

The moral of the story ? All the photographers will say it to you !

 

Camera obtained the most luminous image which is at ounce the fuzziest one, an immaculate uniform Absolute Entropic white 100%blank.

 

Obscura obtained the finest image which is at ounce the darkest one, an immaculate uniform Universal black 100%blank.

 

From now on, when it chooses an aperture and a time of pause suitable to create less blind images, Camera finally formed in itself several suspicions of True Reality. They are images as poor of Absolute Sensitivity as weak of Universal Knowledge, but they are marvellous and magic images, illuminated by unexpected shapes and colors.

 

In the neighbourhood of the Absolute Entropy, each cell of Camera opens like a white sapphire prism dispersing and breaking up the Entropic light in colored iridescences. From her cells juxtaposition are emerging lines and shapes, metamorphosing the dazzling Entropic light in simple but unknowable .. shapes, only lacking some .. words to name them.

 

From now on, when it chooses an aperture and a time of pause suitable to create less blind images, Obscura finally formed in itself several suspicions of True Reality. They are images as poor of Universal Knowledge as weak of Absolute Sensitivity, but they are marvellous and magic images, rich of ambiguous signs and senses.

 

In the neighbourhood of the Universal Memory, each cell of Obscura opens like a black sapphire crystal dispersing and breaking up the universal darkness in colored enlightening sparks. From her cells juxtapositions are emerging now vowels, consonants and others signs, metamorphosing the gloomy universal darkness in simple but unknowable .. words, only lacking some .. shapes to imagine them.

 

__________________________________________________

rectO-persO | E ≥ m.C² | co~errAnce | TiLt

 

Although we can not perceive any consciousness in stones or plants does not mean that consciousness does not exist there. There is no unconscious matter. Some quality of discernment occurs in everything in the cosmos although we are often only aware of such qualities in humans and certain animals.

G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy more than any other book made me Catholic. When I read The Everlasting Man it served as a confirmation and bolstering of everything I had encountered in Orthodoxy. I can't recommend Chesterton's work enough. There was no doubt after reading these two that I would soon be confirmed.

Perfect, Beate, thank you!

 

When I Am Among the Trees

 

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness,

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

 

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

 

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, "Stay awhile."

The light flows from their branches.

 

And they call again, "It's simple," they say,

"and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine."

 

~ Mary Oliver ~

Hidden in plain sight.

Extracts from Articulated Depth

If you see me on your sim, I'm not looking for customers. I'm minding my business, and usually taking pictures. If you saw my Flickr, you'd know that.

 

I do not need to troll for customers. I have my own. I do not solicit my services on any sim other than the one my company owns.

 

I have the right to post whatever I want in my profile. If you or your customers lack discernment, that's not my problem. I'm not changing my profile just because you are whorephobic.

 

If you're charging people to be on your sim, your rules for dress code and the fact that you don't like seeing swaying titties, is ridiculous and well... I think we both know what your issue is. No whores, no curvy women, no big swinging titties, no fat asses....

 

Your rules notecard does not state that Dommes can't have their services in their profile, nor did it say anything about soliciting adult services (All it said was no sex, no RP). But hey, it's your sim. If you want to charge 2.89 for people to be on your sim and take pictures, maybe learn better customer service and courtesy.

 

No I'm not naming which sim owner it is. They don't deserve the free advertising. The 2.89 reference, I'm sure you can figure it out for yourself.

 

What's really funny to me? I never have this issue, with black sim owners. *sips tea*

   

Not a happy Happy ScATsURDAY! for me. Blondie is fading away, and I can't find the strength to take her to be put down. Phew!

 

Praying for wisdom and discernment, Father God Who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name, in the name of Jesus, Amen. Help me, help me, help me. Thank You, thank You, thank You.

Proverbs 3:21 "My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight."

I will stand with ANY WOMAN to defend her right to make a decision about her baby

whether that means having an adoption or choosing early abortion.

I have NEVER met a woman who made this decision lightly,

whether she revealed it to anyone or not, she suffers

all her life regardless of what she chooses.

 

Until we live in a world that cherishes her true potential,

supports the physiology and complexity of her evolution,

how is it possible for her to meet the Goddess inside her -

embrace her freedom to envision the coming world,

to feel it coming alive in her own creative power?

 

Until a girl can feel safe to explore each phase of her sacred cycles,

how can she harness the opulent wisdom her moontime offers,

helping her to work with the feminine energy as fertile ground

completely nourishing every aspect of her body mind and spirit

as the natural world holds her in absolute beauty and balance?

