#gospel sunday

[t-underneaththeradardancing]

Spirit in the Dark

[lionofchaeronea]

Adoration of the Magi, tapestry by Edward Burne-Jones (with details by William Morris and Henry Dearle). Designed 1888, woven 1894. 258 cm (101.1 in) high x 384 cm (151.3 in) wide. Now at Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England, UK.

[dearlittlefandom-stalker]

Imagine being one of the Roman soldiers though. Imagine having to do what you thought would be a normal execution one day.

Three convicts, two of which are thieves. As for the third… I mean, yeah some people say this guy is the “messiah” (whatever that means, you’re no Jew) and there is talk of miracles and the religious nuts really seem to hate him, but you have him nailed to a cross all the same, so what? If he is a god then he can join the club; Caesar knows that the Romans have enough gods to fill their pantheon and then some. Most likely he’s just a man with some hefty delusions that cost him his life.

But then earthquakes happen. Weird but can be written off as chance, right? Then the sky goes dark midday. A blood moon rises.

That ain’t normal.

Feelings unlike anything you’ve ever felt arise in your gut. The man cries out with a loud voice “It is finished!” and dies immediately after. You shiver. Uncanny, that is.

“Surely this Man is the Son of God,” a fellow Soldier exclaims beside you. At this point you might agree, but the spear still pierces through his skin all the same and you think (hope) that whoever this God-Man was that he isn’t your problem anymore, seeing as he’s dead. Hopefully you can forget the whole thing. (Somehow you feel that this scene will haunt you for a long time)

But the debacle is not over with the burial, as you had assumed. The religious nuts get real anxious and noisy, so to shut them up Pilot has a watch set to guard the body of a dead man. A dead man.

You personally have seen many dead men in your time, but never have you seen one move. Never have you seen or heard of people particularly wanting to touch dead bodies, either. You almost say as such when you are one of the men assigned the last watch, but decide you’d rather like to keep your tongue than chance losing it. You expect it to be rather a boring job, all told.

And it is. Until these, these beings of light and lightning descend on top of you from the Heavens and the last thing you can think before you know no more is whatever god whose body I’ve been guarding please spare me

You wake up, despite all your expectations to the contrary. You almost wonder if it would have been better if you died.

Those religious nuts come to you and your fellow guards and give you some coin along with a fake story to tell. They offer to save the skin off your back so you are not put to death like others who’ve been killed for less. You go along with the story because to be honest there is still a part of you that hopes this was all a dream. But the borrowed words taste like ash in your mouth and the coins jingle in your pockets with all the weight of a chain.

You go through the rest of the day (and night, and the next day and night) after the event in a haze. Your feet walk where you know not and you don’t care to correct them.

But then you see Him.

The same Man you saw die.

The same Man whose body you guarded.

This Son of God, in the flesh, you see stand in front of a crowd with your own two eyes and you can scarce believe it but all the same you know more than you’ve ever known anything before that this is real, that this Jesus is truly not just a god, but The God.

And so you decide to follow Him.

Just imagine that for a minute.

[skyfullofpods]

Happy audio drama Sunday, friends! It's been a busy week! The @re-dracula team launched their Carmilla miniseries, @worldgonewrongpod came in swinging with a kaiju, and Windfall provided some jailbreaking shenanigans!

[lifepath25]

Now, if you cannot prove to me that science solely exists on its own,

please let me believe my God in peace.

For all your knowledge, inventions, discoveries might as well be duplications of what God already created in the beginning.

Tell me something new— something beyond the CHATGPT that thinks like a man, replies like a man, and relies solely on the knowledge of man, a creation of God.

So let me have my God, while you perfect your machines.

[rumicworldweek]

Welcome to Rumic World Week 2023! To celebrate Rumiko Takahashi´s 45 year long career and her birthday the event will run from October 4th to October 10th.

Prompts:

DAY 1 ♦ OCT 4TH -> favourite manga and/or anime

DAY 2 ♦ OCT 5TH -> favourite chapter or episode

DAY 3 ♦ OCT 6TH -> favourite main character

DAY 4 ♦ OCT 7TH -> favourite dynamic

DAY 5 ♦ OCT 8TH -> favourite secondary character

DAY 6 ♦ OCT 9TH -> favourite scene or quote

DAY 7 ♦ OCT 10TH -> free choice ♦ Happy Birthday Rumiko Takahashi!

Alternative prompts for writers and artists. Or anyone that doesn’t feel inspired by the previous ones.

DAY 1 ♦ OCT 4TH -> pre canon

DAY 2 ♦ OCT 5TH -> smile / laughter

DAY 3 ♦ OCT 6TH -> missing moment

DAY 4 ♦ OCT 7TH -> alternative universe

DAY 5 ♦ OCT 8TH -> hurt / comfort

DAY 6 ♦ OCT 9TH -> festival

DAY 7 ♦ OCT 10TH -> free choice

To participate mention @rumicworldweek in your post and/or tag your post with #rumicworldweek.

