Jay Forrest @drjayforrest - Bluesky Profile

The Error of Conservative Retreat In the early church, before Nicene, there was a heresy called Arianism, which denied the deity of Christ. At one point, the majority of bishops and clergy embraced this heresy. But the conservatives did not leave the church to go start something pure. They stayed and fought. But in the United States, we see something completely different. Over and over again we see a pattern where an institution goes liberal, and then the conservatives leave to start their own thing.

The Error of Conservative Retreat

In the early church, before Nicene, there was a heresy called Arianism, which denied the deity of Christ. At one point, the majority of bishops and clergy embraced this heresy. But the conservatives did not leave the church to go start something pure. They stayed…

11.08.2025 10:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The Need to Pray Always "Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart" (Luke 18:1). Here, Jesus tells us that we need to pray always. What does that mean? Later, he explains that the elect should "cry to him day and night." Prayer will keep you from sin—or sin will keep you from prayer. Forgetfulness is the easiest sin to fall into.

The Need to Pray Always

"Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart" (Luke 18:1). Here, Jesus tells us that we need to pray always. What does that mean? Later, he explains that the elect should "cry to him day and night." Prayer will keep you from sin—or…

08.08.2025 10:02 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Is the Pope the Antichrist? What may surprise some people is that there is a long line of Protestants who believe that the pope was the Antichrist. Clearly, since we've gone through a number of popes since the reformers, the pope was not the Antichrist. I think it's safe to say that there have been good. Popes and bad Popes. But I don't believe any of them were Antichrist.

Is the Pope the Antichrist?

What may surprise some people is that there is a long line of Protestants who believe that the pope was the Antichrist. Clearly, since we've gone through a number of popes since the reformers, the pope was not the Antichrist. I think it's safe to say that there have…

07.08.2025 10:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Authorized Bible Translations There are several translations of the Bible authorized for use in the Episcopal Church, including: King James or Authorized Version (the historic Bible of The Episcopal Church) English Revision (1881) American Revision (1901) Revised Standard Version (1952) Jerusalem Bible (1966) New English Bible with the Apocrypha (1970) Good News Bible / Today’s English Version (1976) New American Bible (1970) Revised Standard Version, an Ecumenical Edition (1973)

Authorized Bible Translations

There are several translations of the Bible authorized for use in the Episcopal Church, including: King James or Authorized Version (the historic Bible of The Episcopal Church) English Revision (1881) American Revision (1901) Revised Standard Version (1952) Jerusalem…

06.08.2025 10:04 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

20 Times tο Keep Your Mouth Shut "To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble" (Proverbs 21:23). DON'T OPEN YOUR MOUTH: 1. In the heat of anger (Proverbs 14:17). 2. When you don't have all the facts - (Proverbs 18:13). 3. When you haven't verified the story - (Deuteronomy 17:6). 4. If your words will offend a weaker brother (1 Corinthians 8:11). 5. If your words will be a poor reflection of the Lord or your friends and family (1 Peter 2:21-23).

20 Times tο Keep Your Mouth Shut

"To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble" (Proverbs 21:23). DON'T OPEN YOUR MOUTH: 1. In the heat of anger (Proverbs 14:17). 2. When you don't have all the facts - (Proverbs 18:13). 3. When you haven't verified the story - (Deuteronomy 17:6). 4. If…

05.08.2025 10:07 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Four Versions of the Jesus Prayer There are four versions of the Jesus prayer. They're helpful for different times and occasions. Let's go through all four of them briefly. Let's begin with the long version. This is the one that is usually taught to newcomers to the Jesus prayer. It goes, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." The slightly shorter version, which has a much longer history, goes like this: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me."

Four Versions of the Jesus Prayer

There are four versions of the Jesus prayer. They're helpful for different times and occasions. Let's go through all four of them briefly. Let's begin with the long version. This is the one that is usually taught to newcomers to the Jesus prayer. It goes, "Lord…

04.08.2025 10:13 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

What is Hesychasm? Hesychasm is the practice of the Jesus Prayer in an effort to attain union with God(theosis) through stillness (Greek hēsychia). It was primarily a movement within Eastern Orthodox Monasticism, although it can be found elsewhere. A hesychast is someone who practices the Jesus Prayer with stillness and union with God as the goal. Unlike the word mystic, it does not have the connotation of attaining union with God.

What is Hesychasm?