 

Commodified for wholesale distribution and profit,

institutions increasingly harvest stem cells and organs from newborns

while ever changing medical and political regulations

construct a new algorhythmic version of colonialism

based on a consistant formula to extract and dominate.

 

An old Indigenous Truth reminds us sternly

that the welfare of a Nation is determined

by how the Nation treats its women and children

for they are the keepers of the seeds

and I upon hearing this saying,

stand beside my sisters as stormclouds gather.

 

Until we live in a world that truly values human life,

we must at all costs protect that which is most precious:

The heartbeat of a woman drumming its first connection through a watery womb,

the mind of a woman which must be free to discover and use discernment

and the unconquerable Soul of her that lives on in all future generations.

  

GF July19/2022

 

This painting honors all the women who have let me into their sacred space to nurture the mother, the sister and the daughter in me. Some of you had miscarriages, abortions or gave your kids up for adoption and you let me hold grief with you and sing for you in sacred ceremonies. Some of you have placed your children into my arms and let me love them to fulfill something I have never held in my own womb. Your generosity healed this emptiness.

  

I feel you all in this work of art and know with more certainty who I am and how I wish to walk in the world.

 

Now that this art project is done, I'll be off on another songquest again and I will see you when I get back with more gems to offer and more visits to your sites again. Be well! Lots of love coming your way!!!

 

Radical opposition

Concept intuition

Process interpretation

Attire, Personal Care, and the Use of Sacred Ornaments and Amulets by Rovingian Monks by Daniel Arrhakis (2026)

 

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Attire, Personal Care, and the Use of Sacred Ornaments and Amulets by Rovingian Monks

 

1 - Clothing and Presentation

 

Clothing, like many other aspects of Rovingianism, is not merely external appearance, but a visible expression of the monk's spirituality. Its choice is a personal matter, but should reflect humility, sobriety, utility, restraint, and dignity.

 

Generally, the clothing of Rovingian monks is distinguished by its sobriety and the use of neutral and earthy colors, in harmony with the simplicity of the path they profess. Among the most recurring shades are grays, browns, brick tones, oranges, dark blues, and blacks. Exceptions are reserved, above all, for the Grand Master, the Magistrath, and certain festive or shamanic rituals celebrated on special occasions.

 

Loose trousers that allow freedom and fluidity of movement

 

Long shirts and tunics of medieval inspiration

 

Long capes, hooded jackets, cloaks, and shawls

 

Stoles and scarves to wrap around the neck or complement the hood

 

Due to their nomadic vocation, the monk's clothing should favor functional, durable, and adaptable pieces for the journey. The hood, in particular, remains a distinctive sign of Rovingianism and should always accompany the monk, even if resting on his back, as a reminder of his state and consecration.

 

2 - Footwear

 

For a life of spiritual nomadism and continuous walking, footwear is the central pillar of survival and well-being. The concept of "Rovingian" monks (travelers/nomads) demands a perfect balance between aesthetic sobriety, extreme durability, and anatomical health.

 

The choice of organic materials such as the upper (genuine leather) is ideal, as this material molds to the foot over time, offers high resistance to tearing, and allows natural perspiration, preventing blisters and fungal infections common on long journeys.

 

Mountain and Hiking Boots (Focus on the Ankle)

 

For the high-top boot that protects against sprains on uneven terrain, the best options follow classic lines, without garish colors, maintaining the aesthetic versatility required by the Rovingian tradition.

 

Durable Sandals (For Summer and Hot Climates)

 

In hot regions, sandals prevent overheating, but they should have sturdy soles for traction and leather straps that don't cause painful chafing.

  

3 - Sacred Ornaments and Amulets

 

The use of sacred ornaments and amulets also belongs to the monk's personal freedom, and it is common for him to design and prepare them himself. However, these objects should arise from a righteous intention and be in keeping with the spirit of simplicity, discretion, and recollection that Rovingianism advocates.

 

Common woods

 

Leather

 

Shells

 

Dried seeds

 

Natural stones

 

Less noble metals, such as iron, copper, brass, and tin

 

Conversely, it is advisable to avoid precious metals, woods from endangered species, artificial materials, or elements of animal origin, such as feathers and furs, so that ornamentation does not become vanity, ostentation, or violence against creation.

 

4 - Personal Care and Hygiene

 

Care for appearance, health, and hygiene occupies a place of great importance in Rovingianism, as the monk is called to preserve the body as an instrument of service, presence, and discipline. Therefore, he must take care of himself so as not to become a burden to others or a cause of discomfort through negligence. Haircuts and the wearing, or not wearing, of a beard remain matters of personal choice, provided that cleanliness and tidiness always prevail over any form of neglect. As for perfumes, discernment is also recommended, favoring natural, discreet, and serene essences.

