Beyond these Stone Walls:
Charlene has learned something about mercy. The lesson did not come cheap, as her memoir describes. Only such a wounded healer could call upon the Church’s shepherds with the force of having lived the Gospel of Mercy, to refine the voices they are listening to in all this. “What kind of shepherds,” she wrote. “abandon their sheep when they make a misstep.”
I hope someone will open and read the following link:
Some months ago in my search to find myself amidst life’s twists and turns I found the web site “Beyond these Stone Walls”: I subscribed to this site and now receive periodic updates.
The following post is associated with the spiritual struggle of one who finds themselves in a prison – not necessarily by choice yet very much confined by circumstances in life.
I have to say it was a lesson unexpected as a result of ministering to prisoners and then encountering the essence of a prison one can not see yet can be imposed. What I discovered through reflection on this reality is the unspoken message Jesus Christ communicated while hanging on the cross. The language used in the message is the unspoken word clearly passed through the cross of human suffering.
In order for one to begin to understand this language of the cross, one must suffer sufficiently that one becomes willing to search in earnest to find the narrow gate “hidden in the cross” and then be brave enough to take the necessary deep dive into the abyss of life required to find oneself and there the answer that lies in wait.
The reward one finds when they take the deep dive is simply this: One begins to see with spiritual eyes and one begins to hear with spiritual ears that which has always been present.
Another example of a journey to discover “the already and not yet” doorway only possible with ones cross!
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/ascent-of-mt-carmel-12494
Hey to Lily and Molly! July 2023, beginning of new adventures. Junior in College, my how time flies. Graduation from High School with dreams of new adventures in College and the world.
Was asking my self that question over 60 years ago. Never dreamed I would do the things I have. Never dreamed one day I would program computers in the Nations busiest Air Traffic Facilities. Never dreamed I would make changes to the software program “on the fly” (real time). Nervous and jerky was I! I knew it wouldn’t take long for the computer to give me the answer out if my changes worked.
So it is today in 2023, I wonder what will unfold in the world of your dreams are wrapped up? I wonder if I will ever even find out what your dreams are? I wonder if you are able to see and articulate the “Spiritual War” that is raging and unfolding as I write this post?
Hidden within human nature barriers exist! Stumbling blocks await! Wounds and hurts accumulated especially as a child unaware. Have not heard a word from your mother since 2006 or so. Intense is my description! Kinda like being fully awake and alert and one enters the code into a computer with fingers crossed all the while trusting in a gift one was born with yet having no idea until later in life!
The real test of growing up and becoming mature! When one reaches 50 years a testimony has been clearly articulated. Multiple phone calls and trips speaking without using words – one who pursues even when rejected “Forgives”. Not so easy to understand or accept!
The Donkey told the Tiger. The grass is blue.
The Tiger replied: No the grass is green.
The discussion became heated, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration, and to do so they approached the Lion.
Before reaching the clearing in the forest where the Lion was sitting on his throne the donkey started screaming: “Your Highness, isn’t it true that the grass is blue!”
The Lion replied : “True, the grass is blue”.
The Donkey rushed forward and continued: “The Tiger disagrees with me and contradicts me. Punish him!”
The King then declared: “The Tiger will be punished with 5 years of silence.”
The Donkey jumped for joy and went on his way, content and repeating: “The grass is blue.”
The Tiger accepted his punishment, but he asked the Lion: “Your magistracy, why have you punished me, after all, the grass is green?”
The Lion replied: “In fact the grass is green.”
The Tiger asked: “So why do you punish me?”
The Lion replied: “That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green. The punishment is because it is not possible for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with a Donkey, and on top of that to come and bother me with that question.”
The worst waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn’t care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his belief’s and illusions. Never waste time on discussions that make no sense… There are people who for all the evidence presented to them do not have the ability to understand, and others who are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and the only thing they want is to be right even if they aren’t.
Unbelievable the bird made a last second maneuver. It skimmed the surface of the Lake and then pulled up into the air! Amazing! How’d the bird do that? What the hey! Oh yes, Oh yes, what I already knew was reveled. Yes, the bird has twelve tail feathers! The rudder that guides the bird allowing the bird to escape it’s enemies and yes death!
Twelve tail feathers – twelve disciples any chance – any chance at all? As a kid I already knew! Oh man – the good Lord gave me this vision to remind and teach me again!
Did you know a racing pigeon / dove has a wattle of it’s nose? Yes it is in the shape of a Heart! The wattle is white in color the symbol of purity.
Scientists believe the Homing Pigeon uses this organ to orientate / mark it’s home location. Kinda a natural built in GPS Latitude / Longitude system. Created “in the beginning” so the bird can use this ability to find it’s way home regardless of direction taken.
Far more is buried than meets the eye! Ancient man had to have recognized the birds instinctive love of Home / nest and it’s ability to return home time and again. An instinctive drive to always return home. Hence the bird acquired the name “Homing Pigeon”.
