Matthew Special Edition Message Feb 18

[arikara]

World is being fixed; great challenge will be reeducating adherents of religions; dark forces step up efforts to infiltrate souls; people most vulnerable to dark influence; how to recognize dark souls; protection from darkness; guidance for telepathic communication and checking sources

<snip>
You cannot know the thunderous goings-on that aren’t apparent, and what is apparent may seem as dark as ever. A projection emerging even among some light workers is that it could be years before the status quo, or worse, in your world can be fixed; and in the opinion of the most pessimistic pragmatists, it’s too late to fix anything. Everything is being fixed, of course, and this will become evident more profoundly than you can imagine.

It could be said that that is both the “good news” and the “bad news,” because the dark forces know their time is irrevocably up and ended in failure. They couldn’t keep Earth and all of her peoples bound in third density negativity as they intended and they know that any more attempts at massive terrorism to create worldwide chaos will continue to be foiled by ET technology. The ages-long battle between the light forces and the dark forces is for souls. Consequently, the energy streamers of the darkness are lashing out in peak frenzy and intensity to infiltrate as many Earth souls as possible while there’s still a window of opportunity to entice some out of the light and prevent others from ever seeing the light.

You may think that the greatest challenge you will encounter in the months ahead is the current and potentially even more oppressive measures taken by governments. No—those situations, along with the national leaders who hold onto power by various forms of intimidation, are being handled by the universal laws in motion. Your greatest challenge will be the people who will rebel against the truth that will be revealed about the origin and purpose of religions. Religion forms the belief system that extends to all facets of billions of lives, and the initial reaction for the majority of adherents will be total rejection of the revelations, which if accepted, would shatter the very foundation of their lives.

<snip>

http://www.matthewbooks.com/mattsmessage.htm

[I Have A Dream]

1. All I can say is WOW. Sounds as though something really big...

is about to happen; interesting times are ahead, it seems.

Thanks for posting this.

On edit: This was really interesting:

Most people have a major problem determining if their intellect is speaking to them or if it is Soul Voice. It is a “human condition,” one that is quite simple to rectify. Until a person becomes adept at discerning these important differences, they can easily misjudge the voices. Once that barrier is broken, it then can become a natural, non-stressful means of true communication.

One way that we know of that everyone can use is the “Soul Intellect Test.” We want you to bear in mind that this method cannot be controlled by your body or your mind. Here is the technique for finding the correct answer. Stand in an upright position, unless your circumstances are such that you need to be sitting instead, be barefoot, have your feet placed a bit of a distance from one another and close your eyes. Be RELAXED. While in this position raise both your arms so that each arm is extended straight in front of you, at chest height with the palms open and facing downwards. The arms need to be at a comfortable balanced level.

Think of an issue, or an answer that someone has given you, or perhaps an answer you yourself have arrived at, anything that you are seeking validation about; seeking to know the truthfulness of. Now if it is an issue, turn the issue into a question with an answer you think may be correct. Example: the issue is, “moving to a different state.” You as the potential “mover” want to know if in fact this is the right move for you. Turn it into a question. Be specific but don’t over-dramatize it. Remembering to keep your eyes closed, proceed to ask the question either verbally or non-verbally. Wait a few seconds after you have finished asking the question. Then keeping your body in the position we spoke of, just open your eyes and look at your hands and arms. One of 3 things will have happened. Either your right hand, right arm will be higher than the left or the left arm, left hand will be higher than the right or the arms will appear to be stuck in the same position.

Right arm=right hemisphere of the brain. Soul Voice.
]Left arm=left hemisphere of the brain. Intellect.

“]Both hands/arms are in the original position means”= insecurity about receiving the correct answers, a person who has problems relaxing and allowing the truth process to reveal itself. No, it does not matter if a person is right handed, left handed or ambidextrous. The “voices” cannot be manipulated. This is very important. Until people can come to terms with telling the difference between intellect and Soul, their personal evolution can be severely hindered. In time, simple visualization can work so that you can perform this even in a crowded public place. Those who have problems with this technique will need to relax and keep repeating this until it works. Those who have the problems are generally those who have been listening to their intellect too long.

