⚜My Theological Debates⚜ – FINAL POST: Fig: 20.20

"The Unforgivable sins!" – Mark 3:29

THIS, MY FINAL POST– I was "blocked" from posting at the original FBook location of the debate; Part of "someone elses" "Personal Wall", whom we shared a "mutual friend..."

Alas, without further-ado, I present my finale IMG Fig: 20.20

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POST BEGINS:

Jordan mate, you make NO SENSE, LOGIC, RATIONALITY or REson, whatsoever!!! Then again, I can't expect someone who claims the "opposite" or the "counter" to LAW is GRACE, as opposed to the theologically and linguistically more sound (and appropriate!) LAWLESS being the "counter" or "opposite" of LAW.

I rest my point. I feel the debate has been proven to be dealing with hypocritical, judgemental teachings on YOU GUYS behalf. That your HYPOCRISY have PROVED your SHAKY, DECEPTIVE DOCTRINES and THEOLOGICAL views/understandings...

So, I highly doubt this debate will prove of any benefit in my further reproving you of sin, lawlessness etc; — if anything, it will rather devolve further into petty "name calling" without teaching you of any GODLY TRUTHS! Oh, brothers, I have been debating, trying to reprove your sins that you are TOTALLY BLINDED to! That you can continue sinning as its paid for already?!

Right. OK then... If your argument is in fact correct... That GOD wants us to continue to "crucify Him, again and again!"; That "The Law" the "Commandments" of Almighty God are irrelevant in this, the Age of Faith and Grace etc;... Well... Like I said... I may as well "live up the best of both worlds!"

Keep sinning — but without repentance, which ACTUALLY makes us more humble, more meek, with the continual, lifelong acts of sorrow for our personal sins and repentance...

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land" see: Matt5:3-10

I also read "Blessed who hunger for RIGHTEOUSNESS, blessed the CLEAN OF HEART"... I DON'T, however, read anything REMOTELY SIMILAR to: "Blessed those who hunger for righteousness, whilst committing acts of lawlessness and unrighteousness, theirs is the Kingdom of God." No! Nothing REMOTELY similar!

In fact... Prophetic word SPEAKS of our very times, the final generations at the "end of the current age" which would increase in LAWLESSNESS, IMMORALITY, DECEPTION — committed by those who "know not the Lord". Once we become aware of our sins, shortcoming etc; it should be repented, actively struggle against reoffending, because God HATES sin! He cannot be AROUND sin! He doesn't want His Children to SIN, therefore, thus showing their allegiance to SATAN.

If however we actively fight AGAINST recommitting our sins, our fleshly lusts and desires, even if we struggle and struggle greatly... So long as we are truly repentant and truly sorry from the heart, He will forgive us! You cannot be TRULY sorry for sins if you ACTIVELY seek the next opportunity to reoffend! Where is the remorse? The guilt?

Alas, where is "the fear of the Lord" which, as Holy Scripture tells us, is the BEGINNING of WISDOM??? Without regret, or the "fear of God Almighty" (which is the beginning of Wisdom; See: Prov9:10!) 

Obviously, some people just can't see sense; reason; become too proud, too much seeking "the approval of men" but not the approval of God for living HIS WAYS, becoming more CHRIST LIKE each and every day, even if we have our lapses; or relapses into sin. So long as we REPENT, continually, and "turn from our errors!"

"I mourn many of them that sinned before, and have not done penance for the uncleanness, fornication, and lasciviousness, that they have committed." See: 2Cor12:21, and:

"Try your own selves if you be in the faith; prove ye yourselves. Know you not your own selves, that Christ Jesus is in you, unless perhaps you be reprobates? Now we pray God, that you may do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but you may do that which is good, what is right. For we cannot do anything against the truth but only for the truth. I write this while away from you, in order that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority which the Lord has given to me for building up not for tearing down." (2Cor13:5-10)

"They profess to know God: but in their works they deny Him; being abominable, and incredulous, and to every good work reprobate." (Titus1:16)

I pray you humble yourselves before the Lord, that you don't trust in your own created laws of right and wrong whilst leaving out His Scriptures. I pray that the final quote I leave you with this morning is NOT you, in particular, the first verse, No: 26:

"God delivered them up to shameful affections. For their women have changed the natural use into that use which is against nature. And, in like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, have burned in their lusts one toward another, men with men working that which is filthy, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was due to their error. And as they liked not to have God in their knowledge, God delivered them up to a reprobate sense, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all iniquity, malice, fornication, avarice, wickedness, full of envy, murder, contention, deceit, malignity, whisperers, detractors, hateful to God, contumelious, proud, haughty, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, foolish, dissolute, without affection, without fidelity, without mercy. Who, having known the justice of God, did not understand that they who do such things, are worthy of death; and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them." (Rom1:26-32)

Good morning; good afternoon; and good night. May the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Wisdom, convict you of your sins before it is too late... Before God either "gives you up to your grave unrepentant immoralities" — or tells you that thou you say to Him, "Lord, Lord..." that he casts you aside, to the weeping and gnashing of teeth, because he doesn't know you.

Extreme, yes. But. Change IS possible!!! With the right type of therapeutic counselling/psychiatry/pschology (not the modern, new age mumbo-jumbo variety!) — if one truly desires to change... Not to necessarily become "heterosexual", but rather, more within "right standing with God" and a much more brotherly love,  faith, trust and reliance on Christ the Lord... unless you are "just not yet" given over to true repentance, desiring a more faithful devotion to your Lord and apparent Saviour... But... You are much better off casting the unrighteous fruit in the fire the sooner you are repentant for it, as opposed to delaying it!

We live in dangerous, "End Times" and those not believing this to be a fact are very, very much deceived... Long known Biblical prophecies that have NEVER been fulfilled, or even CLOSE to fulfilment are becoming more and more likely as the days draw on... Ezekiel 38/39 prophecy.... That of the Dead Sea coming back to life, miraculously! The birth of a pure, red heifer, the last and final pure, unblemished, spotless red heifer being born on the 28th August, 2018, bringing forth the soon to be reinstated Jewish Holy Sacrifices to thus "restore their land" and ready to reinstate Mosaic Sacrifices and the construction of their Third Temple... All the signs, plus the increasing birth-pangs, or earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, fires — hell even what they are calling "firenadoes", a combo of tornado, built of fire, from bush fire ravaged areas (which, come to think of it, sounds very similar to the "pillar of fire" which led the ancient Israelites on their Exodus from the land of Egypt, see: Ex13:21)

Hence, it is becoming quite apparent that we may be the final generation before the second advent of Christ, who comes in glory, and judgement! Do u REALLY want to POTENTIALLY miss out on the Great Rapture of the Church, on the off chance your beliefs RE: continual sinning is in fact INCORRECT??? Believe me...living in "these times" I certainly wouldn't want to miss the greatest event in human history since the first coming, the birth, the death, or our One True God, through the Son, of Christ Jesus! Amen! 

Nor, would I want to believe in my own, fallen, corrupt judgement, as opposed to the MANY truths, signs etc; from the very Word of God in Sacred Scripture! Getting it horribly wrong, means living in the horribly wrong, much, much more evil, immoral, lawless and depraved times of the "Great Tribulation" — the WORST time in ALL the days of earth and human existence! Eek!!!

"Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of Man"

." (Luke21:36)

Peace and blessing, friends. 🙏🏼✝🛐

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EXTRA FINAL piece to convey my case-in-point!!!

See the screenshot-grab 

(top of post; above) 

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About the

"unforgivable sins of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit."

(Mark 3:29)

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to the WIKIPEDIA SOURCE by

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TERRORISM: MELBOURNE CBD

Our nations fear of an Islamic terrorist attack has been realised today, some two-years since the hostage situation at the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place, Sydney CBD. This time in the Melbourne CBD, in the style of the attacks in Nice, France, and the recent one at the Christmas markets in Germany.

