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		<title>Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis, Revisited</title>
		<link>https://www.timothyedmoore.com/twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Moore]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Aug 2024 03:13:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 Rules for Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Book 2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Imitation of Christ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thomas a'Kempis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tim Moore]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis. Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s “Twelve Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos,” is, at this writing, one of the most popular books in the culture. I read the book and...<br /><a class="read-more-button" href="https://www.timothyedmoore.com/twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis/">Read more</a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><strong>Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis.</strong></h3>
<div id="attachment_1021" style="width: 174px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1021" class="wp-image-1021" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Peterson_pic.jpg?resize=164%2C182" alt="" width="164" height="182" /><p id="caption-attachment-1021" class="wp-caption-text">Dr. Jordan B. Peterson</p></div>
<p><strong><a href="https://jordanbpeterson.com/12-rules-for-life/">Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s</a> “Twelve Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos</strong>,” is, at this writing, one of the most popular books in the culture. I read the book and enjoyed it thoroughly, as it either validated many of the principles that I follow, or challenged me to re-orient my practices and habits and to hone in on the horns of chaos.</p>
<p>In thinking about Peterson’s rules, I began to browse through my favorite author and spiritual mentor, <strong>Thomas a’Kempis</strong>, for his own rules for life, and found these laid out in Book II of “The Imitation.” In this article, I’ve distilled the <strong>Twelve Rules of Thomas a’Kempis</strong> for the cultivating the interior life [1]. Conveniently, Book II of the Imitation of Christ, On Interior Things (hereinafter referred to as “Interior Things”), he has twelve chapters, each of which delves into coming to terms with who we are in relationship to God and His Kingdom.<br />
“<strong>Interior Thing</strong>s” opens by discussing the struggles we face which are even more difficult than shedding our outward attachments: focusing of the inward life of the self. We must come to terms with our secret desires and sins. Our intimacy with God grows in direct proportion to our leaving behind the baggage of the heart and spirit. In shedding the vanities of this world, developing an ardent prayer life, and by taking up our own cross and following Jesus to His Cross, we find God’s eternal friendship.<br />
So here are Thomas a’Kempis’ twelve rules for developing an interior life.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.timothyedmoore.com/630/">Rule 1</a>: Recognize that the Kingdom of God is within you.</strong><br />
<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-938 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Peter_Penitent.jpg?resize=139%2C180" alt="" width="139" height="180" />Finding the Kingdom of God within means that we make a space within our hearts, minds and bodies for Him. We must clean our interior room through confession and prayer and thereby prepare a place for Christ. We do this by letting God be our chief love and by not relying on others to get closer to Christ. In recognizing that Heaven is our home we learn to pass up material or personal attachments. It’s time to acknowledge that people change directions like the wind, but God is our Rock. With Christ as our friend, we should expect to face adversity, but through this adversity we grow closer to Him.If we want Jesus to bide with us, we need to make changes to our lives and find room for Him in that crowded space. It’s time to remove the clutter from our interior lives.</p>
<p><em><strong>Key Quote: If you had only once entered into the mind and heart of Jesus and tasted even a little of His fiery love, then your own comfort would mean nothing to you.</strong></em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.timothyedmoore.com/humble-submission/"><strong>Rule 2: Be Humble.</strong></a><br />
<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-243 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/JesuWashingFeet.jpg?resize=174%2C117" alt="" width="174" height="117" />It is easy to be humble when everyone approves of our actions. Often such humility is pretended. We revel in the idea that people consider us as humble. Funny, huh? But then it is not so easy when people hold us in contempt. A different level of humility is needed. Are the criticisms and hardships we endure deserved? Probably. We need to acknowledge our faults and accept the discipline due to us for our shortcomings. When we allow ourselves to be humbled for our (many) defects, we diffuse the anger in those who are upset with us. God defends those with a good, humble, conscience. Likewise, when we humbly submit to God’s will, we make progress in developing our interior life.<br />
God reveals Himself to the humble. And so it is a worthy pursuit, even though we are uncomfortable in facing our faults. But when we face these faults and embrace our humility we can better fix our eyes on God. We know we have made progress in the interior life when we begin to look at others as more important than ourselves. Thomas encourages us to strive for this balance between humility and a healthy love of the self. He worked diligently to line out his many faults and made saintly progress by taking God along with him on his daily journey. May we be bold enough to do likewise.</p>
