Developing the Sacred Virtue of Determination.

Hello and Welcome Friends,

I wanted to start by saying I had a busy past summer with many projects and the writing of my second book. I thank all who have come to visit and take time to read what is my joy and passion. I also can not believe it has been one-year ago I started my blog to share with you about my writing, my book, and just life! I hope to be more active blogging this coming new year and I figured I need more practice. Lol.

Here is a new post I hope you enjoy reading and as always, I look forward to your thoughts and comments.

Diane

 

 

 

 

Happy Anniversary with WordPress.com!

You registered on WordPress.com one year ago.

Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging.

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Developing the Sacred Virtue of Determination

Dedication

Whether we’re trying to complete a boring job, fighting the evil of an addiction or a mean bully, or siding with a group of misfits who are saving the planet from aliens breaching from another dimension; the struggle to focus our abilities and stay in the fight is a real challenge.

We must dedicate ourselves to the problem. In that moment, we believe we’ll be successful in overcoming the antagonistic force or forces.

Distraction

Later, we may wake up in a state of forgetfulness. Maybe, we don’t feel up to snuff. The goal just doesn’t feel as important as it did yesterday. Possibly we are beset by disillusionment, depression, maybe fear, or even pain.

If we are lucky, something inside us screams against the lethargy “No! I’ve got to do this no matter how I feel, whatever the cost or discomfort.”

Rededication

We have become willing to sacrifice our comfort and our fears. We might even become altruistic. Success is in the mindset even if in the most extreme cases, like a battlefield, obliteration is a likely result.

We didn’t give up, or defeat ourselves. We fought our way through to whatever end we chose to achieve, despite the cost.

 

Determination

We are given plenty of opportunities to practice and strengthen this virtue for a reason. Early levels of development might include learning to stand and walk, or how to communicate with others (a life-long endeavor). Later, we battle antagonists like boredom, bullies, inept bosses, war, illness, and death.

These challenges can help develop and strengthen our souls. The endgame could be that we dedicate ourselves to God, and to serving His creation. In doing so we achieve the pinnacle of selflessness. Immersion with the Creator. Think of Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Pope Francis, or Swami Prabhavananda.

This is the path of the Apostles in each Age. It is necessary for their sacrifices and determination, to protect and grow the tiny flame brought by the Prophet, in each rebirth of the Single, Ancient Faith of God, for all eternity.

 

Author/Writer, Diane Olsen

My New Book on Amazon Kindle.

 

 

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“Messengers of God’s – Sharing His Word” Part Three.

Welcome Back Friends, Readers, and Visitors,

I am rounding out my last two blog posts with post three of this series. I hope you have enjoyed reading and hope you all had a Happy Easter!

 

 

 

 
All of the Manifestations or Revealers of God’s Word; knew, respected and loved one another, from the Beginning. They were aware of what they and their peers would suffer, and how humanity would mess with the “Word of God”, as we always have.

They knew that the renewal They brought to this world would, eventually fail miserably. The Message would become diffused and ambiguous. Christ acknowledged sadly, we would call ourselves His, but He will know us not.

People would start churches and monasteries etc., that were never meant to exist. Even worse, religion would become an excuse to attack and murder other people, the animal, plants – even the earth…

We have mentioned some examples of how the Great Prophets told us of Others who would come bearing God’s Word to renew the perfection of His religion and clear up the misunderstandings men had created by demeaning the purity of the last Revelation. These Beings also brought social laws from the age in which they lived, a new calendar and many other marvels specific to each of Them. For example, there are remnants of at least nine Great Religions in the world and yes, there are nine calendars currently in use.

But the loving bonds continue between the “Bearers of the Holy Spirit;” the past, present, and future; and with the occupants of this planet, what HE promises and to whom They all serve!

