Greetings Stephen,

Thanks for stopping by again, any new inputs are appreciated here.  However, I may be the most active member of this group but I am not the moderator (hehehe).  While I understand your point I see that it is your specific outlook on what you believe.  The Celts have always been 'spiritual' people long before the coming of Christianity.  To do as you ask might be a throw-back to the pagan days of worshiping Nature rather than the Source behind all nature.  Secondly, the Early Celtic Christian converts were VERY passionate about Christ.  They understood well their place in His plan to restore Harmony with him.  They were very much Christians, as are we in this generation as well.

They did attempt to break with the Roman Church when they saw things going off a bit and remained faithful to the theology of the East, which was once the theology of the Whole Church.  As history records, they later had to succumb outwardly, but Celtic Christian Spirituality has always been a matter of the Heart, Mind and Soul rather than a seat in a pew on Sunday morning.  You will find Celtic Christians but its impossible to find historic Celtic Churches.  Most of what we have today called 'Celtic Churches' are reconstructions based in either Catholicism or high church Protestantism.  Regardless, CC remains a journey of discovering the relationship between ourselves and the Source of all Life.

Thanks again for contributing, always nice to see some activity again here....

Slan,

Marty

Hey Stephen,

I understand what you mean about churches.  He is God, the Creator, He is within all creation and well beyond it as well.  He is within all Life even if some would choose to deny it.  That's why we call him the Source.  Mankind is social.  We appreciate clubs, organizations, groups to which we can belong because we have a need NOT to be alone in this life.  If you look deep within the landscape of your own soul, it won't be a church you see there, it will be His face smiling back at you though!  We are never really alone or disconnected from Him.

The Celts tend to see life as a river, the River of Life.  It flows and we are within it and it is within us.  As you put it, "walking humbly with Him" completely surrendered to His design for our lives and His will which always brings perfection.  As a group of believers and followers, we are a church of sort, but not the man-made kind of brick and mortar.  Even those who would vehemently disagree with us are still part of that church because He is within them as well. (but that does take some more tolerance on our part!! (hehehe))

Well, thanks again for sharing and feel free to contribute anytime you feel the Spirit stirring within you...

Slan,

Marty

Dia anseo isteach!

God to all here!

Hey Shane,

You are 100% correct about the Western mindset of the majority of society! Its upsetting to me to here 'The Church' condemnation of 'The World' as though we are opposites camp in an eternal battle. I was raised Roman Catholic, later converted to Pentecostal but realized how similar they actually were to each other! Both believe following a set of rules will help you 'find your way to heaven'. I'm sure it works for some but I wanted more 'reality' and God ISN'T a set of rules and rituals.

I'm glad you have set out upon the Celtic Path, its a journey of discovery, both of the world around you and the landscape of your own soul. Again, I'll recommend to you John O'Donohue's 'Anam Cara' to help explain some of the principles we live by. To cut to the quick however, its all about Harmony!! Just as the Trinity exists in a Harmony we were meant to live in Harmony with Ourself, God, and the world around us, the 3 Harmonies. (a trinity?)

While I understand all that you do with prayer books, beads, set times and places, and they may have their place in your life, its really more about the simple act of surrender.  Again, first discover who you are, then surrender! While searching within yourself, you will see Christ smiling back at you, surrender again to him there. Understand His presence and purpose in being within your life! Finally, surrender to the world you see around you and see it through His eyes (not the eyes of the church who can only see corruption).  When you see yourself, God and others with His eyes, it makes the journey you are traveling so much different than a simple mental acquisition. God's passion will move you through your day...

Study, will help in learning. Seeing will help in understanding. Letting God's Spirit flow through you and move you and direct you will create a whole new understanding of what the Gospel and Christ's lessons here were really all about. But it all begins with surrendering to the One, the Source, that you find within your own life. Sorry, there are no rituals for that just the honest meeting of a creation encountering his creator. I'd suggest climb a hill or sail a sea or find a quiet bolder in the middle of the woods and sit quietly while He speaks to you. These are what we call the 'thin places' and they are always sacred to us.

Thanks again for your interest in CC. Please let me know if there is more I need to explain or clarify. I'm always glad to help another fellow traveller...

Slan,

Marty

I'm so bummed this discussion has faded.... I can't find a decent discussion on this topic anywhere...  I'm so intrigued by this belief system, but I yearn for fellowship and guidance... The closest gathering of Celtic Christians is hundreds of miles away... Some great info and resources cited here that I'm very thankful for though.... Grace and peace to all....