MDB Shows Why Truth Gets Lost

[_Jersey Girl]

NL

Is the obsession with self the result of our present culture or is our present culture the result of our obsession with self?

The way I see it, it's more like "obsession with each other". Geez, I'm sicka this place.

lol

;-)

[_Simon Belmont]

Zion exists, Nightlion. It exists in the hearts of good-minded people everywhere.

[_moksha]

Zion exists, Nightlion. It exists in the hearts of good-minded people everywhere.

In a 1000, nay 10,000 years it shall be celebrated in the hearts of good minded people everywhere! Now shut up and go to bed Virginia.

[_zeezrom]

Zion exists, Nightlion. It exists in the hearts of good-minded people everywhere.

I admit that LDS Correlation is a good use of a symbolic Zion.

[_The Nehor]

Why is this thread sleeping with the fishes?

Because we have absolutely no idea what your point is.

I think it is that everyone here is a narcissist except the guy proclaiming that he alone has the truth, that everyone else is a horrible sinner, and that his "calling and election" has been made sure establishing that he alone of this generation will be saved unless someone else listens to his internet proselyting campaign.

[_Blixa]

Zion exists, Nightlion. It exists in the hearts of good-minded people everywhere.

I admit that LDS Correlation is a good use of a symbolic Zion.

Or "zion."

It's certainly not the one William Blake was thinking of...

[_zeezrom]

Blixa,

Can you provide me some W Blake context? I've never heard of such a reference.

Thanks

[_Blixa]

Blixa,

Can you provide me some W Blake context? I've never heard of such a reference.

Thanks

I'm sure you know Blake's poem "Jerusalem:"

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

And have probably even heard it sung.

Although Blake doesn't use the term "zion," in building "Jerusalem," he is talking about creating the promised society of the Christian tradition (though, as you know, Blake had a unique interpretation of Biblical scripture and his Christianity has little in common with Mormonism. For example, he would consider the idea that Jesus was the God of the Old Testament to be not only ludicrous, but blasphemous and insulting).

The first line of the poem refers to the folk tradition that Jesus visited England at some point, usually in the story of Joseph of Arimathea bringing Jesus as a child to Glastonbury. This myth had some followers among British Israelites, among whom were some of Blake's friends. So the idea that Britain could be a "new " Jerusalem/Zion circulated in Blake's milieu. I think though, that in this poem, Blake is not just suggesting that the actual Britain should be the site of "Zion," (though certainly it has been given nationalistic interpretations), but that we all should be engaged in building Jerusalem though we live in a time, place and society much distant from its/our pastoral origins. In that light, his poem has given me much comfort and I try my best to not cease from mental fight.

[_Nightlion]

The Nehor was absolutely correct.

bcspace needs to learn that Zion is about seeking the welfare of your neighbor and its economy is not of this world lest the tares have a foothold.

blixawas enlightening. You can be my spokesperson anytime. I was singing the Blake poem to that tune of 'Hallelujah' and it rolls pretty well.

Rockslider had an exciting expectation that gives some hope. I hope that the mountains will not flow down before Zion begins to move. We cannot help but that a lot of the gospel is self serving. Salvation and exaltation of necessity are. We got to be able to breathe and live and move and have a being to be of value to anyone else.

Mrstak's comment was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Precisely my intent. Sorry, but I can't help it. It is fire in my bones.

Shades you leave me speechless.

Simon a nice sentiment but wholly wrong and misguided. Zion comes by power and that mostly within our hearts, might, mind and strength, and it simply is NOT there. Not in the best of people these days. To think it less is to deny the power of godliness and to fail to engage the living God.

moksha the only naysayer ;)

ZeezromI have hardly done anything but change my opinion on a great many things for forty years now. I think that is called learning.

Jersey Girl Yes, precisely the obsession is our culture with self and between one another. I was thinking tonight that the opposite is as the Lord said, to learn of him, for he is meek and lowly in heart.

Just think about it. The greatest intelligence of all is unplugged from all vanity. Makes you want to re-script your entire program. Why do we crave validation? Because we are weak? And like little kids we wont admit it?
Being born to adoring, we hope, parents ignites our passion to be accepted and loved and celebrated joyfully. Is that how our weakness was programmed to test us and try us when an Adversary makes a prey of this weakness?

How do we, as a culture, break out from our caste? The pursuit and realization of Zion is our metamorphosis.

[_Some Schmo]

I'd respond to this thread, but I'm busy contemplating my navel lint at the moment, so I just don't have the time.