A CONVERSATION: Lon & Elijah -- Part 1 Subject: A CONVERSATION: Lon & Elijah Author: Challenging Our Thinking   (A screen name used by Elijah) Date: 9/30/2002 8:02 am CST   Original commentary by Elijah posted on a message board: To say that we understand Truth is not the same as understanding Truth. Can we agree on this one point? Also, just because something feels good doesn't mean that it is good. Right? Life is very complex -- even though most people lack the patience to evaluate it. They simply choose to drift along, flowing with the flow, drifting from one side of the "dividing line" to the other, taking no thought to what is good or bad, right or wrong. This lack of personal responsibility can be seen in most of our lives -- because none of us are perfect. Lon>Can I ask something here? What is truth? And who understands it? Elijah>God is Truth -- and God understands Himself. To a lesser degree, certain portions of Truth have been experienced and understood by millions of people through the centuries. We can learn to understand God as Truth, Love and Beauty. More of my "random" thoughts can be found by clicking links on my web site. You might find... "TRUTH" -- "LOVE" -- and "BEAUTY" ...interesting. Lon>"What is 'right' and 'wrong'?" Elijah>First, we need to believe that what may be "right" for one person could, conceivably, be "wrong" for another. When we accept God as our Master, we desire His guidance as we face the challenges and choices of Life. I believe that God cares about every, seemingly insignificant, part of our lives. Therefore, even our "diet" is important to Him. Considering that our internal organs are dependent upon certain nutritional requirements to maintain health, God may "inspire" me to consume "cherries" or "spinach" during a particular meal, because He recognizes my need. If I do as He is leading, I will be doing something "right." If I choose to ignore Him, I will be doing something "wrong" -- and my body will suffer the consequences. At the same time and at the same buffet, God may be trying to tell you not to eat cherries or spinach, because you need "corn" or maybe "apples." Now if you take this simple analogy into every aspect of Life -- you can begin to understand the countless options that you have to choose what is "right" or what is "wrong" on a personal level. Lon>"Why is it that you think that none of us are perfect? Elijah>None of us are "perfect," because we are not God. We are all "sinners" who have been given the opportunity to repent of our mistakes and to accept Christ -- who is perfect. He is the "Way," the "Truth" and the "Life." Lon>"Didn't Jesus say: 'Be thou perfect, as your father in heaven is perfect.' " Elijah>The only way that we could "be perfect" in the same way as the "Father Creator" is not through "imitation" by conjuring up mental images of something like we perceive Him to be or by "echoing Holy Words" void of genuine heartfelt conviction or physical manifestation -- but by allowing the Holy Spirit (within us) to dominate our thoughts, words and deeds. As we know, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are One -- and when we make the decision to believe this by faith, we become One with God -- Spiritually (Psychologically)! Lon>"Being that God is Life, Truth, Love and Beauty, I understand that you say this. Why only certain portions? Don't you believe that God knows how to make Himself clear? Don't you believe in the process of Divine Inspiration? I do. I believe in it for you, and I believe in it for me." Elijah>No single person to ever exist on this planet has ever understood the totality of God -- which is Truth personified. God does not reveal Himself completely to anyone; He only reveals "portions" of Himself, according to the purpose of His desires. "Divine Inspiration" is a common occurrence for those who accept Christ into their hearts, and who are able to "hear" God when He speaks. This is for every person who becomes a "child of God." Lon>"Some people don't like it when another says that they've been inspired by God. As I see it, there are several reasons for this. First, most people don't think that THEY have ever been inspired by God, at least not in the most immediate way -- that is, through direct communication -- therefore anyone who makes such a claim is immediately suspect." Elijah>To be "inspired by God" can be either for personal edification or it can be for reasons that have a larger purpose. Regardless, children of God should feel free to share this experience with others of faith without being subjected to ridicule or cynicism. We can be "inspired by God" without realizing that it is God. Some people may become confused or simply interpret their "inspiration" as some form of psychological phenomenon. As we should know if we read the Bible and learn from Life experience, God can take a variety of forms in His communications. Also, throughout history, many people have intentionally deceived others, been deceived by satanic spiritual voices (thoughts) or have not interpreted the voice of God correctly. Each of us must be diligent as we go about "praying without ceasing" -- and listening to what God is really saying. The Bible is the most important source for us as we attempt to confirm the voice of God as it relates to principles inherent in His Holy Word. Lon>"Second, claiming that God is one's inspiration may not be argued with, nor found lacking in any way, given it's origin." Elijah>I disagree. When a person, you, me or anyone else, claims to be hearing from God, we should be polite, consider the information, pray to God by asking for confirmation in some way. We can compare the "principles" of the information with the "principles" of the Biblical Text and then by faith, either accept or reject the Word (words?) we have been given. Lon>"Third, many of those who have claimed Divine Inspiration have not been the easiest people to live with -- witness Mozart, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, or any one of a number of popes, as well as countless others who have done some pretty crazy things in the name of God." Elijah>Jesus was not easy to live with for many people during His days on Earth. Maybe this is one reason why He was crucified? And as far as doing some "pretty crazy things in the name of God," walking on