These Great Ones not only told us about the next ones to come, and gave strict warnings to guide humanity not to fall for everyone who made a claim to that station. They also edified the ones Who came before them. And in no uncertain terms offered punishment to all who did not believe in the previous Prophet or several Prophets.

 

 

Christ gave an example in John 5, chapters 45 and 46:

45: “Do not think that I shall not accuse you to the Father; there is One who accuses you – Moses, in whom you trust.

46: For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; For He wrote about Me.”

Muhammed edifies Christ and Moses.

“…when Muhammad proclaimed His work and mission, His first objection to His own followers was, “Why have you not believed on Jesus Christ? Why have you not accepted the Gospel? Why have you not believed in Moses? Why have you not followed the precepts of the Old Testament? Why have you not understood the prophets of Israel? Why have you not believed in the disciples of Christ? The first duty incumbent upon ye, O Arabians, is to accept and believe in these.

You must consider Moses as a Prophet. You must accept Jesus Christ as the Word of God. You must know the Old and the New Testaments as the Word of God. You must believe in Jesus Christ as the product of the Holy Spirit.

His people answered, ‘O Muḥammad! We will become believers although our fathers and ancestors were not believers, and we are proud of them. Tell us what is going to become of them?’ Muḥammad replied, ‘I declare unto you that they occupy the lowest stratum of hell because they did not believe in Moses and Christ and because they did not accept the Bible, and although they are my own ancestors, yet they are in despair in hell.’ This is an explicit text of the Qur’án; it is not a story or tradition but from the Qur’án itself, which is in the hands of the people. Therefore, it is evident that ignorance and misunderstanding have caused so much warfare and strife between Christians and Muslims. If both should investigate the underlying truth of their religious beliefs, the outcome would be unity and agreement…”

The Promulgation of Universal Peace, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Source: US Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982…

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Baha’u’llah, the Glory of God, highly and frequently praised the Bab, Mohammad, Christ, Moses, and all other Revealers of God’s Word – back to times beyond human memory. Each of these holy Beings praises the previous Embodiments of the Holy Spirit and foretells the advent of the next One and the One who will come at the end of the Age. This last One would be known as the Fifth Buddha, the Spirit of Truth, the Sayoshyant, or Baha’u’llah – the Glory of the Lord, etc. as anticipated by the different faiths.

There is One God, and one core to His religion – in all ages. We should appreciate this.

Diane Olsen, Author, and Writer of Biblical Studies of her book;  “Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion”

 

 

 

“The Friend (AKA Comforter) of God” Part One…

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“Christ told us there would be other manifestations of the Holy Spirit, which would come to earth. He would go away – back to God, whom He loves. But we should not be sad because He would send others. He mentions the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth and a strait Gate or Door. They would speak His words, but not with His lips, and come with new names. This time I would like to explore the Comforter. I will tell you hints about His life and you can tell me who you think it is. Next time, we can talk about the Spirit of Truth and then, The Gate.”

16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

16:8 And when he has come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

15:26 But when the Comforter has come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (King James Bible, John)

7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

(King James Bible, Matthew)

2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (King James Bible, Revelation)

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The Comforter or Friend of God is sometimes referred to as the Apostle of God.

Obviously, He is a Bearer of the Holy Spirit, but who was He? Has He come to earth? It is said that the night He was born, his mother saw light streaming from Him, all the way up to the stars; the idols of the Ka’ba toppled over, in all the magicians and Zoroastrian temples, the fires went out on all the fire altars.

He was a poor young man who practiced several trades to make ends meet. He became known for the Purity of His life. They called Him the Trusted One. He married the love of His life, and theirs was one of the true love stories in history. They had a lovely and spiritually gifted daughter.

He often climbed Mt/ Hira, a cone-shaped mountain, where He first saw the Angel Gabriel veiled in a light, on a throne of fire!

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As was typical, He was born into a cruel world where idolaters buried infant girls alive in the sand and dehumanized women in general.