<p><em><strong>Key Quote: Do not worry about counting who is for you or who is against you: Rather, be mindful of the present and take steps for God to be with you in whatever you do.</strong></em></p>
<p>The rest will follow in weekly installments. Or, you can look these up on this site and read the full text of each chapter.</p>
<p>Rule 1: Recognize that the Kingdom of God is within you.<br />
Rule 2: Be Humble.<br />
Rule 3: Stay peaceful.<br />
Rule 4: Lift yourself with simplicity and purity.<br />
Rule 5: Do not trust too much in yourself.<br />
Rule 6: Keep a good conscience to find joy.<br />
Rule 7: Understand what it is to love Jesus.<br />
Rule 8: Find true friendship with Jesus.<br />
Rule 9: Let the grace of God carry you.<br />
Rule 10: Give thanks to God for the smallest of gifts.<br />
Rule 11: Bear the Cross of Christ willingly.<br />
Rule 12: Take up your cross to find the Kingdom of God.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1017</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>12 Life Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas, by Dr. Kevin Vost.</title>
		<link>https://www.timothyedmoore.com/12-life-lessons-from-st-thomas-aquinas-by-dr-kevin-vost/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Moore]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Feb 2020 05:22:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 Rules for Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Book Reviews]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. Thomas Aquinas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dr. Kevin Vost]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.timothyedmoore.com/?p=5339</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[I recommend this book because it delivers timeless spiritual wisdom from one of the great thinkers of history. And Dr. Vost distills some of Aquinas&#8217; key teachings into accessible advice for navigating the frustrations and complexities of the modern world...<br /><a class="read-more-button" href="https://www.timothyedmoore.com/12-life-lessons-from-st-thomas-aquinas-by-dr-kevin-vost/">Read more</a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I recommend this book because it delivers timeless spiritual wisdom from one of the great thinkers of history. And Dr. Vost distills some of Aquinas&#8217; key teachings into accessible advice for navigating the frustrations and complexities of the modern world with an eye toward the eternal.</p><div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="323" height="502" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/12LifeLessons.png?resize=323%2C502&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-5344" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/12LifeLessons.png?w=323&amp;ssl=1 323w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/12LifeLessons.png?resize=300%2C466&amp;ssl=1 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px" /><figcaption>12 Life Lessons of St. Thomas Aquinas</figcaption></figure></div><p>When Dr. Vost released this 12 Life Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas, it immediately reminded me of Dr. Jordan Peterson&#8217;s &#8220;12 Rules for Life&#8221;. The difference is that Dr. Vost is harvesting classic teachings from the Angelic Doctor which immerse the reader in Thomistic teachings on applying key faith lessons in the modern world and in the modern believer. Whereas Dr. Peterson is bringing his experiences and teachings from clinical psychology to teach maturity and skill sets to help one cope with relationships and immersion in the chaotic modern world, Vost brings in the heaviest hitter of logic, faith and reason: St. Thomas Aquinas.</p><p>Vost sets a serious tone in his introduction, but lines up realistic goals. He&#8217;s not trying to teach us every Aquinas nugget (in that case, why not just go to the full Aquinas?), rather, he focuses on 12 principles of the Catholic Faith which can be inculcated to better virtue and faith practice. He sets out to pulverize sin, practice virtue, pray,  and participate in the sacraments through the life lessons.  As such, this is a book that will make you think as well as help you to pray. It&#8217;s not a devotional, but neither is it a &#8220;self help&#8221; book. It&#8217;s a book that provides perspective.</p><p>The book is organized with those goals in mind, with each chapter laying out one of the Life Lessons. While each lesson stands on its own, Vost deftly intertwines the principles without excessive repetition. The chapter titles are written to be easy to remember (e.g. &#8220;No Harmony, No Peace!&#8221; and &#8220;Get Jesus.&#8221;) rather than headier Thomistic language. Vost footnotes the more academic aspects of each chapter, but not to the point that I had to regularly look to the bottom of the page for clarity.</p><p>The thread of the book is carried well throughout. Dr. Vost&#8217;s easy style is conversational and provides a light touch to difficult ideas. Vost brings his knowledge of psychology to bear, for example, in describing personality influences in explaining sinful actions. </p><p>Each lesson is a chapter. Each has a similar structure, which lends itself to clarity. There is a pithy title, such as &#8220;Justice Begins at Home,&#8221; followed by a  Thomistic quote, a question, such as: &#8220;How can we be just within an unjust society?&#8221; followed by an answer from St. Thomas.  Then the chapter treats the matter fully, bringing historical and current thought into the realm of Thomistic logic and holiness. When appropriate,  a Sacrament or prayer practice is recommended. Difficult topics are not ignored, but are explored within the map of the Summa. The chapter resolves by action steps and a Life Lesson Summa: a condensation of the main point of the lesson.