A homing pigeon knows it’s way home though it has never been away? Did you know a homing pigeon recognizes it’s enemy even though it has never seen the enemy before? True true true: I am a witness.
One beautiful sunny day I opened the door to my loft to let the young pigeons out for the first time. Bright sun shiny day – perfect with just a little wind! The young birds where excited, nervous, fully alert and ready for the next adventure if Life! Anxious to get out and take look around to the larger world.
Seldom do young birds actually take off and fly around the first time out. It is usually just to check out the surrounding area from the roof top, happily flap, exercise and test those wings! Enough flapping to lift themselves up off the rook but not so much that they actually begin flying. The testing before the launch to improve the readiness level. A little scary for them perhaps – exciting and scary all at once!
To my surprise on this bright sun shining day Mr. Hawk flew by and to my surprise panic struck the nerves of these young inexperienced birds. Whoa – whoa there my mind raced! Oh man – too late off the loft they went as if in a panic had set in! Fortunately Mr. Hawk just flew by and paid not attention. After a few panic stricken circles my young birds began the best managed crash landing they could manage. Lord have mercy another unexpected lesson in the really real reality in the life of a pigeon / dove!
Amazing God’s design! Recognizes it’s enemy yet has never seem them. And the bird can find it’s way home yet has never been away from home! Creation – a Spiritual message by design – Finding ones Way Home! It speaks the spirit and heart of every human person.
We are living in the midst of a very mean spiritual War in the nation and indeed the world! The good Lord gave me a vision back in 2011.
https://theideacon.com/the-ideacon-and-idove-story/the-story-of-the-vision-1/
https://theideacon.com/the-ideacon-and-idove-story/the-story-fo-the-vision-2/
https://theideacon.com/the-ideacon-and-idove-story/the-story-of-the-vision-3/
https://theideacon.com/the-ideacon-and-idove-story/a-death-dive-are-you-gonna-leave-me-a-vision/
https://theideacon.com/?p=1063&preview=true
In short, this War is another example of the Great Deceiver leading modern man’s original against God’s design as it continues from antiquity.
If one reads scripture God Himself revels who God says He is! Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three persons yet just one God. 3 in 1 in mystery:
Can we humans discern, digest and understand this 3 in 1 mystery? In the beginning God created man! Two creation stories: An infusing (my word if you will allow) His image and likeness into each person in the form of what we call our spirit / soul.
Scripture is clear God created man – male and female He created them. No mistakes or confusion! Oh my! Like the tree in the Garden man was not satisfied! Ah – the original sin rebounds and strikes again! Two genders and each was created uniquely different on purpose! And we have ever so much evidence even little kids can tell the difference.! Biology is clearly accurate and distinct! However we know well the Behavior is different! It is the difference that makes the difference to assure the very possibility procreation can occur. And it is clearly a choice humans can make.
Procreation is an interesting word! Every human being has a mother and a father. No errors with only one claimed exception the Son of God.
The spirit / soul / His image and likeness is hidden within each humans body! Yep!
His creation of man was not completed simply with the creation of two distinctly different bodies. God’s creation plan included a breath of new life design referred to as the “One Flesh”! Holy Smokes another 3 in 1 creation concept after Himself! Simultaneously God created both humankind and a new sacrament. Thus assuring the survival of this new Spiritual being and a covenant relationship we call marriage! Make no mistake – The “One Flesh” design under a new fierce attack by modern selfie centered man who seeks to replace God with good old selfie!
Now this mystery has taken me awhile to digest into the language and words I use this day. The very definition of Family is immersed into an 3 in 1 entity we would call the singular essence of family!
Destroy, mom, dad, boy, girl, husband, wife, male, female, the design for family and what will occur? Chaos! Yes Chaos! People seeking to satisfy selfie appetites rather than grasping the necessary, mandatory elements and basic God created design!
One who focus’s on self can not begin to comprehend God’s design where Happiness lies in wait!
For true love, self denying, sacrificial discipline necessary to breath new life into the most fundamental and life sustaining building block family – a relationship based upon the design principle of God Himself! Family = Mother, father in a covenant relationship with God – 3 in 1 = the “one Flesh”!
Yesterday, I was wondering why I make the trip to a State prison every week?
Most would say, it is a ministry, a calling and I was sent! Been doing this since before 2011.
When I walk into prison I pass through six locked gates. I am more alert as I walk in paying closer attention to those who I walk by noticing things others might not see. Seems I detect the spirit operating in the space.
Often since the pandemic ended, I find myself standing alone not knowing where I might spend my time there or who might come. Tough I speak little, I have noticed many in mates watch me closely. In fact I have found a few who look out for me and take action to assist and get me a place to meet. Often I find myself talking with an inmate I do not know and have not meet. I talk to them anyway and always find a way to turn the conversation to the spirit greater than me – my calling. I can do very little myself, yet the one who causes my feet to walk can do much. I know I carry hope in my pocket! And the I know that spirit can do wonders I can not with the spirit of hope.
