Comments for Fr. Neo's White Rabbit http://fatherneo.com Theological and other musings from Fr. Neo. You might call it 'Mere Christianity with an edge.' Vade retro Satana! Nunquam suade mihi vana! Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas! Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:21:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 Comment on Louis versus Thomas Part 1 by Jim http://fatherneo.com/2010/02/louis-versus-thomas-part-1.html#comment-3070 Jim Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:13:17 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2010/02/louis-versus-thomas-part-1.html#comment-3070 We may be disappointed, in that our heroes fall before us, but it strangely gives me hope that even the most holy, and consecrated men of God are "men like us." Not glad that he fell, but glad that God extends His Spirit to human flesh, and will also pick us up, set our feet on a firm road, wash us clean, and then lead us on. We walk a glorious path between heaven and hell, with shield on one hand, and sword in the other. We may be disappointed, in that our heroes fall before us, but it strangely gives me hope that even the most holy, and consecrated men of God are “men like us.”

Not glad that he fell, but glad that God extends His Spirit to human flesh, and will also pick us up, set our feet on a firm road, wash us clean, and then lead us on.

We walk a glorious path between heaven and hell, with shield on one hand, and sword in the other.

]]> Comment on Louis versus Thomas Part 1 by Jmark http://fatherneo.com/2010/02/louis-versus-thomas-part-1.html#comment-3069 Jmark Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:13:57 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2010/02/louis-versus-thomas-part-1.html#comment-3069 ...did it taint his legacy? Is there something disingenuous about not persevering through to the end? Curious questions. It makes me think of King David. He was not only an adulterer but a murderer as well. Yet even after his death God said of him, "...you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes." (1Kings 14:8, NIV) Was David's legacy tainted (in God's eyes)? I have always been fascinated by the fact that David and Bathsheba were included in the lineage of Jesus according to Matthew's Gospel. As to the second question: disingenuous to who (or would that be to whom)? Louis ended the relationship. Do we know Louis' heart? No. But God does. 2 Samuel 14:14 says in part, "But God does not take away life; instead [H]e devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from [H]im." (NIV) I guess it begs the question, persevering from which starting point? The end is the end, but from which point is the standard for the start? If it is for me, the point I first came to Jesus - then I am lost for I am a sinner. If it is from the point of grace received for my repentance because His mercies are new every day - then praised be to God for I have salvation. Called to one thing but turned to another - the product of a fallen world. Thank you heavenly Father for Jesus and redemption! But, of course, you know these things. Thank you for making me think. …did it taint his legacy? Is there something disingenuous about not persevering through to the end?

Curious questions. It makes me think of King David. He was not only an adulterer but a murderer as well. Yet even after his death God said of him, “…you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes.” (1Kings 14:8, NIV) Was David’s legacy tainted (in God’s eyes)? I have always been fascinated by the fact that David and Bathsheba were included in the lineage of Jesus according to Matthew’s Gospel.

As to the second question: disingenuous to who (or would that be to whom)? Louis ended the relationship. Do we know Louis’ heart? No. But God does. 2 Samuel 14:14 says in part, “But God does not take away life; instead [H]e devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged from [H]im.” (NIV)

I guess it begs the question, persevering from which starting point? The end is the end, but from which point is the standard for the start? If it is for me, the point I first came to Jesus - then I am lost for I am a sinner. If it is from the point of grace received for my repentance because His mercies are new every day - then praised be to God for I have salvation.

Called to one thing but turned to another - the product of a fallen world. Thank you heavenly Father for Jesus and redemption!

But, of course, you know these things. Thank you for making me think.

]]> Comment on Prepare by Jim http://fatherneo.com/2009/12/prepare.html#comment-3067 Jim Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:46:59 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2009/12/prepare.html#comment-3067 John reminds me much of Jeremiah. He could have very well spoke the very words of Jer 15:19-21. Prepare the way of the Lord. John reminds me much of Jeremiah. He could have very well spoke the very words of Jer 15:19-21.

Prepare the way of the Lord.