Several deaths, including a young child, and at least twenty seriously injured, including children and a young baby that was hurtled from its pram from impact of the erratic, senseless driving through the closed to traffic strip of the Bourke Street Mall. The CBD in lockdown – trams stopped – emergency services on "code red" and hospital employees called in for duty. The offender was shot in the arm and arrested. Police say it was "not terror related," though eyewitness accounts of the shocking event say the driver was yelling "Allah Akbar" from his vehicle whilst doing donuts out the front of the busy Flinders Street Station intersection.

An initial media report from the "Cairns Post" said the man was of "middle eastern appearance" but that was soon removed from the article. As I said above, the police declared it was NOT terror related and was a follow-on from a stabbing incident in the inner city suburb of Windsor. HOW can it NOT be terror related? After all, what did the innocent shoppers have to do with this stabbing?

"Nine News" reported it as a "police chase" of a "out of control vehicle" – yet there said vehicle contained an Islamist yelling "Allah Akbar" – OF COURSE it was TERROR related!

Oh, how we as a nation have drastically changed in the past seventeen-years. Twenty-years ago, Islam was rarely heard of; now it is SATURATING our society and the entire Western-civilisation as they undertake a MASS-INVASION of our nations under the disguise of being "Asylum seekers."

The Islamists have realised how far we westerners have "fallen from grace," not believing in anything  but ourselves, materialism, atheism and sexual gratification. A nation cannot stand for long when it loses its "moral compass"; its heritage and belief in the One True God. They see us as "ripe for the picking" – the invasion, pillaging and rape of our once God-fearing nations.

A nation without a BELIEF in something other than themselves, a reason to fight for the belief in a higher power, even unto death – will only last a short time until someone else FORCES their beliefs, their culture, their god on to us.

Abortions. So-called same-sex "marriage" and the selfish needs of our people not producing offspring. Enter the so-called "refugee" or "asylum seeker" with multiple wives and much larger families – our culture will end, and very soon, being replaced either by force or by using our democratic rights against us, eventually to legally bring in Islamic Sharia law because we shall be outnumbered, a minority in our own once great country.

When will this world WAKE UP and see the TRUTH instead of being constantly distracted by personal, selfish self-gratification? When will people turn back to GOD? By the time they wake up, trade in their sexual-liberation ideologies for the belief in God, it will already be too late, as our mothers, wives and sisters are taken as sex-slaves; our men beheaded publicly; homosexuals thrown off skyscrapers and Christians forced to convert, or die.

I for one know where my heart lies, and that is with GOD – the ONE TRUE LORD; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. With Jesus Christ. YHWH – I AM – the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Amen.

NOT with the "anti-god" of death. NOT with Allah, the god of Muhammad. I would certainly rather DIE than to bow my knee to their oppressive dictator-god – a so-called god whom is nothing more than a CHRISTIAN HERESY.

I would rather die, assured in my belief that I will be born into heaven. Lord, grant me the strength to die a martyr, not a traitor, if that be Your Will. No more pain – no more suffering. To be forced to convert, living a life I know is NOT TRUE would be a much worse option, for if I were able to keep my earthly life through conversion, it would not be a life at all, but to live in slavery as a second, third or fourth class muslim – not a free one, if there actually is such a thing.

Our Lord Jesus Christ died for our salvation. If need be, I shall die for Him – living for Him and He alone, or not at all. There can only be ONE real TRUTH. You shall know the spirits from the fruit of a faith. Christianity's fruits include LOVE and COMPASSION, whilst the fruits of Islam is DEATH; DISEASE; DECAY.

I know THE truth and "the truth shall set you free." – St. John 8:32.

Lord, grant me the STRENGTH; COURAGE; CONVICTION – to LIVE only for YOU, and to DIE only for YOU. In the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Amen, amen.

The STORM that's NEEDED

As we celebrate with friends and family it comes to the close of another year. We reflect on the previous 12-months and aim to do better with the next twelve, whilst also hoping for a less traumatic year to be had by all. Whether 2017 will be one of the good years or not we can only tell with time – though I believe this will be one big shake-up of a year for everyone. Get ready, world, to experience events of massive disruption to everyone: young and old, rich and poor, religious and atheist, slave and free.

