Here’s my 2 pennies: No need to ask ‘White Rabbit’ which pill…We know slim to none about this bloke. Here’s how St. Francis of Assisi says it, “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.”
Sorry, I don’t buy into the “Bill Bright/Four Spiritual Laws” methodology. Some might think that’s my problem though.
Fr. Neo are you calling or casting me out? I admit that per another blogger mentioned that I can’t judge the good father by some harmless banter and I agree, that was unfair. My real question is for a “unbeliever” like myself, who can reach me when all I read in this or any other “christian” website is jargan-musings-christianeeze and the like. Is this the epitome of christianity that I can be one that just muses in websites when the lost are many. I desperately want to know the truth, but know that it is not the god that you speak of that can help me…
Fr. Neo’s barbs are harmless, blanco conejo. Sometimes the Christian bullshit factor is pretty thick–you got that right! What truth do you seek, friend, and how have we portrayed God that has turned you away?
It’s not that you have turned me away, it’s the whole christian thing that has turned me away. They all seem so fake, at lunch on sundays they all sit with their little church friends in suits and ties and look down on me for who I am. Is christianity supposed to be welcoming to the “least” of these? Instead it seems to cater to the “best” of these… I go to starbucks and there again … bible study… do they look at me or ask tell me about their god? Hell No! they are too busy in gossip… In such a big city you’d think I could find someone who is genuine, but alas for me it’s better to stay in my matrix than to see the real world that they portray.
We’re broken vessels conejo. Christians are cracked pots. What is beautiful about Christianity, friend, is Christ. Perhaps He’s drawing you in to something you’re too afraid to approach. Don’t use the broken among us as an excuse not to hear his voice. What do you think you hear from him?
This conversation is worth watching. The criticism is to the point that we are talking to each other, not to those seeking God. Not bad. Could be. This is a small group, Brother. We will include you and talk to you in words that don’t exclude, but lose the attitude. Expect us to be open and welcoming…and lo and behold, we are! Take your shoes off, and we’ll wash your feet, Brother Anonymous. That’s what we were taught by our Lord. No waiting.
Iāll pass on the āwash your feetā part, but Iāll be more than happy to pour you a pint of Guinness Stout if you like. š Itās a lamentable observation that you make Blanco Conejo. Indeed, we have our fair share of hypocrisy, lunacy, and as Padre Neo said, BS, to go around in our dysfunctional Family at large. Weāre all seeking God, whether we know it or not, and this seeking continues for those on the āinsideā as well. Padre is spot on in my estimation as to his last comment. Iād double down on the bet that Christ is speaking to us. āThe first duty of love is to listen.ā – Paul Tillich
I appreciate all of your comments, but does it take an act of desperation to get christians to reach out to others? Do any of you have friends like me? I understand what Fr. is saying about the broken vessels, but why is it they see themselves as pure golden goblets? Do any of you remember in an Indiana Jones movie where Indy had to chose the cup of christ? he chose the old crappy pottery, when others thought it was gold? I feel that many of todays christians feel they are that cup of gold rather than humble themselves and admit their brokeness. I am not sure what I hear from him. It’s too hard to listen through all the shit that I get myself involved in. I can’t believe that a god could forgive the things I have done. I think my shit or sin or whatever you want to call it cover my ears from communication…
Hey Constantine. You like Guiness Stout? File this away: “I do, too”. Anonymous, peek out from behind your anonymity and say hello. We are fully engaged with you. I want to make a little assertion for you, too. Your intuition, fired by God’s Holy Spirit, even if you are not aware of it, has brought you to a site that God will use to say something to you. Listen. The Holy Spirit is speaking a mystery, which can transform you in the twinkling of an eye. It did each of us here assembled at some point in our lives. We went from living in the confusing, apparently random and meaningless world to living in a sacred place…a kingdom of real magic, with an accessible king who created us and loves us. How do we know this? Ask Fr. Neo.
In point of fact, you are inexorably following His white rabbit. You will not fall down a hole into nonsense, but into joy. As you slip in, just relax. Or, as our Lord is wont to say, “Do not be afraid.”
Saint Malachi of Ireland was born in Armagh, Ireland in 1094 and died in 1148. He became very well known on account of the prophecies he allegedly made regarding 112 future popes, while on a trip to visit to Pope Innocent II in Rome in 1139-40.
