Partakers Christian Podcasts

Teachings of Seraphim 18

Teachings of Seraphim

 
Part 18. The Active and the Contemplative Life

 

A person consists of a soul and body, and therefore his life’s path should consist of both physical and spiritual activities — of deeds and contemplation.

The path of an active life consists of fasting, abstinence, vigilance, kneeling, prayer and other physical feats, composing the strait and sorrowful path which, by the word of God, leads to eternal life (Mt. 7:14).

The contemplative life consists in the mind aspiring to the Lord God, in awareness of the heart, focused prayer and in the contemplation of spiritual matters through such exercises.

Anyone desiring to lead a spiritual way of life must begin with the active life, and only later set about the contemplative, for without an active life it is impossible to lead a contemplative one.

An active life serves to purify us of sinful passions and raises us to the level of functioning perfection; at the same time it clears the way to a contemplative life. For only those cleansed of passions and the perfect can set out on that other life, as can be seen from the words of the Holy Scriptures: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”(Mt. 5:8), and from the words of Gregory the Theologian: "Only those who are perfect by their experience can without danger proceed to contemplation.”

If it is impossible to find a mentor who is able to direct us on the path to a contemplative life, then in that instance we must be guided by the Holy Scriptures, for the Lord Himself commands us to learn from it, saying: "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life”(John 5:39). One should not abandon the active life even when a person has so excelled in it that he has reached the contemplative, for the active life assists the contemplative and uplifts it.

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Pulp Theology 04

PulpTheology Book

HAHA - Heroes And Heretics Abound

 

I know what you are probably thinking! History is boring! Was I right? I have heard it a million times! I think history can be fascinating, particularly Church history. Why do I think that? Because how can anything with heroes and heretics be boring? More than that, the story of the Christian Church is your story! Yes! You, dear reader! Your story, regardless of where you are from and who you are. Your story, regardless of your belief or non-belief. Perhaps you know very little of it. No worries! This book is written with you in mind.

Before Jesus Christ ascended back to heaven, he commanded his 11 followers to go and tell others about Him and His work. They did, and we stand here today as a product of their obedience. But how did the Church get here today? Together we explore her birth, growth and development. Development to the point where today, she is worldwide and has at least 2 billion people who identify as a Christian, of one kind or another. All the while, striving to avoid the mistakes and embrace the joys of her history.

We also interact with some people of today, who tell about their relationship with the Church. Finally, we also interact with some of the great minds of Church history, looking at some of the prayers of the Church. As the Church of today and tomorrow, we can all learn something from this exciting story. Come on in!

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Teachings of Seraphim 17

Teachings of Seraphim

 
Part 17. Sorrow

 

When the evil spirit of sorrow seizes the soul, then, by filling it with bitterness and unpleasantness, it does not allow it to pray with necessary diligence; it disrupts the attention necessary for reading spiritual writings, deprives it of humility and good nature in the treatment of others and breeds aversion to any discussion.

For the sorrowful soul, by becoming as if insane and frenzied, can neither accept kind advice calmly, nor answer posed questions meekly. It runs from people as if from the perpetrators of its embarrassment, not understanding that the reason for its illness — is within it. Sorrow is the worm of the heart, gnawing at the mother that bore it.

He who has conquered passions has also defeated sorrow. But one overcome by passions will not avoid the shackles of sorrow. As an ill person can be identified by the color of his face, so is one overcome by passions distinguished by sorrow.

It is impossible for one who loves the world not to feel sorrow. But he who despises the world is always cheerful. As fire purifies gold, so sorrow in God -- penitence -- purifies the sinful heart.

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Teachings of Seraphim 16

Teachings of Seraphim

 
Part 16. Excessive Care about Worldly Matters

 

Excessive care about worldly matters is characteristic of an unbelieving and fainthearted person, and woe to us, if, in taking care of ourselves, we do not use as our foundation our faith in God, who cares for us!

If we do not attribute visible blessings to Him, which we use in this life, then how can we expect those blessings from Him which are promised in the future? We will not be of such little faith. By the words of our Saviour, it is better first to seek the Kingdom of God, for the rest shall be added unto us (see Mt. 6:33).

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Teachings of Seraphim 15

Teachings of Seraphim

 
Part 15. Identifying Movements of the Heart

 

When a person accepts anything Godly, then he rejoices in his heart, but when he has accepted anything devilish, then he becomes tormented.

Having accepted anything Godly, the heart of a Christian does not demand outside persuasion that it is from the Lord, but becomes convinced through the act itself that this acceptance is something heavenly, because he feels the spiritual fruits in himself: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal. 5:22-23).

But if the devil were to transform himself even into an angel of light (see 2 Cor. 11:14), or presented thoughts of the worthiest appearance, the heart still would feel some sort of doubts, trouble in its thoughts and disturbance of feelings. The devil is like a lion, hiding in ambush (Ps. 9:29). He secretly sets out nets of unclean and unholy thoughts. So, it is necessary to break them off as soon as we notice them, by means of pious reflection and prayer.

During the singing of psalms, feats and great vigilance are demanded for our mind to be in conformity with our heart and lips; for otherwise stench is added to the incense in our prayers. For the Lord disdains a heart with unclean thoughts.

Let us continually, day and night, fall before the face of the goodness of God with tears, that He purify our hearts of any evil thought, so that we might worthily bring Him the gifts of our service. When we do not accept the evil thoughts put in us by the devil, we perform a good deed.

