xjwsforChrist

Today billions of Christians all over the world celebrate and observe Ascension Day, the day when Jesus ascended into Heaven. Properly speaking it is exactly forty days after Easter, which is always a Thursday, but in recent years the feast has been put back to the following Sunday in order to allow people to keep this observation together when they gather together to worship according to their respective tradition.

Lovely to celebrate Christ going back to His Father in heaven, from where he came, and lovely to know this is happening today everywhere.

Today we remember that while His human body may have left the earth, His departing words were "I am with you always; yes, to the end of time".

Yes, exactly that, GL!

We had the same thing said to us this morning.

Peace... and Happy Ascension Day... to all those who observe it!



Strange words, dear GLT (peace to you, luv!), yes, for one who is with you... but can't/won't/doesn't speak to you? What, then, is the purpose of such one's presence WITH you? To comfort you, perhaps, WITH such presence? But that is what the Holy Spirit does, is it not... he being the "Comforter"? And how best to comfort someone... than with one's words... by means of one's own voice?

Strange words, IMHO... unless his being WITH me... means he really IS with me. And if he really is with me, I cannot imagine why he wouldn't SPEAK with and to me. And want me to LISTEN when he does.

Again, peace... and Happy Ascension Day to YOU!

Your servant and a slave of Christ,

SA

I did not know there was an ascension day. I should have known there would be ; ) Thank you for the post!



Amen!

Peace to you all,
tammy

I can understand you thinking like that, Tammy and Shelby, if that is your experience, and you have no other.

Those who feel his presence with that unmistakeable deep sense of peace and joy and love and recognition and trust do not hear an audible voice and yet may still know an unheard voice through all the depth and sense mentioned above, even to the point of giving clear guidance or certainty or reassurance, combined with a sure knowledge of his presence and of God.

This is a presence that is with one always. I know it and have known it all my life, more now than ever, and I know very very many people of my own acquaintance who also have this sure certainty with them always, at times very explicit and strong, at times quieter yet sometimes deeper.

However, we...I can of course speak only at first hand for myself...I do not experience a voice articulate in words though sometimes the mind can convert the inward knowing into something like a voice. Yet the inner recognition and consequent joy is constant and just known.

This is not unusual even where humans are concerned, we all know how we can be aware even of the presence of a stranger, with no sound being heard. When it comes to someone we know well, someone close to us, we all know how between such people there is wordless communication and very real. How much more is that so when it comes to Christ! His voice is not heard in words, it's beyond words.

We, I, most of us, I think, are very aware that those of you who hear a voice have a particular distinct form of hearing, which I don't think anybody disputes. I wouldn't dream of doing so. For myself, though, I don't feel a lack at all. I direct my thoughts and prayers towards him and he is there. I assume the same is so for you and you hear a voice.

Thus, GL's post doesn't seem in the least bit strange for the words GL quotes are those of Jesus himself, and we know he is always with us at each moment and for ever. He says so! We know it and trust Him!

I have this also, and am certainly not denying that you or anyone else has felt this. Not at all.

My Lord has ministered to me not too long ago (the first time, that I can recall), such beautiful, beautiful love... I did not even know it was possible to feel that way. Just a taste of depth of His love, and what we will feel in the Kingdom... so that I can see truly, that every tear will be gone. Because there is NOTHING in that love, that can allow one to feel anything other than love, peace, joy, happiness, compassion.

He just also speaks to me, in addition to being present... and in so doing, teaches and ministers and comforts and reveals.

Peace and love to you,
tammy

Would that were the case, dear Char (peace to you, dear one... and Happy Mother/Ascension Day!). Unfortunately, it isn't - there is MUCH disputing, as far as I can tell. It saddens me, though, that rather than considering the matter as something that CAN be experienced by ALL... well, at least, whoever WISHES it to... and some even profess that it HAS occurred with them... at least once in their lives, if not more often... it is perceived by some as indication of some kind of inferiority. When the truth is that it isn't but but merely as an explanation as to WHY there is a difference (which doesn't HAVE to be).

