Ways to Dispel the Darkness: Personal Bible Studies - Winter Season 20013/14

Thanks to previous experience among devoted pilgrims though this meaningless word, carrying the Word of God as their daily bread and symbol of their existence, and being confronted with my friend's irrational pit of despair in the claws of depression, * have decided to return to the healthy practice of learning the Gospel and the Word of God for myself, by getting more time and researching the passage * am currently reading. See what the outcome of that: * have learned to concentrate, feel that * am getting closer to God and understand His heart, and His plan much better. Personal Bible study brings so much light in our daily darkness, strengthens our minds and determination to do the will of God. It heals in miraculous ways our deepest wounds and fears. * would recommend it so strongly, if you feel you are pursuing wisdom and light. 

The Third Book of John

Through the 3.Books of John, the Elder, and one of the 12 Apostles, writes in 90 C.E. (he is probably the only  one of the twelve apostles still  alive on planet earth at that time). He addresses what is good - writes to a good faithful Christian [Gaius] to continue to do what is good and of God: 1) to receive messengers of the Gospel; 2) to support brothers in the faith; 3) to stay away from the example of the ungodly leaders [like Diotrephes - his name has something to do with Zeus/ similar to "son of Zeus"].

Negativity really comes from some church leaders, who obviously  even in the early church were trying to oppose the Apostles and hinder the work of God - spreading the Gospel and receiving new teachings from messengers sent by the Apostle [Elder]. John says that he himself has the authority to come and rebuke the evildoer for this opposition and harmful conceptions. John says: enough is enough, it is time to expose him and stop from from preventing the growth of the believers.

What is the contrast in his attitude toward faithful people - Gaius and Demetrius - they are not leaders within the church, but always reliable and hospitable - they "receive" and encourage brothers, show patience and love the Truth of the Gospel, and those who bring it. With such people John encourages true believers to make friends and follow their example.

And on the other hand - he vigorously admonishes us to stay away from false brethren that oppose the truth for the sake of keeping their power and their own role of importance. John tells just one word - such people are EVIL.

And to sum up: continue to do GOOD, stay away from EVIL.

The passage teaches me that this problem existed even in the early church, while the apostles, setting the foundation of the church were still alive. It seems to be more of a problem of a personal character rather than doctrine. People, who refuse to cooperate with those, who initially brought them the message and try to build their own authority into the church - should not forget - they will be rebuked and exposed by those, who really bring the gospel and know what is going on, because they have the Truth and have been appointed by God/ Christ to spread the truth. They do  carry real responsibilities and will see that no one opposes that. 

After all, the Elder John carries the blessing of Jesus Christ and builds on his legacy, so no earthly authority can oppose him for a long time. 

There are many self-proclaimed leaders that have not exchanged their heathen names for Christian names, but God knows that and they do not have real authority. God and his apostles see and will make sure that the message of truth will be carried by faithful people to faithful brethren and that is how it still works nowadays. Is there a dilemma between: do evil or do good?! Stay with the good and do what is right; do not follow the example of what is evil (based on deception and old [other god's] identity).

The church is of Christ and is good, because good people bring the truth and should be received by good people.

Sources: 

• The Orthodox Study Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishing, Nashville, 1982.
• An Overview of the 3. Book of John, In: Christian In Connect, Web, 2001.
• Book of 3 John, Got Questions, Web, 2002-2013.
• Third Epistle of John, Wikipedia, Web.

New books on the market - the best flow of ideas should be available to the sensitive reader

My friends are telling me that no one is reading at the moment in Bulgaria - especially in Bulgaria, where people (the average ) are busy getting out of the mud of everyday existence.

I am excited to be able to share my own thoughts finally on a daily basis. And, because the whole world gets to see this blog announced, I am pretty nervous, since being a sort of a professional writer and at least a blogger would mean leaving the comfort zone of cosy home environment and evening sofa reads.

But - follow your intuition and Life might happen to pronounce inevitable turns of happiness when one tries to elucidate the dark corners of one's existence, and much more - to show the light towards ... guess what - the unshakable principles of the Western capitalism - be they in thinking, emotions, deeper revelations of psychologies or political stability.

Well, if we are not orientated to look up to a greater nation than ours, where shall we stare at for guidance and survival? I guess the answer is - in our hearts, deep inside.

However, on the background of political hurricanes and unexpected turns we all are experiencing at the moment, I guess the written word could at some extent STOP the flux of events in the minds of the TV watchers and FIX their attention on something much more ... less fluid - on an object called SELF - the INNER SELF.

Because that's what we are - entities of SELVES ready to define each other with a bind of characteristics and ... do we recognize the opposite face in front of us as part of our existence or just as something foreign and an unknown object to be avoided?

I guess I am starting to worry about the loss of poetry (I used to experience in my childhood) and the overall sense of confusion and disorientation,  so here I would probably present an unexpected topic of the heart each and every day - and see where this all leads me.

And I guess - the idea of being a BG publisher is a means of saving or re-creating that universal poetry of events, that needs to reunite the world and redefine SELVES.I believe beauty is on the way and we need to point our attention to objects of beauty. I will speak out of my BG heart - not sure how largely recognized BG poetry is.Good luck everyone with LIFE as a whole. Should be fun.