The call of Christ

I really identified with this passage from today's Utmost, and I wanted to keep a record of it. Regarding the first statement, it is true, but when I first read it, I was taken aback, because I didn't realize that yes, my calling was not definitive. While I have considered the time when Christ came to me in 2011 to be when I was chosen, that really wasn't the time where he called me, even though he said, "Come". The truth is, it happened a few years before that. And I can't remember when exactly, or how, or of course, even why, but I can remember reading the back of my first Missal, given to be before I was anointed, confirmed, and baptised, it read the verse, "Chosen in Christ". And though I do not know it's exact moment, I do know that like Paul, when I was initiated into the Church, all other interests - philosophy, political science, and yoga, were no longer suitable to take any of my energy. 

"If you are able to tell exactly where you were when you received the call of God and can explain all about it, I question whether you have truly been called. The call of God does not come like that; it is much more supernatural...At any moment the sudden awareness of this incalculable, supernatural, surprising call that has taken hold of your life may break through— “I chose you…” (John 15:16)...You are not called to preach the gospel because you are sanctified; the call to preach the gospel is infinitely different. Paul describes it as a compulsion that was placed upon him. If you have ignored, and thereby removed, the great supernatural call of God in your life, take a review of your circumstances. See where you have put your own ideas of service or your particular abilities ahead of the call of God. Paul said, “…woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” He had become aware of the call of God, and his compulsion to “preach the gospel” was so strong that nothing else was any longer even a competitor for his strength...God orchestrates every force at work for His purpose in the end. If you will agree with God’s purpose, He will bring not only your conscious level but also all the deeper levels of your life, which you yourself cannot reach, into perfect harmony."

Age of Aquarius

I have been reading some Yogi Bhajan lectures. Even through my conversion to Catholicism in 2010, I never forgot the teachings that I was fortunate to learn from him. I entered Kundalini Yoga unknowingly to the spirituality of it - I just wanted to be able to do a full split for my dance class. My first yoga class was in September 2005, which was the year after he died (October 2004). My teacher, who learnt in many ways directly under Yojiji's guidance, and who is his official biographer, wrote that the meditations which were given for early morning sadhana - the Aquarian Age meditations - were to be chanted only until 2013. Since Yogiji is no longer around to give a new set of meditations, it was suggested that we find our own (At least this was my interpretation).

I found this article which gives a theme for each decade, for the '60's, '70's, '80's, '90's, and the new millennium. I was thinking how it's too bad that we don't have anymore teachings, because we are in a new decade for it. So I have loosely been brainstorming what this decade's theme could be...There are hundreds of kryias (exercises) and meditations. It shouldn't be too hard to put together a new set....

An outside force

There's a new cat that has been hanging around the property. He is big and chubby, so I am under the impression that he is being taken care of. He doesn't have a collar, but he is incredibly affectionate. I am thinking that he must be taken care of. But he is also missing his tail. I have no idea, nor do I want to think of, what could have happened. But there is a little stub still, and he bangs it against me with such power, it is truly sweet.

Shadow, however, is more than unimpressed. I have to at times keep him in, because he just wails, to the point that it is a nuisance. I tried to go after Shadow this morning, to get him inside, but he ran away and went up to the roof to glare at the new cat from above. I let the new cat in (I was not trying to be disrespectful to any potential owners, he was determined) and when Shadow was ready to come in, it was pure halloween cat, back up, and meow louder than ever. I picked up the new cat, who was relatively unmoved, and put the sweet thing outside. Then came back in to witness Shadow yelling at Trixie. Shadow has never once showed any signs of aggression toward Trixie. He has only loved her, in fact, I am certain that he would have never come to live with us, were it not for his immediate and ceaseless affection toward her. 

It made me think - this outside entity caused Shadow to be uncharacteristically forceful. I wonder, with my Gnostic inclinations (see link), could this be the same underlying principle to the violence that we so commonly experience here on Earth?

Here is an except from today's Utmost reading:

"The entire human race was created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Sin has diverted the human race onto another course, but it has not altered God’s purpose to the slightest degree...We must continually keep our soul open to the fact of God’s creative purpose, and never confuse or cloud it with our own intentions. If we do, God will have to force our intentions aside no matter how much it may hurt...Beware lest you forget God’s purpose for your life."

I have learnt a lot about human nature through a cat, Shadow has been such a blessing to me in my life: he is my muse. Today as I go about my business, I reflect on the idea that an outside threat, fancied or real, entity or intrusive thought, could be the disconnect from God within which is necessary for the needed strength to overcome such obstacles and which keeps us in a seemingly endless cycle of vehemence.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Therefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6.12-3

The new earth

I've been speaking with my online friends about the Calvinistic teaching of the elect. It is a brutal teaching, whereby only a few are saved, and mostly the rest of humanity is damned. But with the Bible, it is debatable, and that is good, because it allows for us to utilize our God-given intellect. I know for me, I have greatly enjoyed discussing scripture over the years.

For the most part, I believe that we can choose to accept God's saving grace, but I also adhere to an extent the teaching of the elect. What is not mentioned in debates is the new heaven and the new earth, where all of the prophecies of comfort are fulfilled. I am contemplating if the new heaven and the new earth are for the non-elect.

We often talk about the kingdom of God being within, but the mistake is that we assume that the kingdom of God IS God. But it is not, The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. These are the gifts of God, but they are not God themselves. However, in Revelation we see that in the new earth, the tabernacle of God is within. The tabernacle in the Old Testament is what housed God, therefore it is not until the new earth that God will dwell within us.

I believe that the evil in this world is a result of us being disconnected from God, but it cannot be a result of us cut off from God within, as the New Age teachings would have us believe. That is why peace is not possible until the new earth is formed - until God decides. 

Ultimately, while we have a choice to accept God's help, we do not have a choice in when the help comes. Therefore, we must carry our crosses, and call upon His Son to help us carry them. For otherwise, life becomes too heavy a burden.

You are not your own

"We are not our own, we are bought with a price--let us recognize the rights of the redeeming blood. The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his master, much more must we follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a purchased possession. We are not true to our profession of being Christians, if we question the bidding of our Leader and Commander. Submission is our duty...We shall find it sweet to go up the bleak side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow blow into our faces, his dear love will make us far more blest than those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world's fire."

C.H. Spurgeon

God is or He isn't

Today we read from We Agnostics, and I contemplated on the idea that God is everything, or He is nothing, and that deep within us, is the idea of God. I have always personalized my alcoholism to be that which lurks, waiting to devour me. But if God is everything, and if evil is a result of being disconnected to that Source, then I must rather recognize my alcoholism to be just that - a separation from God, and this is why we must connect to God for our remedy.