</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"><p>&#8220;How can we be just within an unjust society?&#8221;</p></blockquote><p>Chapter 4 was one of my favorites.  As an attorney, I am often confronted with the superficial notions of justice, and even the cheapening of the notions of justice in today&#8217;s world. It&#8217;s an unjust world, but we can sweeten it by practicing virtue in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our corner of the world, and give thanks to God for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a means to satisfy His holy justice.</p><p>My copy of 12 Life Lessons is marked up, underlined  and noted throughout. Dr. Vost challenges us in each chapter and brings Thomas&#8217; ideas forward to ask us tough questions. In the last chapter: &#8220;Out of the Church and into the World,&#8221; Vost (rightfully) takes the Church to task for its ham-fisted attempts to modernize in the last fifty years: modernity for modernity&#8217;s sake. Still while his critique is warranted, there is no doubt of Vost&#8217;s loyalty to the eternal truths found within the Church&#8217;s doors. Here again he points to the wisdom, logic and life of St. Thomas as a guide for reform. He ends the book as he began it, with a statement that loving God is the best lesson of all.</p><p>Go get this book and add it to your collection of practical, thought provoking, spiritually challenging books. </p><p>The Appendix was helpful. First, tables and matrixes were provided which delineated a principle, and then noted the corresponding resource that stated that principle. Or, made a side-by-side comparison of the laws of Moses and the laws of Jesus. Easy. Helpful.  Vost also provides a key quote from each life lesson and list that in a table.</p><p>The second helpful feature was a memorization tool, in which each Life Lesson was placed in a memorable location in a virtual house, and a mental picture of the lesson was suggested. This memory method is used in several of Dr. Vost&#8217;s books. In fact, I made the suggestion to Dr. Vost that he should do this for each of the lessons, since I find this method helpful in recalling the major tenets of the book. So, for example to remember chapter 2,  titled: &#8220;Focusing on Things That Matter the Most,&#8221; after you enter the house you see on the doormat a microscope which is focusing on a piece of matter. And then, for chapter 3., &#8220;No Harmony, No Peace!&#8221; you look through a glass panel next to the front door into the yard: you have no peace because a group in the front yard is singing without any harmony.</p><iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&#038;OneJS=1&#038;Operation=GetAdHtml&#038;MarketPlace=US&#038;source=ac&#038;ref=tf_til&#038;ad_type=product_link&#038;tracking_id=timothyedmoor-20&#038;marketplace=amazon&#038;region=US&#038;placement=1622828305&#038;asins=1622828305&#038;linkId=13e1a75168ec8921d5f5450c93f3266a&#038;show_border=true&#038;link_opens_in_new_window=true&#038;price_color=333333&#038;title_color=0066c0&#038;bg_color=ffffff">
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		<title>The Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis: Rules Eleven &#038; Twelve.</title>
		<link>https://www.timothyedmoore.com/the-twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis-rules-eleven-twelve/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Moore]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 19 Aug 2018 23:29:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 Rules for Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Adversity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ariel Agemian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Book 2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Calumny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chapter 11]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chapter 12]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cross]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[denial of self]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dying to self]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gifts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jesus Dies on the Cross]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kingdom of God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Royal Way of the Cross]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[suffering]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[take up your cross]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.timothyedmoore.com/?p=1059</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Thomas finishes his Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life by first  offering us the gift of His Cross. And then, after understanding that His burden is easy and light, secondly offers us the gift of our own cross. These are...<br /><a class="read-more-button" href="https://www.timothyedmoore.com/the-twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis-rules-eleven-twelve/">Read more</a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h5>Thomas finishes his Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life by first  offering us the gift of His Cross.</h5>
<p><div id="attachment_1021" style="width: 164px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1021" class=" wp-image-1021" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Peterson_pic.jpg?resize=154%2C169" alt="" width="154" height="169" /><p id="caption-attachment-1021" class="wp-caption-text">Dr. Jordan B. Peterson</p></div></p>