During the last year the Church celebrated an extraordinary jubilee year of mercy. Divine mercy. This year, 2017, is a landmark year for many reasons, notably the centenary of the Fatima apparitions of Our Lady and the "miracle of the sun" but also 500-years since the "Protestant Reformation" ripped through Europe, fracturing western Christendom.

In the Jewish calendar we are currently in the year 5777. Those schooled in Biblical studies will know that the number seven is a divine number to indicate "perfection." The number five is to signify grace. 5,777 = grace + perfected. Have a read of this article on "Mystic Post".

So not only in the Church, but the Jewish mind also, we are at a cross-roads of sorts. Coincidence? According to Jewish Rabbi's, "coincidence" is not a "kosher" word. To many Catholics, coincidences are actually signs from God, or angels, which are signs from God, none-the-less.

Throughout the next nine and a half months there will be "signs in the heavens" culminating towards the end of 2017, near the centenary of the "miracle of the sun". Sadly, most of the world will not look up at the night sky to witness such events unfold before our eyes because they are too glued to their phones and computer screens.

"And a great portent appeared in the heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." – Revelation 12:1

For too long, God has been despised, hated, reviled, ignored, replaced. The whole world is wallowing in sin. In the west we have created a world without God. But God still exists, whether you want to claim he is a fable of antiquity, a moral guiding force for our ancient, illiterate, uneducated ancestors – as though we have the monopoly on knowledge! Perhaps, people in the past had things more spot-on than we have the world at this very moment.

Catholic prophecy speaks of a time when the "Immaculate Heart shall triumph" – I believe it will be soon, in the next twelve months. The prophecy also speaks of an "Illumination of conscience" where we will all experience a deep inward reflection of our lives and actions as they appear to God. Everyone. Not just Catholics. Not just Christians. EVERYONE. Some will take these signs for what they are, a warning from God, and choose to repent and mend their relationship with the Eternal Father. Many will have other excuses and grow harder in heart, becoming more wicked and evil.

Following this "illumination of conscience" there shall be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all who reflect and repent. Think the first Pentecost, but on a much, much larger scale. What an exciting time to be alive! The Lord is more-or-less giving us all a second chance, allowing us to know for certain He is real, from personal experience. An admonition. That shall be God's great mercy to us pilgrims here on earth.

Twelve-months ago I experienced my own personal "illumination" – though it wasn't THE "illumination" prophesied. Finally I understood the world in a different way. I understood why certain behaviours of mine were in fact evil. Sinful. I chose to take all that on board, renouncing the gay lifestyle I had been involved in since I was a teen. I broke-up the relationship I had with my now best-friend. Things have been going steady since, though I for one am not without sin, even now. The prophesied "illumination" may have to occur before I drastically change my ways, but I have started. Trust me, the sooner you know the truth, the better for your soul!

"Repent, and believe in the Gospel!" – Mark 1:15

Death of Celebrity

It is the final week of 2016 – that week in between Christmas Day on the 25th and New Years Day, the 1st of January 2017. A quick browse on social media will indicate 2016 was, by most, a horrible, dreary, deathly year. I for one don't think it was too bad of a year, though many bad things might have happened. Perhaps nothing major happened to me personally, though every year is littered with seemingly arbitrary events, deaths and trauma.

One of the main things I found people say is how many celebrity deaths there was in the year. According to Wikipedia, there are quite a number, though most of them unreported. From religious leaders, doctors and politicians, it seems that celebrity is the only thing that matters to this depraved world.

I don't want to rain on your period of grieving whomever you are grieving. George Michael was the most recent celebrity death that got the attention of the mainstream media. But could all these deaths be the start of the end of celebrity? We can only hope.

This world is so disconnected from reality. Social media is aflame with egotistical, superfluous wannabes. What about the Middle East – Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Yemen? "We don't live there so who cares" is the excuse of many. Well, how about the influx of migrants into Europe? The religious persecution against Christians and other faiths? Everyone is too involved with themselves and the bubble they place themselves in than to care about reality of life for some not as fortunate to live in a free, democratic, well-off "first nation".

Why do the general public appear to care more about the death of a celebrity than the death of someone who actually changed the world somewhat? Anti-smoking doctors, heart surgeons, the physicist who gave us the "heimlich maneuver"?