The prompts were chosen in order to encourage everyone to participate.

You’re free to combine the two lists or pick only one or alternate between the two.

You can combine the days or skip some. You can choose which manga/anime to use for each prompt. Ranma can be your favourite main and Rinne your favourite manga.

Any type of participation is welcome. Drabbles, graphics, fanarts, gifs, fanfics, playlists, scans, colorings… text posts explaining why Ranma is your favourite character. Everything will be reblogged here. Feel free to send an ask if your post wasn’t reblogged.

If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask!

[httpsoftbunni]

The Path of Purification and Healing the False Self

In esoteric Christianity, the spiritual journey is traditionally divided into three stages, known as the Threefold Path: Purification, Illumination, and Union. These stages map the soul's ascent from the ego-driven state of separation to its ultimate reunion with God. The threefold path reflects not only the individual’s inner spiritual process but also echoes the stages of the mystical ascent described in many Christian writings, from early church mystics to the Desert Fathers.

Let’s begin by fully exploring Purification, the first stage in this journey.

Purification: The Beginning of the Threefold Path

The Threefold Path provides a systematic blueprint for the transformation of the soul, and the process starts with Purification. In this stage, the seeker embarks on a path of cleansing both internally and externally, purging the soul of attachments, illusions, and distortions created by the ego. The aim is to prepare the soul to receive divine illumination, which can only occur when the inner being has been sufficiently cleared of the barriers that obscure spiritual truth.

At the heart of purification is the dissolution of the false self, or ego. The ego is the part of us that is driven by pride, fear, and desire for control. It identifies with the body, with material possessions, with societal roles, and with the world of forms. The ego is, in essence, the accumulation of conditioned responses to the world, built upon experiences and traumas that reinforce the illusion of separateness from God.

In esoteric Christianity, sin is understood not merely as moral failure, but as the condition of living in separation from God, which is perpetuated by the ego. The purification stage, therefore, involves confronting the ways in which the ego has created false attachments, desires, and fears, and how these patterns keep the soul trapped in duality and suffering.

Purification requires a deep commitment to spiritual discipline and self-awareness. It often involves painful encounters with the shadow aspects of the self—those parts of the ego that have been repressed, denied, or hidden from conscious awareness. However, this process of self-confrontation is essential, as it leads to the dissolution of the ego’s control and opens the way for divine light to begin illuminating the soul.

Spiritual Practices for Purification

One of the most powerful tools in the purification process is the practice of self-examination. In this practice, the seeker regularly reflects on their thoughts, words, and actions, seeking to understand where the ego has been in control and where alignment with divine will has been lost. This leads to a deepening awareness of one’s inner state and the recognition of those aspects of the self that need purification.

Confession, whether in the context of a sacrament or as a private practice before God, serves as an act of humility and release. By naming the aspects of the ego that have been uncovered through self-examination, the seeker begins the process of letting go of the false self and its attachments.

Prayer is central to the purification process, particularly forms of prayer that focus on inner stillness and receptivity to divine grace. As mentioned earlier, contemplative prayer, such as the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me"), is a method used in the esoteric tradition to quiet the mind and focus the heart on God’s presence. Through repeated, focused prayer, the ego's hold is gradually loosened, and the soul begins to experience a deeper connection with the divine.

Fasting, both from food and from other attachments, is another essential practice in purification. By fasting, the soul learns to let go of its dependence on the physical world, training the body and mind to surrender cravings and desires to God. Fasting also has a symbolic dimension: it mirrors the soul’s hunger for God and teaches the seeker that true nourishment comes only from the divine.

In the esoteric Christian tradition, the heart is seen as the center of spiritual perception. However, the heart is often clouded by the impurities of the ego—anger, envy, pride, and fear. Purification of the heart is therefore a crucial step in this process, as it allows the soul to perceive spiritual truths more clearly.

The purification of the heart is a gradual process, often aided by practices of forgiveness and compassion. By learning to forgive others and to release judgments, the seeker begins to free the heart from the ego's need for control and superiority. Compassion, especially toward those who have wronged us, dissolves the barriers created by the ego’s desire for separation and division.

The Role of Grace in Purification

While purification involves active participation from the seeker, it is ultimately a process guided by divine grace. The soul, on its own, cannot achieve purification through mere willpower or effort. It is only through God’s grace that the ego can be dissolved, and the soul can be restored to its original purity.

Grace is often described as an unearned gift from God, a divine force that works within us to transform and heal the soul. In the purification process, grace acts as both a healing balm and a purifying fire. It burns away the impurities of the ego while simultaneously restoring the soul’s capacity for love, compassion, and divine awareness.