[Chi-Town Exile]

2. Thank you very much for your post.

Very interesting.

(Edited for missing word.)

[rumpel]

3. "dark forces step up efforts"

could this be what some of us felt the past few weeks?

[I Have A Dream]

4. Good question. Might be the case.

I personally haven't been feeling it, but I know that many here have.

[rumpel]

6. Yesterday, I tried to reason it must the landslide in the Phillipines, but

it felt more like an increase in interference or delays in many things I considered good or had hopes for success, socially, politically and personally.

[FreedomAngel82]

5. Could be

And look at the political direction etc. as well with Bush and his administration. Lately they have been very agressive and doing their fear mongering again with Iran. So I hope something happens soon.

[rumpel]

7. I have a feeling those forces will pop like an overblown balloon.

Visualizing Conyers with a needle... :)


and with that...I have to go and take care of hungry people here.

[Idylle Moon Dancer]

8. hm

I saw this thread and felt compelled to come post it over here.

[japple]

9. I was troubled by this "Special Edition Message."

Most of the message did not sound at all like Matthew's "voice." I usually get a profound feeling of peace when I read his messages, even when he is talking about bad things to come, because he is so careful to reassure us that everything will be alright. Did anyone else have similar feelings.

[LaurenG]

10. Oh I am so glad you said that

The web site that he is working with (not his)has had me a bit worried for a while. There are some things that were said specifically about people with cold hands(?)etc. that I KNEW were not coming from a place of love. There is a bit of someones negative ego involved there. Good Catch Japple, I'm sure this won't be the last from those who will attempt to give disinformation.

[loudsue]

12. I noticed that about the "cold hands" thing, too OB.

And the "calling out" of certain traits. It does sound pretty judgemental. Which is unusual for Matthew's communications.

[I Have A Dream]

13. My hands are often cold, and I'm one of the good guys.

Honest.

[loudsue]

11. Yeah, I kinda did. It seemed like it was a warning...something eminent

Not the usual "peace-making" type message. I wonder whassup with that? :shrug:

But in some respects, I have been feeling that there has been an upsurge of dark energy in the past week or so. It has felt like a deep undercurrent of intentional, hateful, angry "control" coming from the news stories and just regular "events" on the international stage. So, the Matthew piece sort of resonates with what I've felt happening.

As for the unusual references to Christ in the piece, and the calling of the Name, I have known for many years that there is magic in the Bible when it comes to healing and protection. The fundies wouldn't want it recognized as such, but, indeed, it is there in an esoteric form, and it works....it works really well. There are other traditions that are also helpful, but the ones the Bible talks about have been very powerful, in my experience.

Very interesting. And very different from other Matthew readings.

:kick:

[arikara]

14. I had to re-read it several times too

It doesn't seem as unsettling as at first. I think that they were in a hurry to get it out and Suzy didn't have the time for her usual editing.

As for the cold hands thing, that bothered me too and I sent her an email asking for clarification. I also asked her about the other web site they are associating with because the style is so different.

I'll post the reply when I hear back.

[Desertrose]

15. I know what you mean.....

Dang. I just had a long reply and as I was getting ready to post it...IE crashed & I lost all. :grr:
See if I can remember it again....

I did get the feeling the first part was definitely Matthew but the description of how to recognize dark energy had me a bit concerned. My sense is too, that Suzy was in a hurry to get it out and that maybe the second part was from notes from someone other than Matthew......

The descriptions of how to recognize dark energies was nothing really new to me, but I must say it was phrased in ways that just didn't resonate too well with me. ...and I was bothered a bit by the commands (to eliminate the dark energies) that had to be "exact words" that seemed so Christian/religion oriented which seemed diametrically opposed to things he stated earlier....

"Your greatest challenge will be the people who will rebel against the truth that will be revealed about the origin and purpose of religions.  Religion forms the belief system that extends to all facets of billions of lives, and the initial reaction for the majority of adherents will be total rejection of the revelations, which if accepted, would shatter the very foundation of their lives. "

Well.....I just take what resonates with me and let the rest go....discernment seems to be the key regardless of source.

