Very rarely–I’m terribly uncomfortable lying, and I’m a terrible actor (can’t “fake it”). I used to withhold information when asked a question (being selective about what I shared), but anymore I find that relationships are just so much better if I am open and sincere. Telling the truth can offend, but if people know I love them and am being honest out of the sincerest desire to bless them, the relationship will not only survive, but thrive. That being said, one need not be intentionally critical for the sake of “honesty”–it’s often wise to bite one’s tongue and be patient with differences. (Wish I had this one mastered!) Erik likes the quote, “The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off.” (Attributed to Gloria Steinem).

I would love to be paid to travel with Erik, interview locals, and write about our experiences (isn’t this what many of the National Geographic writers do?). I would love to have a radio or television talk show in which I could interview guests and talk with them about interesting ideas. I would love to write articles for and produce a magazine on a subject of my interest. I would love to interview people and help them write their memoirs or life story. I would love to help people progress toward the “being” they wish to be, through logotherapy (assuming I were a credentialed psychologist). I would love to write screenplays for inspirational cinema. I would love to be on a national board for educational reform. I would love to write non-fiction.

What would be my “absolute favorite”? Probably the travelling, with Erik. But writing for my own magazine would be interesting, too.

I love to hear people share their personal experiences with God. I like to read the scriptures and find hope and direction there, although occasionally some passages don’t make sense or seem to contradict the loving God I have come to know. I like to read “near death” experiences, while acknowledging that people’s memories can be imperfect. I like to read the words of our church leaders and other wise men whose lives exemplify a godly walk and “peace in this life.” But especially, I love to ponder and ask questions. And I love to see answers unfolding gently over time.

I would say to that band member, “Thank you for all your hard work. We’re safe—trust me . . . everything is going to be okay! There is no need to jump the gun.” I would remind him that the album would go platinum and we could then sell the rights to a new distributor; that distributor, however, would not tolerate him selling copies on the side, so it would be best if he stopped that practice. “And I forgive you.”

My Answer to Question 16:
My greatest concern is that I’m not loving and appreciating my children as much as they need. Turned around: My greatest desire is to love and appreciate my children, as much as they need.

The very existence of a “veil” separating us from God suggests that he is content to have us, in fact intends to have us, come to mortal life and “figure it out” by our own experience.

If that is the case, then God is happily watching me decide/create my life rather than dictating it. The “received wisdom” of religion says that God is keeping himself from us to test us, to see if we’ll obey his will as revealed to holy prophets and defined in holy writ. If he truly were administering this kind of test, however, I think he would ensure that all his children got the right “holy writ” as a prep-manual early in their lives, by which they could govern their lives preparatory to final judgment. Yet he doesn’t. He allows us to believe what we want to believe (or have inherited as a belief system) without intervening. Respecting our agency, he also lets us act in the ways we choose, whether or not those actions hurt others. He gives us a conscience, a subtle light within, to help us judge what is good and what isn’t (what is harmful, what isn’t) as we journey along. But will he judge us for our erroneous beliefs and our harmful actions? That is the question.

I believe he will be merciful, for “[we] know not what we do.” I conceive that the existence of the veil is one of the things that allows God to forgive us, for we do not know for certain what God wills for us (despite the fact that many religions are happy to tell us their version). If we absolutely KNEW his will/commands (i.e. he brought us literally into his “office” to explain the rules and the consequences of breaking the rules) and we subsequently refused to obey, eternal justice would dictate that we suffer the consequences (and even Christ’s atonement couldn’t pay the price).

God loves his unknowing, undeserving children, and his mercy allows us to be in his presence without fear of being “cast out” forever—even when we make mistakes. I have felt this in my life. He is happy when I learn from my mistakes and patient when it takes me a long time to “get it.”

Religion teaches men to fear. Emotional and mental damage cause people to harm others. God can heal us of both.

Jesus said in Mark 3:28-29: “Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven all their sins and all the blasphemies they utter. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” I wonder if blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is something only Jesus could potentially commit—if he alone knew God’s will through a perfect, infallible witness of the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees accused him of serving Beelzebub; perhaps his comment (above) indicates that he knew he could never attribute the miracle-producing workings of the spirit to be from any other source than God, without suffering eternal consequence. Just an idea . . .

