Redeemed by the Light of Love
Story 4
Facing the Mist — in Faith and Trust
Dearest Reader,
Thank you. I consider myself blessed to have readers — and trust that what I write brings some response within your being.
To be honest, although its gratifying to have people agree with me, I find it encouraging when what I write ‘stirs up’ the thinking, being, mystery of Life within you — I am happy for anyone to engage with what I write, even to disagree.
This is one element of the Mist referred to in the title of todays offering. I had to trust that this Mystery about the research proposal ‘Don’t Weep for Me, Weep for Yourseves’ would unfold — if I engaged and persevered!
Where was I?
I was up to Edit Two on the full proposal, and had included the five point expansion based on the simple Questions, ‘What is God Doing? How does He act?’ that were revealed last week.
Then I had let go, till five days later, I realised I wasn’t even wanting to approach the thought of the PhD, never mind tackle it.
When I gave it time and tried to focus I realised it was covered by a mist, and subconsciously, I realised I was afraid because I didn’t have ‘thoughts in my head’ to re-assure me I could do it!! I still needed to grasp that I, on my own, could NOT do it…. I needed to build up my Trust that nothing separates me from God’s Love and promised provision. But it would be provided in a way that blessed me, not overwhelmed me!!
As I listened, He told me ‘walk forward into the mist and all will become clear.’
So this morning that’s what I did…both the questions, and structure began to take shape. Based on the questions made I realised there were two key elements in the research which were ‘time’ related.-‘THEN — when the Words were spoken, and NOW…the God who was, and is — acting Now, and .. moving into the Future, to come….
Introduction
I recognised my introduction to the research, based on the ‘need to know’ history, questions and faith of the researcher, ie myself, were Key to the whole work of transparency and God ‘at work’.
I did not want to bring into the structure man-made philosophies as a basis of looking at the Instruction, though some philosophy in relation to ‘knowledge — in Action’, would be included.
I wanted the Holy Spirit of Truth, Life and Love to hold all together in Love and Integrity, based on God’s creation, making us in His Image, and Christ’s fullness of Humanity and Divinity…. Bringing God’s teaching and healing, through repentance and forgiveness, providing us with an Image of His Life on earth. It seemed especially important to include His work of suffering, death and resurrection for complete Salvation of our souls.
THEN
So I was inspired to build in elements that were relevant to the ‘Then’ of Jesus’ Words, including His-Story of the Church and It’s Purpose in Christ, and the meaning of ‘Daughters of Jerusalem’ in Biblical terms and experience. So this section would have detailed searching into the Actions and Words that Jesus spoke to the women.
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NOW
Extending the boundaries beyond the Church Temporal
It seems appropriate to ‘extend our boundaries’ (Prayer of Jabez , 1Chronicles 4:9–10) and see God’s provision NOW in many spheres for facing, treating and healing the suffering people of the world. Only through healing with change of heart and mind, or the direct intervention of God, as with fatherless children, can Love be received.
Through scientific research the bodily effects of severe stress has been revealed, and the dysfunction it leads to….including faithlessness and lack of trust in any authority.
Psychologists and doctors concerned for those suffering in these areas are constantly developing their awareness and response to the difficulties of those who have suffered unloving/neglectful/cruel/life-threatening behaviour. They recognise they are in danger of long-term damage and suffering through the trauma of a mind and heart still living out the experience/s. Some, like Gabor Maté, from a Hungarian Jewish family, himself a sufferer of trauma as a child, has worked for years, overcoming his own aberrant behaviour, even while serving as a family Doctor. He began working with addicts and their anti-social behaviour, and now is still helping individuals but also medical professionals to see the connection between various auto-immune diseases and the trauma they suffered as children. He ‘treatment’ is the 5 levels of compassion…Allowing Love and acceptance into their deepest levels of pain. Indeed God is with him and his work. His many books lead many to self-compassion and the beginning of healing of their self-hatred. eg The Myth of Normal, Gabor Mate.
God- Everywhere Present and Filling all Things
Also, through others who listen to their Heart, not simply their mind, and are willing to believe super-naturally guided ways of applying old understanding, there have emerged new ways through existential problems.
For example Chinese Medicine understanding of the inter-relatedness of all aspects of Being and the functions of the body, soul and mind, have led, through such people, to a living way of enabling the prayer of St Paul for the Ephesians (Eph 3:14–20) — through ‘translating’ acu-puncture treatments into ‘Tapping’, (ie EFT or the ‘Emotional Freedom Technique’) which is available to everyone who seeks and knocks. As Fr Thomas Hopko of Ancient Faith Radio, and St Vladimirs seminary, once said, ‘We should use all the Psychological or Physical healing techniques possible to help us overcome the effects of childhood trauma caused by family or societal dysfunction and lovelessness..’
Bringing Hope to Broken Hearts-In and Outside the Church
Taking Action
Here will be the description of the Research methods used to find the understanding, and living out of these instructions (through questionnaires and interviews, and offering opportunities to ‘face their tears’)—
*from a Church perspective for priests,
* from the perspective of women in the church,
* men in the church,
* and using ‘on-line connections’….those for whom the instruction of Christ appeals as an open invitation, to ‘weep for themselves’ over a 3 month period using a ‘Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted’ Journal and regular feedback and support through on-line meetings..
*In groups : ‘Painting from the Heart — 12 week sessions with Journal writing as above in between.
The Results……
Truly only God knows what will actually emerge in terms of the structure of the research and the numbers of people involved, but the doors are opening in my heart to be willing to tackle this.
Now I simply need to send what I have written to potential supervisors.
If any of you are interested in taking part or seeing the actual research proposal — I’m willing to start keeping emails…. And to send the proposal to those interested.
