Book 01: Sect. 01: Ch. 03: The Doctrine of Truth

Shiann · #1 Aug 16, '05, 2:39 pm

Thoughts Helpful in the Life of a Soul:

The Doctrine of Truth

The online version of Section 1: Chapter 3 is available here:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/kempis/imitation.ONE.3.html

WanderAimlessly · #2 Aug 16, '05, 6:22 pm

Do we concentrate on the most minuscule things or do we concentrate on the complete message when it comes to the Word of God?

The first sentence is from Numbers 12:8:

Quote:

With him (Moses) I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in dark speech; and he beholds the form of the LORD.

God is direct with his Word to us. Then whyto we concentrate on finding meanings under meanings under meanings? God's Word is not an onion. We cannot peal off one layer to find another.

Again, this goes back to having a simple childlike faith. For only then will a person be able to ignore that which distracts us from the Truth of God’s Word.

Leaning should not be condemned according to Kempis as long as it does not divert us from leading a virtuous life. For a virtuous life will lead us to be charitable to our fellow man.

PF

**Ani Ibi** · #3 Aug 17, '05, 7:26 am

If men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious organizations.

I have over the years become suspicious of problems. For me problems are to be solved not wallowed in. This has freed me up considerably. I still experience barriers. However, I try not to let the sun go down or at least the sun to rise again on the same 'blocked' feeling. I still need a lot of discipline in this area. I tend just to give up. Giving up prevents me from learning through the experience of living in God's Creation.

On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived.

This is my big fear of all fears: not living well, not living fully. I have become very adept at avoiding 'bad' things, but very clumsy at moving toward the unknown. I see now that avoiding bad things is really just my way of remaining attached to them, of identifying with them.

contemplative · #4 Aug 17, '05, 8:15 am

IOC
Book 1
Chapter 3

On the Teaching of Truth

Mind your own P's and Q's!

What are you lookin' at?

Mind your own bees wax!

Mind your own business!

Can you remember that far back? When you first left the nest and started venturing out on the playground with other children? Who can't remember a school age kid telling them to 'Mind your own business'? That was the first time I gained a sense that there was my business and other people's business.

Unfortunately some don't ever come to the realization there is business of their own to tend to.
How many times do we see adults at the checkout counter picking up the 'Star' or 'Flashy Hollywood' magazine? You gotta' know someone is watching 'Entertainment Tonight or ET'.
Do you waste even a moment reading the daily horoscope? Can you really afford to waste that moment?
There are many more subtle ways and more foolish ways to hinder the human spirit. Pray not to fall victim.

O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me.
God, help me to make it my business to know You and only You.

Giannawannabe · #5 Aug 17, '05, 9:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by contemplative

O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me.
God, help me to make it my business to know You and only You.

How many times have a read a news story detailing horrifying realities? In my own family, there is alcoholism, drugs, sexual depravity, loss of Faith. I feel despair, worry, anxiety, and fatigue when thinking of these things. At times, I want to "give up". After all, it doesn't matter that I try to live a good life. It doesn't matter that I try to raise my children well. They will be going out into the world and get sucked into all of it's horrors. This is not Faith. This is not humility or purity of intention. I want to follow Christ because I love Him and want to please Him. There should be nothing more. I desire this for my children as well. There should be nothing to fear if we set our sights on The Lord.

Quaere Verum · #6 Aug 17, '05, 4:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

Do we concentrate on the most minuscule things or do we concentrate on the complete message when it comes to the Word of God?

Again, this goes back to having a simple childlike faith. For only then will a person be able to ignore that which distracts us from the Truth of God’s Word.
PF

Yes, WanderAimlessly, sometimes even the most devout get caught up in the "to dos" of life and put God on a back burner until we have more time. When Kempis said, "Let the learned be still, let all creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me", it reminded me that I need to take time throughout the day to pray in order to keep focused on God. If we take even 5 minutes several times a day to pray then we can offer even the mundane to God & keep our life focused on God.

God, I consecrate my day to you.

Quaere Verum · #7 Aug 17, '05, 4:10 pm

One of Ch. 3's great quotes:

"He is truly great who has great charity."

antiaphrodite · #8 Aug 18, '05, 12:46 am

HAPPY is he to whom truth manifests itself, not in signs and words that fade, but as it actually is.

and it is so beautiful!!!

antiaphrodite · #9 Aug 18, '05, 12:56 am

On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived.

not only am i not expected to be the smartest person ever, but i, like everybody else, will have a lot to answer for on the Day of Judgement. somehow i find this rather comforting.

Giannawannabe · #10 Aug 18, '05, 6:37 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaere Verum

One of Ch. 3's great quotes:

"He is truly great who has great charity."

I couldn't agree more. This is one I will remember and repeat often

CarolAnnSFO · #11 Aug 18, '05, 4:45 pm

I think these lines make a beautiful prayer:

"O my God, You are Truth; unite me to Yourself in perfect love. I am so weary of all I read and hear and see, for only in You is all that I will or can desire. Let all the learned be silent in Your presence and let all creatures be still and do You, Lord, alone speak to my soul."

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wisdom 3:5 · #12 Aug 18, '05, 5:21 pm

The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of knowledge from above.

I think that studying and knowledge comes to us more easily when we have put God first in our lives.

Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it and no learning of ours is without some darkness.

Something I can't seem to get through my head!

**Edwin1961** · #13 Aug 18, '05, 5:25 pm

In this chapter there is SO much to comment on that I can't comment on all of it all at once.

I am just floored by the messages here.
The entire paragraph especially this part
A pure, simple and stable heart is not bogged down by a multitude of tasks because it does all for the honor of God, and since it is not self-seeking, it is not eager to follow its own will.

So what this is saying is: We unload our baggage of worldly self desires and thus God will fill us with His spirit to do His Will and not our own? Is this correct?

antiaphrodite · #14 Aug 18, '05, 11:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwin1961

A pure, simple and stable heart is not bogged down by a multitude of tasks because it does all for the honor of God, and since it is not self-seeking, it is not eager to follow its own will.

So what this is saying is: We unload our baggage of worldly self desires and thus God will fill us with His spirit to do His Will and not our own? Is this correct?

i think so. though i think it also means that, when a person does all for the honor of God, he does not get distracted (at least not easily) or disheartened (again, at least not easily) by the number or difficulties of what he has to do. perhaps this is because of the single-mindedness of the person doing God's will.

which in turn brings me to this conclusion: when you are following Him, you become more strong-willed yourself, because His Spirit fills your mind, your heart, your entire being. obeying His will makes you stronger than yours ever could.

wow!!!

Giannawannabe · #15 Aug 19, '05, 5:43 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by antiaphrodite

which in turn brings me to this conclusion: when you are following Him, you become more strong-willed yourself, because His Spirit fills your mind, your heart, your entire being. obeying His will makes you stronger than yours ever could.

wow!!!

YES!!!! This is beautiful. I am no Saint, but I have found that it easier to avoid evil when I become closer to Christ. When I fill my mind, heart, and physical surroundings (i.e. pictures, movies, radio, cruifixes) with things of Christ, then I become stronger in my will to resist the darkness.