<p>And then, after understanding that His burden is easy and light, secondly offers us the gift of our own cross. These are two things we do not want, but that is what we need in order to discover the Way, the Truth and the Life: that the Kingdom of God is within you (Lk 17:21). And when we &#8220;do whatever He tells [us] (Jn 2:5),&#8221; you know things will work out for our best. It may not be comfortable and it may be lonely but you know that your friend Jesus will show up.</p>
<p>So our run through the Twelve Rules ends: Thanks again, for the idea of the 12 Rules from Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s “<a href="https://jordanbpeterson.com/12-rules-for-life/">Twelve Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos</a>.”</p>
<p><strong>Rule 11: Bear the Cross of Christ willingly.</strong><br />
In approaching the Cross we come out of our superficial holiness into its defining shadow. It’s true that we like the goodness and comfort of the Kingdom, but do not want to approach the rough and splintering wood of the Cross. Our</p>
<p><div id="attachment_769" style="width: 252px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-769" class=" wp-image-769" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/JesusCarriesHisCrossedit.jpg?resize=242%2C325" alt="" width="242" height="325" /><p id="caption-attachment-769" class="wp-caption-text">Come, Follow Me</p></div></p>
<p>Lord asks us if we want to leave Him (Jn 6:60-69), and many do leave. Our reply has to be the same as St. Peter’s: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (Jn 6:68-69).” The Cross calls us to renounce our materialism and vanities, our maligning of others (calumny) and our gratuitous, self-centered activities. By setting these aside we can begin to accomplish God’s will and accept His commands, His words of everlasting life. And we accept these words with joy out of love, not from unnatural fear.<br />
With these externalities put aside, He then points us to the one thing that we need to face in order to come to love the Cross of Salvation &#8211; We must deny our very selves. We must utterly go forward to the Cross and retain nothing of self-love. At the same time we must look back upon this self-denial and recognize that all of our journey’s sacrifice is meager, is nothing (Lk 17:10), and so we leave it all behind and follow Him.</p>
<p><em><strong>Key Quote: Oh, how much is the pure love of Jesus able to do when it is set apart from self-interest or self-love!</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Rule 12: Take up your cross to find the Kingdom of God.</strong><br />
The Cross is the only way to be delivered from this world into the Kingdom of Heaven: we must, therefore, pick up our cross and begin the journey to find this Kingdom &#8211; all on the Lord’s terms, with His map, His path, His Via Dolorosa. We render our lives worthy by participating in His life and sufferings. In order to be spared eternal suffering, God will not spare us the sufferings of this time. We will suffer from our self-denial and through our call to holiness. Giving up our sin is painful, but therein is the answer to what our own cross consists of: If you are not sure what your cross is, perhaps look at your favorite sins. That one sin you are always bringing up during Confession. That one sin that you hold tight to even in the quiet of your heart. It visits you in your dreams and you recognize it in the mirror.<br />
<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-244 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/InTheBalance-300x225.jpg?resize=247%2C186" alt="" width="247" height="186" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/InTheBalance.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/InTheBalance.jpg?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 247px) 100vw, 247px" />Through the self denial of not engaging in that sin, we can learn humility. In our own way, we share the experience of self-sacrifice by obeying God. St. Paul tells us to unite these sufferings with those of Christ (Col 1:24). This self denial builds up our mettle by getting used to the idea of living a life without that sin.<br />
Thomas ends this rule stating that “If there had been anything better and more profitable to your health than to suffer, Christ would surely have shown it to us by word and example.” We now know The Way. Our Lord encourages us to bear our own cross, by saying, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me (Lk 24:46).” We now know the Truth. He wouldn’t advise us to do so unless it was for our own good. We now have the Life.</p>
<p><em><strong>Key Quote: Behold the Cross is all, and everything else lies in dying to yourself.</strong></em></p>
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		<title>The Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis:  Rules Nine &#038; Ten.</title>
		<link>https://www.timothyedmoore.com/the-twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis-rules-nine-ten/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Moore]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Aug 2018 16:04:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 Rules for Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Book 2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chapter 10]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chapter 9]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dying to self]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gifts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pride]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Progress]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[We are rolling to through the last half of Thomas’ rules. We like to ride high when we are on God&#8217;s shoulders, experiencing His grace. But this comes at a price of forgetting ourselves. But when we do this, we...