I Hear the Voice of Jesus Say

[lastpost]

We sang this in church tonight and I thought of all my friends here throughout the service and promised I would post this when I got home for anyone who was interested...

    I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "Come unto Me and rest;
    Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
    Thy head upon My breast."

    I came to Jesus as I was,
    Weary and worn and sad;
    I found in Him a resting place,
    And He has made me glad.

    I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "Behold, I freely give
    The living water; thirsty one,
    Stoop down, and drink, and live."

    I came to Jesus, and I drank
    Of that life-giving stream;
    My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
    And now I live in Him.

    I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "I am this dark world's Light;
    Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
    And all thy day be bright."

    I looked to Jesus, and I found
    In Him my Star, my Sun;
    And in that light of life I'll walk,
    Till trav'ling days are done.

    I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "My Father's house above
    Has many mansions; I've a place
    Prepared for you in love."

    I trust in Jesus—in that house,
    According to His word,
    Redeemed by grace, my soul shall live
    Forever with the Lord.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSSiEixBt8E

Incidentally, the Bible reading was Luke III 1-6 (just continuing from last week)

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Different individuals have different ways of seeing Divine Truth but it is the heart and motive that Jesus sees so clearly! I truly thank God that He is pouring out His Spirit onto His people inspite of the protestations of His representatives!

                                                                        :dsunny:

[anna274]

We sang this in church tonight and I thought of all my friends here throughout the service and promised I would post this when I got home for anyone who was interested...

    I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "Come unto Me and rest;
    Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
    Thy head upon My breast."

    I came to Jesus as I was,
    Weary and worn and sad;
    I found in Him a resting place,
    And He has made me glad.

    I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "Behold, I freely give
    The living water; thirsty one,
    Stoop down, and drink, and live."

    I came to Jesus, and I drank
    Of that life-giving stream;
    My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
    And now I live in Him.

    I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "I am this dark world's Light;
    Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
    And all thy day be bright."

    I looked to Jesus, and I found
    In Him my Star, my Sun;
    And in that light of life I'll walk,
    Till trav'ling days are done.

    I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "My Father's house above
    Has many mansions; I've a place
    Prepared for you in love."

    I trust in Jesus—in that house,
    According to His word,
    Redeemed by grace, my soul shall live
    Forever with the Lord.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSSiEixBt8E

Incidentally, the Bible reading was Luke III 1-6 (just continuing from last week)

6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Different individuals have different ways of seeing Divine Truth but it is the heart and motive that Jesus sees so clearly! I truly thank God that He is pouring out His Spirit onto His people inspite of the protestations of His representatives!

                                                                        :dsunny:

Many thanks for sharing such a truly inspirational song...  I am a collector of Scripturally sound songs, hymns...    I've done several studies on "To Whose Voice Are You Hearkening?"   Sort of started the studies when I noticed that it was because Adam hearkened/obeyed the voice of his wife (Gen 3:17)... that the ground was cursed....   also another man who hearkened to the voice of his wife Gen 16:2 Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai  resulted in Ishmael being conceived...
later in Gen 26:4-5  in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed... because Abraham heard/obeyed My voice...

And, of course, in the NT we read much about hearing...  of special note is John 10:1-18 hearing the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd...

Sorry, I got a little carried away... 

Of course, I will print this song and file it with my other treasures.   Thanks so  much lastpost

[lastpost]

Dear Ann

Your treasures contain so many sacred truths.

We also sang "Forward be our watchword" which was appropriate as our reading was about following Christ and I symbolise following the "fiery pillar" and not looking behind as following Christ into the unknown without fear or anxiety because of unwavering faith in Him and not having to keep turning back...

Forward! be our watchword, steps and voices joined;
Seek the things before us, not a look behind;
Burns the fiery pillar at our army's head;
Who shall dream of shrinking, by our Captain led?

[lastpost]

A soothing and revealing hymn...

Hushed was the evening hymn,
The temple courts were dark;
The lamp was burning dim
Before the sacred ark;
When suddenly a voice divine
Rang through the silence of the shrine.

The old man, meek and mild,
The priest of Israel, slept;
His watch the temple child,
The little Levite, kept;
And what from Eli's sense was sealed
The Lord to Hannah's son revealed.