At God’s bidding, He went out and faced these vicious mobs. Even His family counseled to leave things alone and not stir up trouble – not anger the gods “or else”.

Those who believed He spoke God’s Word were harassed, banished, harmed and Killed. Many said this man was a liar, not a Prophet. They said He could not have written a holy Book because he was poor and had never been educated or taught to write. Clearly, they thought He must be lying. They did not measure the truth of His words, with their meditative hearts and souls. If they had, they would have thrown themselves at His feet! Instead, they called Him enemy, they tried to discourage and threaten this gentle Being.

They rejected and persecuted that Wronged One. Where was the love of humanity? He met insults and danger with a lofty and patient trust.

He was humble. Milked the family goats. His family was poor. They never ate their fill of barley bread two days in a row. But He was strict with criminals, yet he forgave personal enemies. The most horrifying example for me is that when they were attacked, a man shoved a spear into His beloved daughter, who was heavily pregnant with His only grandchild, as she was mounted on a camel. If ever there was a day when this heavenly Prophet would say “Kill the infidel” it might have been that day. But no. The killer fell to his knees and begged forgiveness. And he was forgiven!

He was never the enemy of true believers of any Faith. He insisted His followers be respectful of and protectors for people of other Faiths. He introduced personal cleanliness and universities and told His people the world was not flat, long before science postulated the same.

So, who is this gentle, humble immaculate man? What other gifts did He bring the world?

Next Time the Spirit of Truth

Diane Olsen, Author/Writer

Hello, Bloggers and Readers! My First Real Blog Post ~ Author, Diane Olsen

 

My New Book!

 

The Roots of Religion

“Who was the first great Prophet? When was religion born? Did God speak to primitive forms of humans? Are all revealed religions really one long chain? If you’ve ever wondered any of these things, you will enjoy Ancient Ways.”

It is a beautiful winter’s day here in the Pacific Northwest. Similar to the ones I knew in my early years back in the mountains of Colorado. Lots of snow, the wind, and subzero temperatures.

My grandson AJ is beside me listening to “Sounds of Silence” by disturbed. It is his favorite song, as it was for me back in the ‘60s. His little brother Asher just came into the room and gave me a sweet hug for no particular reason. That made it all the sweeter.

So, it is a perfect day for musing. My mind turns to the direction of humanity and God. I know I’ve asked before – how far back in human development does religion reach?

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Many would say that animism, ancestor worship, magic and ritual came first. Then rather recently, belief in one God arose; some would say with Moses or Christ. That sort of thinking was taught to me in my Anthropology training.

But now I think that is the opposite of what happened. I believe that even the very first representatives of Humankind knew a supreme God. Then, over time they added things to the Creator, just as we do today.

I would make a case that Revelation and ritual are opposite ends of a long spectrum – but the opposite of the way my teachers might believe.

Let’s look at Christianity as a sample, though any religion may be used. At first, there was the Bearer of God’s Word. Then there were Apostles and early believers, as well as great enemies. The Apostles spread the Word as revealed by Christ, and told the stories of His teachings. Later it became the state religion and eventually circled the globe. But now it has changed vastly from what it originally was.

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There are monasteries, nunneries, temples, churches and missions. There are big investments in real estate, stocks, and TV ministries which accept money. There are dozens of saints, priests, ministers, reverends, and pastors who perform masses, funerals, baptisms, and other rituals.

Christianity, like Hinduism, Judaism, even Buddhism are massive. They run the gamut from God’s Word given to mankind – to plastic and paper charms and trinkets.

Only a tiny portion is the actual teachings which came from the Bearer of the Word of God.

Could we not turn anthropology on its collective ear, and make a case that myth and legend tend to replace religion over time. That humanity has done this time and again. That Revelation and ritual are part of a great process. Not separate independent accidents.

What are your thoughts? Until next time,

Author/Writer, Diane Olsen

( Learn more about my book: Ancient Ways By Diane Olsen Website )

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