<br /><a class="read-more-button" href="https://www.timothyedmoore.com/the-twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis-rules-nine-ten/">Read more</a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We are rolling to through the last half of Thomas’ rules. We like to ride high when we are on God&#8217;s shoulders, experiencing His grace. But this comes<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-1018 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Peterson12Rules-590x308.jpg?resize=199%2C104" alt="" width="199" height="104" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Peterson12Rules.jpg?resize=590%2C308&amp;ssl=1 590w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Peterson12Rules.jpg?resize=768%2C400&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Peterson12Rules.jpg?resize=1024%2C534&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Peterson12Rules.jpg?w=1028&amp;ssl=1 1028w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px" /> at a price of forgetting ourselves. But when we do this, we get to see the many gifts He places in our stockings or under our Christmas tree. This love matters. Be intentional about being thankful.  Thanks again, for the idea of the 12 Rules from Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s “<a href="https://jordanbpeterson.com/12-rules-for-life/">Twelve Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos</a>.”</p>
<p><strong><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-745 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/WalkHumbly.jpg?resize=227%2C166" alt="" width="227" height="166" />Rule 9: Let the grace of God carry you.</strong><br />
When you are carried by the grace of God, you ride at ease. And yet, being freed from our self-love is hard. When you rely on yourself, you slip easily. When God gives you spiritual comfort, you can receive it with thanksgiving and find your footing. The disciple never despairs, but pleads with God for relief through grace. Few people are so holy that they have never felt a withdrawal of this divine favor. But divine consolation is then given to make you stronger in bearing you up through adversity.</p>
<p><em><strong>Key Quote: You ride at ease when you are carried by the grace of God.</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Rule 10: Give thanks to God for the smallest of gifts.</strong><br />
God does not give us any “small” gifts. Every gift matters. Do you notice these little gifts such as a cooling breeze, the design of a leaf, and thank<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-820 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/SherlockHolmes.jpg?resize=227%2C136" alt="" width="227" height="136" /> Him for these as well as the more obvious gifts, like a loving family, a home? We must also accept the difficult gifts, and be thankful for these challenges. While others may see some of our gifts as curses, we can see past the world’s take on things.<br />
The smallest of gifts and the greatest sufferings are to be seen as gifts. An overconfident spirit keeps heavenly grace from developing in our lives. Do not desire any spiritual comfort which takes away regret for your sin &#8211; or leads to pride. The holiest Saints measured themselves as the least important in their own sight. Be thankful for the smallest gift from God.</p>
<p><em><strong>Key Quote: For all that is high is not holy, nor is everything that is sweet good, nor is every desire pure.</strong></em></p>
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		<title>The Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis: Rules 7 &#038; 8.</title>
		<link>https://www.timothyedmoore.com/the-twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis-rules-7-8/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Moore]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Aug 2018 16:49:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 Rules for Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ariel Agemian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Book 2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bride]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bridegroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chapter 7]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chapter 8]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conversation with Jesus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Conversion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Friendship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interior Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Intimacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jesus Christ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.timothyedmoore.com/?p=1050</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[The Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis:  Rules Seven &#38; Eight. We are on the second half of Thomas&#8217; rules. Going deeper by the moment by plumbing the depths of love and friendship. And not just...<br /><a class="read-more-button" href="https://www.timothyedmoore.com/the-twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis-rules-7-8/">Read more</a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4><span id="The_Twelve_Rules_for_the_Interior_Life_According_to_Thomas_aKempis_Rules_Five_and_Six">The Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis:  Rules Seven &amp; Eight.</span></h4>
<p>We are on the second half of Thomas&#8217; rules. Going deeper by the moment by plumbing the depths of love and friendship. And not just any any</p>