O give me Samuel's ear,
The open ear, O Lord,
Alive and quick to hear
Each whisper of Thy Word,
Like him to answer at Thy call,
And to obey Thee first of all.

O give me Samuel's heart,
A lowly heart, that waits
Where in Thy house Thou art,
Or watches at Thy gates;
By day and night, a heart that still
Moves at the breathing of Thy will.

O give me Samuel's mind,
A sweet unmurm'ring faith,
Obedient and resigned
To Thee in life and death,
That I may read with child like eyes
Truths that are hidden from the wise.

Peace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0otV1wTaOWo

[lastpost]

Open My Eyes, That I May See

    1. Open my eyes, that I may see
    Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
    Place in my hands the wonderful key,
    That shall unclasp and set me free.
    Silently now I wait for Thee,
    Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
    Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

    2. Open my ears, that I may hear
    Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
    And while the wave-notes fall on my ear,
    Ev'rything false will disappear.
    Silently now I wait for Thee,
    Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
    Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

    3. Open my mouth, and let it bear
    Gladly the warm truth ev'rywhere;
    Open my heart and let me prepare
    Love with Thy children thus to share.
    Silently now I wait for Thee,
    Ready, my God, Thy will to see;
    Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Lyrics: Clara H. Fiske Scott
Music: Clara H. Fiske Scott

http://www.hymnpod.com/2011/02/01/open-my-eyes-that-i-may-see

[lastpost]

We sang these hymns tonight and I had the thought to share the words. Children of God willingly seeking to draw closer to Him through the singing in unity of thoughts and words of Him - and He draws close. The Spirit flows in Spirit Communion when individuals lay aside the distractions of man's busy highways and byways and instead harmonise together nearer to the Harmony which is of God. He is the Living God - Living.

"My God, My Father, While I Stray" Charlotte Elliot, 1789-1871

1. My God and Father! while I stray,
Far from my home in life's rough way,
Oh! teach me from my heart to say,
"Thy will be done!"

2. If Thou shouldst call me to resign,
What most I prize, it ne'er was mine.
I only yield Thee what was Thine;
"Thy will be done!"

3. If but my fainting heart be blest,
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God! To Thee I leave the rest,
"Thy will be done!"

4. Renew my will from day to day,
Blend it with Thine, and take away,
All now that makes it hard to say,
"Thy will be done!"

5. Then when on earth I breathe no more,
The prayer, oft mixed with tears before,
I'll sing upon a happier shore,
"Thy will be done!"

"Our Blest Redeemer, Ere He Breathed "
Words: Harriet Auber, Spirit of the Psalms, 1829

Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed
His tender last farewell,
A Guide, a Comforter, bequeathed
With us to dwell.

He came in semblance of a dove,
With sheltering wings outspread,
The holy balm of peace and love
On earth to shed.

He came sweet influence to impart,
A gracious, willing Guest,
While He can find one humble heart
Wherein to rest.

And His that gentle voice we hear,
Soft as the breath of even,
That checks each fault, that calms each fear,
And speaks of Heav'n.

And every virtue we possess,
And every conquest won,
And every thought of holiness,
Are His alone.

Spirit of purity and grace,
Our weakness, pitying, see:
O make our hearts Thy dwelling place
And worthier Thee.

Peace for the children of God, and again Peace.

[marie glen]

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    "Come unto Me and rest..."

So hard for some to believe!!  :dsunny:

[lastpost]

Good evening, it is truly a blessing to receive renewal in soul and body - and all one need do is go to Him with humble heart and simple mind and He is there - regardless of the distractions of elaborate glosses. He is the Way.

1.  Spirit divine, attend our prayer,
     And make our hearts Thy home;
     Descend with all Your gracious power;
     O come, great Spirit, come!

2.   Come as the light; to waiting minds
      That long the truth to know,
      Reveal the narrow path of right,
      The way of duty show.

3.   Come as the fire; enkindle now
      The sacrificial flame,
      Till our whole souls an offering be
      In Love's redeeming name.

4.  Come as the wind: sweep clean away
     What dead within us lies,
     And search and freshen all our souls
     With living energies.