The prophecies concern the papacy. A total of 112 popes are listed, each in a very brief description, from 1143 (Celestine II) to the “end of the worldā (Peter the Roman). These short prophetical announcements indicate some noticeable trait of all future popes: their country, their name, their coat of arms or insignia, their birth-place, their talent or learning, the title of their cardinalate, the dignities which they held etc.
Pope John Paul II is said to be De labore Solis (“from the labor of the sun”). He was born during the solar eclipse of May 18th, 1920.
Pope Benedict XVI is named Gloria olivae (āThe Glory of the Oliveā). This Pope will reign during the beginning of the tribulation Jesus spoke of.
The last of these prophecies concerns the end of the world and is as follows: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Peter the Roman, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations, after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End.”
This final Pope, it is argued now by theologians, is likely be Satan, taking the form of a man named Peter who will gain a worldwide allegiance and adoration. He will be the final antichrist which prophecy students have long foretold.
Do you think God would allow this to happen to his church?
Wow. I have heard something of this from some interesting websites. I also know that dispensational fundamentalists have for years been saying that the office of Pope would be the anti-christ. Let’s create a new post with some end times musings.
Well I appreciate all of your signs of geniuine friendship, but I am still a little gunshy to embrace what you all have said. My city is in Denver area, how did you know that? Fr. Neo is a psychic? I will take a raincheck on the coffee for now Neo. I have a question for all of you… I just recently read an article in Time mag. about these frat boys and their faith. Did any of you read that? They talked about how some christians try to seclude themselves away from “the sinners” why would they do this? Aren’t you guys supposed to be dragging along everyone you can to the promised land? I have one more thing for you all but will save it for another post, I just really need to get something off my chest and have no one else I can talk to about it…
To White Rabbit: I wanted to reply to something you posted last week. Sorry, I haven’t had time to write much.
You said: “They all seem so fake…Is christianity supposed to be welcoming to the “least” of these? Instead it seems to cater to the “best” of these… I go to starbucks and there again … bible study… do they look at me or ask tell me about their god? Hell No! they are too busy in gossip… In such a big city you’d think I could find someone who is genuine, but alas for me it’s better to stay in my matrix than to see the real world that they portray.”
For the record, I attended Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago for 3 years, graduating in May 2004. Fr. Neo gets on my case because Moody is fundie, but they were the best years of my life. Given that Moody was in dowtown Chicago, where there is a Starbucks on every corner, my fellow students and I would go to Starbucks roughly about 3x/wk, sometimes more, sometimes less. Also, don’t forget that I am highly addicted to Starbucks. Let’s figure that out…because I was only there during the academic year for 3 years, that’s 30 weeks/yr multiply by 3 years multiply that by 3x/wk, which equals 270x!!! Expensive addiction, I know. Now, let me tell you what happened while we were at Starbucks those 270x. Eight times out of 10, we shared the Gospel and talked openly about our faith with nonbelievers. And the majority of the time, the nonbelievers were the ones who overheard our conversations so they began to ask questions! The other 2x out of 10 we were a) actually studying!; or b) surrounded by other “Moodies” (what we call our fellow students!). All this to say, your description of how Christians act in Starbucks was nowhere near the reality of my time spent in Chicago.
I, too , Paduwan Niece, need an Americano in the morning. I have been stopped by strangers there (Starbucks) who have asked me if I were clergy because I wore a small cross on my sweater. (soto voce: Fr. Neo regularly closes coffee shops. Those he frequents go out of business.)
I have two thrusts to my own ministry: apologetics and men’s ministry. The first is brainy and requires time to develop through conversations. Sites like this one can start them but they stay superficial and allow posing. I’m working on how to open the conversation space up in my life. Men can be pursued through evangelism and in-church fellowship. I’m pretty good at the latter, but still a little shy on the former. I have cards which I carry that need to be handed to men, and sometimes are, to begin conversation. I’d like to stop men outside the porn shops (rapidly moving online) or on the street corners and yet I usually just drive by the opportunities, wistfully and ashamed. Pray for me to get the sand to help some of these lost souls, my brothers. Anonymous’ anger is familiar. There’s a great article in Touchstone this month on the Scott Petersons among us (http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=18-04-013-v). I see all these “bums” on the corner and know their story. My message to them is simple: “What are you doing on this corner? Quit whining and go help somebody. This life isn’t about you; it’s about God. He wants you to do something that has nothing to do with this corner. Go do it.”
