Comments on: “Rejoice and be of good cheer” — trying… http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/rejoice-and-be-of-good-cheer-trying/ Thoughts of a black metaller turned Orthodox Christian Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:55:28 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Shari http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/rejoice-and-be-of-good-cheer-trying/#comment-110 Shari Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:06:18 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-110 Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation :) Anyway ... nice blog to visit. cheers, Shari. Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation :) Anyway … nice blog to visit.

cheers, Shari.

]]> By: Protoevangel http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/rejoice-and-be-of-good-cheer-trying/#comment-96 Protoevangel Wed, 28 May 2008 22:12:37 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-96 Seraphim, You might as well be writing about me. Just like the band Demon Hunter says, "I am you". Seraphim,

You might as well be writing about me.

Just like the band Demon Hunter says, “I am you”.

]]> By: Chris Rooney http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/rejoice-and-be-of-good-cheer-trying/#comment-94 Chris Rooney Thu, 22 May 2008 09:30:51 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-94 ps I like your blog's aesthetic it's very reminiscent of Death to the World and that whole Youth of the Apocalypse scene. in XC CR ps I like your blog’s aesthetic it’s very reminiscent of Death to the World and that whole Youth of the Apocalypse scene.

in XC
CR

]]> By: Chris Rooney http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/rejoice-and-be-of-good-cheer-trying/#comment-93 Chris Rooney Thu, 22 May 2008 09:27:20 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-93 Hey, we don't know each other and I've only read this post so far but what you are describing is normal and healthy, I think what you are going through or some variation on it is a natural part of conversion. The passions are a hard thing to wrestle with and many people, and good Christians too, don't seem to spend that much effort in trying to combat them. I don't understand why your spiritual director would have a problem with Christian Metal but then again what do I know? As for feeling like you are being nihilistic in praying for His Kingdom to arrive, I mean in the world as it is I think that hope of the immanence of the Kingdom of God is important. I don't know quite what to say to you I feel moved to offer my advice but I'm afraid that not knowing you I would be imposing my opinions on your spiritual and emotional condition without the proper context or introductions. As for Holy people not being intimidating, you've obviously never met Liz McAllister. She is one of the most prophetic women in America today and while she has a very tender heart and a soul on fire for God and Peace she can also seem a very stern woman and not easily approachable at first. I spent two weeks at the Jonah House community (which she co-founded) in Baltimore a few years ago and though my stay was wonderful and edifying to me I never really felt totally comfortable around her like I did with other members of the community. If you have an imposing or intimidating demeanor that's not nescesarily a bad thing at all keep focussing on turning your insides to flesh and the stony exterior will become softer with time. Here I am doing just what I said I thought inappropriate, offering my advice with no introduction. Please forgive me. And please don't be too hard on yourself and don't despair, God loves you completely and that means now, not in some future where you are spiritually "perfect" or more advanced in your rule of life. on a semi-related topic have you ever heard of The Psalters? or The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus? I think you might enjoy those bands especially the latter if you can find their album buy it, seriously one of the best albums ever. Hey, we don’t know each other and I’ve only read this post so far but what you are describing is normal and healthy, I think what you are going through or some variation on it is a natural part of conversion. The passions are a hard thing to wrestle with and many people, and good Christians too, don’t seem to spend that much effort in trying to combat them. I don’t understand why your spiritual director would have a problem with Christian Metal but then again what do I know? As for feeling like you are being nihilistic in praying for His Kingdom to arrive, I mean in the world as it is I think that hope of the immanence of the Kingdom of God is important. I don’t know quite what to say to you I feel moved to offer my advice but I’m afraid that not knowing you I would be imposing my opinions on your spiritual and emotional condition without the proper context or introductions. As for Holy people not being intimidating, you’ve obviously never met Liz McAllister. She is one of the most prophetic women in America today and while she has a very tender heart and a soul on fire for God and Peace she can also seem a very stern woman and not easily approachable at first. I spent two weeks at the Jonah House community (which she co-founded) in Baltimore a few years ago and though my stay was wonderful and edifying to me I never really felt totally comfortable around her like I did with other members of the community. If you have an imposing or intimidating demeanor that’s not nescesarily a bad thing at all keep focussing on turning your insides to flesh and the stony exterior will become softer with time.