"Seek first the kingdom and its righteousness, and these all shall be added to you" Matt. 6:33

"Jesus is saying to him, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one is coming to the Father except through Me" John 14:6

"And Jesus, passing by thence, perceived a man termed Matthew sitting at the tribute office, and He is saying to him, 'Follow Me!' " Matt.9:9

"Jesus averred to him, 'If you are wanting to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and be giving to the poor, and you will be having treasure in the heavens. And hither! Follow Me'."

"Guard your feet when you go to the house of Elohim; To go near to hear is better than that the foolish should offer sacrifice, For they know nothing but to do evil" Eccl 5:1

"Then it is saying, 'Into my home will I be turning back, whence I came out.' And coming, it is finding it unoccupied, and swept and decorated" Matt. 12:44

"...not to be configured to this eon, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for you to be testing what is the will of God, good and well pleasing and perfect..." Rom. 12:2,3

Peace is His

[rosered]

 :girlheart:

[lastpost]

It may be "old" but it was "new" when we sang this tonight...

I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
  He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
  And thus He bound me to Him.
And round my heart still closely twine
  Those ties which naught can sever,
For I am His, and He is mine,
  Forever and forever.

   I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
  He bled, He died to save me;
And not alone the gift of life,
  But His own self He gave me.
Naught that I have my own I call,
  I hold it for the Giver;
My heart, my strength, my life, my all,
  Are His, and His forever.

   I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
  So kind, and true, and tender,
So wise a Counsellor and Guide,
  So mighty a Defender!
From Him who loves me now so well,
  What power my soul can sever?
Shall life or death, or earth or hell?
  No? I am His forever.

https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/288?

[lastpost]

I am privileged to be able to share with friends the wonderful words of this hymn that we few regulars sang tonight in our Service...
Indeed:

"Before we upward pass to Heav'n,
We taste our immortality"

O THOU WHO MAKEST SOULS TO SHINE
Words: John Armstrong, 1847.

O Thou Who makest souls to shine
With light from brighter worlds above,
Now send Thy glistening dew divine
On all who seek a Savior's love!

Do Thou Thy benediction give
On all who teach, on all who learn,
That all Thy Church may holier live,
And every lamp more brightly burn.

Give those that teach pure hearts and wise,
Faith, hope, and love, all warmed by prayer;
Themselves first training for the skies,
They best will raise their people there.

Give those, who learn, the willing ear,
The spirit meek, the guileless mind;
Such gifts will make the lowliest here
Far better than a kingdom find.

O bless the shepherd, bless the sheep,
That guide and guided both be one—
One in the faithful watch they keep,
Until this hurrying life be done.

If thus, good Lord, Thy grace be giv'n,
In Thee to live, in Thee to die,
Before we upward pass to Heav'n,
We taste our immortality.


Incidentally, our reading of Luke 12-35 was "unplanned" which simply continued on from where we ended last week which was Luke 14: 11...

"For everyone exalting himself shall be humbled, and humbling himself shall be exalted."

[lastpost]

At even, ere the sun was set,
the sick, O Lord, around thee lay;
O, in what diverse pains they met!
O, with what joy they went away!

Once more 'tis eventide, and we,
oppressed with various ills, draw near;
what if thy form we cannot see?
We know and feel that thou art here.

O Savior Christ, our woes dispel;
for some are sick, and some are sad;
and some have never loved thee well,
and some have lost the love they had;

and some have found the world is vain,
and yet from the world they break not free;
And some have friends who give them pain,
yet have not sought a friend in thee.

And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
for none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve thee best
are conscious most of wrong within.

O Savior Christ, thou too art man;
thou has been troubled, tempted, tried;
thy kind but searching glance can scan
the very wounds that shame would hide.

Thy touch has still its ancient power.
no word from thee can fruitless fall;
hear, in this solemn evening hour,
and in thy mercy heal us all.

Words: Henry Twells, 1868


Now listen to the Voice of the Spirit, cast care aside, lean on your Guide and know that Christ, He who goes down into the valley for His sheep, is here - here in all His majesty, but here much more in all His Love - that Love which knows no barriers, which no defective faith can put aside, because it is the Love of God and you are His little children.