water, turning water into wine, feeding the multitude with a few baskets of food, bringing a dead person back to life, ascending to Heaven without a rocket -- and other abnormal acts -- would sure be considered "crazy" or "magical" by most people. Lon>"Finally, we have made those whom we do believe into such holy men and women that we don't quite know how to deal with them, or how to interact with them in a normal way. Simply put, as wonderful as they are, they can make us uncomfortable." Elijah>Jesus did not want to be treated like a king; He thought of Himself as a servant. Most "holy" people do not aspire to "sainthood" -- "fame" -- "personal adoration" or to exalted positions worthy of "statues" or "thrones." Lon>"So we're pretty skittish about this God-is-my-source thing. And, perhaps rightly we should be. We don't want to swallow whole everything that others tell us, simply because they claim to carry a message from the Most High. But how can we know for sure what is Divine Inspiration and what is not? How can we be certain who is speaking eternal truth? Ah, that is the great question. But here is the great secret. We do not have to know." Elijah>There is a way to know if it is "Divine Inspiration" or not as I suggested above. As to your "great secret," saying, "We do not have to know," I, of course, disagree. If God speaks and we refuse to listen, we offend God -- and there will be consequences. If we want to believe there is no God and that God does not speak to His children, we can do that, but there will be consequences. Lon>"All we have to know is OUR truth, not someone else's. When we understand this, we understand everything." Elijah>What is the "cause and effect" of Truth in our lives? What is the cause and effect of deception in our lives? What are the eternal repercussions of our belief system? There can be a "portion" of Truth found in atheism, in every false religion or in satanic deception, etc. One way to decipher Truth from the many deceptions that we may think is "Truth" is to evaluate the "cause and effect." What is the bottom line in the lives of those who choose an erroneous point of view? How does anyone know what might have been -- instead of what was? Lon>"We understand that what others are saying doesn't have to be The Truth, it only has to lead us to our own. And it will do that. It cannot help but do that, eventually. All things lead us to our innermost truth. That is their purpose." Elijah>We understand that what others are saying isn't always the Truth. It might help us or hurt us -- depending upon how we deal with it. "All things" do not lead us to Truth, because some "things" (and words) are designed by the primary Adversary in our lives to sidetrack us as we strive to fulfill our purpose. I know that it seems like a good idea to "not rock the boat," "live and let live" and just go about our part-time search for God in our own way, but what if children had this attitude in regard to getting a normal education? The "system" is absolute and not subject to fluctuation -- simply because "students" want to pick their teachers, pick their own version of math or science, or pick their own interpretation of reading, writing, and God. Lon>"That is the purpose of Life itself. Life is truth, revealing itself to itself. God is life, revealing itself to itself. You could not stop this process if you wanted to. But you can speed it up. That is what you are doing here. This very moment. That is why you are reading this post" Elijah>Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, the life." I agree that if we remained consciously in pursuit of Truth, the process would unfold more rapidly. I am taking time and using my energy to communicate with you for a reason. It not only challenges me to engage my thinking in this way, but it may challenge you to dig a little deeper into the recesses of your inner self. God is within where we can find Him if we search in the right places. Lon>"Now, I do not claim that this post contains The Truth. It is intended to guide you to your own innermost wisdom. (all things are) It is not necessary for you to agree with its contents for it to do that. In fact, agreeing or not agreeing will be irrelevant." Elijah>Please read what you wrote above again. Your words are attempting to express a "thought" that is contrary to Truth. The very act of "agreement" is important -- not irrelevant as you seem to think. "A rose is a rose!" When we look in a mirror, we see ourselves reflected back to confirm our likeness. In the same way, when we conform ourselves to Truth, we see God reflected back within us -- and then we "agree" that we are One with Him. If you said, chocolate ice cream tastes good -- that is your truth. If I said chocolate ice cream tastes bad -- that is my truth. If God said, you are both right -- that is His Truth. Do you agree or disagree -- or do you think it is irrelevant? Lon>"If you agree, it will be because you see in this post your own wisdom. If you disagree, it will be because you do not see your own wisdom. In either case, you will have been led back to your own wisdom. So thank yourself for this post (and all posts) because it has brought you back to clarity about one major point: The highest authority lies within you!" Elijah>I like the sentiment of your words, but are you not giving too much credence to human wisdom? I like to quote Carl Sandburg: "We are all ignorant -- only some of us are more ignorant than others." As to "all posts" or all things in Life that are contrary to God's purpose, my main prayer is for Christ to come and eradicate it all. There is no good to be found in negativity or any form of rebellion against God. Even so, I do try to tolerate opposing opinions -- and I do attempt to remain patiently loving in regard to every person who chooses a path other than the one I travel. Lon>"Your thoughts are not God's thoughts." Elijah>This is very important! The "thoughts" of every human on Earth have an origin either in the Mind of God or in the mind of Satan. "Thoughts" are spirits! Spirits form a soul; and the soul is the mind -- not the brain! I know this concept seems absurd to everyone who has been taught to believe that scientists are correct in their suppositions -- yet "neurons" are the link between a soul and brain -- which allows manifestation