MyParuchia: Every Thought

MyParuchia: Every Thought http://myparuchia.com/ en-GB (c) 2008 Capturing every thought for Christ. T. M. Moore T,M,Moore,Christianity,Bible,society,culture The Every Though colum from The Fellowship of Ailbe at http://myparuchia.com The Every Though colum from The Fellowship of Ailbe at http://myparuchia.com (c) 2008T,M,Moore,Christianity,Bible,society,cultureReligion & Spirituality/Christianityno Condemned T. M. Moore Satan, Bound (5) When the light appeared at last to drive away the night, I hurried to the garden, where I found the man and woman hiding from the sound of God, as He came seeking them.1 He spoke first to the man, and as His query broke the silence, I could feel my confidence begin to wane. I thought of what defense I might present on my behalf if He should question me, and felt myself to be somehow in greater danger than when I had challenged Michael’s might in heaven’s high and holy court. Thoughts raced within my brain, and blurred my mind, as hope began to drain away. I did not even hear what passed between Him and the humans. Then, as fast as was my fall from grace, He turned to me:2 “And as for you, from henceforth you shall be condemned to go upon your belly and consume the dust. And I will raise a Man up from the Woman’s seed, an Enemy to conquer and destroy you. And though He will know the pain of death upon His heel at your own hand, yet you shall surely feel His wrath, for He shall crush your hideous head.” And now my soul began to fill with dread at such a prospect. Gone my hopes, my dreams. Could any machinations, any schemes be found by which I might avert this fate? There was no recourse for me, no debate with my divine opponent. I would have to wait and see how He would carry out my fate. But in my condemnation I’ll relate that though I trembled, I was filled with hate. I gnashed my teeth and tore my demon flesh to hear the Almighty promise He would bless this fallen duo yet. Though some might say my plan had failed, well, that’s not quite the way I saw it: after all, I was still free to roam the earth. And opportunity would come again to wreck the Sovereign’s plan. No time for moping; quickly I began exploring options, positing the best ways to subvert the Deity and wrest dominion from Him and these puny bags of bone and flesh, clothed now in bloody rags of sacrifice, expelled from paradise to work the ground in sweat and pain.3 How nice, I thought: If I am not to be the lord of this fair place, now by an angel’s sword protected4, that they should expelled be, too. Let thorns and thistles flourish and subdue the precious place, and let its beauty rot and go to seed: I gloated at the thought of it! Good riddance, stupid image-bearers! Already things were looking somewhat fairer as I took to the airy regions of the sky and surveyed earth from high above. With what delight did I envision all the waste and ruin that this mortal fall would wreak upon creation. Surely God regretted giving to that sack of sod dominion over earth.5 Now I would rule God’s masterwork, and I alone would school mere mortals in the finer points of sin and self-indulgence! In the gathering din of cheering demon hosts, who looked with awe on my achievement, suddenly I saw a way to carry on the war that cost my place in heaven: here, among the lost, blind, foolish tribes of men, I would unfurl my baleful banners, pitch my tents, and hurl my fury at creation’s crown. With my devoted hosts to rally at my cry, I would my snubbing and rejection soothe, my pride restore, and all my prowess prove by wrecking every good work God might do – a war of mere attrition, it is true, but vicious war and raging nonetheless. So let Him promise men that He will bless them; I would blind them to His truth!6 Let God insist they worship only Him; they’ll nod and bow to every dumb created thing at my suggestion! Let Him bid them bring Him off’rings; I will teach them to indulge themselves, and make their sin-struck eyeballs bulge at every sort of stuff! Let God insist on righteousness; I’ll see the thought dismissed from their agendas, and will teach them to compare their ways with what their neighbors do,7 and justify themselves accordingly! Let God say what He will; it is to me they will take heed, my voice they will obey, my pleasure satisfy by night and day! And I will teach them how to rationalize their thoughts and actions, so that they despise their Maker even as they think to please Him. I will make the most of this disease of sin, and prove, by human frailty and complicity, that in this blighted land, where pain, confusion, war, and death obtain, there is but one sufficient such a reign to manage, one to whom such power is given, who yet shall gain his rightful place in heaven! 