<p><div id="attachment_1054" style="width: 219px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1054" class=" wp-image-1054" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/JordanPetersonFriends-1-590x407.jpg?resize=209%2C144" alt="" width="209" height="144" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/JordanPetersonFriends-1.jpg?resize=590%2C407&amp;ssl=1 590w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/JordanPetersonFriends-1.jpg?w=708&amp;ssl=1 708w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 209px) 100vw, 209px" /><p id="caption-attachment-1054" class="wp-caption-text">Jordan Peterson &amp; Friends</p></div></p>
<p>friendship, and not just any love. This love matters. This friendship matters. This is about looking for Jesus.The next two rules start to round off our sharp edges, especially how we relate to others. And again, with a tip of the hat to Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s “<a href="https://jordanbpeterson.com/12-rules-for-life/">Twelve Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos</a>.”</p>
<p>In <strong>Rule 7</strong>, Thomas challenges our notion of love &#8211; inviting us to use our whole heart, mind, soul and strength. The level of intimate love of Jesus should be like that of a newly married couple. In <strong>Rule 8</strong>, Thomas challenges our notion of friendship. Stretching beyond our closest bond from conversation to conversion. Remember your best friend from the fifth grade? Now multiply that level of intimate friendship. No secrets, deep conversations, heart renewing conversions.</p>
<p><div id="attachment_1052" style="width: 156px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1052" class=" wp-image-1052" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/StTheresaOfAvila-394x700.jpg?resize=146%2C259" alt="" width="146" height="259" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/StTheresaOfAvila.jpg?resize=394%2C700&amp;ssl=1 394w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/StTheresaOfAvila.jpg?resize=768%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/StTheresaOfAvila.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 576w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/StTheresaOfAvila.jpg?resize=1170%2C2080&amp;ssl=1 1170w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/StTheresaOfAvila.jpg?w=1836&amp;ssl=1 1836w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/StTheresaOfAvila.jpg?w=1468&amp;ssl=1 1468w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 146px) 100vw, 146px" /><p id="caption-attachment-1052" class="wp-caption-text">St Theresa of Avila, by Ariel Agemian</p></div></p>
<p><strong>Rule 7: Understand what it is to love Jesus.</strong><br />
“If in all things you seek Jesus, doubtless you will find Jesus.  (Jer 29:14).” Thomas tells us that loving Jesus is being like the bride who forsakes all others for her bridegroom. This love between the two is forever. Staying near Jesus means bonding to Him as God alone, even at the risk of losing our selves in His love &#8211; like two drops of wax from a candle.<br />
As a Christian, you are to love Christ with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength. Study Him and His mysteries &#8211; His life, sufferings and death. Study His teachings and His designs. Study His Resurrection and redemption of you. Remember that you need faith, hope and charity (love) but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor 13:13). When you make progress toward these three, you will find imitating Him easier.</p>
<p><em><strong>Key Quote: If in all things you seek Jesus, doubtless you will find Jesus.</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>Rule 8: Find true friendship with Jesus.</strong><br />
An intimate friendship with Christ provides unmeasurable consolation and richness of spirit. When you are in conversation<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-1004 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/unitedhearts.jpg?resize=221%2C221" alt="" width="221" height="221" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/unitedhearts.jpg?w=396&amp;ssl=1 396w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/unitedhearts.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 221px) 100vw, 221px" /> with God, you are in conversion with God. Remaining in this conversation with Christ will result in discovering the joy of a spirit-filled life. To vary from this path would be ruinous. Life without Christ is mere existence, a poverty. Life without Christ is dry and hard-hearted and you are fully exposed to the schemes and traps of your enemies.<br />
When you experience an intimate friendship, you know that what you say and what feelings you share are understood. How much more, then, when you have a friendship with Jesus? Thomas encourages us to seek this intimate friendship with our Lord in the cyclical nature of life, and to love all other things for His sake. Enable yourself to have the freedom, time and intention to devote to Christ. Watch your friendship with Him grow!</p>
<p><em><strong>Key Quote: Let all things be loved for Jesus&#8217; sake, but Jesus for His own sake.</strong></em></p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1050</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Rules 3-4  of The Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis.</title>
		<link>https://www.timothyedmoore.com/rules-3-4-of-the-twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Moore]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 2018 04:40:34 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 Rules for Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Book 2]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chapter 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chapter 4]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dr. Jordan B. Peterson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Purity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[simplicity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thomas a'Kempis]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.timothyedmoore.com/?p=1023</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Rules Three &#38; Four of The Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis. Earlier this week, I wrote about the first two rules of Thomas a&#8217;Kempis, in a nod to Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s “Twelve Rules for...<br /><a class="read-more-button" href="https://www.timothyedmoore.com/rules-3-4-of-the-twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis/">Read more</a>]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4>Rules Three &amp; Four of The Twelve Rules for (the Interior) Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis.</h4>