(hope this makes some sort of sense....my first post seemed better....)
DR

[arikara]

18. The Christed energy is explained in the books

if I can explain it correctly with the brain numb state I'm in today, it is the pure loving light of the source. It isn't a Christian/religious reference.

You're right, having to use the exact wording was something else I wanted clarified and I forgot to ask Suzy about it. Honestly,with the way my memory has been its a major undertaking to try to memorize something exactly. However, she did say in the message that when its practiced that it will come immediately and automatically as a sensation and verbalizing no longer is necessary. I think it could be like learning the Reiki symbols, you reach a point where you don't need them anymore to access the energy.

[Desertrose]

20. I know about the Christed energy...

have been reading about it and working with it for years...guess I was just not expecting to see it as worded..."Jesus" the Christ Consciousness. I've always understood that it was the Christ energy rather than the Jesus part that was, as you said the "pure loving light source".

No big deal really, its just from my understanding there were others who also have worked with and embodied the Christ energy/consciousness on earth as well....that Jesus was not the only one. Maybe I am a bit touchy the way religion has taken over (so to speak) these wonderful light beings (such as Jesus & others) and basically used them as their own tools in keeping the veil of truth & light from being lifted.....

I've also done my own version of protection for years and am curious why the need to suddenly use anothers words...but again, I think maybe this was put out there for those who are looking for new tools....so many are wakin gup and need some help FAST!

(I know what you mean about memory and thinking...its like there is definitely something interferring ...or maybe I just need to go to bed :evilgrin: )

:hug:
DR

[KAT119]

44. Also find Matthew's calling upon Christian Jesus very confining -

also his mentioning 'Sananda' = Jesus on another dimension. An historical search for a man fitting the Gospel descriptions simply does not exist. Most Biblical scholars know that the Catholic Church invented this story taken from earlier myths(sun gods/heroes/saviours) as they needed a god, and wrote him into the Bible and into the history penned by Josephus,the most respected historian. Christianity is as obsessed w/ control & all forms of violence as it was in the 1st century - and an alarming 44% of Americans believe Jesus is about to return - rapture - apocalypse-etc.....No need to protect the environmental nest etc. Muslims are expecting their 12th Iman to reappear as well -since the 500's.

Wrapping our Self- selves in Light -within & without is our protection - and knowing that the Presence of God/dess is within us-Is Us- is what the word' 'Christ' or'Christed' (anointed) means. N'est ce pas?

[Cleita]

19. That bothered me too.

I hope it get clarified in the future.

[japple]

22. Thanks, DR for putting my thoughts into words. I couldn't

quite put my finger on what it was that troubled me, but you did it. Esp. the "commands" that had to be phrased exactly so. It all sounded too religious, and in contradiction to what Matthew has presented before. Maybe Suzy cut and pasted stuff from other sources. I also take the bits that resonate with me and forget the rest.

[Proud_Lefty]

17. It ssemed very timely to me

I've personally been a bundle of nerves where I'm normally walking very strong. Watching all the corruption unfold before our very eyes, even through the corporate owned media, and they only escalates their crimes RIGHT IN FRONT OF US, has been getting me really upset and demoralized. I'm having a hard time dealing with all other aspects of my life. I watched Mary Matalin on Meet the Press Sunday and wanted to vomit. She looked deformed, evil and sinister, and she got the most air time to spew her protection for their high crimes and misdemeanors they can't reasonably justify, while David Gregory apologized for trying to do his job. We are watching the beast rise up, not Matalin, but the whole dark side of this world. As this seems to be increasingly escalating, Matthews' message that it's happening because they know their time is up and they have to get all their last kicks in before it's over.

I tried looking at people for their ora, and I can't see anything. I stood barefoot, holding my arms out and asking questions, and got no answer. When I get cold, my hands are the first part to freeze. But I didn't read it the same way you did. I think these physical things explained are going to be more apparent as we continue to transform which has just started happening.