Here I am doing just what I said I thought inappropriate, offering my advice with no introduction. Please forgive me. And please don’t be too hard on yourself and don’t despair, God loves you completely and that means now, not in some future where you are spiritually “perfect” or more advanced in your rule of life.

on a semi-related topic have you ever heard of The Psalters? or The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus? I think you might enjoy those bands especially the latter if you can find their album buy it, seriously one of the best albums ever.

]]> By: Seraphima http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/rejoice-and-be-of-good-cheer-trying/#comment-92 Seraphima Wed, 21 May 2008 02:57:35 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-92 Oh, Seraphim, you have written what my heart has been murmuring quietly to itself. And I see Kyriaki is right here with us. I love you both, dear brother and sister. Father Seraphim, Blessed Hieromonk of Platina, pray to God for us! St Seraphim of Sarov, beloved Father and Wonderworker, intercede for us! St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, beloved Bishop, Fool for Christ and Wonderworker, by your prayers carry ours to the throne of Jesus Christ! Oh, Seraphim, you have written what my heart has been murmuring quietly to itself. And I see Kyriaki is right here with us. I love you both, dear brother and sister.

Father Seraphim, Blessed Hieromonk of Platina, pray to God for us! St Seraphim of Sarov, beloved Father and Wonderworker, intercede for us! St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, beloved Bishop, Fool for Christ and Wonderworker, by your prayers carry ours to the throne of Jesus Christ!

]]> By: Kyriaki http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/rejoice-and-be-of-good-cheer-trying/#comment-89 Kyriaki Sat, 17 May 2008 03:20:56 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-89 Oh Seraphim... I know exactly where you are coming from, though my struggles have a tendency to be the other way (I talk TOO much and get myself into trouble...). I am reminded though of when I'd been a catechumen for a month or so and suddenly realised - ugh! This Orthodoxy thing isn't good for me, ever since I started following it I've got worse! Look at all this stuff I do. I never used to do this before...or I wasn't that bad... About a week of that later I realised that I hadn't changed my ways. I'd just had my eyes opened. I think baptism/chrismation does that again, to a far greater degree. It doesn't help that we immediately get targets placed on our heads by the Cunning One, but I think we see ourselves as having changed more than we actually have. We refer to our entrance into the Church as Illumination - what is this ability to see ourselves as we are if not a result of that? We are illuminated, we see our faults and our mistakes. I look at myself often and think 'where do I START?' I am trying to keep my thoughts about such things mostly in a personal (offline) journal these days, but if it'd help any I can share some with you by email or something. I just don't feel comfortable writing things like that on the net for all to see anymore. *hugs you tight* I lit an extra candle for you Thursday night. You needed it. So do I. -- Kyriaki Oh Seraphim…

I know exactly where you are coming from, though my struggles have a tendency to be the other way (I talk TOO much and get myself into trouble…).

I am reminded though of when I’d been a catechumen for a month or so and suddenly realised – ugh! This Orthodoxy thing isn’t good for me, ever since I started following it I’ve got worse! Look at all this stuff I do. I never used to do this before…or I wasn’t that bad…

About a week of that later I realised that I hadn’t changed my ways. I’d just had my eyes opened. I think baptism/chrismation does that again, to a far greater degree. It doesn’t help that we immediately get targets placed on our heads by the Cunning One, but I think we see ourselves as having changed more than we actually have. We refer to our entrance into the Church as Illumination – what is this ability to see ourselves as we are if not a result of that? We are illuminated, we see our faults and our mistakes. I look at myself often and think ‘where do I START?’

I am trying to keep my thoughts about such things mostly in a personal (offline) journal these days, but if it’d help any I can share some with you by email or something. I just don’t feel comfortable writing things like that on the net for all to see anymore.

*hugs you tight*

I lit an extra candle for you Thursday night. You needed it. So do I.

– Kyriaki

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