<p><div id="attachment_1024" style="width: 207px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1024" class="size-full wp-image-1024" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Peterson-kermit.jpg?resize=197%2C170" alt="" width="197" height="170" /><p id="caption-attachment-1024" class="wp-caption-text">Jordan Peterson &amp; Kermit</p></div></p>
<p>Earlier this week, I wrote about the <a href="http://www.timothyedmoore.com/twelve-rules-for-the-interior-life-according-to-thomas-akempis/">first two rules of Thomas a&#8217;Kempis</a>, in a nod to Dr. Jordan B. Peterson’s “Twelve Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos.”</p>
<p>Thomas drives home rules 3 &amp; 4 in a very peaceful and pure manner. Very simply put, he tells us to be peaceful, simple, and pure. Why? Because these help us grow closer to Christ. And isn&#8217;t that what it&#8217;s all about?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.timothyedmoore.com/who-is-a-good-peaceful-disciple-of-christ/"><strong>Rule 3: Stay peaceful.</strong></a><br />
Some people are peaceful with themselves and everyone else. But then there are those who have no self-peace nor allow others to have peace. And then there are those who keep themselves at peace, and study to bring others to peace. In this troublesome life all of our peace rests upon humble endurance rather than in avoiding confrontation. Whoever knows how to suffer such troubles shall possess the greater peace: Thomas says that such a disciple is conqueror of himself and the world. He is the friend of Christ and the heir of Heaven.</p>
<p>Peace flows from one person to another. St. Francis says this in his prayer: “Let peace begin with me.” But troubles inevitably bubble up in our <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-643 alignright" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Nov-Dec2015-001-219x300.jpg?resize=139%2C191" alt="" width="139" height="191" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Nov-Dec2015-001.jpg?resize=219%2C300&amp;ssl=1 219w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Nov-Dec2015-001.jpg?resize=768%2C1051&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Nov-Dec2015-001.jpg?resize=748%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 748w, https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Nov-Dec2015-001.jpg?w=1496&amp;ssl=1 1496w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 139px) 100vw, 139px" />lives, and if we expect others to bear with us, we must similarly be patient with them. This brings us peace and that peace flows to them. When we start by excusing the faults of others and accepting blame for our own acts and omissions, we reorient in such a way as to pop the trouble bubble so that all tensions may diminish. Thomas’ recipe for peace is this: we need to maintain peace with God through obedience to Him. And we maintain peace with our neighbors by staying at arms length from their personal affairs.</p>
<p><strong>Key Quote: Therefore be zealous over yourself first and then you may righteously be zealous concerning your neighbor.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.timothyedmoore.com/viewing-and-acting-with-a-pure-mind-and-simple-intention/"><strong>Rule 4: Lift yourself up with simplicity and purity.</strong></a><br />
“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God,” says our Savior (Mt 5:8). Remain pure by looking for goodness and beauty in all things and <img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-430 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.timothyedmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Whispering.jpg?resize=159%2C119" alt="" width="159" height="119" />staying away from “unhealthy affections.” Instead, seek out the will of God, especially where it can benefit our neighbors. When we seek out this purity of heart, we begin to see things as Christ sees them- as things really are. When we let the scales fall from our eyes, the Creator is revealed in the smallest and “ugliest” of things. However, if we persist in our sin, we only see the nasty, degraded nature of things. A pure heart penetrates both heaven and hell. On our interior journey, we conquer our self and, achieving victory, we often discount the difficulty of the journey itself.</p>
<p><strong>Key Quote: When your heart is right, every creature will act as a mirror of life and a book of holiness (Acts 9:18).</strong></p>
<p>Stay tuned for rules 5 &amp; 6&#8230;coming soon!</p>
<p>Twelve Rules for the Interior Life, According to Thomas a’Kempis.</p>
<p>Rule 1: Recognize that the Kingdom of God is within you.<br />
Rule 2: Be Humble.<br />
Rule 3: Stay peaceful.<br />
Rule 4: Lift yourself with simplicity and purity.<br />
Rule 5: Do not trust too much in yourself.<br />
Rule 6: Keep a good conscience to find joy.<br />
Rule 7: Understand what it is to love Jesus.<br />
Rule 8: Find true friendship with Jesus.<br />
Rule 9: Let the grace of God carry you.<br />
Rule 10: Give thanks to God for the smallest of gifts.<br />
Rule 11: Bear the Cross of Christ willingly.<br />
Rule 12: Take up your cross to find the Kingdom of God.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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