 

5 - Cell Phone Use

 

The cell phone should be understood as a communication and support tool, never as a way of life. In the present time, its use proves useful, especially in accompanying the nomadic journey; even so, it should remain limited to what is necessary, so that it does not become a source of distraction, dependence, or alienation of the spirit.

 

The Rovingian monk does not seek protagonism, nor does he indulge in self-exhibition. He should also not contribute to confusion or the spread of falsehood. Thus, social networks, when used, should serve positive, informative, and edifying purposes, without replacing the living reality of encounter and relationship with manipulated virtual constructions closed in bubbles of isolation.

  

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Traje, Cuidado Pessoal e Uso de Ornamentos e Amuletos Sagrados pelos Monges Rovingianos

  

1 - Traje e Apresentação

 

O traje, à semelhança de muitos outros aspetos do Rovingianismo, não é mera aparência exterior, mas expressão visível da espiritualidade do monge. A sua escolha pertence ao foro pessoal, devendo, porém, refletir humildade, sobriedade, utilidade, resguardo e dignidade.

 

De um modo geral, o traje dos monges rovingianos distingue-se pela sobriedade e pelo recurso a cores neutras e terrosas, em harmonia com a simplicidade da senda que professam. Entre as tonalidades mais recorrentes contam-se os cinzentos, os castanhos, os tons de tijolo, os alaranjados, os azuis escuros e os pretos. As exceções reservam-se, sobretudo, ao Grão-Mestre, ao Magistrath e a certos rituais festivos ou xamânicos celebrados em ocasiões singulares.

 

Calças largas, que permitam liberdade e fluidez de movimentos

 

Camisas compridas e túnicas de inspiração medieval

 

Capas longas, casacos com capuz, mantos e mantos-xale

 

Estolas e cachecóis para envolver o pescoço ou complementar o capuz

 

Em virtude da sua vocação nómada, o vestuário do monge deve favorecer peças funcionais, duráveis e adaptáveis ao caminho. O capuz, de modo particular, permanece como sinal distintivo do Rovingianismo e convém que acompanhe sempre o monge, ainda que repousando sobre as costas, como lembrança do seu estado e da sua consagração.

 

2 - Calçado

 

Para uma vida de nomadismo espiritual e caminhada contínua, o calçado é o pilar central da sobrevivência e do bem-estar. O conceito de monges "rovingianos" (viajantes/nómadas) exige um equilíbrio perfeito entre a sobriedade estética, a durabilidade extrema e a saúde anatómica.

A escolha de materiais orgânicos como o cabedal (couro legítimo) é ideal, pois este material molda-se ao pé com o tempo, oferece alta resistência a rasgos e permite a transpiração natural, evitando bolhas e infeções fúngicas comuns em longas jornadas.

 

Botas de Montanha e Caminhada (Foco no Tornozelo)

 

Para o cano alto que protege contra entorses em terrenos irregulares, as melhores opções seguem linhas clássicas, sem cores berrantes, mantendo a versatilidade estética exigida pela tradição rovingiana.

 

Sandálias Resistentes (Para o Verão e Climas Quentes)

 

Nas regiões quentes, as sandálias evitam o sobreaquecimento, mas devem manter solas robustas para tração e tiras de pele que não causem fricção dolorosa:

  

3 - Ornamentos e Amuletos Sagrados

 

Também o uso de ornamentos e amuletos sagrados pertence à liberdade pessoal do monge, sendo frequente que ele próprio os conceba e prepare. Todavia, esses objetos devem nascer de uma intenção reta e guardar consonância com o espírito de simplicidade, discrição e recolhimento que o Rovingianismo preconiza.

 

Madeiras comuns

 

Couro

 

Conchas

 

Sementes secas

 

Pedras naturais

 

Metais menos nobres, como ferro, cobre, latão e estanho

 

Em contrapartida, convém evitar metais nobres, madeiras oriundas de espécies em risco, materiais artificiais ou elementos de origem animal, como penas e peles, para que o ornamento não se converta em vaidade, ostentação ou violência sobre a criação.