I have concluded that life is about individual growth, and a veiled existence is the perfect condition for me to figure out “what I love”–what I desire, what rings true to my soul, what bears good fruit in my life, what brings lasting happiness–while still allowing for those “grace moments” in which God gently whispers to my heart wisdom and peace. When I have such an experience I can enjoy it and share it with others, but I feel it important not to believe that what I’ve learned is necessarily “how it is” (God’s will for all mankind). It is an experience for me to cherish and ponder on and try to live (experimenting on the “word”–those ideas God gently shares with me). I believe we are EACH here to learn by trial-and-error, and the whisperings of the spirit. This is how I approach the scriptures now: I view them as men’s individual understanding and experiments with God, but not necessarily God’s will for me. I can read their words and compare them with my own experience, and apply that which rings true to my heart.

I love to believe that God is happy and whole.
I love to believe that God is accessible and inevitable.
I believe he will eventually heal every broken heart.
I have reason to believe that God is actively caring for me,
even when I am not aware of that care and am just “doing what I can.”
I love to believe that he is not exacting, but inviting.
I love to believe we can experience him whether or not we have a teacher.
It is a blessing to have an “assurance of things hoped for”–I do.

My Answer to Questions 12:

I delight in experiences in which I gain perspective on and see the value in the trial-and-error process inherent in LIFE (Living Inside Finite Experience). Reflecting slowly and carefully again on those experiences in which I have felt God respond kindly to my foolish ways (as reflected in Luke 4:18) fills me with grace and patience, for myself and others. At those moments in which others’ choices seem to inconvenience me, I want to Remember Him—that I might have his spirit (and ways) present in me.

Life is a test. An experiment, not a final.

We’re not here proving our worthiness; we’re “proving all things, holding fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). We are learning and creating, by experience, who we want to be. We are finding what works for happiness, and what bears “bad fruit.” Truly, wickedness never was happiness! (Committing adultery does not bring happiness; it produces shallowness and insecurity. Stealing never satisfies the soul’s longing for productive creativity. Retaliation does not heal our anger and despair. Drunkenness doesn’t solve problems–it magnifies them a hundred fold.)

I think God’s reticence (his quietness) is the perfect condition for us to find out what we desire. He stands back, not dictating our every move. (Religion does that–not God.) He honors our agency, and our capacities. He’s not going to solve all our problems for us, but he is always ready to help us find our solutions within ourselves. Rather than merely pleading, “Please solve this . . .,” we can ask, “What should I do?” or “Whom shall I call?” or “How should I change?” Those answers come more readily, in my experience. If our problems (such as metastasized cancer) are not going to be solved, he will whisper peace to our soul. We can trust his judgment. He trusts and honors ours. Life is an awesome experiment!

I love this quote:
“Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.”

My Answer to Question 10:

3 truths that I have learned personally in my life are:

1. “God loves his undeserving children.”
He is generous. He is forgiving. He is available. He loves us
perfectly.

2. “The Kingdom of God is within [us].”
We come from God with Light within. We can tap into that light to
discover truth for ourselves. (Jesus set the ultimate example of
this.) We are all potential prophets.

3. “It’s all about relationships.”
If there is something God truly cares about us “getting” on earth, it
is Love. (Most of the “mysteries” can wait . . . ) He would have us
know and love Him, know and love ourselves (we are important to
Him!), and know and love our fellows (they are gifts in our lives). He
quietly mentors us, “Be merciful.”

My Answer to Question 6:
Put into practice the Peacemaker Pattern.
It [life] is “all about” relationships.
Write.
Play with the children.
[My] happiness is to be found in my marriage.
Get into nature daily.
Read great books.
Be productive, with Erik’s encouragement and help in focusing.
Appreciate people.
“Think to Thank”/ “Attitude of Gratitude”/ “It’s a Blessing if . . . ”
Pray—speak the words within.