Incidently, I admire you Moodies. Didn’t know you were Starbuck’s junkies.
Morpheus- Great article. I can relate to it alot. My fiance has two children 5yrs old(boy) and 7yrs old (girl). Whos father, even thgough he has custody, shows very little positive attention to. The boy is constantly being told he is “the man” and that girls are below him. Proudly he ahs made some great changes since I came into his life. He went from getting kicked out of preschool to being one of there best students. The article had many good points to it.
But two quick questions. “Appearing to Catholic?”. How does a protestant try not to do this? Also, Children aren’t a duty of married people in protestant faiths? As a Catholic I was brought up it was a duty to God to have children.
I will being starting college soon. I hope to got into apologetics. Well thats all for now.
For a different sort of Christianity, check out http://www.jeffstreet.blogspot.com, this particular essay may intrigue you, if you’re looking for genuin-ity:
Not that I’m proselytizing. That’s not my/our style. I just find our group groovy.
And there are others out there, too that have a truth-y edge to them.
Check out the Mennonites, the Amish, the Church of the Brethren (with apologies for the sexist title), the Church of our Saviour in DC, Sojourners, also in DC.
There’s a wide variety of faith traditions out there. If you don’t like what you see, don’t presume that’s all there is.
Yes, I’m calling you out Anonymous Rabbit. š
Ask him or her which pill he wishes to take.
Here’s my 2 pennies: No need to ask ‘White Rabbit’ which pill…We know slim to none about this bloke. Here’s how St. Francis of Assisi says it, “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.”
Sorry, I don’t buy into the “Bill Bright/Four Spiritual Laws” methodology. Some might think that’s my problem though.
Fr. Neo are you calling or casting me out? I admit that per another blogger mentioned that I can’t judge the good father by some harmless banter and I agree, that was unfair. My real question is for a “unbeliever” like myself, who can reach me when all I read in this or any other “christian” website is jargan-musings-christianeeze and the like. Is this the epitome of christianity that I can be one that just muses in websites when the lost are many. I desperately want to know the truth, but know that it is not the god that you speak of that can help me…
WhiTe RabBit
Fr. Neo’s barbs are harmless, blanco conejo. Sometimes the Christian bullshit factor is pretty thick–you got that right! What truth do you seek, friend, and how have we portrayed God that has turned you away?
It’s not that you have turned me away, it’s the whole christian thing that has turned me away. They all seem so fake, at lunch on sundays they all sit with their little church friends in suits and ties and look down on me for who I am. Is christianity supposed to be welcoming to the “least” of these? Instead it seems to cater to the “best” of these… I go to starbucks and there again … bible study… do they look at me or ask tell me about their god? Hell No! they are too busy in gossip… In such a big city you’d think I could find someone who is genuine, but alas for me it’s better to stay in my matrix than to see the real world that they portray.
WhiTe RabBit
We’re broken vessels conejo. Christians are cracked pots. What is beautiful about Christianity, friend, is Christ. Perhaps He’s drawing you in to something you’re too afraid to approach. Don’t use the broken among us as an excuse not to hear his voice. What do you think you hear from him?
This conversation is worth watching. The criticism is to the point that we are talking to each other, not to those seeking God. Not bad. Could be. This is a small group, Brother. We will include you and talk to you in words that don’t exclude, but lose the attitude. Expect us to be open and welcoming…and lo and behold, we are!
Take your shoes off, and we’ll wash your feet, Brother Anonymous. That’s what we were taught by our Lord. No waiting.