 

4 - Cuidado Pessoal e Higiene

 

O cuidado com a aparência, a saúde e a higiene ocupa lugar de grande importância no Rovingianismo, pois o monge é chamado a preservar o corpo como instrumento de serviço, presença e disciplina. Deve, por isso, zelar por si mesmo para não se tornar peso para os outros nem motivo de incómodo pela negligência. O corte de cabelo e o uso, ou não, de barba permanecem matérias de escolha pessoal, desde que a limpeza e o asseio prevaleçam sempre sobre qualquer forma de abandono. Quanto aos perfumes, também aí se recomenda discernimento, privilegiando essências naturais, discretas e serenas.

 

5 - Uso do Telemóvel

 

O telemóvel deve ser entendido como instrumento de comunicação e apoio, jamais como modo de vida. No tempo presente, o seu uso revela-se útil, sobretudo no acompanhamento do percurso nómada; ainda assim, convém que permaneça limitado ao necessário, para que não se torne fonte de distração, dependência ou alienação do espírito.

 

O monge rovingiano não busca protagonismo, nem se entrega à exibição de si. Também não deve contribuir para a confusão ou para a difusão da falsidade. Assim, as redes sociais, quando usadas, devem servir propósitos positivos, informativos e edificantes, sem substituir a realidade viva do encontro e da relação por construções virtuais manipuladas e fechadas em bolhas de isolamento.

   

 

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Outlining a Theory of General Creativity . .

. . on a 'Pataphysical projectory

 

Entropy ≥ Memory ● Creativity ²

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Etude du jour:

 

Allégorie de Camera & Obscura

 

Il était une fois deux petites boîtes sombres avides de lucidité, deux petites têtes vides pleines de curiosité, dont l’âme sensible attendait impatiente que la clarté extérieure les pénétrât

et fît naître en elles une image vraie de la réalité vraie.

 

Quand le moment fut venu, elles s’ouvrirent.

 

Camera, en quête d’Absolu voulait tout ressentir sans chercher à comprendre. Tout percevoir, absolument tout ! Le moment venu, elle décida de se laisser submerger par la plus puissante énergie possible. Toute sa sensibilité offerte à la jouissance

de tout engloutir intensément. Sans aucun jugement, sans penser une seconde avec ces mots qui obscurcissent l’esprit plus qu’ils ne l’éclairent.

 

Elle s’installa un film hypersensible qu’elle pousserait

au développement malgré son gros grain. Elle ouvrit son diaphragme au maximum, longtemps, et s’abandonna à l’ivresse extatique d’absorber sans retenue tout le flot entropique de la réalité qui s’engouffrait en elle.

 

Obscura, en quête d’Universel voulait tout saisir sans se laisser émouvoir. Tout concevoir, absolument tout ! Le moment venu, elle décida de tout distinguer avec la plus grande profondeur de champ possible. Toute son intelligence concentrée à tout discerner avec finesse. Sans la moindre distorsion, sans céder

à la tentation de croire à ces apparences qui éblouissent

plus qu’elles n’éclairent.

 

Elle s’installa un film à grain hyperfin qu’elle développerait rudement pour compenser sa faible sensibilité. Elle ouvrit dans son diaphragme un minuscule interstice, un infime instant, et concentra toute sa scrupuleuse lucidité à identifier la moindre particule de réalité qui parviendrait à s’infiltrer en elle.

 

La morale de l’histoire tous les photographes vous la diront.

 

Camera obtint l’image la plus claire qui soit, c’est-à-dire la plus floue à la fois, d’un blanc aussi immaculé qu’uniforme.

 

Obscura obtint l’image la plus nette qui soit, c’est-à-dire

la plus sombre à la fois, d’un noir aussi immaculé qu’uniforme.

 

Laquelle eut tort ? Laquelle eut raison ? Laissons cette dichotomie à tous les donneurs de leçons manichéens.

À tous les castrateurs en théologie du bien et du mal.

À tous les marchands de bonnets d’âne du saint marché

des bons-points. À tous les coureurs de records à podiums

comme à tous les collectionneurs d’échecs à médailles.

 

Observons plutôt comment la perspective née de leurs expériences respectives leur apporta la réponse ultime

à la question cardinale. Quelle image peut-on percevoir

de la réalité vraie ? Qu’est-ce qu’un point de vue ?

Qu’y a-t-il d’autre que des points de vue ? Ou encore,

avec le pictosophe : quelle est l’épaisseur des apparences ?

 

Désormais, lorsqu’elles choisissent une ouverture

et un temps de pause susceptibles de former des images moins aveuglées, Camera et Obscura sentent se former en elles

quelques soupçons de réalité. Ce sont des images aussi pauvres de sensibilité absolue que démunies de connaisssances universelles. Mais ce sont des images merveilleuses

et magiques, aussi riches de signes ambivalents que de sèmes ambigus, moirées de formes et de couleurs inattendues

comme autant d’innombrables demi-vérités.