1Genesis 3.8 2Genesis 3.14, 15 3Genesis 3.21-23 4Genesis 3.24 5Genesis 1.26-28 6Revelation 12.9 72 Corinthians 10.12 http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan5.mp3 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:33:01 -0500 4:34 christian, poetry, satan, celtic T. M. Mooreno<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?a=3ctec_9iC-Y:bDGa0QihMDU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~4/3ctec_9iC-Y" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~3/3ctec_9iC-Y/Everythoughtsatan5.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan5.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan5.mp3 The Deceiver T. M. Moore Satan, Bound (4) Satan, Bound (4) With that they fled in all directions, and I felt a certain pleasure to command so great a host. So heaven’s throne was lost, so what! I will exact a greater cost than heaven’s throne against the Deity. He’ll rue the day He mocked and humbled me! I told myself, that is, on better days, Well, this not so bad. There must be ways I have not yet considered that I can revenge myself against the harsh, hard hand of the Almighty. So my fevered brain worked overtime on how I might regain my self-respect and wreck the plans of Him Who shamed and humbled me. It was a grim, unlikely prospect, I admit, but I resolved that I would every program try till I achieved success.                                        It rankled me to fits of howling every time I’d see the man and woman in that placid place enjoying sweet communion with the face of God. And then it came to me: Why should these creatures be allowed to know the good and precious gifts of God? Why not design some ruse or scurrilous scheme to make them mine instead? Now that would be a victory to celebrate! For then the earth would be my proud domain, and I would rule the heart and soul of every man. But how to part them from the Maker long enough to try their loyalty? And how on earth would I persuade them to submit to me instead of Him? A plan took shape within my head; admitted, it was quite far-fetched, but in its sheer simplicity I thought to win them over and to foil the Maker’s plan and spoil their happiness. So I began to formulate my purpose: I would urge them to indulge their fancies and to splurge upon the fruit that God had strictly warned them to avoid, on pain of death1. I churned with glee to think of them obeying me and satisfying all their lust to see if they might be like Him!                                                          I waited for my opportunity to come, and more than once initiated my approach. And then one day2 I saw the chance to broach my question, while the woman and the man alone were walking in the garden, hand in hand. I knew that this was it, and so I donned a serpent’s skin and went to show myself to them.                                       I posed my question to the woman: “Tell me, woman, is it true that God has said you may not eat from all the trees within this lovely place?” Her small voice answered, “From these many trees we may indeed enjoy the fruit. But God did say we must not eat the fruit upon the tree there in the center of the garden; we may not so much as touch it, lest we die.” I saw that she exaggerated by a little the Creator’s word. Was she resentful of His prohibition? Glee was rising in my voice as on I pressed: “I might have known! Indeed, I might have guessed as much! It is not true. You shall not die, for God knows from the moment that you try this savory fruit, your eyes will open wide, and you will be like Him.” The man beside her stood, but uttered not a word. She let her eyes embrace the fatal fruit and set her heart upon it. I was trembling so, with fear and joy, as I observed her go up to the tree and take the fruit in hand. She glanced back at the man, but no command or warning left his lusting lips. Now she had grasped the dread delight, could plainly see that nothing ill had happened to her, and consumed a cautious bite. I saw her hand begin to tremble slightly as she ate another mouthful, and then gave the bait unto her husband, who consumed it all. And I, exhilarated at the pall of death that filled their faces3, watched with glee as they accomplished my sweet victory! I saw the shame that overwhelmed them and the look of horror in their eyes. The man grew crimson and began to sweat with fear. The woman tried in vain to huddle near to him, but he rejected her and rushed to gather foliage from a nearby bush to make crude coverings for their shame. I shrieked with joy to see them fallen, helpless, weak, and ruined. Now we shall see which one of us is servant, which is master!                                                       