Adding to my blog roll

If you are new to the blogosphere, you should get familiar with the term blogroll.  What it refers to is a list somewhere on a blog that lists other sources/blogs they want to reference in an ongoing way on the web page... mine is over there, a column to the right of the main post area.

I'm adding a new blog to my blogroll: Frank Viola.  I've not met him personally but I deeply appreciate his perspective and emphasis.  He is seeking to be theologically/biblically sound as a writer but gushes/waxes eloquently in a consistent demand for Jesus to be acknowledged as Lord.  That resonates with me so as to give him multiple/virtual high fives when I read his writings.  Having a degree in Biblical Studies myself while also experiencing the gifting of the Holy Spirit in several ways, I have found it rather exceptional to connect with someone who is teaching and speaking with a depth as it concerns both biblical literacy and a lack of apology as they effusively worship Jesus in doing so.

Jesus is more than our doctrine (which is important, to be sure, just so some can't be so quick to put me on the fringe of orthodoxy, or worse) and the things we tend to cling to for dignity and respectability within the Christian community/Body at large.  He is unshakeable and unmovable beyond any rock we have seen or can imagine.  He is brighter than all the suns combined should they all burst their complete expression of light in one instant together.  Jesus, the Son of His Father's love (Col. 1:13) looms above time and space and eternity itself.  Out of perfect wisdom and unburnished love, everything is put under His feet to the glory of God the Father.

So I commend Frank's blog, give it a read and find additional food for thought that will likely build you up in faith and hope and love.

Benedict's rule (ca. 535-540)

Benedict of Nursia (ca. 480-547) played a key role in the foundation of Christian monasteries throughout Europe.  While in Rome for his education, he was shocked by the immorality and corruption he witnessed as the culture was in rapid decline.  He retreated to a cave where he lived for 3 years, until he was persuaded to take charge of a monastery.  His attempts to reform it were not received and he narrowly escaped being poisoned there.  He moved forward to found a new work at Monte Cassino, where he established an order with the following guide to community life.

These are the instruments of good works:

1.  To love the Lord God with all one's heart, all one's soul, and all one's strength.
2.  To love one's neighbor as oneself.

3.  Not to kill.

4.  Not to commit adultery.

5.  Not to steal.

6.  Not to covet.

7.  Not to bear false witness.

8.  To honor all men.

9.  Not to do to another what one would not do to oneself.

10. To deny onself in order to follow Christ.

11. To chastise the body.

12. Not to seek after delicate living.

13. To love fasting.

14. To relieve the poor.

15. To clothe the naked.

16. To visit the sick.

17. To bury the dead.

18. To help in affliction.

19. To console the sorrowing.

20. To keep aloof from worldly actions.

21. To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.

22. Not to gratify anger.

23. Not to harbour a desire for revenge.

24. Not to foster guile in one's heart.

25. Not to make a feigned peace.

26. Not to forsake charity.

27. Not to swear, lest perchance, one forswear oneself.

28. To utter truth from heart and mouth.

29. Not to render evil for evil.

30. To do no wrong to anyone, yea, to bear patiently wrong done to oneself.

31. To love one's enemies.

32. Not to render cursing for cursing, but rather blessing.

33. To bear persecution for justice's sake.

34. Not to be proud.

35. Not given to wine.

36. Not a glutton.

37. Not drowsy.

38. Not slothful.

39. Not a murmurer.

40. Not a detractor.

41. To put one's hope in God.

42. To attribute any good that one sees in oneself to God and not to oneself.

43. To recognize and always impute to oneself the evil that one does.

44. To fear the Day of Judgement.

45. To be in dread of hell.

46. To desire with all spiritual longing everlasting life.

47. To keep death daily before one's eyes.

48. To keep guard at all times over the actions of one's life.

49. To know for certain that God sees one everywhere.

50. To dash down at the feet of Christ one's evil thoughts, the instant they come into the heart.

51. To lay them open to one's spiritual father.

52. To keep one's mouth from evil and wicked words.

53. Not to love much speaking.

54. Not to speak vain words or such as move to laughter.

55. Not to love much/excessive laughter.

56. To listen willingly to holy reading.

57. To apply oneself frequently to prayer.

58. Daily confess in prayer one's past sins with tears and sighs to God, and to amend them for the time to come.

59. Not to fulfill the desires of the flesh: to hate one's own will.

60. To obey in all things the commands of the Abbot, even though he himself (God forbid) should act otherwise.

61. Not to wish to be called holy before one is so; but first to be holy, that one may be truly so called.

62. Daily to fulfill by one's deeds the commandments of God.

63. To love chastity.

64. To hate no man.

65. Not to be jealous, nor to give way to envy.

66. Not to love strife.

67. To fly from vainglory.

68. To reverence seniors.

69. To love juniors.

70. To prayer for one's enemies in the love of Christ.

71. To make peace with an adversary before the setting of the sun.

72. And never to despair of God's mercy.