]]> Comment on Change by Jmark http://fatherneo.com/2009/10/change.html#comment-3065 Jmark Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:24:46 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2009/10/change.html#comment-3065 Prayer changes things. Our prayers must line up with the will of God. But how to know the will of God? Through the Word. Politics be damned; Peter lays out how we are to live and interact in this world, and "...every authority instituted among men..." And when called to do evil by men, ultimately we are to do the will of God. How to know the will of God? Through the Word. When I get stuck for the right words to pray, I pray the Word. Prayer changes things. Our prayers must line up with the will of God. But how to know the will of God? Through the Word. Politics be damned; Peter lays out how we are to live and interact in this world, and “…every authority instituted among men…” And when called to do evil by men, ultimately we are to do the will of God. How to know the will of God? Through the Word. When I get stuck for the right words to pray, I pray the Word.

]]> Comment on Shifting Community by MP http://fatherneo.com/2009/06/shifting-community.html#comment-3064 MP Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:47:44 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2009/06/shifting-community.html#comment-3064 Tragically, the commitment to the greater good apart from the anchor of Christian truth will always lead to Marxism or something similar. And, it's usually the Christians and intelligentsia and working middle class that end up suffering under such tyrannies. Tragically, the commitment to the greater good apart from the anchor of Christian truth will always lead to Marxism or something similar. And, it’s usually the Christians and intelligentsia and working middle class that end up suffering under such tyrannies.

]]> Comment on Change by MP http://fatherneo.com/2009/10/change.html#comment-3063 MP Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:41:00 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2009/10/change.html#comment-3063 The true Christian will always be the maverick, the alien, and the outcast. It is impossible to follow Christ and the world order at the same time. I hear too many pastors trying to tip toe through the political tulips of their congregations instead of shining the light of truth on the corruption and lies of the age. Your comments are refreshing. When we realize the entire system, like the Matrix, is programmed against us, cursed, we begin to understand the cost of following the Savior. I wonder how many of us are still plugged in, mistaking the virtual Christian life we live for the real thing. The true Christian will always be the maverick, the alien, and the outcast. It is impossible to follow Christ and the world order at the same time. I hear too many pastors trying to tip toe through the political tulips of their congregations instead of shining the light of truth on the corruption and lies of the age. Your comments are refreshing. When we realize the entire system, like the Matrix, is programmed against us, cursed, we begin to understand the cost of following the Savior. I wonder how many of us are still plugged in, mistaking the virtual Christian life we live for the real thing.

]]> Comment on Asceticism and/or Grace? by Fr Colin Fortune http://fatherneo.com/2007/10/asceticism-andor-grace.html#comment-3062 Fr Colin Fortune Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:45:49 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2007/10/asceticism-andor-grace.html#comment-3062 Surely a viable understanding of the "locusts" eaten by John the Baptist is that they are locust beans? After all, the predatory insect is found in swarms and if John the Baptist was able to eat them it would have been because they had eaten everything else! Surely a viable understanding of the “locusts” eaten by John the Baptist is that they are locust beans? After all, the predatory insect is found in swarms and if John the Baptist was able to eat them it would have been because they had eaten everything else!

]]> Comment on Spiritual but not religious… by Rhonda http://fatherneo.com/2009/05/spiritual-but-not-religious.html#comment-2985 Rhonda Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:56:49 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2009/05/spiritual-but-not-religious.html#comment-2985 I've heard and asked the same of myself and others in conversation over this topic...I propose to say, "I am in relationship with God, not religious" - like a slave to the rules of man-made church institutions. I've explained my Christianity as Christ-follower...in relationship, connection to Christ and his beliefs, which I believe transcend the many categories of churches. I’ve heard and asked the same of myself and others in conversation over this topic…I propose to say, “I am in relationship with God, not religious” - like a slave to the rules of man-made church institutions. I’ve explained my Christianity as Christ-follower…in relationship, connection to Christ and his beliefs, which I believe transcend the many categories of churches.

]]> Comment on Change by Rhonda http://fatherneo.com/2009/10/change.html#comment-2984 Rhonda Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:42:59 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2009/10/change.html#comment-2984 I concur! I like being independant - praying & asking God for guidance in voting & all matters of life here on Earth. I concur! I like being independant - praying & asking God for guidance in voting & all matters of life here on Earth.

]]> Comment on Unscientific Poll by Rhonda http://fatherneo.com/2009/08/unscientific-poll.html#comment-2983 Rhonda Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:36:18 +0000 http://fatherneo.com/2009/08/unscientific-poll.html#comment-2983 Healthy change is transformational change - through the Spirit- lasting growth in connecting! Healthy change is transformational change - through the Spirit- lasting growth in connecting!

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