tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19739956.post8361422429704762145..comments2022-11-02T04:03:41.716-05:00Comments on The Abell Six: Beholding BeautyJabellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14301071588026632633noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19739956.post-47091218445636875252007-06-24T10:26:00.000-05:002007-06-24T10:26:00.000-05:00About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – fo...About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. When I look in the mirror, I see God. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].<BR/><BR/>Peace Be With You<BR/>MickyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07940745178193985942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19739956.post-10392544717235646372007-05-05T14:13:00.000-05:002007-05-05T14:13:00.000-05:00I think the problem of this issue isn't that we as...I think the problem of this issue isn't that we as people are unable to recognize Beauty; but rather that unless given an expectation of being selfless in a situation or circumstance, we cannot emerge from our first priority - our inner selves. We are constantly focused on selfishness. We are rarely jarred from our focus, especially out of context and with no reward. The original article only proves the sad truth that our society caters to serving only our selves - and that means sometimes beauty escapes us entirely - because we think ourselves the most beautiful thing of all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19739956.post-32445265240013294002007-04-29T22:47:00.000-05:002007-04-29T22:47:00.000-05:00Your idea of cultivating beauty intrigues me. Yes...Your idea of cultivating beauty intrigues me. Yes, I think we need to cultivate beauty. How many of us really enjoy a violin concerto as much as Switchfoot or Rich Mullins (both of whom I enjoy a lot)? The point being that we have to cultivate an appreciation for the beauty of a truly magnificent sonata.<BR/><BR/>The same works for our relationship with God. If we do not cultivate truth in our lives, then worship of the utmost beauty imaginable will lack greatly in any true appreciation of that which is truly beautiful.Jabellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14301071588026632633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19739956.post-70421837666698055112007-04-28T23:26:00.000-05:002007-04-28T23:26:00.000-05:00You ask some very thought-provoking questions, Jas...You ask some very thought-provoking questions, Jason - especially about the nature of appreciating beauty. <BR/><BR/>I suppose most of us feel that we are born with a well-developed sense and appreciation of beauty, but that is probably an assumption enabled by pride. Yeah, we can recognize beauty, but unless we cultivate that ability to recognize and rejoice in it, our depraved and distracted souls will get callous and lazy. <BR/><BR/>I like the way you wrestle with these ideas, because I think the struggle to understand beauty is part of learning to apreciate it. <BR/><BR/>I think the fact that the story had such an impact on you means that part of you was rightfully jarred (offended?) by reading it. I just sort of shrugged at the article, and my immediate thought was not of the implications of its content, but of the buzz-worthiness of it blog potential. So I posted it, not out of vital concern for its implications, but so that I could use it to do my small part in filling the troughs of entertainment for the masses to munch on. <BR/><BR/>I wish it bothered me as much as it did you. Thanks for writing about it.Natehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10528547577172053366noreply@blogger.com