The way of discipleship is the way of the cross, but some have quite a wrong idea of what this means. Christ was the Redeemer of the world, and His road, hard and difficult, ended literally on the Cross of Calvary so far as the physical was concerned; but because Christ died for you and for me, that last sacrifice is taken from us in a spiritual sense.

Visualise that road and take your troubles, your trials, and your tests, as the obstacles and the rough bits which have got either to be climbed over or dug away. This is the road to God - as you see it - and in front is the cross of sacrifice which you think you have to take up and bear, in addition to your other burdens.

Now, listen, if you go forward in faith and in trust - to the best of your ability - then as you reach the cross, instead of the agony of the cross, you shall see nothing but the smiling, tender Face of the Saviour Himself, and sorrow will fall from you, and joy will be in your heart and mind instead - the cross of sacrifice turned into the loving, welcome look of the Saviour.

This can be got right - it is not expecting the impossible. To little children the way seems long, the hills so high, and the wind so keen; but if the little child is holding the Hand of Someone who is strong and fearless - why, doesn't it make all the difference in the world?

And although you cannot see it, and you forget to so often, this is what each one of you are doing spiritually, because there is gathered to your side the Master - The Master who understands weariness, sadness of heart, falling spirits, and the longing for home and safety - and because He understands so well, He is there beside you, and will be for ever more.

Oh, rise in heart and mind, and take that which is offered to you so freely, so eagerly, and then your tears will be stemmed, and the pain will go out of your hearts, and the weariness from your limbs, and you will have the vision glorious; and, seeing this, will go on your way rejoicing - rejoicing that Christ has said: 'Follow Me' - not to the cross but to that perfect harmony and gladness and elation which only unity with the Spirit within - which is of God indeed - can bring you.

Let the world go by; don't cling to the little material things - the toys and those attractions that draw you and distract your attention from the things of the Spirit - let them all go.

You are offered gifts in plenty, gifts which will not please the mind for a moment and leave you dissatisfied later, but the gifts which once had, you will never wish to part with, because with the things that are of God they grow in beauty and in power and in revelation, and these only can satisfy the hungry heart of mankind. They know it not - here and there they go, trying to get the happiness which for ever escapes them, trying to drug the spirit which cries out: 'Let me be free and let me demonstrate God in my life!'

Little things are told - just little fragments of the Truth is imparted - but beyond these are others, and beyond again and again - no ending - fresh beauties, fresh visions, and as you step forward the greatest gift of all - further revelation of the Love of God and all that means.

Prepare your hearts and minds to meet the Saviour, to meet Him with the wish to be as He was, and to live as He lived. That done, the Saviour does the rest. This is the only gift we can make - the dedication of our hearts and minds - the only thing asked from us, and in return there are those things which cannot be touched upon because in the earth language there is nothing to express them.

The Sign of the Cross - remember - remember that the sign of the Cross to you, the children of God, represents the Compassionate Saviour who came to earth to bear your cross, and to lift you from all the sadness and all the pain which, of necessity, physical life doth bring. It is preparation for the life hereafter when sorrow is no more, when gladness fills the heart and mind to overflowing.

We are reminded of the words: 'At even, ere the sun was set, the sick, O Lord, around Thee lay'... and then it goes on: 'As to the divers pains in which they met, and with what joy they went away'.

God's children come, depressed, saddened by the trials of life and its many irritations - they come, their minds are healed, their spirits are restored and they can go on their way rejoicing.

Now, when you find this brightness - which you prize so much - slipping from you, recall that you are soldiers of Christ, and that being so, the Light is around you always.

It is not easy. You get up from when the Holy Spirit has been upon you, and your courage is high. You ask yourselves: 'Why did I feel so sad? Everything is going to be all right!' And then the enemy, which has been pushed back, regains its strength and slowly approaching, the chill comes again, and the mind - the physical mind, remember - cries out: 'How long, O Lord, how long!' and that cry gives the first advantage to the shadows.

Make no mistake. No one who wishes to love and serve their Saviour is ever allowed to give all the advantage to the enemy - the protection is complete, but the little stings, the flying darts, they reach you, and Christ, with all His Love and wish to help, is saddened because, all unconsciously, you listen to the voice of that which tells you that God cannot love you, otherwise He would not allow the evil to strike you so.