 

Elles sont devenues sages, parce qu’elles savent que la réalité vraie leur est à jamais inconnaissable, fût-ce en créant

des myriades d’autres images. Elles sont devenues sages lorsqu’elles devinent ce qu’il y a hors champ. Lorsqu’elles subodorent ce qui précède ou ce qui succède. Lorsqu’elles soupçonnent ce que cache le halo sous l’infra-rouge

ou l’aura par-delà l’ultra-violet. Lorsqu’elles cherchent

ce qu’il y a ailleurs quand elles sont là, et là quand elles sont ailleurs. Elles sont devenues sages, parce qu’elles cherchent.

 

Elles sont devenues sages lorsqu’elles se racontent leurs éblouissements respectifs, lorsqu’elles partagent leurs aveuglements réciproques. Elles sont devenues sages, émerveillées d’être des mémoires qui résistent à l’Entropie. Emerveillées d’être sensibles à l’infime épaisseur des apparences. Joyeuses d’y être à la fois transcendantes et illusoires, ici et maintenant, de l’Entre à l’Autre, le long de la Voie du Milieu, dans le pli du Vide Médian.

  

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Study of the day (debating the Plato's allegory of the cavern)

  

"THE ALLEGORY OF CAMERA & OBSCURA".

 

Once upon a time there was two small dark boxes, illuminated with certainties, two small empty heads, full of hope, and whose sensitive soul was waiting until the external light penetrates them to dazzle them with an image of the "True Reality”. At the proper time, they finally opened.

 

Camera in pursuit of the Absolute, wanted all to see without any reflection. All, absolutely All ! Then, at the proper time, it decided to be totally overcome by the "True Entropic Reality", all its sensitivity offered to intensely feel everything, without any prejudice, without thinking one second with all these words which darkens the mind more than they enlighten it. It installed a hypersensitive film which it will push in spite of its coarse grain. It tuned her diaphragm to the maximum aperture, a long time, and gave up itself to ecstatically feel the whole true light of the whole True Entropic Reality.

 

Obscura in quest of the Universal Knowledge, wanted all to know precisely, it wanted all to understand and memorize with a maximum of details and discernment. Then at the proper time, it decided to focuse a depth of field as deep as possible, to choose a pause time as short as possible, to be sure to get the highest neatness of the True Real Universal Memory. It installed a hyperfine grain film which it will develop energetically to compensate its low sensitivity. It tuned the aperture at less than anything, and adjusted the pause time at an infinitesimal fraction of nothing.

 

The moral of the story ? All the photographers will say it to you !

 

Camera obtained the most luminous image which is at ounce the fuzziest one, an immaculate uniform Absolute Entropic white 100%blank.

 

Obscura obtained the finest image which is at ounce the darkest one, an immaculate uniform Universal black 100%blank.

 

From now on, when it chooses an aperture and a time of pause suitable to create less blind images, Camera finally formed in itself several suspicions of True Reality. They are images as poor of Absolute Sensitivity as weak of Universal Knowledge, but they are marvellous and magic images, illuminated by unexpected shapes and colors.

 

In the neighbourhood of the Absolute Entropy, each cell of Camera opens like a white sapphire prism dispersing and breaking up the Entropic light in colored iridescences. From her cells juxtaposition are emerging lines and shapes, metamorphosing the dazzling Entropic light in simple but unknowable .. shapes, only lacking some .. words to name them.

 

From now on, when it chooses an aperture and a time of pause suitable to create less blind images, Obscura finally formed in itself several suspicions of True Reality. They are images as poor of Universal Knowledge as weak of Absolute Sensitivity, but they are marvellous and magic images, rich of ambiguous signs and senses.

 

In the neighbourhood of the Universal Memory, each cell of Obscura opens like a black sapphire crystal dispersing and breaking up the universal darkness in colored enlightening sparks. From her cells juxtapositions are emerging now vowels, consonants and others signs, metamorphosing the gloomy universal darkness in simple but unknowable .. words, only lacking some .. shapes to imagine them.

 

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rectO-persO | E ≥ m.C² | co~errAnce | TiLt

Two thousand years ago, the Lord Jesus prophesied, "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go you out to meet him" (Matthew 25:6). "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). For the last two thousand years, believers in the Lord have been watchful and awaiting the Lord's knock on the door, so how will He knock on mankind's door when He returns? In the last days, some people have testified that the Lord Jesus has returned— Almighty God incarnate—and that He is doing the work of judgment in the last days. This news has rocked the entire religious world.

