Christian Fellowship Community Group
A safe place for Christians who Love Jesus Christ to meet and ask for prayer and share scriptures from the bible. We value the posting of Christian music, poems, stories and also personal testimonies. Please let us know your needs, concerns and have some fun getting to know each other. We treat each other with respect.
The wisdom of the fathers
A DEFENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTICS
I have found throughout my study that these old saints of God, the mystics, really knew God. ‘Mystic’, then refers to someone who has an intimate, direct, relationship with God. In my pursuit of God, I want to know what they knew of God and how they came to know Him on such intimate grounds. (This is not to say I agree with everything they wrote, as I would not agree with everything anybody else would write.)
Back on the farm at home, we had an old apple tree. It was a gnarly, stark-looking tree. A casual glance at this tree might tempt a person to pass it up.
Regardless of how terrible the tree looked, however, it produced some of the most delicious apples I have ever eaten. I endured the gnarly branches in order to enjoy the delicious fruit.
I feel the same way about some of these great mystics of the Church. The fruit is what really matters, not the appearance. It matters not if the man wears a robe or a suit, it is the man that really counts. I am willing to overlook a lot if the writer genuinely knows God and ‘knows God other than by hearsay’. Too many only repeat what they have heard from somebody who heard it form somebody else. It is refreshing to hear an original voice. Each of these mystics had an original voice.
The Church has always had this group of people – both men and women – who had such hunger for God and a passion to know Him that everything else took second place. Many of them were harassed and tormented by the established Church. some even were martyred because of this uncontrollable passion for God. These men and women were not protestant, Catholic, fundamentalists or even evangelical; for the most part they were not interested in labels. They were simply Christians in hot pursuit of God.
They had no banner to wave except Jehovah-Nissi. The had no honour to preserve apart from Jesus Christ’s. They gave witness to a life ablaze with love and adoration for God that nothing can extinguish. Not all the years since their death have been able to quench the fervour of their love for God.
Fortunately, for us some of the great devotional literature of the Church that these men and women gave their lives to write has been preserved. In reading these great works, one is transported out of time and into the mystical wonder of pursuing God. It is as if time has no bearing between the author and the reader. It is hard to read such material for long without felling the heartbeat of the author’s passion.
This is, in my opinion, what is missing among Christians of all denominations today. (by A. W. Tozer)
A DEFENCE OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTICS
I have found throughout my study that these old saints of God, the mystics, really knew God. ‘Mystic’, then refers to someone who has an intimate, direct, relationship with God. In my pursuit of God, I want to know what they knew of God and how they came to know Him on such intimate grounds. (This is not to say I agree with everything they wrote, as I would not agree with everything anybody else would write.)
Back on the farm at home, we had an old apple tree. It was a gnarly, stark-looking tree. A casual glance at this tree might tempt a person to pass it up.
Regardless of how terrible the tree looked, however, it produced some of the most delicious apples I have ever eaten. I endured the gnarly branches in order to enjoy the delicious fruit.
I feel the same way about some of these great mystics of the Church. The fruit is what really matters, not the appearance. It matters not if the man wears a robe or a suit, it is the man that really counts. I am willing to overlook a lot if the writer genuinely knows God and ‘knows God other than by hearsay’. Too many only repeat what they have heard from somebody who heard it form somebody else. It is refreshing to hear an original voice. Each of these mystics had an original voice.
The Church has always had this group of people – both men and women – who had such hunger for God and a passion to know Him that everything else took second place. Many of them were harassed and tormented by the established Church. some even were martyred because of this uncontrollable passion for God. These men and women were not protestant, Catholic, fundamentalists or even evangelical; for the most part they were not interested in labels. They were simply Christians in hot pursuit of God.
They had no banner to wave except Jehovah-Nissi. The had no honour to preserve apart from Jesus Christ’s. They gave witness to a life ablaze with love and adoration for God that nothing can extinguish. Not all the years since their death have been able to quench the fervour of their love for God.
Fortunately, for us some of the great devotional literature of the Church that these men and women gave their lives to write has been preserved. In reading these great works, one is transported out of time and into the mystical wonder of pursuing God. It is as if time has no bearing between the author and the reader. It is hard to read such material for long without felling the heartbeat of the author’s passion.
This is, in my opinion, what is missing among Christians of all denominations today. (by A. W. Tozer)
Many obtain this closeness that turns into an intimate relationship with God in different forms. Some feel him first and then get to know the teachings and bible next. Some grow up not knowing God or fearing him, and find the truth in writing before they establish a relationship, some both, and some none. Whichever way it gets us to that place of knowing him is a blessing.
Some people may be placed in other people's lives to spark that (via through writings or in person) ... to inspire, challenge intellectually, or provide witness. In the end if we are able to bring good in peoples lives God fills in the rest.
But, there are some great men and women of God alive right now. Thank you Jesus, we can refer to their writings also.
The book of Revelation speaks of 144 000.
In v4, he spoke to the church at Ephesus. He said something that applies to many today, "because thou hast left thy first love." They were involved in things against evil.
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
But, in v4, he said, " 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." I feel that this is true today. Many have left their "first love." God. Many have forgotten what God is truly with us to do.
Thank you for your post, Walter. A reminder that God is in control. Many have become complacent. Satisfied. Thinking "I am Christian" but, inside their hearts, they are not.
"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches"
He said this seven times. I do believe that means "listen up, people!!"