Soon enough celebrity will be dead, when we realise we are all made of the same substance and all in need of God's saving grace. When Jesus Christ is coming with the clouds at trumpets blow, all of us will be looked at the same and judged accordingly. And lets face it, there aren't too many celebrities who actually do great, selfless things without thinking of a way to "make a buck."

"I AM coming soon." – Revelation 22:12

2015: A Reflection

Dark Night Year of the Soul

Darkness. Overwhelming feeling of nothingness. Like God doesn't exist. Not an uncommon feeling so I've heard among faithful followers, even some notable Saints – St. Teresa of Avila, Bl. Mother Teresa, even the Apostle of Divine Mercy St. Faustina Kowalska had her moments. But what does it mean? Is God dead? Does He not exist? No – nothing of the sort! Just another trial to get through, in the end I will feel better, more loved by Him.

This is how I've been feeling for the most part of 2015 – another reason I have barely written in this blog for some time. I shouldn't be surprised though. It's something I was expecting to happen, I just had to keep telling myself: "He does exist, you know that. You believe that. Have faith, hope and trust in Him." 

I guess earlier this year I hit a theological barrier, I had an epiphany of sorts, funnily enough around the date of the feast of the epiphany! I was hit full force with a sudden realisation/understanding just why certain behaviours and actions are sinful. Sure, I've known for a while, but I never really understood how or why, so I would continue to "give in to temptation" in regards to certain sins, thinking my conscience is a better judge of my own behaviour being sinful or not. Above the teachings of the Church, which ultimately are the same teachings as Christ. Do I know better than Jesus Christ? The second person of the Triune, Eternal God? After undertaking my own research from a variety of differing views, I altered my personal opinion.

Things started opening up a whole new way of looking at the world. I was starting to understand it much better, though I was faced with issues I am still yet to fully resolve. Applying the things I have learnt – Catholic teachings – to my life. It appears I must "die to myself in order to live" (Matt 10:39)

TEN-YEARS TODAY

Ten-years today since that deadly crash.
Ten-years since I last talked to Samantha.
Only to see her again in photos. Memorys. Dreams.
Why waste time getting upset,
Wishing this were an on-going nightmare I can't wake from?

Time to be thankful; count my blessings.
Look at the positives to come from such trauma.
Finding FAITH in Almighty God,
Ten-years since that too!
As sore as I can be - physically, emotionally, mentally;
Thank-you God for restoring my faith in you.

For showing me different ways of dealing with my sufferings,
The different crosses we all must bear,
To unite them with our crucified Lord,
Who died for us all,
Purely our of love.

If not for my faith,
I would probably disregard my life.
As time goes on,
I start understanding
Your Will a fraction more;
Though I will never fully understand,
I trust your plans.

A decade ago, I questioned
"Why did this happen to me?"
Though now I understand a little better,
I'm not quite so upset.

Thank-you Lord for the Holy Spirit,
Teaching me to understand Your Truths better;
For giving me a humble spirit ready to be guided,
Not seeking a way to condone my sins.

Your truths never change,
But the world always does.
Thank-you for PERSEVERANCE
Especially when I experience
Darkness of the soul.

Thank-you for a loving family; for my parents,
Who were my first teachers,
Raising me in the Catholic faith.
Thank-you for a stable home;
A peaceful land of natural resources
Wish room to move around.

Thank-you for showing me different faiths;
But ultimately bringing me home
To the one true Church, thank-you, Lord!
I haven't many friends, but for the ones I do have,
Again I thank-you, Lord!

Thank-you for showing me my life has meaning
For revealing yourself in Jesus Christ,
Inviting me to a personal friendship with you.
Thank-you for your love,
Your mercy, your forgiving ways.

Especially for Holy Mass and the Blessed Sacrament,
Sharing yourself with us, thank-you Lord.
For the blessing of life and all that is in it,
And my hope to spend eternity with you;
Thank-you, Lord.