This is terribly sad for Christ. Your own hearts ought to tell you that you cannot turn from One who is Love Itself without bringing a double blow - the blow that strikes your shrinking heart, and the deeper blow that strikes the Tender Heart of He who is One with our Father.

Oh, if you could but see the tactics of the enemy - how they deceive and divert you - you would indeed throw all aside and say: 'With Christ I am secure'. But your physical mind tells you - suggests to you - that the security is not quite perfect, and that is how the sorrow comes.

Having taken from He who came: 'To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death', our work is to return to the valley and give out in return.

[Dandelion]

I just want to say, that music can be so healing. It can cut through so many layers of this world, I believe, and find us in our heart and soul.

It is a complicated story, but for about 27 years, I did not really listen to music. I loved it as a child, adolescent and young adult, but I was in a place, where I suppose one would say, I couldn't receive it, and I guess it penetrated my wall, which I had built to be able to perpetuate the lies I was believing.

So, one evening, I was helping out in a Christian Coffeehouse, which I did once a month, but instead of doing, what I call the 'Martha routine', I was so exhausted, I sat in the back, in the darkness. Someone, who is like family to me now, was singing that evening. I had seen him, 'heard' him, but had never listened to him. As I listened, the presence of God in the songs he was singing, broke the walls.

This was about 5 years ago. Now, I listen to music daily, and mostly Christian music. I listen in the car, sing along, and it is amazing what the music and lyrics have done to bolster my faith and joy. I attend many concerts, now, and am surrounded by music, as much as possible.

St. Augustine said that when we sing we pray twice. I agree.

Thank you all for sharing your songs with me, and us.

Music is a wonderful gift, from God.

:gguitar:

[rosered]

 :grouppray:      :HeartThrob:

Bless you Lord    Jesus Christ  for blessing us so very much  !!
I am reminded of Rev 7   and how  all    those whom dwell   in  the heavens praise God   and thankful giving Him the  HIGHEST OF GLORY   continually !!!

We must be in heaven than  , because   of the joy unspeakable and full of glory ...   :HeartThrob:

11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures;

and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,



12saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever.


Amen."



13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?"...

coming  out of tribulation   in the world we have plenty to overcome  !!


john 16 Ask and You will Receive    :dsunny:


...32"Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home,

and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.


33"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."


  But thanking God though Jesus Christ there is Victory     in HIS HOLY NAME !!!!

[lastpost]

Thank you for your little story about music Dandelion.

As you love music, may I hazard a guess [which is my opinion you understand], I would say that when we sing in God's Fair Land, we will find beautiful accompanying music appearing from nowhere without an instrument in sight; and we might also find that there are hedgerows and fields and forests of flowers which delight not only in displaying their colours but also produce exquisite music for all to hear who might happen that way - in short, God is everywhere and therefore harmony in music is also to be found where it is loved. There is a reason for this of course and it is to do with healing of others - always for others, we never take for ourselves.

The good God is, and God is good,
And when to us 'tis dimly seen
'Tis but the mists that come between
Like darkness round the Holy Rood,
Or Sinai Mount where they adored
The Rising Glory of the Lord.

` He giveth life, so life is good,
As all is good that He has given.
Earth is the vestibule of Heaven;
And so he feeds with angel's food
Those in His likeness He has made,
That death may find us unafraid.

Death is no wraith, of visage pale,
But waits attendant on our birth
Out of this darkened womb of earth,
To lead us gently through the Veil,
To realms of radiance, broad and free,
To Christ and immortality.

Peace and Harmony

[eaglesway]

Being a musician myself.... I see a bunch of singers and players and accompaniests sittin round a fire makin beautiful music together and enjoying the heaven out of it ;o)

[rosered]

Being a musician myself.... I see a bunch of singers and players and accompaniests sittin round a fire makin beautiful music together and enjoying the heaven out of it ;o)

AMEN ..  :angelharp: :violin:    :thumbsup:

[lastpost]

Heavenly music is always in reverence and praise to the Great God - which all are thrilled to be a part of - of course.

According to my understanding, that which represents the beauty of the earth is but a temptation for the worldly thinking, that is where so many make a grave error in my opinion, their training was not by the Good Shepherd but by the minds of men, they think it's all for them, take and take again wihtout giving, and they fall at the first post - thank God for aeonial life.

