tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post480500354480027045..comments2023-05-02T05:40:29.838-07:00Comments on AscendingTheHills: Stepping out of the ClosetJessica Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-44301040949313769062012-01-08T19:37:31.643-08:002012-01-08T19:37:31.643-08:00Don't stop searching....Don't knock the Bi...Don't stop searching....Don't knock the Bible off the table either. : )Grapehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08287757346157079106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-13858022643049877402011-08-20T11:35:12.143-07:002011-08-20T11:35:12.143-07:00Jessica,
I love the passion with which you write....Jessica,<br /><br />I love the passion with which you write. You are wide open to the biggest theological and practical questions of our day! Wonderful<br /><br />I also am honored that my blog gave you some courage as you journey forward in your faith. I love the new-found openness and authenticity I sense in you.<br /><br />On Universalism... as you can probably somewhat guess... I'm not a universalist. BUT, I also don't hold to a traditional view of hell either. I personally don't think either view does justice to the character of God or the Scriptures. With that said, you've gotta continue discerning, listening, reading, and growing... I trust God will have his hands on the process. So, I want to give you a couple of great resources to help you in the journey forward on Heaven and Hell.<br /><br />1) Surprised by Hope, NT Wright [the most important book written on the new creation in our time. also has a short section on hell]<br /><br />2) A Wideness in God's Mercy, Clark Pinnock [Personally, i think this book might have some of the answers your looking for! I'd invite you to start here... assuming you haven't read it yet] http://amzn.to/qdvtNx <br /><br />3) Razing Hell, Sharon Baker<br /><br />Anyway, I hope you will be blessed on your journey forward!<br /><br />KurtKurt Willemshttp://patheos.com/blogs/thepangeablognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-33034826646355352272011-08-18T17:04:40.777-07:002011-08-18T17:04:40.777-07:00insightful, thought provoking post for someone lik...insightful, thought provoking post for someone like me who has a lot of room for growth in the realm of spirituality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-18234981467635261362011-08-16T08:19:02.121-07:002011-08-16T08:19:02.121-07:00I had commented on two blogs yesterday and somehow...I had commented on two blogs yesterday and somehow I had trouble posting them...I guess it's a way to divert my attention and really go into the roots of my reflections.<br /><br />It's a good way to start with a parallelism with the search of God and the rabbit(s)...<br /><br />Somehow, you remind me of the beloved in the Song of Songs who sought after her love...who found him and lost him again. I guess that's how it is with God... we could not define Him in human terms nor confine Him with our own understanding... It is a continuous process of loss and discovery and each time a new one is realized, we are purified and our faith is strengthened.<br /><br />I think the deeper question you have more than universalism or the evangelicalism (?) is inner freedom.<br /><br />One has to be inwardly free inorder to step out of the first mansions (St. Teresa of Avila's 7 mansions) and enter into the inner sanctuarium where everything is pure and light...<br /><br />I urge you to keep on questioning but allow your questions to penetrate your being and not stay stagnant on the head level where we rationalize a lot...<br /><br />Listen to that inner voice (which you are practicing through contemplative prayer) and let God lead the way...si dici,"piano...piano" slowly slowly, you'll get there...<br /><br />Be at peace...the Spirit will guide you in discerning what is and what is not...<br /><br />True love and freedom brings us to humility...Melissa Tandochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747825707650125721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-75964339291171248392011-08-15T04:49:22.659-07:002011-08-15T04:49:22.659-07:00I'm envious of your courage, Jessica. It's...I'm envious of your courage, Jessica. It's been easier for me to just walk away from the whole thing because I can't handle the ridicule. But I can truly say that I've found more peace sitting in the sanctuary of the Universalist Unitarian Church than I have ever felt in that of the Evangelical Christian Church. I truly believe that's what God intended...for us to find him through many different approaches and come together to celebrate the diversity he placed among us.Laurennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-54494418772330328202011-08-14T15:58:37.539-07:002011-08-14T15:58:37.539-07:00you're not alone :)
