A Venture Into Theodicy

 Theodicy: "the vindication of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil."

Also, in simple terms, it's an argument to discern, assert, justify . . . how there can be evil permitted . . . in a creation where The Creator is love, good, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent--a God Almighty!  How in the heck and why did evil get a foothold and mixed into a Holy, Good, Loving, all-powerful God's Creation?

For me, that has been pretty much the crux of the matter.  As it is for any Truth seeker and curious mind. . . .

Many of "the great" thinkers and theologians, mystics, prodigies, and "salt-of-the earth" observers . . . over the centuries have wrestled with and struggled to justify God's purpose in this glaring existential crisis of sorts--how can there be such evil and suffering in a world created by a good, holy, omnipotent God?

It was one of my earliest questions.  I wrote a song about it, age 7, walking home from a friend's house after school--I came across a flat, weathered football sitting on the sidewalk.  I loved football--was already playing it and knew all the teams and players of the time!

Anyway, I was sad to see this fine football flat and forlorn on the grass, along the sidewalk.

I thought, "what happened to that?  Who's fault was it?" 

"Somebody or something made, or let that happen."

I thought, hmm, so ... whoever left the football out in the yard is to blame.  WAIT! No . . . if there wasn't a football in the first place . . . hmm . . . sooo . . . well, who bought the football . . . then, I thought . . . wait ... who made the football?  Then . . . I thought . . . well . . . a company made the football--IT'S THEIR FAULT! ... but then I kept tracing the lineage of the thing. . . . Sooo . . . people want footballs, maybe it's THEIR fault.  Then I started thinking about the materials that go into making a football . . . lol . . . and then I realized you would have to "blame" about a thousand people tangentially involved . . . for that flat, ruined football.

Eventually, I took the logical, non-stop searching for THE SOURCE OF ALL analysis all the way, to where, I realized it . . . "It's God's Fault".

As I continued walking back home I wrote a song about it.  Probably my first proper song.  I believe it is when I first (although I didn't know it at the time) became so-called "reformed".  Meaning, I traced back the reality in front of me all the way back to--to it has to be God Who is ultimately to answer for. 

He is sovereign.  HE has a purpose regarding all that is "fallen".  Since HE is Good . . . it MUST BE that!  So, for HIS purpose . . . and since He is perfect, just, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, love, just . . . IT HAS TO BE THAT IT IS (ultimately) GOOD, RIGHT, JUST, IN HIS HOLY PURPOSE that there is the existence of evil within the divine providence and goodness of THE CREATOR. 

 

 

A Fun Entertaining Inspirational Movie

 In the world but not of it.

For those who ever yet are interested in God above the daily machinations of the world, I'm working on a piece about Theodicy.  I believe it involves the question that a vast majority of all who have ever lived here have thought about at some point in their life.  A good fair bundle of seekers have delved into it almost obsessively (which I think is a good thing, because "seek and ye shall find.")

God cares that WE care and yearn and search to understand and know Him more.  And more.  And MORE!  Eternally. . . .

Anyway, I'll be posting that soon, for any who should care.

Meanwhile, re the world and current developments. . . . 

Yes, I along with many are relieved about and cheering on the "draining of the swamp" so-to-speak.

It is a very needed superficial relief.  The pendulum swings.  The architects know when the pressure has gotten to a point that it needs to be released and swung the other way.

In the end, I believe it is a calculated matter (not necessarily consciously done by the ones who find themselves effecting it--for, never forget, we wrestle NOT with flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places)--such that it will inevitably end up in a tightened up technocracy utilizing "AI" and full-scale surveillance . . . "peace and security".

For now, it is like watching a fun, entertaining, inspirational movie--a movie that makes you feel good and hits all the right tones.

But it is just a movie.

Then you leave the theater and find yourself back in the real world.

God Said

 God said, "stop looking to yourself--look to Me."

Before Honor Is Humility

 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. 

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 

A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked. 

The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him who pursues righteousness. 

There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. 

Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man! 

A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. 

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 

All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.

 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. 

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

. . . . He that refuses instruction despises his own soul: but he that hears reproof gets understanding.  

The fear of The Lord is instruction of widsom; and before honor is humility.