I sent this message to a friend, and this was her response:

Did you know that as of Jan. 25th, the earth stopped wobbling on its axis? This was a major prediction of Edgar Cayce's that would lead to a new age of powerful transformation. Scientists can't figure out why it happened, or how long it will last, but the last time it happened I believe there were massive quakes, because of shift in tidal pulls and tectonic motions.

We're entering into something brand new and it sounds like these types of messages will become critical tools in helping us understand as we're going through it. I felt so relieved to get this message. But regardless, I always trust my inner voice to anything I read or hear. That voice from the soul (partnership with the creator) is where truth always lies.

[japple]

23. I've been waiting for your response, PL. You always

seem to be the voice of reason. The playing out of events, live and in color, on the teevee, right before our eyes, is exactly as it has been described by Matthew and other voices from the other side. We are meant to see it all.

Maybe the special message from Matthew is a way to tell us that we need to be ever watchful because of the influx of negative energies at this time.

[Proud_Lefty]

25. Thank you Japple for the kind words

I do feel that negative energy right now and it feels so comforting to be prepared and understand a little more than what it's all about. Whenever it comes from nowhere, it can hit you hard and take you down for a while. When we know it's coming, we aren't so shocked and can better deal with it.

[arikara]

16. I have heard back from Suzy already, much reassured

regarding the cold hands question...
<snip>

because of your question I realize that I should have clearly stated that dull-dead eyes are the unmistakeable sign of a dark soul and the other signs are additional evidence. My sources did say "always" in referring to cold hands, but that is in conjunction with dull-dead eyes, which can't ever be disguised. If someone's eyes are shining and alive, a sign of cold hands, just like an occasional sarcastic or mean remark, doesn't apply.

[Desertrose]

21. Suzi is cool...but no doubt has toasty warm hands :-)

I'm glad you heard back from her...I think all in all it was a good message and clearly timely...look at the discussion we've had here about it.....

I agree...its always in the eyes first...then the others things as additional evidence...makes sense to me.

thx and :loveya:arikara (& Suzi)
DR

[crikkett]

24. This is interesting, I had a reaaallly creeeepy dream

about a battle of light vs. dark forces on Fri morning 2/18. A terrible dream, and vivid. The strange part is that if I were to remove my personal symbology in describing the dream, what I am left with follows this "special edition" message.

[TNOE]

26. Testing

test

[lady lib]

27. Did we pass?

:)

[TNOE]

37. LOL

I had some weird new button on my computer that said "discussions not available" - so I thought maybe I couldn't post anymore! So just had to check it out. Thanks for the laugh though.

Matthew's messages always lift me up - in the same way messages from Sheldon Nidle do - they pretty much are saying the same thing. I always love the discussions on this board.

[japple]

28. The battle is for souls...

I wonder if that's why there are so many new large churches in my area of the bible belt, most being non-denominational or non-traditional sects? One new church is even called "Soul Harvest," which I've always thought was a creepy name even before I read Matthew's message. Most of the church building are of the same type architecture as the Soul Harvest church: Large, steel warehouse style with no windows except on the front. Before my overly-active imagination starts going wild, does anyone have a feeling or intuition about these "churches"? And has anyone noticed anything similar in their area?

[I Have A Dream]

29. I also have a very uneasy feeling about them. For me, it may just...

be that they tend to be conservative churches, so I feel that they're not necessarily always working with the light, even though I think that they believe that they are. Even when I drive by them, I cringe from them. It's almost as though my soul's recoiling. (However, it could be because I was an Evangelical Christian at one point, and I felt as though the experience almost sucked my soul out of me.)

:scared:

[Ariana Celeste]

30. one of the reasons

I turned away from Christianity to begin with, was because my uncle is an Evangelist, and reading the Bible myself, I couldnt understand how my uncle and others like him could be so twisted and hateful. And some of the things he would tell me. That if I saw or felt or heard my deceased brother and father, that wasn't something to be cherished, that was Satan or demons trying to bring me to their side. That hurt me profoundly. He claims he can see demons in people- demons of addiction, demons of homosexuality, etc and so on. And the churches he took me to! My goodness it was like everybody just fed off of eachother's frenzy, it creeped me out and made me sick to watch, it seemed so cultish.
sorry I'm not really adding to this thread but I just totally hear what you're saying about those churches.