BELIEF: The ULTIMATE Question

It has been a while since I've had a good old rant, and at the moment, I have plenty on my mind. From examining my life, the way I live: what's right, what's wrong; why am I here, what is my purpose. PLENTY is going on upstairs, though that in itself is a miracle after enduring a serious car accident nine years ago, receiving a brain injury amongst other injuries... but more-so after having a brain hemorrage just over one-year ago. In reality, I should be a vegetable. But I'm not. I guess I'm a thinker - always have been, always will be. From childhood, through my youth, into adulthood.

I always have plenty on my mind regarding spirituality and religion, thinking of things from the minute I wake up to the second I fall asleep at night. My problem is I don't have anyone to really discuss my spirituality and beliefs with. Here I am, feeling alone in the world, as I am surrounded by people with very little, if any, faith at all. Those I am around who may have a spiritual belief certainly don't share the same depth of passion for it, or hold the same beliefs as myself. They are usually the ones to jump on the anti-Catholic bandwagon, if they themselves aren't actually driving it!

I'm one of the most tolerant of people around. I may not agree with another persons beliefs or lifestyle, but I won't try to push my beliefs on them. I hold true that the one true faith is Catholicism: if it weren't, then I could go to any denomination and still be at peace. However, if others choose to accept a different denomination, or a different world-religion all together, that is their choice and they shouldn't be questioned. I'm not God - He can judge them on the last days!

How would I feel if someone tries to push their faith on me? Even after learning I am a Catholic, they will still try, telling me all the faults and errors in Catholicism. Why can't they be like me, realise I believe in SOMETHING and be happy for me, as opposed to trying to push their particular denomination onto me? Generally the most hate filled people in the world can be people of faith, which really is quite sad.

Other times, I will encounter people who question my beliefs, why I go to church, what's the point of it all? To say simply: I don't have to answer them. They're not God. Only recently have I come to this  conclusion. As Jesus said to his own friend, St. Peter: "Go behind me, Satan!" - Matthew 16:23.

People such as these will fill my head with such thoughts that I am wasting my time believing in something that's simply not there. I used to debate these things with people until either they turned to my faith, I turned to theirs, or we agreed to disagree (which was usually the case). Then one word would be said: REGRET. When I die and realise I was wrong, won't I regret all those hours wasted going to Mass? All the books of spiritual nature I've read? All for... what?

If that were to be the case (which I don't believe at all!) then; No. I wouldn't regret having believed in something. I would be dead, I wouldn't exist, so how could I have regrets? I would however regret if I die and found myself in hell. That would undoubtedly be the biggest regret of my life, having to spend eternity in pain and suffering on a scale much more severe than the pains and suffering I endured whilst on earth.

I will go with a more comforting belief, give myself a better chance of getting to Heaven, and actually BELIEVE. Having beliefs I may be limited in what I can do on earth, for many things the body wants can be a sin. But to spend eternity in Heaven is a much better option, than to do whatever I want on earth and spend eternity in Hell.

Many scientific/medical tests will show that people of faith are happier people. So if we live, we die, end of story - at least having faith made me a happier person.

THE REVELATION: A Graphic Novel

Last week I stumbled upon Biblical stories put into comic-book/graphic novel form, reading about Jonah with a free ebook download. Since then, I've been looking into a heap of different Biblical "comics" on the iTunes/iBooks Store. Each book is roughly 40pages long, telling a story of the Bible in amazing, colourful artwork. The cost of each comic is fairly cheap - I bought "The Revelation" this morning for only a few dollars.

You can download a "sample" in the iTunes Store!

I love the Bible in its many translations, though some books I've read very little, if any at all, because of the complexity of it. Prime example for myself and many other readers: "The Book of Revelation" also known as "The Book of Apocalypse". It is a book that many will shy away from because of its name and contents: "666, the mark of the beast"... Dragons... beast riding whores... a book of revelation indeed, and the end of time itself.

Though I have read parts of the original, Biblical book, I haven't been able to read the entire thing. I've known a fair bit of what it entails, but it is always going to be the most misunderstood book in the Bible.

Now I own the graphic novel version of it, which makes for much easier, relaxed reading. As soon as the download was complete, I started reading, flipping page after page of marvellous art, learning about the final book in the Bible. Probably the best few dollars I've spent in a long time!

