In this current age of compromise, change and influence brought upon us from all angles it is sometimes good to look back to materials written to see how and what people thought and believed. Here is a link to a book I have enjoyed reading (and doing so again) written around 1900, The Hidden Life of Prayer, for those of you that are interested in joining me and reading it too. http://www.spiritone.com/~wing/hiddnint.htm (I make no endorsement with the web site or its theology). It is very good and eye opening and there are all kinds of quotes from saints of the past. You'll have to renew your mind to some of the words used in association with God and prayer as we have twisted them and associated them with a singular meaning. Also recommend having a second window open to the footnote section, as you read, that they provide (below the chapter links), as some of the best stuff is in the footnotes.
Here is a portion I ran across this morning in chapter 1..."The only remedy for this sluggish mood is that we should "rekindle our love," as Polycarp wrote to the Church in Ephesus, "in the blood of God." Let us ask for a fresh gift of the Holy Spirit to quicken our sluggish hearts, a new disclosure of the charity of God. The Spirit will help our infirmities, and the very compassion of the Son of God will fall upon us, clothing us with zeal as with a garment, stirring our affections into a most vehement flame, and filling our souls with heaven." I have found it so much easier to pray and have (in the phraseology of this book see note on renewing your mind to old definitions of words above) continual and good intercourse with God when my soul is already full of heaven. Which in turn fills my soul with heaven more and the cycle goes on.
I want to continue in this vein for a moment to make you think and possibly blow a couple circuits (I really wanted to title this posting "Having intercourse with God", but figured it would shock too many of you and I wouldn't want to be the cause of your departure- death). If you find yourself dry or lacking in the God life find yourself a quiet secluded spot (kind of like how you used to in your earlier years, if you catch my drift) but this time spend the time in quiet "intercourse" with the Father and renew and awaken yourself and get your soul full of heaven. It may take several sessions to get past the fluff (and eventual walls we put up to keep Him and/or conviction out) that we so easily put in there from this world but He will help us if we'll just be honest and open. I will close this off with another mind tweaking quote from the book. " It has been said of Origen (in his own words) that his life was "one unceasing supplication." By this means above all others the perfect idea of the Christian life is realized. Intercourse between the believer and his Lord ought never to be interrupted." Sorry to all you all you rigid ones out there but... It's the Viagra of the spiritual world in action with none of the side effects. For those of you having problems with this try interpreting intercourse this way- close and intimate relationship with God. Now you can relax and breath again.
Here is a portion I ran across this morning in chapter 1..."The only remedy for this sluggish mood is that we should "rekindle our love," as Polycarp wrote to the Church in Ephesus, "in the blood of God." Let us ask for a fresh gift of the Holy Spirit to quicken our sluggish hearts, a new disclosure of the charity of God. The Spirit will help our infirmities, and the very compassion of the Son of God will fall upon us, clothing us with zeal as with a garment, stirring our affections into a most vehement flame, and filling our souls with heaven." I have found it so much easier to pray and have (in the phraseology of this book see note on renewing your mind to old definitions of words above) continual and good intercourse with God when my soul is already full of heaven. Which in turn fills my soul with heaven more and the cycle goes on.
I want to continue in this vein for a moment to make you think and possibly blow a couple circuits (I really wanted to title this posting "Having intercourse with God", but figured it would shock too many of you and I wouldn't want to be the cause of your departure- death). If you find yourself dry or lacking in the God life find yourself a quiet secluded spot (kind of like how you used to in your earlier years, if you catch my drift) but this time spend the time in quiet "intercourse" with the Father and renew and awaken yourself and get your soul full of heaven. It may take several sessions to get past the fluff (and eventual walls we put up to keep Him and/or conviction out) that we so easily put in there from this world but He will help us if we'll just be honest and open. I will close this off with another mind tweaking quote from the book. " It has been said of Origen (in his own words) that his life was "one unceasing supplication." By this means above all others the perfect idea of the Christian life is realized. Intercourse between the believer and his Lord ought never to be interrupted." Sorry to all you all you rigid ones out there but... It's the Viagra of the spiritual world in action with none of the side effects. For those of you having problems with this try interpreting intercourse this way- close and intimate relationship with God. Now you can relax and breath again.
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