[Faith_Machine]

Friends, one of my greatest joys is to dive in to a classic work of Christian theology and drink eagerly of the wealth bestowed upon us from centuries past.

I lately had the inestimable pleasure of re-reading one of my favorite tomes, Dr. Richard Sibbes' wonderful book, Bowels Opened, or a Discovery of the Neare and Deare Love, Union and Communion Betwixt Christ, and the Church, and Consequently Betwixt Him and Every Beleeving Soule.



This marvelous masterpiece was first published in 1639, and I'm sure you well know, the English of that era is very concise and easy to understand. Hence my love for the good old 1611 KJV.

But I digress. In this book, Sibbes provides a wonderful explanation of how Jesus loves us from His very bowels. He can not help but love us, and His bowels are always open, that His unfathomable compassion might come gushing forth in a mighty torrent whenever we call upon His holy name!

I ask you, brothers and sisters, are your bowels opened, that ye may receive His mighty love?

[MitzaLizalor]

The Bible is very clear on bowels. I've just been reading Jeremiah who sums it up nicely.

Jeremiah 4:19 My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

Later, in The New Testament, we learn how to regard one another – but there is also a warning in line with your post.

Philippians 1:8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

and a warning

I John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

[Faith_Machine]

Mitza, those beautiful passages are just what I needed to get myself going on this fine morning!

[Uncle Rutherford]

Originally Posted by Faith_Machine

Mitza, those beautiful passages are just what I needed to get myself going on this fine morning!

Perhaps you could share this but of literature with me personally while I’m cleaning out Pastor Ezekiel’s clogged pipes. I would ask that you join in the cleaning, however.

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Originally Posted by Uncle Rutherford

Perhaps you could share this but of literature with me personally while I’m cleaning out Pastor Ezekiel’s clogged pipes. I would ask that you join in the cleaning, however.

I too would like to be acquainted with Mitza's fine passages. The Pastor's pipes, however, don't appeal quite so much. Why do they get clogged so often? What is he putting down there?! The smell, even from the end of the parking lot, is... overwhelming.

[Uncle Rutherford]

Originally Posted by Dr. Anthony J. Toole

I too would like to be acquainted with Mitza's fine passages. The Pastor's pipes, however, don't appeal quite so much. Why do they get clogged so often? What is he putting down there?! The smell, even from the end of the parking lot, is... overwhelming.

Best not to question it. T̶h̶e̶ ̶l̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶p̶e̶r̶s̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶d̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶s̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶a̶ ̶m̶i̶s̶s̶i̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶S̶e̶n̶t̶i̶n̶e̶l̶ ̶I̶s̶l̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶h̶a̶s̶n̶’̶t̶ ̶b̶e̶e̶n̶ ̶h̶e̶a̶r̶d̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶s̶i̶n̶c̶e̶.̶ Jesus has given Pastor Ezekiel all the blessings a True Christian Leader ™️ deserves and could not possibly have anything unholy crawling through his bowels. I myself hope to have some of it run off on me when I bathe in the fumes. Plus, it’s cheaper than going to a Christian Spa.