--prov. 15

Wet Blanket Boy and Hope In God

 Well, and it's just my musings (re last post). . . .  But if angels are able to "absorb" "imprint" communications and personalities from the other side, then that would also explain why people mistake getting messages from "the other side" from the dead, via Ouija boards, seances, channeling etc., which Christian's generally assume are actually just demons faking it . . . because demons, are "fallen angels" and thus, might still have some of that innate ability to get "imprints" and reproduce . . . "the dead."  Just thinking out loud.

Meanwhile. . . . Everything sounds too good to be true.  I've usually found that is the case.  Hope I'm wrong.  I would love some good news on the temporal front (I already have it on the Spiritual front--The Good News) . . . . . My searching mind and suppositions, is wondering if we are seeing the groundwork for a world government, albeit, with some guard rails and addressing of inefficacies.  But ending in the same general plan.  Digital control, global ID, ubiquitous surveillance, but with some relief getting rid of "riff-raff" so that that coast into it will be less onerous....

Wet-blanket boy here, just keeping it real.  Hoping always for the best!

AND, above all, only have HOPE in GOD.

Time Travel, Reincarnation & Talking To The Dead

 Like I wrote a moment or two ago . . . things are "fluxy".  

Top of the chart is JESUS!  I'm all in.  We've been talking.

Well, and I don't ever want to come off presumptuous, or flippant, or overly casual regarding the Holy, Sacred, Real, bottom-line purpose and meaning of life, and when He deigns to communicate.  

I am flat on face, stunned, ever broken, humbled, desperate, in love, at mercy, amazed, grateful beyond this flurry of words to even dare attempt describe or ascribe anything of this reality/relationship with GOD ALMIGHTY.  

BUT--I do dare say, He "gives quarter" regarding how fallen, knucklehead, mortal WE ARE; (for HE went through it Himself, to the ENTH degree!!!!!!! Fully man, fully God!)  And sometimes He shows a little slip;)!

And then, I find I must speak of the devil's wiles. . . . .  . .

Well . . . and then speak of the strait and narrow Way . . . there is the wide gate; and there is the narrow gate. 

The devil is super-duper subtle and wily.  And he is always skirting close to the Truth, such that, were they not elect, even such would be deceived.

----------------------------

Now, I'm going to take a hard turn (not really, but kind of, because it's actually related to strait and narrow gates re understanding how supernatural, spiritual/mortal communications work.)

And time is short, so I'll just cut to the chase and relate the previous and currently yet confirmed findings.

People wonder and are intrigued with the idea of reincarnation; because, it seems many, if not most of us seem to particularly relate to various eras and experiences in history.  For instance, my mom was pretty much convinced that she lived in an early 20s Gatsby like era.  She "remembered" things about it--was drawn to it and could uncannily display it through talent, inclinations, fashion, cultural appurtenances of the time.  She also had an Egypt/Cleopatra era comprehension that didn't make sense unless she had once lived through it.

My wife . . . relates to and shows talents and abilities that (seemingly) could only come from actually once had lived a life in the 1920's 30's early 40's of America--the songs, the fashion, the culture etc.  And also renaissance times.  She's got that one too.

Myself, when I was Hindu and believed in reincarnation, I was fairly well convinced I had done time in ancient Greece/Rome . . . middle ages knight times, Shogun samurai era Japan, some Kung Fu monasteries in China, ashrams in India--an ascetic monk, cowboy and Indian times (me being an American Indian, and world war 2.  If I believed in reincarnation, (which I once did) I'd be certain, and could almost prove it, that I had experienced all those times.

What are these "memories"?  Besides reading a few books, why can I almost instantly "be there" and "remember" exactly what it was like in each situation?  I mean, down to very specific details and general memories of what it was like.  It's like time travel.  I can be there.

When I became a dedicated, fully Christian, born again Bible believing follower of The Way, Jesus . . . I had to sort that out.  

So I went into prayer and thought/meditated on the phenomenon.  I look forward to expounding on all of this, hopefully in a podcast or something similar. . . . 

But for now, I'll relate this:  what I believe I was told/shown . . . is actually fairly simply.  

The Holy Spirit (God) is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent.  The Holy Spirit particularly is through all and relates spiritually to the mortal.  He is access to the mind and Spirit of God.  The Holy Spirit (God) has been everywhere, is through all, seen all, authored all, and "time" is not an issue.  SO, when you have the Holy Spirit, you have access to the mind of God, as a child of God, made in His image.  So you basically have a sort of Spiritually based "time machine" that can access all that has gone on in any given era of this age, (let alone, of course, being shown Truth in all things, primarily, SPIRITUAL TRUTH/GOD.)

