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The Human Coalition

12/11/2017

 

Love

3/19/2013

 
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One Saturday morning in summer 2007 I walked outside on the deck and looked up at the sky and saw this. I ran and got the camera. No Photoshop involved. I just tilted the camera slightly and clicked away. Within seconds it was gone. The hand of God? A sign? Of course, I was at my girlfriends house, we were married the next year. It's been five years and it only gets better each day. Lesson? Don't ignore the signs!

Wonder!

3/18/2013

 
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What does it all mean!!? I have been reading Kyriacos Markides book "Inner River- A Pilgrimage To The Heart of Christian Spirituality" and a very amazing thing happened to me the other day. This is the second book of his I have read. The other is "The Mountain of Silence" another excellent book on the mysticism of Eastern Orthodoxy.       
    Meanwhile back to the wonderful experience I had. I was reading "Inner River" and fell off to sleep one afternoon last week and as I was waking up, just in the moment between sleep and consciousness I saw in my mind's eye my self as a child. I was laying in bed in the afternoon probably the year 1960 as I sensed that I was around 7 or 8 and had fallen asleep reading. My present self had the sensation that I was actually there in that time with the warm sun on my face exactly like I was here in the present. I had the thought that I was actually physically occupying that space in time as my young self and that I could stay there in that time and that space if I wanted. I also felt compelled to tell my young self that I should not worry  because everything would be fine as you have found much happiness and love here in the future. Just as I had that thought I was simultaneously experiencing the exact moment in 2002 when I was filled with the holy spirit lying in my bed one evening after months of prayer and scripture reading ( In that experience there was an element of time involved that what seemed like minutes actually lasted several hours.) In the present the Holy Spirit was not finished because at the same exact instant I was also reliving  another spiritual experience that transpired in 2012. So it was bang, 1-2-3-4 actual historic events of my life happening simultaneously in my vision. That is what I decided I must have been having. 
                   The amazing thing is I was filled with such joy I cannot describe! I was crying, I was laughing, I was praising God and feeling like I was going to explode with happiness! Unbelievable! Lord Jesus Son of God, have mercy! Kyrie Eleison, even. Wow! I kept saying "Lord, what just happened?" Amazing, wonderful, awesome. I wanted more but I don't know if I could have handled it. I also think I was seeing events in time as God sees them. He is outside time and space so he sees our past, present and future. The love I felt was overwhelming! Ever since then I have been so happy. We went to Liturgy on Sunday and I really want to become Orthodox now. I emailed the priest asking for guidance on what steps to take and am waiting for a reply. Has anyone out there had such an experience before? Did I have a vision? What is the Holy Spirit telling me? I am excited about the future and will keep you posted! Praise God! I would also like to hear from other believers your experiences. 






 Courage

7/17/2012

 
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My wife and I rented "War Horse" from Redbox recently. Now that was an awesome movie.  It contained more violence than we care for but I don't remember a single curse word. Why does everyone curse so much nowadays, anyway? Well, that's a topic for another day. The themes of love, devotion and honor shine throughout this film. But to me the movie was more about courage and what it means to fight for what you believe in. The definition of Courage  is bravery, boldness, fearlessness, mettle, fortitude, or intrepidity. Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. My hope is that I can live my life with courage. The most important thing to remember also is that Love can give you courage. May you be filled with love. God bless us each and everyone. Peace!




Beauty

7/15/2012

 
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What is beauty?
God made beauty that we could know Him. God is Love. God is beauty. But I could not say it better than Father Stephen. His blog
"Glory to God for All Things" is here.  I rely on his blog to learn about Orthodoxy. He is one of the best teachers on the ancient wisdom of the fathers. I hope you enjoy reading him as much as I do. Peace and love to all!


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    Exploring God's wonderful creation. Life is a gift to cherish. My hope is to convey that message to all who have ears to hear and eyes that see. God Bless.

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