Pray without ceasing

[IainH]

The first time I really became aware that there was more to the heart than what I was being told was trying to figure out 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Later in the same chapter verse 21 says "Prove all things..." KJV or " but test everything..." ESV. So, I kicked verse 17 around for a long time, I'd go off somewhere else but, kept coming back to it. If you're a Westerner, you think it means on your knees 24/7. Little things like Paul's admonishment at the end of a letter carry weight because  ALL scripture is equally important. Somewhere along the line, I thought maybe it happened subconsciously but, upon reflection that didn't work because subconsciously I was thinking of new technicalities to excuse my sin. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that the Spirit resided in my heart so, that had to be where continuous prayer was happening. This in itself poses problems for a Western "mind". I had the benefit of not being entirely rational or particularly logical so, I lived with it. But unbeknownst to me I had opened one of those gag cans full of snakes, that is a better image than a can of worms.
   Worms taste like dirt, by the way so, now you won't live the rest of your lives thinking "I wonder what a worm tastes like". Guess what those big wood grubs tastes like...you guessed it WOOD! I learned that when I was younger, in my outdoor mountain man survival weekends. Like I've alluded to before, I have a strategy in place for every Apocalypse scenario.
   I'm glad for those snakes and the journey continues.

[IainH]

I wasn't thinking much, I never do but, but more on that L8r, when this thread idea flittered over like a Butterfly to land on my nose. "Really, mmm..." So, I Iguess my Father was showing me stuff I need to know, for some reason. I don't have a clue yet but, now it's digitized forever well at least until the Coronal Super Mass Ejection takes out the grid. That's why I keep antique vehicles and spare, what little electrically sensitive parts they have i.e. Ignition modules in an old microwave. Enough nonsense!
  As I said before, I figured out a little bit of the hearts true purpose all on my lonesome. I have, for as long as I can remember, been sensitive to things that defy reason and are regarded in the west as hallucinations or an overactive imagination. My experiences would be considered paranormal and the thing was I believed the paranormal to be reeeedicuuulous! There I was, still western trying to figure out something definitely outside of standard American Christian practice using western means, which means I was trying to pull myself out of very deep, thick, sucking mud. I didn't have a whole lot of time to work on my problem. I was just laid off, dealing with all the stuff that goes with people dying of cancer, first Michelle's Dad, then my own and trying for the second time to earn a bachelor's degree. 
  I studied the different forms of mysticism. The problem there was everything focussed on "the mind" and as I mentioned earlier, my brain was and is not exactly my greatest asset. I can't say I was troubledtroubled, more like frustrated. There was something missing that my intuition was telling me was out there but, I'd be damned if I figure it out. It was just a brushed finger away. Testimony is goodgood, it allows us to sense our commonality. That's all for now so tune in next RaFer time, same Rafer channel.

PS. I using the repeater tablet while the goodgood one charge, it's as irritatingirritating asasaasasas ever! It repeats several times too and no matter what I try I've yet to find a way to get it to do it deliberately.

[Ed Hurst]

Good stuff, Iain. I sneaked up on it via the notion of convictions and faith over the intellect. Knew that the Old Testament considered the heart the seat of the will and that convictions belonged in there somewhere, but never quite knew how it worked until the past few years.

[forrealone]

I couldn't tell you when or how my heart awakened.  It had to have been gradual, but it was definitely AFTER I came across your blog, Ed, and read a bunch of your e-books.  Now, that beat in my chest is way more than a sound of being alive.

[IainH]

Time to end this. The last  installment of trying to figger out when I became heart led. I don't know precisely, it came on in pieces like a puzzle. Certain things happened that caused me to question the utility of American Christianity. I've been over them before. Cancer lay off cancer death, more cancer, more death.
   I've never just accepted what I was told, I had to check it's veracity. It turns out, this was and still is a good thing. I was certain that there was something I was missing, I was aware the heart was special and I had read some medical research, which I re-read when I read your books Ed. I discovered the heart math institute which sounded a lot like scientology. I actually read dianetics in the 80's and thought "people actually believe this shit". L Ron Hubbard was a great sci fi author, I liked his fiction which, is what the cult of scientology is, pure fiction created by a psychopathic megalomaniac and currently run by a different psychopathic megalomaniac. I had pieces of like, three different puzzles and I was determined to find what I was looking for. One thing really bugged me was the jingoism of the church. They were ra ra ing murder. It was the period of drone strikes which, I found appalling. I can remember the day clearly when I was so disgusted I binged "Christians who don't believe America is God's chosen country". I found your blog Ed! I don't remember the post topic or the date, maybe spring 2015? It had to be because I told my Dad about what I was reading and he thought it made sense. Reading the books and what not, stirred my heart and I knew that this covenant was what I was missing. There never was any doubt. All the events in my life was leading me to this. The only regret I have is I didn't have the time left to enjoy it with Pops. He was naturally heart led, he always had it. It was in every lesson he taught. I wasn't aware of how much God used him until it was revealed to me after he died. With good old hindsight, we can see ourselves as foolish for not seeing what should have been obvious. After discussing with Dad matters concerning, the revelation of the hearts true purpose, He did something I had never seen before. My dear ol' Pop started studying scripture, by then he didn't have much time left but, he was at peace. He had fought the good fight and was ready to meet his maker. The Grace given to my Dad, gives me another motivation to follow the way of Jesus Christ and carry out the mission he has laid before me. 
  There is no greater joy than to be obedient to his will. In doing the things He requires, my heart can sense His joy in my obedience, "well done, good and faithful servant". I don't know of a greater blessing than to hear those words. Amen.

PS. This post is too serious, I must fix by speaking UPT* "HABASHALA HABITALA...WOOO! THE HOLY GHOST IS HERE TONIGHTAH! HASHALABABILIBA!"
*Universal Phony Tongues; consists of meaningless babbling. Intended to fool suckers into dropping their cash.