Iāll pass on the āwash your feetā part, but Iāll be more than happy to pour you a pint of Guinness Stout if you like. š Itās a lamentable observation that you make Blanco Conejo. Indeed, we have our fair share of hypocrisy, lunacy, and as Padre Neo said, BS, to go around in our dysfunctional Family at large. Weāre all seeking God, whether we know it or not, and this seeking continues for those on the āinsideā as well. Padre is spot on in my estimation as to his last comment. Iād double down on the bet that Christ is speaking to us. āThe first duty of love is to listen.ā – Paul Tillich
I appreciate all of your comments, but does it take an act of desperation to get christians to reach out to others? Do any of you have friends like me? I understand what Fr. is saying about the broken vessels, but why is it they see themselves as pure golden goblets? Do any of you remember in an Indiana Jones movie where Indy had to chose the cup of christ? he chose the old crappy pottery, when others thought it was gold? I feel that many of todays christians feel they are that cup of gold rather than humble themselves and admit their brokeness. I am not sure what I hear from him. It’s too hard to listen through all the shit that I get myself involved in. I can’t believe that a god could forgive the things I have done. I think my shit or sin or whatever you want to call it cover my ears from communication…
WhiTe RabBit
What city do you live in Conejo? I’d be happy to have a cup of coffee with you if by chance it’s Denver.
If the city in which you dwell is near Boston Anonymous, I would be happy to chat over coffee too.
Hang in there, Anon. You are closer to home than your realize.
I like the sight and the discussions. This is definitely a daily check in site.
To anon: God shows you the truth through your heart. No man can show it to you.
To Fr. Neo: What is your take on the prophecy of ST. Malachi?
Hey Constantine. You like Guiness Stout? File this away: “I do, too”. Anonymous, peek out from behind your anonymity and say hello. We are fully engaged with you.
I want to make a little assertion for you, too. Your intuition, fired by God’s Holy Spirit, even if you are not aware of it, has brought you to a site that God will use to say something to you. Listen. The Holy Spirit is speaking a mystery, which can transform you in the twinkling of an eye. It did each of us here assembled at some point in our lives. We went from living in the confusing, apparently random and meaningless world to living in a sacred place…a kingdom of real magic, with an accessible king who created us and loves us. How do we know this? Ask Fr. Neo.
In point of fact, you are inexorably following His white rabbit. You will not fall down a hole into nonsense, but into joy. As you slip in, just relax. Or, as our Lord is wont to say, “Do not be afraid.”
S79,
Welcome!!!!
Tell me more about Malachi…
Saint Malachi of Ireland was born in Armagh, Ireland in 1094 and died in 1148. He became very well known on account of the prophecies he allegedly made regarding 112 future popes, while on a trip to visit to Pope Innocent II in Rome in 1139-40.
The prophecies concern the papacy. A total of 112 popes are listed, each in a very brief description, from 1143 (Celestine II) to the “end of the worldā (Peter the Roman). These short prophetical announcements indicate some noticeable trait of all future popes: their country, their name, their coat of arms or insignia, their birth-place, their talent or learning, the title of their cardinalate, the dignities which they held etc.
Pope John Paul II is said to be De labore Solis (“from the labor of the sun”). He was born during the solar eclipse of May 18th, 1920.
Pope Benedict XVI is named Gloria olivae (āThe Glory of the Oliveā). This Pope will reign during the beginning of the tribulation Jesus spoke of.
The last of these prophecies concerns the end of the world and is as follows: “In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Peter the Roman, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations, after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End.”
This final Pope, it is argued now by theologians, is likely be Satan, taking the form of a man named Peter who will gain a worldwide allegiance and adoration. He will be the final antichrist which prophecy students have long foretold.
Do you think God would allow this to happen to his church?
Your thoughts?
Wow. I have heard something of this from some interesting websites. I also know that dispensational fundamentalists have for years been saying that the office of Pope would be the anti-christ. Let’s create a new post with some end times musings.
Hello crew,
Well I appreciate all of your signs of geniuine friendship, but I am still a little gunshy to embrace what you all have said. My city is in Denver area, how did you know that? Fr. Neo is a psychic? I will take a raincheck on the coffee for now Neo. I have a question for all of you… I just recently read an article in Time mag. about these frat boys and their faith. Did any of you read that? They talked about how some christians try to seclude themselves away from “the sinners” why would they do this? Aren’t you guys supposed to be dragging along everyone you can to the promised land? I have one more thing for you all but will save it for another post, I just really need to get something off my chest and have no one else I can talk to about it…
WhiTe RabBit
What issue of Time, conejo?
last week, it had darth vader on the cover… I don’t know if christians can watch movies like star wars…(lol)
WhiTe RabBit
I’ve got my Episode III tickets for opening day (midnight) on the night of the 18th. Can’t wait! I’ll check out the Time article you mentioned.