Yang Aiguang, the protagonist of the film, has believed in the Lord for decades and has always been enthusiastically engaged in work and preaching, waiting to welcome the Lord's return. One day, two people come and knock on the door, tell Yang Aiguang and her husband that the Lord Jesus has returned, and share the words of Almighty God with them. They are deeply moved by Almighty God's words, but because Yang Aiguang has been subjected to the fallacies, deception, and strictures of the pastors and elders, she throws the witnesses of The Church of Almighty God out of the house. After that, the witnesses knock on their door on many occasions and read the words of Almighty God to Yang Aiguang, bearing witness to God's work in the last days. During this time, the pastor disrupts and hinders Yang Aiguang time after time, and she continues to waver. However, through hearing the words of Almighty God, Yang Aiguang comes to understand the truth and gains discernment regarding the rumors and fallacies propagated by the pastors and elders. She finally understands how the Lord knocks on people's doors during His return in the last days, and how we should welcome Him. When the fog clears, Yang Aiguang finally hears the voice of God and acknowledges that Almighty God really is the return of the Lord Jesus !

 

Experimental Salvation

by Arthur Pink

  

SALVATION may be viewed from many angles—and contemplated under various aspects. But from whatever side we look at it we must ever remember that "Salvation is of the Lord!" Salvation was planned by the Father for His elect before the foundation of the world. It was purchased for them by the holy life and vicarious death of His incarnate Son. It is applied to and wrought in them by His Holy Spirit. It is known and enjoyed through the study of the Scriptures, through the exercise of faith, and through communion with the triune Jehovah.

 

Now it is greatly to be feared that there are multitudes in Christendom who truly imagine and sincerely believe, that they are among the saved—yet who are total strangers to a work of divine grace in their hearts. It is one thing to have clear intellectual conceptions of God's truth—but it is quite another matter to have a personal, real heart acquaintance with it. It is one thing to believe that sin is the dreadful thing that the Bible says it is—but it is quite another matter to have a holy horror and hatred of it, in the soul. It is one thing to know that God requires repentance—but it is quite another matter to experimentally mourn and groan over our vileness. It is one thing to believe that Christ is the only Savior for sinners—but it is quite another matter to really trust Him from the heart. It is one thing to believe that Christ is the Sum of all excellency—but it is quite another matter to LOVE Him above all others. It is one thing to believe that God is the great and holy One—but it is quite another matter to truly reverence and fear Him. It is one thing to believe that salvation is of the Lord—but it is quite another matter to become an actual partaker of it through His gracious workings.

 

While it is true that Holy Scripture insists on man's responsibility—and that all through Scripture, God deals with the sinner as an accountable being; yet it is also true that the Bible plainly and constantly shows that no son of Adam has ever measured up to his responsibility, that every person has miserably failed to discharge his accountability. It is this which constitutes the deep need for GOD to work in the sinner—and to do for him what he is unable to do for himself. "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom 8:8). The sinner is "without strength" (Rom 5:6). Apart from the Lord, we "can do nothing" (John 15:5).

 

While it is true that the Gospel issues a call and a command to all who hear it—it is also true that ALL disregard that call and disobey that command, "They all with one consent began to make excuse!" (Luke 14:18). This is where the sinner commits his greatest sin and most manifests his awful enmity against God and His Christ: that when a Savior, suited to his needs, is presented to him, he "despises and rejects" Him! (Isa 53:3).

 

This is where the sinner shows what an incorrigible rebel he is, and demonstrates that he is deserving only of eternal torments. But it is just at this point that God manifests His sovereign and wondrous GRACE. He not only planned and provided salvation, but he actually bestows it upon those whom He has chosen!

 

Now this bestowal of salvation is far more than a mere proclamation that salvation is to be found in the Lord Jesus: it is very much more than an invitation for sinners to receive Christ as their Savior. It is God actually saving His people! It is His own sovereign and all-powerful work of grace toward and in those who are entirely destitute of merit, and who are so depraved in themselves that they will not and cannot take one step to the obtaining of salvation! Those who have been actually saved, owe far more to divine grace, than most of them realize! It is not only that Christ died to put away their sins—but also the Holy Spirit has wrought a work in them—a work which applies to them, the virtues of Christ's atoning death!