In the fuss and frenzy of the sight I entertained the thought, indeed, the hope, that I had gained revenge against the Deity. I let my mind indulge in fantasies of yet achieving victory complete, that is, of dispossessing God Himself of His eternal throne. All through that night I thought of nothing else, for now His scepter ought to be my own, since I had overcome the crown of His creation. Meanwhile, from the garden, I could hear the woman and the man, whose voices made me understand that they were arguing and laying blame on one another for their guilt and shame. Their shouts and tears were music to my ears. Tomorrow I’d confirm their deepest fears, and make them serve my every whim. For now I’d just relax a bit, enjoy the row, and wait for daylight. Oh, what sweet repose was mine, as dreams of how I would depose the King of Glory filled my brain. I could not know, of course, what awful judgment would await me in the morning.   1 Genesis 2.15, 16 2 Genesis 3.1-6 3 Genesis 3.7 http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan4.mp3 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:54:50 -0400 5:16 christian, poetry, satan, celtic T. M. Mooreno<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?a=52UgxVIFl6s:QIWQXVaaxl0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~4/52UgxVIFl6s" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~3/52UgxVIFl6s/Everythoughtsatan4.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan4.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan4.mp3 Cast Out T. M. Moore Satan, Bound (3) I thought that we with ease our bold objective would attain, for I had never seen God’s power in wrath, and by my calculations He could, by surprise and show of force, be led to quit the prize I sought and settle for some lesser role. We came against His temple, all the whole, vast throng, a third of heaven’s most glorious knights, and I their captain.1 Each was primed to fight unto the death to seize the throne and right this great injustice with a show of might and fury heaven had never seen before. But as we marched up to the temple door it soon became apparent our design had been discovered, for a lustrous line of heavenly hosts had been arrayed against us.2 Our contingent faltered, and I sensed they knew defeat was imminent. And so I stood before the ranks and roared out, “Know, my comrades, you have come too far to balk and tremble now. Where is your towering talk of triumph? What’s become of all your boasts of victory? Look around, my cringing hosts: You see the best of all creation in your ranks. Press on! Advance! For we can win the day if our resolve is firm!” Thus I harangued the cowardly horde and fixed my eye with threatening gaze on every one. But when I turned to lead them into battle, then I saw Him standing in their midst, aflame with glory, radiant, fearsome, and His Name upon His breast: The Word of God. I felt my being drain away, and would have knelt before Him, as our custom was, but then my trembling turned to fury, and again I urged my minions onward. Not a word escaped His mouth, but with His fiery sword He motioned calmly, whereupon there came forth from His solid side the one whose name is Michael. He advanced with swiftest speed in my direction, unaccompanied by any other. I prepared to meet him in a dual of champions and defeat him soundly; then I would assault the Lord Himself and kill Him with His own broad sword, and then the throne of heaven would be mine. The prospect thrilled me, filled me with a kind of giddiness and glee. I howled and shrieked, and terror gripped my hosts, who now were weak with fear and dread. My passion grew into a frenzy as I drew my sword to do the great archangel in. But with one blow he fiercely fell on me and laid me low upon the court of heaven. Never would I have imagined that an angel could such strength accumulate. He stood above me with his sword raised high. The features of his face were terrifying, as he drew his awesome might together. And I knew that I was finished, so I cursed my foe with bitter ranting, and implored him, “Go on, go on! Get it over with!” But he stood strong and statue-like, and looked at me, awaiting further orders. Then I heard a voice that shook all heaven, and the word He spoke secured my fate: “Expel him! Send them all from off these lofty heights!3 Their end in time shall come. For now consign them to the place for which they lusted. Cast them through the veil that separates our worlds, and let them prowl and skulk upon the earth. For yet I will my counsel all fulfill, and I will demonstrate