Yesterday, was Father’s day. Yep, we all have a Father, male no and’s if’s or but’s. Ans yes, both a physical and a spiritual Father. In the human family (male and female) the only family that has the potential and privilege of procreating children. Yea, Truth under attack by those opposed to the Truth.
Silly me, for thinking those on the attack are most in need of hope in finding their created humanity where the spirit of Hope was implanted at the moment of conception.
One does not make such trips without beginning to question the most fundamental questions regarding the creation of all living things, especially the human being with the capability to do good and evil. Yes free will! Freedom of choice to give new life or to terminate life.
Every human is endowed with the potential for both! The question is rather, why are we here? To bring the breath of new life where ever we go or – remove spirit sustaining oxygen from the air?
Come to me all you who are thirsty, hungry, weary and heavy laden.
Truth plants Hope, Hope opens the doorway to the birth of spiritual wings to search for new life, the spirit wraps it’s arms and embraces souls searching to find themselves hidden in the mystery of life created in the Beginning! One finds oneself when one gives the spirit hidden within self to others that they too might just find the open door where life sustaining Spiritual oxygen exists! The breath of life itself!
Beyond these Stone Walls: Fr. Gordan MacRae: Link: https://beyondthesestonewalls.com/
A Post in regard to the Modern World thought provoking reality of human kind’s best effort to solve Natures (God’s design) for the Elephant population: Hmmm any relationship to Fathers and humanities mass incarceration reality – and just exactly what is the cause?
My Comments followed by link to Fr. Gordan Macre’s recent Post.
I have posted similar comments before. As a fact I visit a State prison weekly and have been doing so since before 2011. I am a deacon and say I was called and sent! From the very first day visiting prison I encountered a large number of juvenile inmates. The prison I visited has a boot camp program for juvenile young men. The purpose and objective is to make a positive intervention / goal to prevent these young men from committing more serious crimes in an effort to help them stay away from a life of crime resulting in long term prison incarceration.
As I walked through a room of about 70-80 young men I noticed these young men seemed to be missing something my grand kids had and other kids. What was missing I usually I encountered with kids their age! I call it a “sparkle” – kinda like a light that shines through coming from the spirit of the soul! Could it be a lack of purpose, happiness and joy was missing!
My short trip through these young men in 2011 prompted me to begin asking many older inmates about these kids to me.
Some of the answer did not surprise me! Missing dads was but a part of the cause! What took my spiritual breath was the combo as in the beginning! Not just dad – yes mom plus dad the relationship defined in scripture as the “One Flesh”! Wow was my reaction – off to the spiritual inquiry races!
Over the next several months my spirit took me on a journey of questioning?? Just exactly is this one flesh spiritual concept? vMom and dad two separate people with distinctively different outlooks based upon many complex human gender God created factors! Kind like – we all know the difference! Then what the heck is the “One Flesh” design for husband and wife?
First it is a United spiritual oneness woven together ever so tightly as a single threaded garment that Unites in a special relation of two distinctly different yet merged entities/words that complete the definition of the other – each joining the other thus creating a oneness from two.
So what are these two words? Love married to discipline = a spiritual relationship that unites and completes the ideal family!!!
These young juveniles I encountered were commonly described as mad as hell with their mom and dad! Wow – not just one or the other – but both! What was missing in this formula? I believe the good Lord sent me to encounter the symptoms of the breakdown of family in the prison I visited weekly! This did not happen over night!
Why why why? Was my persistent prayer!
In 2011 God gave me a vision as well which took a long time for me to interpret! This was a vision of the current spiritual war raging in the world against the “One Flesh” design for family!
The male elephant story and scenario demonstrates human kind’s willingness to work around God’s design – what has and is taking place on a world scale with God’s design for both the human family and elephants! Do we not have the LBGTQ +++ agenda serving as a direct affront and indirect attack against God’s design for the human family?
I suggest we are watching the construction of a New Tower of Babble story! Is not the LBGTQ +++ agenda being erected to serve as a new form of government controlled religion! It operates under the radar of many clergyman and politicians! Few – a relative minuscule number of leaders of various backgrounds speak out! Are we humans now unable to discern truth! Modern man’s new trick to redefine Truth which never changes nor will it! Seems to me we are watching a real time enactment of the story of man and the tree in the garden!
Fr Gordon MacRae’s post in regard to the modern day elephant reality demonstrates humanities lack of ability to put the pieces of God’s design together with any accuracy of anticipating or avoiding the consequences of humanities sinful nature as was communicated originally in the Beginning!
https://beyondthesestonewalls.com/posts/in-the-absence-of-fathers-a-story-of-elephants-and-men