 

It is just at this point that so many preachers fail in their exposition of the Truth. While many of them affirm that Christ is the only Savior for sinners, they also teach that He actually became ours only by our consent. While they allow that conviction of sin is the Holy Spirit's work and that He alone shows us our lost condition and need of Christ—yet they also insist that the decisive factor in salvation is man's own will. But the Holy Scriptures teach that "salvation is of the Lord!" (Jonah 2:9), and that nothing of the creature enters into it at any point. Only that can satisfy God—which has been produced by God Himself! Though it is true that salvation does not become the personal portion of the sinner until he has, from the heart, believed in the Lord Jesus Christ—yet that very BELIEVING is wrought in him by the Holy Spirit: "By grace are you saved through faith, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8).

 

It is exceedingly solemn to discover that there is a "believing" in Christ by the natural man, which is NOT a believing unto salvation. Just as the Buddists believe in Budda—so in Christendom there are multitudes who believe in Christ. And this "believing" is something more than an intellectual one. Often there is much feeling connected with it—the emotions may be deeply stirred. Christ taught in the Parable of the Sower that there is a class of people who hear the Word and with joy receive it—yet have they no root in themselves (Matt 13:20, 21). This is fearfully solemn, for it is still occurring daily!

 

Scriptures also tell us that Herod heard John "gladly." Thus, the mere fact that the reader of these pages enjoys listening to some sound gospel preacher is no proof at all that he is a regenerated soul. The Lord Jesus said to the Pharisees concerning John the Baptist, "You were willing for a season to rejoice in his light," yet the sequel shows clearly that no real work of grace had been wrought in them. And these things are recorded in Scripture as solemn warnings!

 

It is striking and solemn to mark the exact wording in the last two Scriptures referred to. Note the repeated personal pronoun in Mark 6:20: "For Herod feared 'John' [not 'God'!], knowing that he as a just man and a holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly." It was the personality of John which attracted Herod. How often is this the case today! People are charmed by the personality of the preacher: they are carried away by his style and won by his earnestness for souls. But if there is nothing more than this—there will one day be a crude awakening for them! That which is vital, is a "love for the truth," not for the one who presents it. It is this which distinguishes the true people of God from the "mixed multitude" who ever associate with them.

 

So in John 5:35 Christ said to the Pharisees concerning His forerunner: "You were willing for a season to rejoice in his light," not "in the light"! In like manner, there are many today who listen to one whom God enables to open up some of the mysteries and wonders of His Word—and they rejoice "in his light" while in the dark themselves, never having personally received "an anointing from the Holy One." Those who do "love the truth" (2 Thess 2:10) are they in whom a divine work of grace has been wrought. They have something more than a clear, intellectual understanding of the Scripture. The Bible becomes the food of their souls, the joy of their hearts (Jer 15:16). They love the truth, and because they do so, they hate error and shun it as deadly poison. They are jealous for the glory of the Author of the Word, and will not sit under a minister whose teaching dishonors Him; they will not listen to preaching which exalts man into the place of supremacy, so that he is the decider of his own destiny.

 

"Lord, You will ordain peace for us: for You also have wrought all our works in us" (Isa 26:12). Here is the heart and unqualified confession of the true people of God. Note the preposition: "You also have wrought all our works in us." This speaks of a divine work of grace wrought in the heart of the saint. Nor is this text alone. Weigh carefully the following: "It pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me" (Gal 1:15, 16).

 

"Unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Eph 3:20). "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it" (Phil 1:6). "It is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them" (Heb 10: 16). "Now the God of peace...make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight" (Heb 13:20). Here are seven passages which speak of the inward workings of God's grace; or in other words of experimental salvation.

 

"Lord, You will ordain peace for us: for You also have wrought all our works in us" (Isa 26:12). Is there an echoing response in our heart to this, my reader? Is your repentance something deeper than the remorse and tears of the natural man? Does it have its root in a divine work of grace which the Holy Spirit has wrought in your soul? Is your believing in Christ something more than an intellectual one? Is your relation to Him something more vital than what some act of yours has brought about, having been made one with Him by the power and operation of the Holy Spirit? Is your love for Christ something more than a pious sentiment, like that of the Romanist who sings of the "gentle" and "sweet" Jesus? Does your love for Him proceed from an altogether new nature, that God has created within you? Can you really say with the Psalmist: "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside You."

 

Is your profession accompanied by true meekness and lowliness of heart? It is easy to say, "I am an unworthy and unprofitable creature." But do you realize yourself to be such? Do you feel yourself to be "less than the least of all saints?" Paul did! If you do not; if instead, you deem yourself superior to the rank and file of Christians, who bemoan their failures, confess their weakness, and cry, "O wretched man that I am!"—there is grave reason to conclude you are a stranger to God!