I get confused, I must admit, when folks ask "Why am I not like you/them?" (although, they imply that the question is "Why aren't you like me/us?" when no one has even asked that)... and when you say, "Well, here's the reason for the difference," they become offended. Now, if one was saying, "You MUST become like me and if you don't you're... " I can see the offense. But I have never seen anyone who does hear say anything of the kind.

Befuddling. Indicates that some don't really know what they "want"... in spite of what they SAY. Also calls into question WHO such ones are "hearing" when they say, "Well, what I HEAR you saying is...". I am not sure they really understand who they're TRULY "hearing"... or why.

But, ah well... differences... and thus misunderstandings related to language (what is said and what is heard, if anything) IS one of the fundamental basis for all of the contention between man. A one language WOULD resolve some, if not much... perhaps even ALL... of that.

May that day arrive... for the benefit of ALL of us.

Again, peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

SA

Well, of course you're not denying it, Tammy!

It never occurred to me for one moment that you or anyone else was doing that!

Maybe sometimes one can feel that something is so when it isn't really quite as we perceive it. Possibly, it might be that you think someone is disputing that you hear a voice when actually they're not...while of course some may be, some will always be of that mind. Just a thought, anyway.

Good : )

Sometimes it is just good to state clearly!


Peace,
tammy

Take it as read, Tammy!

(Smile) Perhaps, dear, dear Char (again, peace to you!), but just so you know, I do not think that of you, at least as to me. Never have. I know that much of what I share... about it and what I am given as a result of it resounds with you, dear one... and why. I have never denied that you are my sister in Christ. I know why you are - because I was TOLD you are. Although he didn't have to (because the disputing is SO obvious - LOLOL!), he also let me know the source of some of the disputes: jealousy, for some... but mostly our Adversary's attempt to "mislead, IF possible, even the chosen ones." Not only away from JAH... but into denying His Christ.

I used to wonder why some were SO obsessed with what I believe and silencing it. Unfortunately, it is such folks who are responsible for creating cults, not people like me. Because of their "mission to silence/turn others around," they literally force a certain kind of person underground. People who don't want/can't take the heat... and so withdraw... into what SEEMS like obscurity, only to resurface somewhere later... most often due to some enslaving/covert practices that ultimately require some government/milary involvement.

When people are outfront, however, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE, then there's really no need to fear... except fear itself.

Ennywho, no, dear one... I didn't think YOU had a dispute, not at all.

Again, peace to you!

YOUR servant, sister, and fellow slave of Christ,

Shellama

Happy Ascension Day Char!

Always nice to hear about our friends acknowledging or celebrating certain days. I work in an office with a wide variety of cultures, and I love hearing about what days are important to them. I may not understand exactly what it is about, or the cultural significance behind it, but you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be there to help them celebrate.

What do you do to mark the day Char? Is it a day of quiet reflection, or a day to get together and celebrate? Or a bit of both?

_________________
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” - Dr Seuss

Hi Winston,

What do we do to mark the day? Nothing special, really, but in church this morning all the readings were related in one way or another to the concept of Ascension and Jesus having gone back to the Father from whom he came, and yet being always with us.

So, the spirit is one of joy. The readings were: Acts1:1-11. Then Psalm46. "All people's, clap your hands" Then Ephesians1: 17-23 and the Gospel reading was Luke 24: 46-53. The Gospel was preceded by Allelujah! "Go, make disciples of all the nations; I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. Alleluia!"

Years ago, though, Ascension Day did have more effect on society outside church, as schools with an association with the Church of England used to be closed on Ascension Day, but the children had to go to church with the school. Then the rest of the day was free, so naturally, as an extra holiday, it was greatly looked forward to! I don't think that happens now. My own children went to a Catholic school, and they used to miss classes when the whole school went down the road to Mass, but it was ordinary school after that, though I think the day had a relaxed air about it, and the nuns added a bit of a feel of celebration to the day!