Peace

[eaglesway]

..... they think it's all for them, take and take again wihtout giving, and they fall at the first post

Peace

Very generalized and judgmental statement it seems to me. In my opininion God is not that uptight. There are many ways to celibrate the beauty of creation in art and music in a spirit of gratitude and appreciation.

Certainly there are those who do what you are saying, I see it everyday as do we all, but to categorize all music but your definition in heavenly music in that way seems a bit religious to me in an unreal sort of way.

[lastpost]

Thank you for your opinion ew. I think that I may have said something that upset you for which I apologise.

You do realise that I am referring to actually being in a heavenly realm and the music that occurs there? I was not referring to music on this earth.

I am not sure that you understood that perhaps? When I was talking to Dandelion, I was actually talking about being in a heavenly realm and what can be expected there.

I am referring to people naming themselves Christians who think that Heaven is all about them, and they pass into what I call the Summerland of Temptation, where there is a paradise-type of existence which mirrors the earth in the things that man in the flesh considers the goal of his existence - to be free from responsibility, to be carefree, to take all of the 'earthly type' beauty that is around him as his right - but what exactly has he done to deserve this when there are countless millions suffering in poverty?

Ah yes, there are many different viewpoints about the Afterlife. I realise many think it is all 'over' at once at a later date' and a general assize has occurred in their literal interpretation - hence there will be confusion.

But you see, according to my understanding, the soul passes into the Afterlife when the flesh has served its purpose. This Afterlife, for the sake of complying with this forum, is made up of a place where the wickedness in souls in pruned [aionion kolasin] and also a place where refining of good souls is carried out or purified [aeonial life].

Essentially, I believe this is clearly described by Jesus in His parable about the rich man and the beggar...

http://tentmaker.org/forum/bible-threatenings-explained/lazarus-the-rich-man/msg159810/#msg159810

http://tentmaker.org/forum/bible-threatenings-explained/lazarus-the-rich-man/msg159811/#msg159811


I believe that the real heaven that Jesus wants His followers to go to is made up of the beauty of sacrifice, real spiritual beauty is of Sacrificial Love. In that condition is to be found the Love of God. There is spiritual beauty and not earthly beauty. I hope that you can see the difference.

As people have different beliefs - some materialistic and some less so, one place for all people naming themselves Christians to go to after death will not suit everybody.

Hence, there is the place of temptation that I referred to and to which you seem to have taken great offence when I said that we are not meant to be taking of it, it is in essence for the healing of others until they rid themselves [or God rids them] of any selfishness in them. then they are able to pass into the heavenly place that God intends for them.

So you can perhaps see why I said that those who take and take have fallen at the first post.

This is my opinion of course, but it is a considered opinion and I have exceptionally good reasons to believe it rather than anything else that comes from the minds of men alone.

All I can say is that I have tried to explain it, and I truly believe that one day you will see that this explanation, as inadequate as it is, is not far from the reality. Again, my opinion.

The Master Christ teaches His followers not to be of the world. If His followers do what He teaches then they will not be fooled by the Land of Temptation.

I hope this helps.

Peace and Harmony

[eaglesway]

Hi Lastpost,

No, I wasnt upset in the slightest :o)

Just voicing my reaction to your post as I read it- altho I may have mis-understood it.

Sometimes I think we all project our imaginations and preferences on what is "holy".

I see God as being a little more crunchy myself, you know.

Jesus hung with tax-collectors and wine bibbers and at the weddings and dinners their was music and laughter and I think we Christians project evil and temptation onto things in a generalized way when it is not that general.

Music is a gift with which I love to glorify God.

It is also a gift freely given to enjoy for the sake of the beauty of the gift itself.

It is also a gift of celebrating all things from common joys to evil pleasures- very much subject to the heart of the maker as God gives freely and without restraint upon the gift and its use.

Music is a medium for sharing that God has given to man for his enjoyment as well as for praise and worship, like the rain, falling on the just and the unjust. :o)

The unjust use it to project injustice, chaos, evil, lustful. The just to express what is just and good, joyful or sorrowful, common joys and sorrows or holy joys and sorrows.