To White Rabbit: I wanted to reply to something you posted last week. Sorry, I haven’t had time to write much.
You said: “They all seem so fake…Is christianity supposed to be welcoming to the “least” of these? Instead it seems to cater to the “best” of these… I go to starbucks and there again … bible study… do they look at me or ask tell me about their god? Hell No! they are too busy in gossip… In such a big city you’d think I could find someone who is genuine, but alas for me it’s better to stay in my matrix than to see the real world that they portray.”
For the record, I attended Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago for 3 years, graduating in May 2004. Fr. Neo gets on my case because Moody is fundie, but they were the best years of my life. Given that Moody was in dowtown Chicago, where there is a Starbucks on every corner, my fellow students and I would go to Starbucks roughly about 3x/wk, sometimes more, sometimes less. Also, don’t forget that I am highly addicted to Starbucks. Let’s figure that out…because I was only there during the academic year for 3 years, that’s 30 weeks/yr multiply by 3 years multiply that by 3x/wk, which equals 270x!!! Expensive addiction, I know. Now, let me tell you what happened while we were at Starbucks those 270x. Eight times out of 10, we shared the Gospel and talked openly about our faith with nonbelievers. And the majority of the time, the nonbelievers were the ones who overheard our conversations so they began to ask questions! The other 2x out of 10 we were a) actually studying!; or b) surrounded by other “Moodies” (what we call our fellow students!). All this to say, your description of how Christians act in Starbucks was nowhere near the reality of my time spent in Chicago.
I, too , Paduwan Niece, need an Americano in the morning. I have been stopped by strangers there (Starbucks) who have asked me if I were clergy because I wore a small cross on my sweater. (soto voce: Fr. Neo regularly closes coffee shops. Those he frequents go out of business.)
I have two thrusts to my own ministry: apologetics and men’s ministry. The first is brainy and requires time to develop through conversations. Sites like this one can start them but they stay superficial and allow posing. I’m working on how to open the conversation space up in my life. Men can be pursued through evangelism and in-church fellowship. I’m pretty good at the latter, but still a little shy on the former. I have cards which I carry that need to be handed to men, and sometimes are, to begin conversation. I’d like to stop men outside the porn shops (rapidly moving online) or on the street corners and yet I usually just drive by the opportunities, wistfully and ashamed. Pray for me to get the sand to help some of these lost souls, my brothers. Anonymous’ anger is familiar. There’s a great article in Touchstone this month on the Scott Petersons among us (http://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=18-04-013-v). I see all these “bums” on the corner and know their story. My message to them is simple: “What are you doing on this corner? Quit whining and go help somebody. This life isn’t about you; it’s about God. He wants you to do something that has nothing to do with this corner. Go do it.”
Incidently, I admire you Moodies. Didn’t know you were Starbuck’s junkies.
Morpheus- Great article. I can relate to it alot. My fiance has two children 5yrs old(boy) and 7yrs old (girl). Whos father, even thgough he has custody, shows very little positive attention to. The boy is constantly being told he is “the man” and that girls are below him. Proudly he ahs made some great changes since I came into his life. He went from getting kicked out of preschool to being one of there best students. The article had many good points to it.
But two quick questions. “Appearing to Catholic?”. How does a protestant try not to do this? Also, Children aren’t a duty of married people in protestant faiths? As a Catholic I was brought up it was a duty to God to have children.
I will being starting college soon. I hope to got into apologetics. Well thats all for now.
Hi anonymous,
For a different sort of Christianity, check out http://www.jeffstreet.blogspot.com, this particular essay may intrigue you, if you’re looking for genuin-ity:
http://jeffstreet.blogspot.com/2005/02/coffee-house-of-kingdom-come.html
Not that I’m proselytizing. That’s not my/our style. I just find our group groovy.
And there are others out there, too that have a truth-y edge to them.
Check out the Mennonites, the Amish, the Church of the Brethren (with apologies for the sexist title), the Church of our Saviour in DC, Sojourners, also in DC.
There’s a wide variety of faith traditions out there. If you don’t like what you see, don’t presume that’s all there is.