Hesychasm is the practice of the Jesus Prayer in an effort to attain union with God(theosis) through stillness (Greek hēsychia). It was primarily a movement within Eastern Orthodox Monasticism, although it can be found elsewhere. A hesychast is someone who practices the Jesus…

01.08.2025 10:01 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Lutherans, Anglicans, and Reformed I asked Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence chat, "What do Lutherans, Anglicans, and Reformed have in common?" It gave me a good but brief answer: Lutherans, Anglicans, and Reformed (Presbyterians) share several theological and historical similarities: Protestant Heritage – All three traditions emerged from the Protestant Reformation, rejecting certain aspects of Roman Catholic doctrine while maintaining core Christian beliefs. Scripture as Authority – They emphasize the Bible as the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice.

Lutherans, Anglicans, and Reformed

I asked Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence chat, "What do Lutherans, Anglicans, and Reformed have in common?" It gave me a good but brief answer: Lutherans, Anglicans, and Reformed (Presbyterians) share several theological and historical similarities: Protestant…

31.07.2025 10:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The Three C’s Our destiny is to live out what we think, because unless we live what we know, we do not even know it. – Thomas Merton I have already spoken of how important our thoughts are, and that we should choose our voluntary thoughts carefully. But Thomas Merton brings up another aspect. What does he mean by saying that “unless we live what we know, we do not even know it”?

The Three C’s

Our destiny is to live out what we think, because unless we live what we know, we do not even know it. – Thomas Merton I have already spoken of how important our thoughts are, and that we should choose our voluntary thoughts carefully. But Thomas Merton brings up another aspect. What…

30.07.2025 10:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Genocide by Israel The following is just the facts. I have written nothing but this introduction. Everything else is from the dictionary and news sources. Listen with discernment. Genocide is "the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group." (Oxford English Dictionary). A recent report from the UN Special Committee states that Israel's military actions in Gaza, characterized by mass civilian casualties and the intentional deprivation of essential resources, align with the definition of genocide.

Genocide by Israel

The following is just the facts. I have written nothing but this introduction. Everything else is from the dictionary and news sources. Listen with discernment. Genocide is "the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim…

29.07.2025 10:05 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Christian Meditation John Michael Talbot has pointed out that "the word 'meditation' means somewhat different things to different traditions." He then points out that what a Hindu or Buddhist means by the word meditation is different from what Christians traditionally meant by the word. Traditionally, in Christianity, meditation has referred to discursive meditation. That means meditation has always referred to thinking about or pondering on something, whether a scripture or an attribute or work of God.

Christian Meditation

John Michael Talbot has pointed out that "the word 'meditation' means somewhat different things to different traditions." He then points out that what a Hindu or Buddhist means by the word meditation is different from what Christians traditionally meant by the word.…

28.07.2025 10:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

All the Truth “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:12-13). According to Jesus, the apostles were not taught all the truth. There were, in fact, many things Jesus still needed to teach them. How and when did this take place?

All the Truth

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:12-13). According to Jesus, the apostles were not taught all the truth. There were, in fact, many things Jesus still needed to teach…

25.07.2025 10:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Having No Opinion As Marcus Aurelius says, “You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can't control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.' Mr. You're Wrong When I first became a Christian, I really got into the Bible. I became quite the student of the Bible and was able to quote it from memory.

Having No Opinion

As Marcus Aurelius says, “You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can't control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.' Mr. You're Wrong When I first became a…

24.07.2025 10:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Sexual Immorality "For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander" (Matt. 15:19). Jesus condemns sexual immorality because it hurts other people. It is a selfish act and not an act of love. Because "Love does no wrong to a neighbor" (Rom. 13:10). What is Sexual Immorality? Sexual immorality is sex outside of a monogamous committed relationship.

Sexual Immorality

"For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander" (Matt. 15:19). Jesus condemns sexual immorality because it hurts other people. It is a selfish act and not an act of love. Because "Love does no wrong to a neighbor"…

23.07.2025 10:03 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

What is Prayer? Prayer is communion with God. And communion is "the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level" (Oxford English Dictionary). So prayer includes vocal prayer. These are words that we speak to God. This is what most people mean when they say that they're praying. They mean that they are talking to God.

What is Prayer?