[I Have A Dream]

31. I totally understand what you're saying, Ariana. I try to look at my...

Evangelical Christianity experience as being the definitive thing that showed me what did not work for me. I had to go through it to get to where I am today. Maybe that was part of your soul's required path during this life as well.

I consider myself to be a New-Age "Christian", with me deciding what works or doesn't work for me. If it speaks to my soul and I resonate with it, then it's worth exploring, in my opinion. (I am not at all what most Christians would describe as Christian, thus the quotes around Christian.)

I hope that you've come to realize that your gifts are the fruits of the Spirit. They are truly a blessing that you have from work that you've done in past lives. Please don't think of the time that you've been closed down as being lost time. It has gotten you to the point where your soul is craving spiritual nourishment, so you'll appreciate everything much more once these gifts return, which I strongly suspect they will.

[Ariana Celeste]

32. We all have different paths,

I think, and you'll never know what's right without exploring. I don't think it's lost time... what I do think is that mentally, emotionally, I needed a break. Tough stuff to deal with as a teen with tons of impressionable friends who all want to be a part of something big. I've grown a lot over the last 3 or so years (and still have tons left!) and think I am a little better prepared. We will see- I'm just glad to be able to talk to some people who are a lot more experienced than I am, whom I can learn from and share with. :).

[Proud_Lefty]

33. I used to thump my bible, good and often

Many years ago, I became born-again at the Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. I went to several bible studies there during the week, their Sunday service and their Saturday night concerts, sometimes up to 5 times a week. I faithfully read my bible and came to all the "know it alls" with questions that didn't make sense. Funny how they read something out of the bible, spewing words that don't even make sense or even connect to what they read out of the bible, and then say something like, "See. The bible supports it." (AND IT DOESN'T EVEN COME CLOSE!) It's the exact same way they take a Democrats' speech not only completely out of context, but making it appear as if the exact opposite is said. And people believe what they're told they heard, not to believe what they actually heard or read themselves.

The worst part is the fear they instill in their followers. I am very compassionate and I was so afraid that my family and close friends would continue on to eternal hell if they didn't accept Jesus Christ as their savior. And while they told me all I needed to do to go to heaven was accept Jesus in my heart, they kept saying that our purpose as a Christian was to save people's souls or they will never get another chance (called witnessing), we need to only keep company with other Christians (called fellowship) or we would backslide into the evil ways of non-Christians and we need to read our bible every day. So it really was more complicated. I laid awake at night trying to figure out how to save the souls of people I loved so much, even if I had to trick them. When they didn't want to accept Jesus, I was horrified. I lived in so much fear. Sound familiar?

After several years of being a faithful follower, always backsliding because it's just plain not normal, during a very difficult time in my life, I started hearing voices in my head I strongly believed were divine, I started seeing handwritings on the wall, and many other strange occurrences that really confused and scared me. Always being very open, I shared it with everyone and I was isolated and medicated because it was so beyond what anyone could comprehend, including me. No one would listen to me. I went to Calvary to have them help me understand how God speaks to us since they claim to hear God's word directly from God all the time. They told me God was punishing me for my sins. I was absolutely amazed to finally realize they were phoney baloneys and hypocritical beyond belief. When Matthew brought this up, as he does with many of these things Calvary could never explain, I feel so free finally.

[I Have A Dream]

35. Your story sounds very much like mine, Proud_Lefty. n/t

[Proud_Lefty]

38. Wow, I thought it was just me.

But lately, I'm finding a lot of people with the same story. Did you ever come to fully understand what happened with you? I'm still sorting mine out after 17 years, although I have figured out a lot of it.