The unclean spirit has a strong influence only on the passionate; but those purified of passions he touches only indirectly and externally. A person in his youth cannot avoid being disturbed by physical thoughts. But he must pray to the Lord God, that the spark of depraved passions dies out at the very beginning. Then the flame within him will not become more intense.

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Pulp Theology 22

PulpTheology Book

Life Under Grace (What’s It All About, Alphy? Book 2)

In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul is logically stating his case about God and humanity.

Paul argues is that a people can choose to be in a dynamic and intimate relationship with Almighty God. there is no need to be separated from God any longer. It is by God's amazing grace alone that people ca be declared right before God and able to stand in His presence.

Come inside with Alphy, the WOWChurch Cat and investigate the blessings of living life under Grace, as explained by the Apostle Paul in Romans 5.

"Life Under Grace (What’s It All About, Alphy? Book 2)" available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle with ISBN: 978-1793018007

 

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Pulp Theology 19

PulpTheology Book

Intimacy with God

One of the words that scares a lot of people today, particularly in the Church, is the word "intimacy". Yet, the Christian is in an intimate relationship with God. It is going on in life, developing that relationship and refining the unique bond between God and the Christian. To know that God desires for the person to know Him more and more, should be of great encouragement to the Christian, as they develop their intimacy with God. This intimacy with God is not something to be taken for granted. It is for the Christian to work upon and develop.

What do we mean by intimacy with God? Intimacy with God, is where a person, a Christian, is in a dynamic relationship with Him. We can enter into this intimacy only because of the intimacy that Jesus Christ has with God the Father. We can enter into this intimacy because as Christians, we are covered and sheltered by Jesus' robe of righteousness. No other religion can claim this. It is a feature unique to Christianity. This relationship is developed through a devotional life, where the Christian is being transformed to the glory of God, evidenced by their living their life in direct obedient submission to God, in all facets of life. That means the use of time, money, energy along with prayer, worship, Bible Study, and other activities that are done in private rather than with other people.

Inside we look together at an intimate God who has spoken, the Christian developing skills of intimacy in listening to God, talking to Him and the outworking of that intimacy in all aspects of the Christian life. There is also an opportunity for you to creatively "give it a go" for 40 days, putting into practise what you have learnt afresh or been reminded of. Come on in!

"Intimacy with God" available on Amazon and all good bookshops in paperback or Kindle with ISBN: 978-1721939794

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Thanking God for the Reformation 01

Thanking God for the Reformation

Part 1

 

The Church before the Reformation G’day and welcome to our series, Thanking God for the Reformation, where we are looking at and celebrating that momentous event in history, and including in that, Church history. These are extracts from the book “Heroes And Heretics Abound” available on Amazon sites.

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We start, however, in the 14th and 15th centuries where there was a great European revival of interest in the values of classical Greek and Roman literature, art, philosophy and politics. It started in Italy and spread throughout Europe. Scholars were called humanists as they moulded their life on the teachings of the great Greek and Roman classical literature. Scholastic freedom grew exponentially. There was also an increase in other areas of life: Roman morality, paganism, the Greek New Testament and the study thereof. Many new universities throughout Europe were started.

We look together at three men, albeit briefly, at what they had to do with the Church at that time:

• Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498)
• John Colet (1466-1519)
• Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus (1467-1536)

Erasmus is described as the one who laid the egg which was hatched my Martin Luther...

We then conclude today with a look at the Devotional Movement and the prime architect, Thomas à Kempis...

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Partakers - Book 1 - Alphy & the Lord's Prayer

What's It All About, Alphy?

Alphy the WOWChurch Cat has a new book out! Alphy the WOWChurch Cat is on an adventure! In this book, his adventures take Alphy to explore the Lord's Prayer - perhaps the most misunderstood prayer of all!! What will he find? You will have to read to find out! Come and discover with him!Check the preview video out and the Amazon links...

• 40 pages.
  
• Full colour illustrations.
  
• UK Price is £5
  
• USA price is $9.99!
  

Every purchase helps me out and I also put a percentage to good causes close to my heart !
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Book Catalogue

Here are a list of my current books on Amazon! A great Christmas present for somebody and when you buy from me, you are giving me a Christmas present! Come on over to Pulp Theology on Amazon! 

A full catalogue in PDF is available by downloading here

Current books available and more to be added shortly...

• 40 Days of Color: Coloring-In Devotional studies for adults (and maybe kids too!)
• AGOG: A Glimpse of God: A straight look at the man who splits history...
• Exploring Islam with David Combes
• Glimpses into Acts: A Book of Action
• Glimpses into Leviticus: A Book of Joy
• Glimpses into Psalms: A Book of Life
• Glimpses into Romans: A Book of Freedom
• God's WOW Words For You: Straight talk about Jesus and the Bible
• Living Life Right: Studies in Romans 12 - Practical Living and Loving
• Scriptural Delights: Exploring Psalm 119
• The Big Story with Roger Kirby
• What's It All About, Alphy: The Lord's Prayer
• WOW Disciple Book 01: God and Life
• WOW Disciple Book 02: Living Life
• WOW Disciple Book 03: Body Life
• WOW Disciple Book 04: Developing Life
• WOW Disciple Book 05: Devotional Life
• WOW Disciple Book 06: Inner Life