before his lusting eye the glory that he coveted. And he will have no power to stop or hinder Me, until I crush his hate-filled head at last.” Immediately I and all my host were cast beyond the veil and tumbled downward through the heavens, hurtling helplessly onto the earth. The plummet stunned us all, and for the longest time we lay in silence, more from fear than pain. And then I spoke: “He will regret that He did not let Michael kill me. Get up, get up now! There’s work to do! You cringing cowards, your liberty is through; now you belong to me, and I will rule your lives from this day on. And let no fool among you think to try my strength, for though the great archangel overcame me, know for certain that no one of you, nor all together, is a match for me. I call on earth and heaven to heed my solemn threat: I will prevail against the Almighty yet! Now get away from me! Be gone, and let me think! When I am ready I will set my plan before you and will show each one what part he is to play once we’ve begun.” 1 Revelation 12.3, 4 2 Revelation 12.7-9, 13 3 Ezekiel 28,17, 18 http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan3.mp3 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400 4:34 christian, satan, poetry, T.M. Moore T. M. Mooreno<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?a=aF9kEA3YhGU:pjL3_gnOoQM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~4/aF9kEA3YhGU" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~3/aF9kEA3YhGU/Everythoughtsatan3.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan3.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan3.mp3 Passed Over T. M. Moore Satan, Bound (2) Satan, Bound (2) There was a time when I was new and free, one of a host of spirits made to be the emissaries1 of the One Who now restrains me in these chains. We learned somehow that He designed to magnify His grace and glory, and would make a special race to be the centerpiece of His divine proposal. I was happy to resign myself to His intentions, as it seemed appropriate He Who made us should be deemed above all others worthy of the praise of all He had created.2 Those were days of great anticipation, I recall, as we observed Him slowly bringing all the temporal realm into existence by His mighty Word. What wonders filled the sky and earth with each successive day!3 Great lights of many shapes and sizes ruled the nights and lit the days; the Spirit and the Word, just like a potter's hands, obeyed the Lord and executed His design with such abundant goodness, it was clear the touch of the Almighty was upon the earth in all its parts. It was a gem the worth of which could not be told! Perhaps, I thought, it is for us, for such a treasure ought to be entrusted to the grandest of the Lord's creations. What is there above the angels in this grand and wondrous scheme? And, of that number, it had come to seem to me and many others, none was quite so grand as I.4 For I was brilliant, bright, and beautiful above the rest. Did God intend this paradise as my abode? And would these lesser seraphs, as I saw them - since I knew that they were all in awe of me - be put at my disposal and obey my wishes as I ruled the land and seas as God's appointed regent to ensure that He received the glory due to Him? The race of heavenly hosts, and I their King! What better way to glorify our great Creator? Who but I this task could undertake? Oh, I could barely mask my joy and glad anticipation! But as I was made to understand just what the Lord had planned, my fondest dreams began to fade and die. For God intended man, not me, to rule His paradise5, and I would be his servant!6 I who called the sky my footstool7, who surpassed in radiance all the other angels, at the beck and call of man? What grandeur had this dust-drawn dolt to match my own? An angel should revolt at such absurdity! And so it was that I began to formulate my cause and plot the steps that would correct this great injustice. I remember then that hate began to fill my heart - for man, of course, that pale and puny creature; even worse than this, however, I began to hate the Lord Himself. My wrath did not abate but grew with each successive stage of man's creation, from his dusty provenance8 to being placed within the Garden - my sweet Garden, as I thought; the mandate by the Lord's command to name the other beasts;9 His granting man the right to taste and feast on every plant, save one;10 and then, at last, the woman for his helper.11 I was fast beginning to lose all control, and swore that I would not abide, would not endure this outrage, this injustice. Soon my thoughts became apparent to a few, who sought to urge me on in my ambition. They, persuaded of my prowess, would obey me in whatever course I chose. And so an armed rebellion was conceived, to go against the very throne of God and seize it forcefully. 