"they may say I'...you're not alone :)<br /><br />"they may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one"Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11953038703407913981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-54600839334934095242011-08-14T11:20:24.862-07:002011-08-14T11:20:24.862-07:00Hi Jessica, I have to agree with some of the comme...Hi Jessica, I have to agree with some of the comments here. This piece was written from the heart and it deals with your struggles and questions. I think there are many people out there who are facing the exact same questions. I am not sure we will get the answers in this life and I am really looking forward to get them in the next. Have a blessed week!Nelietahttp://nelietatravellingadventures.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-27799859662904761942011-08-14T11:14:22.218-07:002011-08-14T11:14:22.218-07:00Sigrun, it was a pleasure to have you stop by and ...Sigrun, it was a pleasure to have you stop by and comment, thank you so much! :) I think your reflections are refreshing and reveal much truths to the issue of heaven/hell. Thanks so much :)Jessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-6743384536325399832011-08-14T05:53:10.614-07:002011-08-14T05:53:10.614-07:00I applaud your courage, Jessica, to express what y...I applaud your courage, Jessica, to express what you think in the face of criticism. Probably none of life's complexities can be answered with a fixed set of rules.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-55743685849711569612011-08-14T02:14:29.940-07:002011-08-14T02:14:29.940-07:00Thought-provoking questions! The right questions l...Thought-provoking questions! The right questions lead to answers that can enrich the quality of your life. One of the most powerful things anyone seeking personal growth can do is ask questions of themselves, to delve more deeply into certain areas. Life can be a puzzle, questions help us power our way through our thoughts.I'll hop way nowLarry Lewishttp://healthylifestylesblog.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-13149148046444181132011-08-14T01:42:23.239-07:002011-08-14T01:42:23.239-07:00I love this post & your style of writing. Such...I love this post & your style of writing. Such an interesting perspective. Gods love is universal so why should we not be universalists?Violet Aurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00884385656866290735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-65994443109758184452011-08-14T00:14:24.456-07:002011-08-14T00:14:24.456-07:00What an honest and humble confession Jessica. I am...What an honest and humble confession Jessica. I am sure your search, your spiritual journey will someday soon get you where you want to be because you are earnest, honest and have a beautiful and faithful heart.Rimlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04800381730067608251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-80319203873814090982011-08-13T19:27:18.201-07:002011-08-13T19:27:18.201-07:00Maureen's statement "So, if you are doing...Maureen's statement "So, if you are doing good in the world, you know God, whether or not you know you know God" sums up what I have believed for a long time. I think it is grounded in Mathew Chapter 25. Jesus said " ....Anything you did for one of my brothers here you did for me." To me that means when we are helping and loving others we are loving Christ, whether we know it or not. Regarding heaven and hell, in Mathew, Christ seems to be saying that self-centered people who do not care for others will be the goats who are not able to join the loving fellowship of God and other loving sheep prophets, saints. That having been said, a life centered on a God that one consciously knows and worships is a precious goal!sigrungadwanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-32515697766855505242011-08-13T16:40:54.901-07:002011-08-13T16:40:54.901-07:00Maureen, thank you so much! We all know so little ...Maureen, thank you so much! We all know so little of something so infinite and vast, so you're not the only one! :) I was called a universalist and I felt unfairly dejected and offended! This was awhile back when ingrained in me was that "universalist" was an offensive term bearing the stamp of heresy. I love your frankness and openness towards God. You have a refreshing perspective. Thank you so much for stopping by :)Jessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-88046397862100614402011-08-13T16:36:37.382-07:002011-08-13T16:36:37.382-07:00I got called a universalist once - at Catholic Bib...I got called a universalist once - at Catholic Bible Study....I took it as a compliment, actually because I had just felt a real understanding of my faith...