The contents of the book would scare a vast number of people, and rightly so. I just kick back and relax with the story, somewhat looking forward to this point in history. Though a sinner, I try to lead a good life, looking forward to death. For death isn't the end, as many believe, but it is the beginning of the eternity which I will spend with my God - the One, True, Triune God in the persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Shopping

It has been a while since I've bought something just for myself, so Thursday morning (my payday) I decided to get some exercise and walk down-town to have a browse in "Veritas Central", Albury's Catholic gift store. Last time I went in there was the end of last year, or the very start of this year - some eight months ago now.

As I am trying more than ever to rekindle my faith and love of God, a progress of abandoning certain traits and bad habits is in order. Instead of spending money on things that are used once, never again (for example, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs etc) this week I decided to spend money on what I NEED rather than what I WANT. I did spend on material items, yes; but not worthless material belongings in God's eyes.

When one is trying to change their way of living, deciding to either abstain from a certain poison, or drastically reducing the amount they ingest, a good way to reward ones-self is to buy something special that they wouldn't have bought if still consumed by the downward spiral of that drug.

Whilst I was looking through Veritas, I found two books that I have recently added to my list of "must read" - "True Devotion to Mary" by St. Louis de Montfort, and "The Rule of St. Benedict". What better way to grow in love of God and His Church, than to read about devoting one-self to the Blessed Virgin Mary, then following through with that devotion in an act of consecration? "To Jesus, through Mary".

As for "The Rule" I've thought what better book to read, growing spiritually, following the Father of Western Monasticism! Though I'm not a monk, I'm sure by reading this book I will find spiritual nourishment and texts I can apply to my current state of life.

There were plenty of other things in the store I wanted to buy, but the two books were enough for now. Though I will be going back there more often for spiritual nourishment when I've finished reading these three books, "The Way" which I recently purchased included in that list.

Finding God in Everyday Life

Since I started reading "The Way" by St. Josemaría Escrivá I have been growing in sanctity - or holiness - looking at life through a different lens, increasingly thinking of God and life. Sometimes that inspiration will come from the strangest of places; today from a friend who isn't religious (though I don't think they're atheist.)


They were telling me about a documentary that they had seen about people who had "technically died," but came back to life. All of these people talked of how they saw a light, felt a deep sense of peace/pleasure and wanting to go "into the light." Some saw deceased family members telling them to go back, as nice and peaceful as it was, not to "enter the light." Some even said how when they were bought back to life, they were somehow annoyed because they loved this strange feeling of death.


These people all "died" from different reasons: accidents of different sorts, or on the operating table. Except one person who had a very different experience: feeling pain, burning, not wanting to be there at all and hating every second they were there. That person tried to suicide, but lived to tell of their "hellish experience."


I'm not the best on Biblical knowledge, though know enough that only certain sins will give you eternal damnation. No pleas to Jesus' Divine Mercy or asking for Our Lady's intercession. One of those sins it to blaspheme the Holy Spirit: "And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven." - Luke 12:10.

Another sin is to make changes to Holy Scripture: "For I testify unto everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, and from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." - Revelation 22:18-19.

The third sin that will give you eternal damnation is suicide, just what the one person in this documentary tried to do as their final act on earth! Why is it such a sin to kill yourself, though? Here are two good enough reasons, I'm sure there are plenty of others you could find: "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." - Genesis 1:27.

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.

If one cannot blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, one cannot expect to kill the temple of the Holy Spirit and not expect the same outcome!

Having said all this, suicide is a very real issue. If you are suicidal, hopefully reading this will change your decision to take that path. Talk to people and let them know how you feel. Life can get pretty bad at times, some people don't have many problems in life while others seem to get heaped with problem after problem.

I myself have been suicidal at times in my life. As much as I would love to be in Heaven with my God - no more pain, no more suffering - I know I won't have a chance if I end it myself. Having a spiritual belief/religion does help in life; if one of those ways it helps is to make you not give up on life, that can only be a good thing! Life does get better though, we have our rough patches but we have our good times as well. Start to look at life from a different perspective - through a different lens as I like to say.