tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412187929957069944.post4875407109958962662..comments2024-03-24T14:47:17.079-07:00Comments on Frank's Christian Thoughts: Oh, The Things We Don't See...Frank E. Blasihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12218732913319387677noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412187929957069944.post-60523842464039207422012-12-29T07:59:25.677-08:002012-12-29T07:59:25.677-08:00I think it is important that we don’t wander into ...I think it is important that we don’t wander into the prideful delusions of inverted snobbery. Christians can be not unlike football supporters, claiming for their own victories or slights (real or perceived) of their chosen team, even though the supporters have done little, but voiced their affiliation and chanted support from the terraces. When in reality their ‘victories’ are not their own, but those of a tiny number of their forebears (and peers). The truth of the Christian Gospel – particularly of Christmas – is that humanity cannot save itself, so God became man so that man once more could enter the communion of love that is the Trinity.<br /><br />There is a wonderful story in the Philokalia (or similar – I can’t remember off hand) of a desert monk who felt rather sure of his own righteousness and spiritual acumen. God said that he would show this monk two even more perfect souls. The monk expected to be led further into the wildernesses of the Egyptian desert to see some aged monk, but was surprised when he was led back into the town he had left long ago to live his life of prayerful seclusion. He was led hither and dither through the streets and was brought to where two housewives were busily about their chores. God told the monk that these two women were far more ‘perfect’ than he in their hectic lives as mothers and wives – for they lived their lives modestly, cheerfully, in thanksgiving and with love for God and their neighbours; they didn’t think themselves ‘special’ or ‘different’ or ‘holy’.<br /><br />The following is from a novel I’ve been writing this past year (as yet unfinished) – the protagonist is a guy from a working class background, who through education and ambition (and a good leg up from Evangelical Anglicanism) becomes someone else:<br /><br />“The transition was so complete, so convincing, that he easily fitted in at [the City Evangelical church] without question. Indeed he had become so ordinary within his newly chosen milieu that he began, where such revelations could be used to best effect, to let slip some truths about his upbringing and background. For it is not uncommon, when once we achieve mediocrity by being indistinct from our peers that we seek to demonstrate some talent or trait or history to make a claim for individuality and difference...”<br /><br />Therefore I would champion equality and social parity within church life, but we must be wary of becoming proud of our humility; such a feat is impossible, humility and pride are like oil and water and cannot be mixed together – tho’ it doesn’t stop many of us trying... <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412187929957069944.post-60143444820176932802012-12-19T12:14:23.531-08:002012-12-19T12:14:23.531-08:00Hey Frank! I loved your post! First off, let me s...Hey Frank! I loved your post! First off, let me say that all members of the body of Christ are important. After all, the hand couldn't do it's job without being attached to the arm, and we couldn't walk on our feet without our toes. You get the picture, I'm sure. Anyway, I shutter to think what the "powers that be" would say about the jobs that I have held in my lifetime. I was a waitress for over 30 years, I was a nurses aid, dressing, bathing, and feeding those who could not help themselves. <br /><br />I CANNOT wash windows. No matter how hard I try, I leave streaks, and just end up making them a bigger mess than to begin with. That is the first thing I tell people when they want me to clean their houses. I can't do windows. <br /><br />I think that a window washer is a very important position because clean windows are important so that we can look outside and see God's beautiful creation without a wall of dirt separating us from it.<br /><br />I also think you are a Wonderful writer. I get engrossed in your posts. <br /><br />I welcome you into my circles as a wonderful and faithful reader and a great friend as well.<br /><br />God Bless,<br />PJ<br /><br />God Bless!<br />PJPJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807442587587976098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412187929957069944.post-92215467790658721142012-12-19T02:30:21.272-08:002012-12-19T02:30:21.272-08:00Hi Frank yet another gem from you! I have enjoyed...Hi Frank yet another gem from you! I have enjoyed reading your post, you point out as I did on my own Blog, that workers are not expected to have a brain. Well we do and you should be proud of being a window cleaner.<br />Andrews French Polishing Forumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14411617222745725776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412187929957069944.post-77915101308163861902012-12-18T16:39:50.177-08:002012-12-18T16:39:50.177-08:00Excellent post Frank. My dad was basically a '...Excellent post Frank. My dad was basically a 'Navvie', an unskilled labourer and perhaps to someone of a higher class background, he didn't really amount to much. Yet at the same time he was creative and could make amazing things with his hands, paint and draw quite well and was far more than he appeared to be. What those obsessed with high social status always seem to forget, is that every human being is a unique and special creation of God, loved by Him and acceptable to Him.<br /><br />What is important is that we as Christians treat others with the same love God treats us with; I have no favourites amongst my mates (friends) and I try to cherish all the friendships and family relationships I have; all are blessings from God.<br /><br />I seriously think, when you have the spare time, that you should compile a book of your travels, interspersing it with your humour and, of course, your precious faith in God. You have a way with words and I always look forward to your posts. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year, and don't drink too much sherry!!!T-Childshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14973808285834438472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412187929957069944.post-75404639609625619452012-12-18T03:08:23.381-08:002012-12-18T03:08:23.381-08:00Hi Frank,
yes I thought exactly the same when I re...Hi Frank,<br />yes I thought exactly the same when I read the quote about 'terrible jobs'. I have worked in a supermarket on the till, as a cleaner in a furniture factory and a nightclub, and loved every one of those and the other jobs I have done including office work and care work. I would not change my life for anything. I love traveling and programmes about traveling and do you know what? I only have to come over to your blog if I want an expert commentry on world travel, and I am not one for flattery. God bless you and your family, and have a lovely Christmas.Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16165344093549650260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412187929957069944.post-51655296324046990442012-12-17T11:53:54.298-08:002012-12-17T11:53:54.298-08:00Frank,
Here you've touched on something that ...Frank,<br /><br />Here you've touched on something that has troubled me for a long time. Even the church has become enraptured with degrees, and those who have not gotten their doctorates from the highest universities tend to be ignored. Some of the most spiritual and wisest men I have ever known have never attended school, while some of those with the very highest degrees are practical morons. Being able to parrot back the facts a teacher dictates is not a mark of intelligence. Tape recorders don't need any.Donald Fishgrabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11977970195032209188noreply@blogger.com