1Psalm 104.4; Heb. 1.72Psalm 136.1-6; Psalm 1483Genesis 1.1-314Ezekiel 28.11-15 5Genesis 1.26-286Psalm 8.5-87Ezekiel 28.178Genesis 2.7-159Genesis 2.18, 1910Genesis 21.15,1611Genesis 2.20-25 http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan2.mp3 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400 3:47 christian, satan, poetry, T.M. Moore T. M. Mooreno<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?a=vTVgFlMj_jo:a_0OKV7JusA:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~4/vTVgFlMj_jo" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~3/vTVgFlMj_jo/Everythoughtsatan2.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan2.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythoughtsatan2.mp3 Satan's Complaint T. M. Moore Satan, Bound (1) These chains! These curséd chains! If I could chew my way to freedom, I would surely do so, though it cost me pain and limb! To be thus shackled in this bitter tackle He has clapped on me, while He, unfettered, free, and indestructible, thus plunders me at will, is a humiliation too, too deep to bear. I howl and shriek and rue with wildest wails the day I stood before Him, thinking to myself He could no more resist my wiles than any mortal man before Him. I was clever, wiser than this sun-parched prophet, so I thought; and He in all His weakness would succumb to me as had so many others. What a fool I was to think that somehow I could rule the Son of God, that He would bow to me and I His master would forever be! So now I drag these curséd chains around - unyielding, undeterred, but shackled, bound, and helpless to defend my ruined realm against Him, as He moves to overwhelm my power and wrest from me by force what I once proffered Him, that day I stood to try His mettle. One by one He wrenches from my grasp those I kept blinded, as they come to Him, responding to His simple Word of truth, and bowing to Him as the Lord of life and glory - bowing down to Him instead of me! Meanwhile, I spend my grim existence in a never-ending quest to keep His Name concealed from all the rest of those who yet pretend they have no need of God. Deceived and dying, many heed my subtle, suave suggestions, as I feed them lies on lies and keep their focus keyed on self-indulgence, empty pagan rites, or promises to fill their appetites with wealth or sex or fame. But always from a distance, in the background, lest I come too close and they perceive the truth of my predicament, and see these fetters by which I and they are held in check. Oh yes, it's true for all who yet refuse to bless His Name, that they, no less than I, are clothed in chains, adorned with fetters and betrothed to empty foolish dreams - the countless lies I lead them to believe, whom I despise almost as much as Him. Yet, point no blame at me: They love this bold deception game, and grasp at any notion, any dream that suits their foolish fancies and might seem to make them happy without having to acknowledge Him. Oh, I confess, I do delight in this deceiver's role. At times I even entertain the thought, sublime as it may be, that I might yet prevail against the Risen One. And so I rail against Him, casting doubt upon His Word, assuring every fool he is the lord of his existence, urging all to fill their cups again, to lie, cheat, steal, and kill to get their way, and to forget about their God. And then I want to scream and shout, "I've won! The whole created world is mine! And surely even Jesus will resign Himself to my control!" But as I raise my claws to celebrate my fiendish ways, I feel again the awful weight of chains, and realize once more that all my gains are self-deceptions, faggots on the pyre awaiting me within the lake of fire. This one, grim consolation do I own: I shall not bear that consequence alone. http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythougtsatan1.mp3 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:21:03 -0400 3:45 christian, satan, poetry, T.M. Moore T. M. Mooreno<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?a=DiQPaY6X1so:KYWqq21hG7o:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MyparuchiaEveryThought?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~4/DiQPaY6X1so" height="1" width="1"/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyparuchiaEveryThought/~3/DiQPaY6X1so/Everythougtsatan1.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythougtsatan1.mp3http://myparuchia.com/images/stories/podcasts//Everythougtsatan1.mp3 T. M. MoorenonadultCapturing every thought for Christ.