[lastpost]

I am sure that you have misunderstood me EW. I was not projecting my opinion of what is holy concerning music on the earth. [Incidentally, I am glad to see that you agree God's gifts can also be abused].

I am only attempting to portray what has been built up in me over the last quarter of a century by what I am thoroughly convinced is the Holy Spirit and which is a living reality to me. It can be taken or rejected. So, this is my opinion.

I mentioned the sadder side - the aeonial kolasin, into which some pass for their own "age" whether shorter or longer, who are in opposition to that Love which the Master Christ portrayed to perfection, those whose "treasures" are of wickedness and evil are "stored" for them - those who delight in the downfall of others and who are not happy unless they can inflict pain on others - these have stored up misery for themselves until that blackness is worked out of their souls. Each one goes to "his own" and remains a prisoner in such a state until he has paid his debt and the evil is pruned away.

Aeonial Zoe is a far more pleasant affair of course. There is that area into which the treasures of the earthly-minded have been stored up for themselves, not having entertained any evil but also not having aspired to anything purer and more Divine, into which they pass until they tire of the earthly and wish to seek for something better of Christ - that is that which is bright with the beauty of sacrifice, enhanced with the melody that has been culled from faithful hearts and minds undertaking the mundane task, which many would call Heaven - but only because the transition to the purest state of utter Divinity is not a possibility without preparation. And then there is that which is Heaven, so vast, so all-embracing that it would be impossible to convey anything of what it represents to a human mind.

But God's Plan is that all people, should represent in turn one great family, that the Universe as we understand it, should represent one family; and the time will come when all, regardless of how far apart now, shall be brought into harmony one with the other. This is far beyond the physical consciousness to grasp, for there is no end as there was no beginning to the Love of God and its varied manifestations in countless forms, all expressing miracles of Infinite Love and Grace.

So that is my opinion rather inadequately expressed but one must try.

Peace.

[eaglesway]

Heavenly music is always in reverence and praise to the Great God - which all are thrilled to be a part of - of course.

According to my understanding, that which represents the beauty of the earth is but a temptation for the worldly thinking, that is where so many make a grave error in my opinion, their training was not by the Good Shepherd but by the minds of men, they think it's all for them, take and take again wihtout giving, and they fall at the first post - thank God for aeonial life.

Peace

"According to my understanding, that which represents the beauty of the earth is but a temptation for the worldy thinking....."

That really is the statement I was disagreeing with. I think the gift of music is given by God for, among other things- exactly that - "expressing the beauty of earth" and the attendant joys and sorrows of living on it.

[lastpost]

Yes, we have a misunderstanding. It is this medium of communication.

I was attempting to say that some, if not many, pass into something which they have built up with their desires - their treasure - but it is not what God has in mind for them, only what they think God has in mind for them - to do nothing but take from the surroundings - worldly thinking. This is a further temptation which must be overcome. I cannot help but say that this is not what we should be aiming for because the sweetnesses and treasures that Christ would have us have are beyond that. It is easy for man to decide what paradise is, but I believe that God has far more in store for man - and man will not escape that destiny.

Suppose then (without wishing to sound ridiculous), for the sake of discussion, a soul which once lived in a three dimensional world had now been in his 'paradise' for, say, ten trillion, trillion, trillion of our years. Is that soul happy to be sitting around doing the things that he once did on earth ten trillion, trillion, trillion years ago? Is that really God's ultimate goal for man? Is that really what Jesus died for? I would say that God has something in mind which no human mind has conceived of, far beyond an earthly conception of happiness.

I believe that there is a valid point concerning Service which should be explained but it is too vast a subject to attempt on a forum. Suffice it to say that true joy only comes from Giving - as Love only wants to give and give again, and taking for oneself is not considered. And after all, we are God's sons and daughters, and God is Love, so as we become ever more fashioned to the likeness of Christ, we shall want to give like Christ more and more.

I hope that these few words put things more into the perspective that cannot be put into words.

Harmony and Peace
Peace and Harmony
And they are One

[eaglesway]

Well, respectfully- I was only disagreeing with your former statement, as I specified, and I don't see the connection between that and all you just said, so yes, we have a communication issue I guess.