Prayer is communion with God. And communion is "the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level" (Oxford English Dictionary). So prayer includes vocal prayer. These are words that we speak to God. This is…

22.07.2025 10:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The Epistles of Paul in Chronological Order Here are the Epistles of the Apostle Paul in chronological order with estimated date of composition. Galatians - Apostle.Paul (48) 1 Thessalonians - Apostle Paul (50) 2 Thessalonians - Apostle Paul (52) 1 Corinthians - Apostle Paul (54) Romans - Apostle Paul (56) Philippians - Apostle Paul (56) 2 Corinthians - Apostle Paul (57) Ephesians - Apostle Paul (62) Colossians - Apostle Paul (62)

The Epistles of Paul in Chronological Order

Here are the Epistles of the Apostle Paul in chronological order with estimated date of composition. Galatians - Apostle.Paul (48) 1 Thessalonians - Apostle Paul (50) 2 Thessalonians - Apostle Paul (52) 1 Corinthians - Apostle Paul (54) Romans - Apostle…

21.07.2025 10:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Dates and Authors of the New Testament Books The following are the authors and my estimated date of their composition. All dates are C.E. Matthew - author unknown (80) Mark - Mark (70) Luke - Luke (85) John - Apostle John (95) Acts - Luke (85) Romans - Apostle Paul (56) 1 Corinthians - Apostle Paul (54) 2 Corinthians - Apostle Paul (57) Galatians - Apostle.Paul (48) Ephesians - Apostle Paul (62)

Dates and Authors of the New Testament Books

The following are the authors and my estimated date of their composition. All dates are C.E. Matthew - author unknown (80) Mark - Mark (70) Luke - Luke (85) John - Apostle John (95) Acts - Luke (85) Romans - Apostle Paul (56) 1 Corinthians - Apostle…

18.07.2025 10:13 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Dates of the New Testament Books The dates below include the traditional (T) date and the current scholarly (S) consensus date. All dates are C.E. Matthew T:60 S:80-90 Mark T:50 S:70 Luke T:55-60 S:80-90 John T: 80 S:95 Acts T:60-63 S:85-100 Romans T: 57-58 S:56-57 1 Corinthians T:53-54 S:54-56 2 Corinthians T: 55-56 S:57 Galatians T:48-50 S:50-52 Ephesians T:60-62 S:70-90 Philippians T:61-63 S:56-63 Colossians T:60-62 S:70-90…

Dates of the New Testament Books

The dates below include the traditional (T) date and the current scholarly (S) consensus date. All dates are C.E. Matthew T:60 S:80-90 Mark T:50 S:70 Luke T:55-60 S:80-90 John T: 80 S:95 Acts T:60-63 S:85-100 Romans T: 57-58 S:56-57 1 Corinthians T:53-54 S:54-56 2…

17.07.2025 10:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Human Psychology “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27). "May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess.

Human Psychology

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27). "May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and…

16.07.2025 10:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Using the Prayer Rope The prayer rope (chotki) is used as a rosary within the Easter Orthodox Church. Buy a 100 knot prayer rope. I suggest getting one with a knotted cross at the end. I use my thumb to move the knots from one to the other. Preparation Hold the prayer rope in your left hand, and use your right hand to do the sign of the cross over yourself, saying, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Using the Prayer Rope

The prayer rope (chotki) is used as a rosary within the Easter Orthodox Church. Buy a 100 knot prayer rope. I suggest getting one with a knotted cross at the end. I use my thumb to move the knots from one to the other. Preparation Hold the prayer rope in your left hand, and…

15.07.2025 10:02 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

20 Minute Recollection Session "no one can say, 'Lord Jesus', unless in Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:3 Darby). In the Christian tradition, meditation is reserved for reflective thinking. It is the pondering over the scriptures, God, or some work of God. What Buddhists call meditation, Christians call recollection. In St. Teresa of Avila's description, "It is called the prayer of recollection because the soul collects together all its faculties and enters within itself to be with its God." Recollection is about becoming concentration or one pointed in attention.

20 Minute Recollection Session

"no one can say, 'Lord Jesus', unless in Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:3 Darby). In the Christian tradition, meditation is reserved for reflective thinking. It is the pondering over the scriptures, God, or some work of God. What Buddhists call meditation, Christians call…

14.07.2025 10:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Recollection Defined "Recollection, as understood in respect to the spiritual life, means attention to the presence of God in the soul. It includes the withdrawal of the mind from external and earthly affairs in order to attend to God and Divine things. It is the same as interior solitude in which the soul is alone with God." - The Catholic Encyclopedia (1917)

Recollection Defined

"Recollection, as understood in respect to the spiritual life, means attention to the presence of God in the soul. It includes the withdrawal of the mind from external and earthly affairs in order to attend to God and Divine things. It is the same as interior solitude in which…

11.07.2025 10:06 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Is Nirvana God? Is Nirvana God? No. Nirvana actually means to blow out, referring to the selfish desires or cravings. In Christianity, the equivalent of Nirvana would be what the mystics call union with God. It is amazing how well Buddhism and Christianity harmonize while using different semantic systems. Metta and agape, for example. Or that the cause of suffering is craving and sin, which refers to selfishness.