[I Have A Dream]

39. Even as a child, I searched for the spiritual thing that...

would feed my soul. I tried "regular" Protestant churches, and it didn't feed my longing. My last few years of high school, I got involved in an organization called Young Life, which is a Christian organization for high school kids. It didn't really feed my soul, but it was supportive, and I liked the other kids who attended. My soul-crushing experience happened when I went to college. I joined an organization called Campus Crusade for Christ. I thought that it was a college version of Young Life; however, I was wrong. At a certain point, I was told that if I wanted to be involved more, I had to commit to staying with the program for the rest of the academic year. Over time, I truly felt as though they tried to stop me from thinking for myself. I was told that I couldn't trust my feelings because they could be used by Satan to steer me in the wrong direction. I was told that I couldn't trust my intellect because I just didn't have all of the facts, and some things just have to be taken on faith. I don't think that these things are unique to Campus Crusade for Christ; I think that this is the way most Evangelical Christian organizations work.

I don't have a problem with faith (I think that it's very important), but I can't have faith in something that doesn't feel true. I'm not going to believe something just because someone says it or because the Bible states it. There was no way that I was going to base my life on a book that humankind has changed so much, and I really don't respect or believe anything that Paul said. I am and always have been a strong feminist, and I was told that, because of what Paul said, I was "less than" because I was a woman.

I stayed in the organization because I had made a commitment (and I had to work everything out in my head), but I ran from there and never returned as soon as I could.

I felt lucky that I got out of there with my soul intact!

[Love Bug]

40. Mine, too Proud_Lefty

The burden of living under all of that fear just got to be too much for me. After experiencing some very difficult times in my life and realizing after the years of bible reading and praying I had done I really had no tools to deal with my problems I decided to leave it all. I took me a few years to finally "molt off" that life, but then I felt so free! Sometimes I regret all of the time that feels wasted in that life but I remind myself I would then have no understanding of what the fundamentalists are about. For the most part they are not whack jobs but sincerely believe the things they do are in the effort to "bring souls to Christ."

But there is a lot of hypocracy there and I have no problem calling them out on it.

[Proud_Lefty]

41. I agree with you completely

When I was trying to save souls, as they made me think that was my mission, my heart was pure. I realize that many Christians believe they are working for God. It's sad to watch.

Once you're away from it though, you realize how much easier life with God was meant to be. Below is a letter I composed years ago from what I believed God was saying to me. It tooks ten years to figure it out and compose it. Once I started living according to this, life became so much easier and happier.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR YOU


Let me introduce myself. I have many names, God, Lord, the creator, Jehovah, and the list goes on. Many think they know me well and speak for me frequently. Unfortunately, they rely on false teachings throughout generations of mankind and have been conditioned to shut themselves off to the truth. The more devoted you are in your religion, the stronger you might rebel to this truth. Churches teach you to limit your acceptance to their specific interpretation of the scriptures or your assurance for eternal life will be jeopardized. Sadly, this contradicts your ability to utilize one of my many gifts to you ? common sense.

I created this entire world with all its beauty and splendor, from the brightest stars in the sky to the tiniest creatures not even visible to the human eye, and everything in between. My wonders don?t just happen. Can anyone explain why people expect me to prove my legitimacy by performing the supernatural or magic? Don?t they understand that the "natural" is my phenomena that commands your utmost respect. Everything I make and how I make it has a purpose in the world. Why would I ever change that course to prove to anyone that I really exist? If you really need proof, try creating a single living cell yourself.

Why do you apologize for being one of my most precious creations? I always hear "Forgive us, Lord, for we are born of sin." This is insulting. I made you not of sin, but of pure love. Everything about you has a positive purpose. When you struggle and learn, you develop and grow. This is part of my plan and again it is perfect.

Sensuality is another gift to you. It provides happiness and enjoyment, not to mention continuation and fulfillment of life. As with everything, its limitations need to be understood and learned. Your inner self, where I reside, provides you with that direction if you listen. Remember that modesty promotes rigidness. I'm not ashamed of this gift and you shouldn?t be either.

