tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post3488661381134597201..comments2023-05-02T05:40:29.838-07:00Comments on AscendingTheHills: A Heart Zealous for GodJessica Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-71809363647760642132010-11-23T05:37:02.032-08:002010-11-23T05:37:02.032-08:00Hi Galatea,
Thank you so much for your comment :)...Hi Galatea,<br /><br />Thank you so much for your comment :) I am an advocate of interfaith dialogue...I think we need more peace in the world and the more that us individuals can build bridges of understanding to others that might hold different views, theologically or otherwise, the closer we will get to more peace. Thich Nhat Hanh has been an invaluable source for me in learning about compassionate listening as well as other concepts, like mindfulness. If we were all more mindful, the world would be a lot different, and different for the better.<br /><br />I'm not against trying to understand things when it comes to the Bible...I do think though, if our faith isn't at a certain point, it can pose a threat to the stability of our walk with God...at least that is what I've found myself spiritually. I wouldn't necessarily apply that rule to everyone, but I can only speak from experience. I had a lot of questions, and wrestled with a lot of concepts-including, but not limited to, God's character, the literal nature of the Bible, etc. awhile back. These questions I had really stole my sense of peace and made me feel a distance between myself and God. I think part of that reason was because I was losing my trust in God, and in His Word. To be able to worship and praise our God, to be able to seek Him (including His understanding) we have to be able to seek Him with all our minds, our hearts and our strength...and we can't do that whole -heartedly if we don't trust Him whole heartedly. <br /><br />In proverbs it tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and understanding. From what I've learned and experienced one has to have their heart right and truly fixed on God (with zeal!), with the realization of His holiness, the realization of His Grace and Mercy...when those factors are in place, God blesses our human heart with understanding and knowledge, he opens the eyes of our hearts and minds with invaluable insights and revelations. He blesses us for the trust and faith we put in Him and for our seeking hearts, that our hearts pursue His knowledge in the honest and pure intention of bringing Him glory. When we live a zealous life with God, experiencing Him daily, even minute to minute, the truths that we seek come tumbling towards us at a greater speed than which we could have come across them on our own, and in deeper ways than we could even think or imagine.<br /> <br />Anyways, just some of my own thoughts that came up while reading your comment. Thank you so much for it. I think it's important to have different views come here-that brings about a meaningful exchange of dialogue that sometimes challenges the way we think...and that's a good thing. It's good to stretch and grow! :) <br /><br />~blessings,<br />JessicaJessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-20015829011959644672010-11-23T01:10:53.492-08:002010-11-23T01:10:53.492-08:00"Do I want to bring Him glory? I do...but som..."Do I want to bring Him glory? I do...but sometimes I think my search for theological answers and to understand facets of His character and glimpses of His truth overshadow or even come before a simple desire to please Him and bring Him honor."<br /><br />If I may beg to differ just slightly...I think that, for some people (including myself), applying our minds to searching for theological understanding of God's character is part of the act of honouring Him. <br /><br />I have been through periods of being "zealous" in the way that your article describes, but for me, sooner or later that emotional fervour burns itself out and my mind seeks to hold onto something more solid. <br /><br />I think that my intellect searches for understanding, because that's the mind I was given by God. It's a spiritual gift He has given me, that I search for truth on that level, because to find understanding means I can help to pass it onto others. <br /><br />I can't "give" other people emotional fervour and zeal, but I can help to increase understanding, tolerance, and love (I hope) by sharing my searching thoughts. If I can help uplift someone, or help interfaith dialogue, then I have done something to fulfill the intellectual gift God has given me.<br /><br />Peace,<br />Galatea CcAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-52164475399243159312010-11-22T08:30:20.786-08:002010-11-22T08:30:20.786-08:00Amen Lisa!!! Thank you Justin!...You are so right....Amen Lisa!!! Thank you Justin!...You are so right...to leave with only a heart that is lukewarm towards God is to live half-heartedly and it gives God no glory and does no good for us either. Very true...so many live that way, and I think even those of us who seek God with all that is inside of us can fall into that trap from time to time. Something to pray for, for sure...<br /><br />~blessings :)Jessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-56437518078475445482010-11-22T08:19:18.656-08:002010-11-22T08:19:18.656-08:00That's the way to be about God. Anything short...That's the way to be about God. Anything short of that is just kidding. Sadly, many people are only kidding themselves....for now.<br /><br />This is very inspiring, Jessica :)Justin Ryan Schwanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14017588176211924706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-40079276181450333232010-11-22T07:19:23.803-08:002010-11-22T07:19:23.803-08:00I want to be zealous for God! And I want to stand...I want to be zealous for God! And I want to stand with you and say that I don't care what the world thinks of me. My God is always worthy of my full attention, devotion and praise. Amen!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06523429758131664355noreply@blogger.com