Is Nirvana God?

Is Nirvana God? No. Nirvana actually means to blow out, referring to the selfish desires or cravings. In Christianity, the equivalent of Nirvana would be what the mystics call union with God. It is amazing how well Buddhism and Christianity harmonize while using different semantic…

10.07.2025 10:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Judging by Human Standards "You judge by human standards; I judge no one" (John 8:15). Judgments distort the truth, they don't reveal it. Judgments narrow our vision so we can only see things from one perspective. And that perspective is always limited. Understand what a judgment is. It is taking a position. And then you can only see the situation from that position. That means that by making a judgment, you are blinding yourself from all other perspectives.

Judging by Human Standards

"You judge by human standards; I judge no one" (John 8:15). Judgments distort the truth, they don't reveal it. Judgments narrow our vision so we can only see things from one perspective. And that perspective is always limited. Understand what a judgment is. It is taking…

09.07.2025 10:06 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Being Disciples of Christ "Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples" (Matt. 28:19 CEV). The Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to make the people of all nations his disciples, not ours. Are we teaching them how to do this? Jesus speaks to every Christian: “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Being Disciples of Christ

"Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples" (Matt. 28:19 CEV). The Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to make the people of all nations his disciples, not ours. Are we teaching them how to do this? Jesus speaks to every Christian: “Come to me, all you who are…

08.07.2025 10:06 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

The Lamp of the Lord "The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part" (Prov. 20:27) You are a spirit that lives in a body. You are not the body. You are a spirit that has a mind. You are not the mind. You are the observer, the awareness behind the mind and body. You are consciousness. Consciousness is the Lamb of the Lord because without it you would be aware of nothing.

The Lamp of the Lord

"The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part" (Prov. 20:27) You are a spirit that lives in a body. You are not the body. You are a spirit that has a mind. You are not the mind. You are the observer, the awareness behind the mind and body. You are…

07.07.2025 10:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Breathing the Jesus Prayer "to keep silent as you should and to be sober in your heart without effort, let the Jesus Prayer cleave to your breath - and in a few days you will see it in practice." - Hesychius of Jerusalem "Let the remembrance of Jesus be present with your every breath. Then indeed you will appreciate the value of stillness." - John Climacus…

Breathing the Jesus Prayer

"to keep silent as you should and to be sober in your heart without effort, let the Jesus Prayer cleave to your breath - and in a few days you will see it in practice." - Hesychius of Jerusalem "Let the remembrance of Jesus be present with your every breath. Then indeed…

04.07.2025 10:10 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

What is the Jesus Prayer? What is the Jesus Prayer? The anonymous author of The Way Of A Pilgrim explains, the Jesus Prayer is, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me." This prayer is very biblical, and has been used within the Easter Orthodox Church for centuries. The apostle Paul tells us, "no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor.

What is the Jesus Prayer?

What is the Jesus Prayer? The anonymous author of The Way Of A Pilgrim explains, the Jesus Prayer is, "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me." This prayer is very biblical, and has been used within the Easter Orthodox Church for centuries. The apostle Paul tells us, "no one…

03.07.2025 10:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

How to Develop Virtue A virtue is a disposition, it is a propensity to act in a way that is good. It in a mind set that responds in a way that right, just, and loving. The Aim All dispositions are developed through two factors. The first is the aim or goal. That is, if you're developing wisdom, the aim is to see clearly the true nature of reality.

How to Develop Virtue

A virtue is a disposition, it is a propensity to act in a way that is good. It in a mind set that responds in a way that right, just, and loving. The Aim All dispositions are developed through two factors. The first is the aim or goal. That is, if you're developing wisdom,…

02.07.2025 10:06 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Self-Hate is Selfish Self-hate is still self-centered and self-focused. It is self that disapproves of the performance of the self. The opposite of self-love is not self-hatred, it is self-forgetfulness. Only when we lose self as the center concern and focus, can we truly be free. This is what is meant by the death of self. It is the end of self-focus and self-concern. It is the way of salvation.

Self-Hate is Selfish

Self-hate is still self-centered and self-focused. It is self that disapproves of the performance of the self. The opposite of self-love is not self-hatred, it is self-forgetfulness. Only when we lose self as the center concern and focus, can we truly be free. This is what is…

01.07.2025 10:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Jay Forrest

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