Your anger is also misunderstood. It serves an important function. It is not to be suppressed, as that could result in long-term psychological harm. Instead, you must know to use it for your protection and that of your loved ones. How to effectively utilize anger is one of the most difficult lessons in life, and sometimes takes almost an entire lifetime to achieve.

My gift of humor is often returned, unopened. For some reason, many think to serve me is to be solemn and serious. Don ?t you realize that I created humor, that laughter and gaiety extend the quality of life? What could make a father happier than seeing his children laughing and happy?

Why do you look down upon others who worship me differently than you? Those who praise my name continually, while putting themselves on a pedestal high among others, are hypocrites. Remember how many times Jesus pointed that out during his lifetime? While you interpret so many biblical stories literally, why do you ignore the continual teaching that I want you to come to me in all your humility? In other words, to worship me is to rid yourself of ego, and then love, accept and respect all my people, even if they are Jewish, Catholic, Christian, Muslim, Buddha, African-American, Mexican, Indian, gay, heavy, skinny, disabled or mentally challenged. I made all of them, live with them, and love them.

I don't want people showing up at my house in their best attire just to make an appearance, sing a song, and then brag about how superior they are to others. Judgment is reserved for me. You need to stick with humility, acceptance and tolerance, and I?ll be smiling on you.

The bible was written by men to help people understand me and was inspired by me. However, thousands of years of flawed men with different spiritual agendas caused that bible to be interpreted many different ways. I continue to create people in different regions of the world that require different spiritual guidance. I don?t have a chosen people and never did. That's what you call prejudice. You know prejudice is wrong. So what makes you think I could create all people, but only love a few?

I also don?t need to be marketed, unless you truly want to share this truth. Unless you know what you're selling, it scares people away more than brings them to me. This world I'm offering has few boundaries. Start living your life on the open highway, being the best person you can be. Follow what is right as you feel it deep in your heart, where you'll always find me, and you will do right by me. This is my truth and who I am. But deep down inside, you've already known this, huh?

Love, God

[Love Bug]

42. That's a wonderful statement. Bookmarked!

Have you read any of the Conversations with God books? Your statement reminds me of what is in those books.

I personally think when we try to define God we limit her. When people ask me if I still believe in God I say "yes" but let them know I don't think God is anything like what we humans have made him out to be. But I do think you are correct in that if we follow the only commandment Jesus gave us which is to "love our neighbors as ourselves" we come closest to understanding the nature of God.

[Proud_Lefty]

43. I haven't read them, but would like to

The one thing I really walked away with was that very few if any of us really have concrete evidence of any of it. So who's right? The one with the loudest voice or maybe none of us. I'm so curious and anxious to know for sure. Until then, we all feel something inside us (like a soul) driving us forward, even the atheists. I always point that out to them and of course, they think I'm crazy, but they do finally concede something drives them. They just don't wish to believe it's a god form. The rest of us in all the different forms of religions around the world, feel a voice or a presence from within, so much so that millions of people live and breath every minute serving their master. Jesus had a great message and I agree with so many on this board that Paul was a total A-hole. While Jesus' message was one of tolerance, love and compassion for all, especially those less fortunate, Paul preached ownership and promoted the hatred that permeates in the Christian religion today, overshadowing the incredible message Jesus brought us. For the record, I really think Jesus, a man with an advanced soul, was a great teacher and I respect the wonderful philosophy he shared with this world. Too bad it was hijacked, just like our government.

[Castilleja]

34. We have one like that in our area

We are thick with churches anyway, but recently got a steel building church (Baptist of some sort) Dreary looking, with no grass anywhere, just two sad little potted plants on either side of the door. I used to wonder who would be attracted to that place. The parking lot is now full. But they have two little street signs with rotating obnoxious bible sayings. I say obnoxious, because rather than something uplifting, it is always some quote about what will befall he who ignores the father, those who aren't obedient are doomed to hell, and other inviting messages.

[I Have A Dream]

36. I think that you hit the nail on the head, Castilleja.

The difference is whether we live our lives in fear or love. Most of these churches control people using fear. It's my understanding that fear, not hate, is the exact opposite of love.