\NOW, combine that with-- remember, He is in all, through all, author of all--CELLULAR, dna, physical body memory. Just like how we inherit certain talents, inclinations, diseases, proclivities, looks etc., from our familial, dna/cellular lineage, THAT is also within us.

If you combine being connected to the all-present, timeless Spirit of God (Who has seen, been present during all the different eras/cultures/races of this mortal worldly history and time, including animal, fauna experiences) WITH . . . one's personal dna/cellular memory from your ancestors . . . well then, you find yourself being able to "time travel" to experience a semblance of that--of what has gone before, and what is now, throughout the creation/creatures.

The occultists (and demonic realm characters) know these things and try to and do use it to their (albeit temporary) advantage . . . and have come up with ( over time ) useful philosophies and theories like "reincarnation" in order to throw you off the Truth of the matter.

[BTW, this also relates to how Prophets can See things in the future and can divine the past, encapsulate the present--via The Holy Spirit, Who is ubiquitous.]

Somewhat related to this, but a different topic . . . is the experience of "hearing from" or "communicating" with the dead, especially passed loved ones.  For instance, you have a dream or strong experience awake--a profound feeling of a presence of a passed, communication from ie., a loved one.  I've had it, my wife has, and I know many others have as well.... 

[Remember, angels are messengers.  They can travel "Jacob's Ladder", going to and fro between the Heavenlies and this "mortal coil".]

Imagine a passed loved one, who is in Heaven (sometimes, as like Lazarus, from Hell) who has fond caring and prayerful concern for the loved one(s) yet on temporal "earth". . . .  Prayers and supplication and passion and loving care prompts the mortal to recall and miss the dead loved one, hope they are okay, would love to "hear" that they are. . . .

Those earnest prayers are heard and picked up by the angelic councils.  The request/prayer gets kicked up to The Big Man, God.  It gets approved (according to His Sovereign will and design) . . . and, so, the dedicated (guardian?) angel/messenger goes to the subject (of the prayers/thoughts) in Heaven . . . and than "absorbs", "records"--gets angelically imprinted with the personal impetus/message/feeling conveyed.  Angels, I believe, have a capability to harbor, carry and impart a perfect replica of the soul's personality/intent that they are taking the message from . . . and then this is relayed, either through a dream or a powerful feeling of presence TO the intended mortal target, or visa versa.  

Ie., a "deceased" father in Heaven . . . or a grandmother or a friend or whoever is allowed to send a sweet, quick message of comfort from Heaven to the target (ie., son, daughter, cousin, wife, husband, friend) "below" can request that.  And so can the mortal ask and pray for a "message/sentiment" to be conveyed.

This is where people here mistake "hearing from their dead loved ones" directly, when, it's really an angel, conveying "the message".  

This all happens through the medium of prayer and supplication and loving intent, and usually when those attributes of each the subject and intended target  (between the departed and the living )are happening roughly at the same "time".

SO, you are not "communicating with the dead"--and it is a fairly rare instance anyhow--you are hearing from, or sending to, a messenger/angel who is transporting a spiritual, sort of, "digital" (using modern terms) imprint/export of the sentiment/message.

And for sure, other than sheer, sincere, spontaneous LOVE and need for some sort of sign (which may or may not be granted) one is never to make a work of it.  As in, those who deliberately seek to commune with "the dead" . . . will most likely end up communing with demons who also have a semblance type imprint/recording capability of presenting the personality/person.

It is not something that one should seek out.  BUT, within God's grace and mercy, I believe He will allow sometimes for an angel to convey either a message from the mortal or from the deceased.  And I believe there is scripture that can justify this theory. 

There is something to that sense of having lived before, in another life, another time.  But I'm saying it is where ancestral dna/cellular memory, so-to-speak, combined with the all-present knowledge and experience of the Holy Spirit/God combines.  It is NOT reincarnation. 

Indeed, there is something to that sense that one gets a feeling, a "message" from the deceased--a loved one. . . .

It's just not the way that it is popularly proposed through the ages.  The devil and his minions are always mimicking the truth of the thing--an "almost true" explanation . . . and then, if they get you to fall for THEIR version of it . . . next thing you know, you are in a cult or lighting candles and worshipping dead people and demons.

I've spent time and experience wondering and asking and praying about these types of experiences (which I've had) . . . and this is what I believe I was shown regarding the matters.

Just sharing thoughts :)

God Bless YOU!