 

That which distinguishes genuine godliness from human religiousness is this: the one is internal, the other external. Christ complained of the Pharisees, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence!" (Matt 23:25). A carnal religion is all on the surface. It is at the heart God looks—and with the heart God deals. Concerning His people He says: "I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them" (Heb 10:16).

 

"Lord, You will ordain peace for us: for You also have wrought all our works in us." How humbling is this to the pride of man! It makes everything of God—and nothing of the creature!

 

The tendency of human nature the world over, is to be self-sufficient and self-satisfied; to say with the Laodiceans, "I am rich, and increased with goods—and have need of nothing" (Rev 3:17). But here is something to humble us—and empty us of pride. Since God has wrought all our works in us, then we have no ground for boasting. "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" (1 Cor 4:7).

 

And who are the ones in whom God thus works? From the divine side—His favored, chosen, redeemed people. From the human side—those who, in themselves have no claim whatever on His notice; who are destitute of any merit; who have everything in them to provoke His holy wrath; those who are miserable failures in their lives, and utterly depraved and corrupt in their persons. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound—and did for them and in them what they would not and could not do for themselves!

 

And what is it which God "works" in His people? All their works!

 

First, He quickens them: "It is the Spirit who quickens; the flesh profits nothing" (John 6:63). "He gave us a new birth by the message of truth" (James 1:18).

 

Second, He bestows repentance: "Him has God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel" (Acts 5:31). "God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life" (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim 2:25).

 

Third, He gives faith: "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8).

 

Fourth, He grants a spiritual understanding: "And we know the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true" (I John 5:20).

 

Fifth, He effectuates our service: "I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (I Cor 15:10).

 

Sixth, He secures our perseverance: "who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (I Pet 1:5).

 

Seventh, He produces our fruit: "From Me is your fruit found" (Hosea 14:8). "The fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22). Yes, He has wrought all our works in us!

 

Why has God thus "wrought all our works in us?"

 

First, because unless He had done so—all would have eternally perished! (Rom 9:29). We were "without strength," unable to meet God's righteous demands. Therefore, in sovereign grace, He did for us—what we ought but could not do for ourselves.

 

Second, that all the glory might be His. God is a jealous God. He says so. His honor He will not share with another. By this means He secures all the praise, and we have no ground for boasting.

 

Third, that our salvation might be effectually and securely accomplished. Were any part of our salvation left to us—it would be neither effectual nor secure. Whatever man touches he spoils: failure is written across everything he attempts. But what God does is perfect and lasts forever: "I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him" (Eccl 3:14).

 

But how may I be sure that my works have been "wrought in me" by God? Mainly by their effects. If you have been born again, you have a new nature within. This new nature is spiritual and contrary to the flesh—contrary in its desires and aspirations. Because the old and new natures are contrary to each other, there is a continual war between them. Are you conscious of this inward conflict?

 

If your repentance is a God-wrought one, then you abhor yourself. If your repentance is a genuine and spiritual one, then you marvel that God did not cast you into hell long ago. If your repentance is the gift of Christ, then you daily mourn the wretched returns which you make to God's wondrous grace; you hate sin, you sorrow in secret before God for your manifold transgressions. Not simply do you do so at conversion, but daily do so now.

 

If your faith is a God-communicated one, it is evidenced by your turning away from all creature confidences, by a renunciation of your own self-righteousness, by a repudiation of all your own works. If your faith is "the faith of God's elect" (Titus 1:1), then you are resting alone on Christ as the ground of your acceptance before God. If your faith is the result of "the operation of God," then you implicitly believe His Word, you receive it with meekness, you crucify reason, and accept all He has said with childlike simplicity.

 

If your love for Christ is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:25), then it evidences itself by constantly seeking to please Him, and by abstaining from what you know is displeasing to Him: in a word, by an obedient walk. If your love for Christ is the love of "the new man," then you pant after Him, you yearn for communion with Him above everything else. If your love for Christ is the same in kind (though not in degree) as His love for you, then you are eagerly looking forward to His glorious appearing, when He shall come again to receive His people unto Himself, that they may be forever with the Lord.

 

May the grace of spiritual discernment be given the reader to see whether his Christian profession is real or a sham; whether his hope is built upon the Rock of Ages or the quicksands of human resolutions, efforts, decisions, or feelings; whether, in short, his salvation is "Of the Lord"—or the vain imagination of his own deceitful heart!

  

My 2020 vision is to measure decisions with Quality Discernment. May we all celebrate the start of this decade improving our health, wealth, and wisdom. Submitted with love and big smoochie New Year’s Kisses! ☮️💜