The seeker’s role is to remain open to grace, to be willing to surrender the ego’s resistance to transformation, and to trust in God’s ability to heal and purify. This requires a deep act of faith—a recognition that true purification can only occur when we allow ourselves to be guided by a power greater than the ego.

The Fruits of Purification

The path of purification, while often challenging and painful, ultimately leads to profound spiritual growth. As the ego is gradually dissolved, the soul begins to experience greater freedom, clarity, and peace. The attachments, fears, and illusions that once defined the false self are replaced by a deeper awareness of God’s presence within and around us.

One of the key fruits of purification is inner peace. As the ego’s grip loosens, the constant striving, anxiety, and fear that characterize the false self begin to dissipate. In their place, the soul experiences a deep sense of stillness and trust in God’s providence.

Another fruit of purification is greater compassion. As the seeker releases the ego’s need for superiority and control, they become more open to others, seeing them not as competitors or threats, but as fellow souls on the same journey toward divine union. Compassion flows naturally from a heart that has been purified of ego-driven judgments and desires.

Finally, purification leads to a greater capacity for divine illumination, which we will explore more deeply in the next lesson. As the soul is cleansed of egoic attachments, it becomes more receptive to the light of God’s truth, allowing divine wisdom to flow more freely into consciousness.

Purification is the essential first step on the spiritual path in esoteric Christianity. It involves the deep cleansing of the soul from the illusions, attachments, and wounds created by the false self. Through practices of self-examination, prayer, fasting, and purification of the heart, the soul becomes more receptive to divine grace and begins to experience the fruits of inner peace, compassion, and clarity.

However, purification is not the end of the journey. It is merely the gateway to the deeper stages of spiritual transformation. In the next lesson, we will explore Illumination—the second stage of the threefold path—and examine how the purified soul becomes a vessel for divine light and wisdom.

[elvenwhovian]

Sunday Notes | 1/19/25

[otoso]

Brothers and Sunday is like

IG emorjaroberson

[camfusedly]

Do you ever think about how to a lot of Christians the verse that really spells out The Whole Deal for them is John 3:16 but like if you actually believed John 3:16 you would sound insane

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." (NRSVUE)

It literally says. If you believe in "the Son." You will not die and you will live forever.

IT DOESN'T SAY "well, first you have to die, and your body will just be dead, but then your spirit self will not go to hell to be tortured for eternity by Satan, but instead your spirit self will go to heaven and be happy with God for eternity."

But you know what the author did say? Three verses ago, in verse 13: "No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man"** (The Hebrew Bible would like to have a word about Enoch and Elijah, but I digress.) Bro is capable of talking about heaven, no metaphors or nothing. And he still didn't feel a need to add anything about how Christians get to go to heaven.

He literally meant. You will not die. And just be a guy on earth, just not dying.

He didn't need it to mean anything more complicated because he didn't have the hindsight of looking back over the past 2000 years to see that Christians die like normal people instead of living forever like Tolkien elves

[dream-piper]

Happy Easter Sunday 2024

(Or Resurrection Day if you prefer!)

5: The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6: He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7: Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

Matthew 28:5-7

[t-underneaththeradardancing]

another morning 2 early - starting - cold coffee a bit and biscotti (forbidden - well not exactly but strongly -discouraged itz the sugar ) usualusual kitty - good and always - tho the waking up sum daze...

anyway an outta order hallelujah and we try not to b psycho - some marvin gaye gospel

gray chill

laundry laundry ...upcoming and for eternity - well maybe -if we wear clothes in the after life or get a new body - not really sure wat happens xactly - but that is so off topic

omg id no -how to end things any other way anymore or maybe theres something else to come

dont hold ur breath tho

[lionofchaeronea]

Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, Pietro Lorenzetti, ca. 1320

[momentomori24]

I like to headcanon Shin as a hardcore atheist (complete opposite of Hiyori who's a very religious person). He can't see himself believing in a higher power, not when his plights and tragedies and suffering were always met with indifference by whatever higher power may exist. But not by Sou Hiyori-- his guardian angel all throughout high school. His protector and his tormentor. His saviour and his captor. Someone he devoutly followed for years after having found him. Someone he looks up to; someone superior (always "Hiyori" while he's still "Shin", never his equal). Someone whose teachings he takes to heart and lives by. Someone he seeks out instinctively in his hour of desperation and need. Someone whose hand-me-down he wears dutifully around his neck to keep him close at all times. Someone who will praise him for his obedience and dependency and punish him for his defiance and independence. Someone he loves and respects and fears all at once. The moon can't shine without the sun, and Hiyori all but shone upon him when he couldn't find the light within himself. Shin doesn't believe in God, but loving Hiyori is the closest he's ever gotten to religion. I think it's poetic, in a way.

[lifepath25]

He does, what he wants, when he wants, how he wants and the atheist won't accept it, that even in there factual existence He was always aware. God, does, what he wants, when he wants, how he wants Period

[gospel-art-project]