Orthodox Saints and Desert Fathers for Peace!

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Do you wish to honor the Body of the Savior? Do not despise it when it is naked. Do not honor it in church with silk vestments while outside it is naked and numb with cold. He who said, "This is my body," and made it so by his word, is the same that said, "You saw me hungry and you gave me no food. As you did it not to the least of these, you did it not to me." Honor him then by sharing your property with the poor. For what God needs is not golden chalices but golden souls.

--St. John Chrysostom / "On the Gospel of St. Matthew", 50, iii (PG 58, 508)

Nothing is so characteristically Christian as being a peacemaker.

-- St Basil the Great, Letter 114


Follower of Jesus, non-conformist, preacher, poet, blogger, graduate of Highland Theological College, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend, Learning Assistant (ASN) Outdoors. Late diagnosed Autistic.

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Spurgeon for Peace!

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"If there is anyone who should be opposed to strife and bloodshed it is the man that names the name of Christ. Spurgeon considered the spirit of war to be absolutely foreign to the spirit of Christianity…. Modern conservative, fundamentalist, and evangelical Christians, all of whom might claim him as one of their own, have much to learn from Spurgeon, not only for his example of an uncompromising and successful Christian minister, but also for his consistent opposition to war and Christian war fever." - Laurence M. Vance  “We are up to the hilt advocates for peace, and we earnestly war against war. I wish that Christian men would insist more and more on the unrighteousness of war, believing that Christianity means no sword, no cannon, no bloodshed, and that, if a nation is driven to fight in its own defence, Christianity stands by to weep and to intervene as soon as possible, and not to join in the cruel shouts which celebrate an enemy’s slaughter. . . . Today, then, my bret
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The souls conflict and deliverance

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"Objection [To quieting the spirit in the soul's conflicts].  But I have often relapsed and fallen into the same sin again and again. Answer.  If Christ will have us pardon our brother seventy-seven times, can we think that he will enjoin us more than he will be ready to do himself, when in cases of showing mercy he would have us think his thoughts to be far above ours?" (From: The Soul's Conflict With Itself - Richard Sibbes) There is a worship song that has a line ' 1000 times I fail yet your mercy remains .' Of course like Paul we must ask: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1,2) However, note that being a Christian does not suddenly mean we are completely perfect and won't make any mistakes along the way. Paul also admits: “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do
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Testimony

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Grace Alone. My heart yet afar off. Christ dies for me. My heart drawn to Him. Christ rises for me. Grace: Be still and know that I am God. My heart broken. Christ comforts me. My heart angry at, the world, the flesh, the devil and even to my shame family and Him whom I have pierced. Christ calms me. Grace: Be still and know that I am God. My heart yearning for a better world. Christ encourages me. Grace: Be still and know that I am God. Lonely, My heart blessed with a beloved. Desiring a child, My heart blessed with a baby. My heart blessed with family. Grace Alone: Be still and know that I am God. *** Based on my Christian Testimony. Some verses of note -  John 3:16 (KJV) 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV) 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we ar
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Take Heart: A Catechism

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Take Heart A Catechism By David Holdsworth  FREE DOWNLOAD Authors Note: There are many good Catechisms available. But, somewhere along the line Christians in many parts of the church at large seem to have lost this age old practice of simple instruction in the format of questions and answers. In no way is this little contribution meant to take away from good Catechisms already written, but rather to be a compliment to them. This is a simple way for me to share the good news with others. It is my hope that you the reader or listener may find biblical help from the simplicity of the good news. I have included biblical proofs as standard so you may go and examine the scriptures (and indeed your heart) for yourself. Pax et Bonum. (1) Q. What comfort may be found for the believer? A. A heart that need not have trouble or fear. One that can rely on God in troubled times and that can glorify His name.  Proofs. John 14:27, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 50:15 (2) Q. What message does scriptures give to tho
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Coronation Day Blog Post: May We Lead A Quiet Peaceable Life

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I'm not a royalist, but I do desire that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life. So yes, God save the King, his subjects, allies, and enemies. God save the collective kingdoms of earth. Let them be engulfed by a new and more peaceable kingdom. Whose King came meek and lowly, and is now crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."  (1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV) ~ Pax Et Bonum ~
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Suffering

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Who has all answers?  The faithful answer is that  I just don't know?  Free Will and The Light All pilgrims suffer daily Worship God anyway Not a twisted king   Absolute power hungry Micro managing  Free will is our choice Humans, angels, and demons Creatures and nature  Yes, troubles will come  Not all use free will for good   Lasting negatives World variables  There are good things and bad War: light and darkness Troubles since the Fall Freely, wilfully humans sin Treking east of Eden It's not all judgement Who sinned, man or parents? Born blind for His work Tool of redemption  Not suffering judgement  Jesus eye opener  Light of the world Miraculously heals a man.  Was blind, but now I see. Who has all answers?  The faithful answer is that  Only He surely does *** This poem is based on the following article that I wrote: I don't have all the answers. In fact, the truly faithful answer to some questions is "I just don't know," and that is the faithful answer.
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Essential

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Written in the depth of the Pandemic: "I am essential!"    The preacher roars in his hundred dollar suit.  His hundreds strong holy huddle of pew warmers burst into an applause of rapture as they prepare for the second offering.  The TV channel switches to pre-recorded "Tele-Evangelist mode".  The cheers echoe through the giant money making machine.  Like an idol his image flashes across giant screens in the auditorium.    As he speaks he suddenly remembers his brother across town.    In an old tin tabernacle the gentle shepherd speaks to his flock.  "I am not essential... Except the Lord builds the house the builders build in vain."  He says this while ministering in a soup kitchen as he serves the needy.  Later that day he plans to do food drops and work in a care home.  At evening prayers his prayer would be as he helped refugees at the docks and prisoners in the cells.  Then at night he would minister on the streets as a practical pastor to the needy a
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Collateral Damage

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You are someones baby, someones child; But they call you collateral damage. You are someones son, someones daughter; But they call you collateral damage. You are someones brother, someones sister; But they call you collateral damage. You are someones father, someones mother; But they call you collateral damage. They call you collateral damage. For they know not what spirit they are of. 
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