of spirits. In the future, think of "spiritual" and "psychological" as synonymous terms if you want to properly interpret the meaning of my messages. Some, but not all of our thoughts are God's thoughts within us. Lon>"Need is non-existent in the universe. Need is an illusion, the first illusion in which we have engaged." Elijah>"Need" can be the "effect" of either a biological or spiritual "cause." Therefore, "need" is not an illusion, but a very real necessity that comes out of "desire." Lon>"One needs something only if one requires a particular result. The universe does not require a particular result. The universe is the result." Elijah>Planet Earth and Life upon it "needs" the sun. Without the sun, the "particular result" would be death for humankind. Therefore, for those who practice self-deception, the universe would cease to exist -- just as a tree falls silently in the woods when there is no ear there to absord sound waves that result in hearing. Lon>"Need is likewise non-existent in the mind of God. God would need something only if God required a particular result. God does not require any particular result. God is that which produces ALL results. If God needed something to produce a result, where would God get? There is nothing that exists outside of God. God is All That Is, All That Ever Was, and All That Ever Will Be. There is nothing that is, that is not God." Elijah>All creation and all Life is an extension of God -- and once we conform ourselves to Him, we become One with God -- yet there are many forms and many results. The very word "Creator" tells us that God is very busy doing new things all of the time. God enjoys witnessing the "results" of His creative endeavors. "...hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?..."  From Isaiah 40:28 Lon>"You may better grasp this idea if you use the word 'Life' in place of the word 'God.' The two words are interchangeable, so you will not alter the meaning; you will merely increase your understanding. God needs nothing to occur except that which is occurring. Life needs nothing to occur except that which is occurring. The Universe needs nothing to occur except that which is occurring. This is the nature of things. This is how it is." Elijah> I agree up to a point! Jesus is Life! Lon>"In our imagination we have created the idea of Need out of our experience that we need things in order to survive. Yet suppose that you didn't care whether you lived or died. Then what would you need? Nothing at all." Elijah>At this particular point in my existence, I do not care if I live or die. I don't really care if I go to Heaven or not. I only "need" to let God be God and trust Him that He will make the right decisions for me. Lon>"And suppose that it was impossible for you NOT to live. Then what would you need? Nothing at all. Now here is the truth about you; It is impossible for you not to survive. You cannot FAIL to live. It is not a question of 'whether' you will live but 'how'. Jesus message is this; we need nothing to survive. Our survival is guaranteed. God gave us everlasting life, and He never took it away." Elijah>Jesus had another message: MARK 8:35 -- "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Lon>"Hearing this you may say yes, but survival is one thing, and happiness is another. You may imagine that you need something in order to survive happily -- that you can be happy only under certain conditions. This is not true, but we have believed it to be true. And because belief produces experience, we have experienced life in this way, and have thus imagined a God who must experience Life in this way as well. Yet this is no more true for God than it is for you. The only difference is, God KNOWS THIS. When you know this, you will be as God. You will have mastered life, and your whole reality will change." Elijah>I will never be as God -- even though I am a part of God. I do not aspire to equate myself to the High Power. This is the very thing that caused Lucifer to be cast out of the Domain of the Father Creator. God does not tolerate those who seek to usurp His Authority. Lon>"Now here is a great secret: Happiness is not created as a result of certain conditions. Certain conditions are created as a result of happiness. This is a very important statement. This statement holds true for every other state of being as well." Elijah>Here is another secret: Happiness, contentment, satisfaction and other "emotional" sensations are carnal in nature and can be experienced when we serve either God or Satan. The "problem" with "emotions" is that fleshly joys are temporary and can cause us to ignore the Laws of God in favor of immediate gratification. "Lust" is not "Love!" Lon>"Love is not created as a result of certain conditions. Certain conditions are created as a result of love." Elijah>God is Love. Love is eternal and was not "created," but has existed always. When we are conformed to God, we are conformed to Love -- and this merging of Life forces brings us compatibility with the universe -- along with extreme joy here on Planet Earth. Lon>"Compassion is not created as a result of certain conditions. Certain conditions are created as a result of compassion." Elijah>What we regard as "compassion" is a combination of factors that creates within us certain thoughts and emotions. Without Love, compassion would not be possible. We must have a heart filled with Love if we are to sincerely care about those who are suffering. We can experience compassion -- deep concern or caring about others -- but the manner in which compassion is manifested is only determined by the circumstances. In other words, among the "certain conditions" -- there can be a gentle word of encouragement, a pat on the back, a smile, a sharing of resources or forgiveness when others offend us. Lon>"Abundance is not created as a result of certain conditions. Certain conditions are created as a result of abundance." -- End of Part 1 --                                                                                                                                                                                               Go To TOP Of Page                                                                                                                   Go To Next Page...

Tennessee Elijah on Angels & Snakes MB