<br /><br />I think Jesus died to open the gates to heaven to all of us schmucks on earth. And if you go back to the basic teaching that "God is Good" then you can't have goodness without God. So, if you are doing good in the world, you know God, whether or not you know you know God. Haha if that makes any sense.<br /><br />I just really believe in this whole MYSTERY of our faith and there is SO MUCH to know that it doesn't matter if you know 100,000 true facts about God or 0 - they all are closer to 0 than infinity in the big picture. And I think, on judgment day, we'll find our Father with open arms and a smirk on his face patting each of us on the head saying, "my poor clueless child, thank you for trying so hard. Now, you can understand..."<br /><br />That's just how I figure it. But I know so little of something so big...Maureenhttp://www.notme2night.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-66264780503272491062011-08-13T15:47:35.083-07:002011-08-13T15:47:35.083-07:00Debra,
So glad you are enjoying Bill's blog t...Debra,<br /><br />So glad you are enjoying Bill's blog too! I've found it very inspiring! :) So true about labels. Thank you for your thoughtful comment and I look forward to reading your spiritual memoir :) Blessings.Jessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-84722561591120687722011-08-13T15:45:42.959-07:002011-08-13T15:45:42.959-07:00Gina..thank you so much for stopping by. Priceless...Gina..thank you so much for stopping by. Priceless advice that I will gladly accept! Scripture is the gateway to understanding and beckons us ever closer to learning and experience God more. Blessings.Jessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-83446169243132408302011-08-13T15:44:16.630-07:002011-08-13T15:44:16.630-07:00Martha,
That is a great perspective! Seeking out ...Martha,<br /><br />That is a great perspective! Seeking out one's view on these theological questions has merits, but above all a living relationship with God is the most important thing. When Christ is alive in our hearts and in our lives than we start to manifest His Kingdom-His love, grace and compassion, here on earth. And heaven knows this planet and all the people abiding in it need the message Christ offers!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by :)Jessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-26692905838549939862011-08-13T15:42:19.492-07:002011-08-13T15:42:19.492-07:00Mari, thanks so much for stopping by. Glad you enj...Mari, thanks so much for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed it :)Jessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-59565740269301432942011-08-13T14:48:00.040-07:002011-08-13T14:48:00.040-07:00Bill has spoken in a couple of posts on labels. ...Bill has spoken in a couple of posts on labels. Even Christian labels can lead us on rabbit trails that have little to do with Christ – though most often they sound and even seem right. Matthew 7: 13-14, and also Proverbs 14:12. (Of course there are several other cross references here). <br /><br />A seeking heart like yours dear Jessica isn’t likely to go too far off the main path, not as long as you recognize the Shepherd’s voice. The problem with following religions is the tendency to hear other voices instead of the Shepherd’s. John 10:27. <br /><br />That’s why Jesus went to ‘a lonely place apart’ so often: to get alone with his Father and learn to do only what he saw Abba doing. John 5:19 <br /><br />I’m looking forward to finishing my spiritual memoir, as it shows the many rabbit trails I’ve followed along the way. It sounds a bit like your journey described above. At the end of the day, I finally settle on the wilderness (for now) where I simply enjoy His presence and peace, and where abiding in Him is enough.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02273349436461781371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-26653966115944189432011-08-13T14:02:00.580-07:002011-08-13T14:02:00.580-07:00Bottom line, Jessica >> Read the Bible.
Tak...Bottom line, Jessica >> Read the Bible.<br /><br />Take your journey through the hot sands that Jesus walked, talk to Him under the olive trees and see what He says about your questions. <br /><br />But, before you do, ask God to reveal to you the truth of scripture. Ask him for wisdom and insight and to reveal exactly what He wants you to know.<br /><br />Ten years ago I asked Him to explain to me about prayer. He has revealed so much to me through scripture, through sermons, through my own prayers, and He keeps on explaining it to me. Any person might forget after the first year, but God never does. He'll teach you if you just ask.Refreshment in Refugehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05109290647409291383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-14141368408275085832011-08-13T13:36:35.615-07:002011-08-13T13:36:35.615-07:00Jessica, you are so right; if we want to continue ...Jessica, you are so right; if we want to continue to grow in our relationship with God, we have to chase those rabbits (fantastic image, by the way) He sends our way. We have to trust in the paths He opens to us and, as you stated, we must seek Him and Him only.<br /><br />Like you, I have questioned the saving of some and not others. However, I have concluded that God is so much bigger than I, this is in His control, not mine; who am I to say that Jesus hasn't appeared to other cultures in ways that satisfy Him that they are believers? I think the most important things we can do as Christians is to grow our relationship with Him and spread the good news of salvation to others.<br /><br />There is a joy in the journey!<br /><br />Blessings!Martha Jane Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620499267401065780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-16901092142671314232011-08-13T13:31:38.395-07:002011-08-13T13:31:38.395-07:00Very thought provoking post and worthy of more tha...Very thought provoking post and worthy of more than one read. :DMari Sterling Wilburhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17232646172657479932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-47748564689289319112011-08-13T12:40:37.067-07:002011-08-13T12:40:37.067-07:00Chris,
Thanks so much for your great and thoughtf...Chris,<br /><br />Thanks so much for your great and thoughtful comment! I feel like we can identify with eachother a lot because as you come here I often journey to your blog as well and we both are seeking spiritually and it's a joy to be able to have these exchanges :)<br /><br />I think you hit a really great point home when you wrote: Any path that leads you closer to God is the right one.<br /><br />I've been reading and listening to Ken Wilber quite a bit (if you aren't familiar with him I'd highly recommend him!) and he recommends to go with what intuitively works for you spiritually, where you feelGod is calling you, and to stick with it, not drifting to other beliefs but really cultivating a genuine sense of your own in the forum of the familiar. (I'm totally paraphrasing) <br /><br /> I definitely think God leads us down all kinds of paths, and if we seek Him and Him only, He will always light the way in our hearts. We just need to look for it. It's really refreshing meeting so many lately that are searching and seeking, digging and plodding along for answers. I think we all have something to learn from one another :) Thanks for stopping by.Jessica Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02450820269367184046noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2583035984896584839.post-8907310573944879992011-08-13T12:20:41.247-07:002011-08-13T12:20:41.247-07:00Wow, Jessica!
I've read quite a bit of your me...Wow, Jessica!<br />I've read quite a bit of your meanderings here. This is probably the best written piece I've seen from you. It comes from the heart. I can tell you're struggling a bit here, but I THINK you're on the right path. You REALLY MUST read Rob Bell's book. I have it and when we get together I'll make sure and get it to you.<br /><br />Love your analogy of chasing rabbits. The fact that you say:<br /><b><br />Every time I start chasing my rabbit, it becomes more vibrant, more full of hope, more full of light clearing the view and distance between me and him when I plunge deep into the endless possibilities of God's love, compassion and grace. My surroundings become more crisp and defined, my inward eye more discerning.</b><br /><br />is what leads me to believe you're on the right path. Any path that leads you closer to God is the right one.<br /><br />Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Christians. We ALL pray to the same God. There is NO wrong God. As far as Hell goes? I'll continue to believe as Rob Bell does...<br />(and it's interesting I wasn't aware of Mr Bell before reading his book)<br />...that why would God who is all loving seek to ONLY accept a select few and send the rest to damnation. And who IS that select few? How can humanity KNOW?<br /><br />EVEN IF this was the case how can ANYONE say BEYOND doubt who is saved and who isn't? I don't believe God would condemn ANYONE for all eternity. That's not the loving God I believe in.<br /><br />Good for you, Jessica that you're continuing to seek answers. It's those who accept doctrine without EVER questioning and without EVER looking beyond, that most worry me. As I've maintained on my blog since its inception:<br /><b>Life is about moving forward.</b><br /><br />God will reward you for continuing to seek him in ANY way possible.<br /><br />You're on the right path. Keep searching, Jessica. Keep reaching. Keep learning. It's the only way to grow.<br />--<br />ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com