Since I only know one language, I am using the words I understand, and they will assuredly be different from those who do not speak this language.
My first focus is not on a word, but a part of a word ...actually, a prefix. And the prefix is 'tri'.
The prefix means 'three'.
And though the first chapter will address the prefix, how relevant is it? Yet, I guess that depends upon what kind of book this is.
I'm not even sure myself, so we'll both have to wait and see.
But wait how long?
Sorry, but it seems I am offering more of an explanation, so I'm not even sure what direction this is going. Though I hope it is not going, going, gone.
I wanted to write a different type of book, and this is achieving that goal this far.
So, I guess we will just be surprised together ...that's just the way it is.
1 ---So, what can be said about 'tri' ...I'll at least try.
In chemistry, 'tri' can refer to a compound containing three atoms ...one compound, three atoms. Water is a compound, and it has three atoms ...two hydrogen and one oxygen.
In geometry, a triangle is a shape composed of three angles. Most of the time the angles are not equal. If they are all equal, all three angles are 60 degrees ...and it's called an equiangular triangle. If two angles are equal, it's called an isosceles triangle. If none of the angles are equal, it's called a scalene triangle.
If one angle in a triangle is 90 degrees, it is called a right triangle. But, that does not mean that all other triangles are wrong. Likewise, a triangle where the angles are not equal does not mean that if some angles are bigger or smaller that they are better than others.
If you take an adult man, a teenage girl, and an average 5th grader ...and they all practice singing together, it is a delight if they can sing in harmony. The three of them become known as a trio. They don't sing the same...because harmonizing is achieved by singing a different note ---higher, lower, or in between ---and a richer, more complex sound is achieved when combined. It involves blending multiple voices or parts that fit together within a chord, while complementing and matching the original melody's rhythm.
Of course, this trio has much more complex characteristics than a compound of water, or a triangle. And I do want to say that those others things do not have value. A right angle is very key in the construction of buildings ...and arguably way more critical than someone singing a bit off-key. And we humans do need chemical compounds ...and without water I believe it is well noted that we wouldn't last long.
Yet us humans, though more complex, do need the more simple things, and it is often beneficial to make our own lives a bit more simple. And by that, I don't mean we are to change our makeup. (Again, I must clarify ---I am not referring to cosmetic makeup ---but what makes up the cosmos we experience, our universe being a well-ordered, harmonious system.)
And I think I should also take time to define what I mean by 'cosmos' ---as it is often not merely referred to as our physical universe, but a system of thought ---'the new intellectual cosmos'.
2 ---Yes, what can be said of the intellectual??
First of all, let's define the differences between knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom. And I will try to make it simple.
Knowledge is not always 'knowing' ...though it does entail gathering information, and it serves us well to understand that gathering information is a big part of knowledge. How we gather and from where we gather ...well, that has much influence upon our own personal perceptions and conclusions.
Intelligence is the mental capacity to learn, which often leans heavily upon the ability to retain vast amounts of information. And again, that does not place a value judgment on whether that information is accurate or true.
Wisdom involves the discernment of whether, why, and when to apply the information ...and I am not wise enough to go any further with that definition, at least not on my own merit.
Putting intelligence and wisdom together, if each is housed in two different individuals, it often breeds disagreement. We intellectually measure many things, and we try to make the measurements suit that which we are measuring. There are things we cannot measure, yet we still make a determination as to the value we place upon those things ...like friendship and love.
We humans don't often value the same things ....and that also varies according to the events that become a part of our lives. And when we respond to those events, we often are also part of perceptions and decisions that are a part of others we come in contact with.
When circumstances change, it is difficult to resist changing also. And when our lives change.
Sadly, our values are often also affected. And others don't often know the reasons for the change they see in us. Because of this, they may not know how to react towards us. And we too often have insight into the struggles of others than seeing our own way through ...and we end up giving unwanted advice.
If we value things we don't have ---valuing them more than the things we do have ...well, others may conclude that we need more contentment, and they may feel compelled to tell us so. But, if I'm in a desert and I have sand but no water ...don't ask me to be content.
And if a very intelligent person and wise person are together in a desert ...they likely will both realize they need water, but, they may not necessarily agree that they need friendship.
How do people with different views get along together??
Well, they can get along by ignoring one another, but that wouldn't be friendship. Yet, it can be agreed upon that it is better to ignore one another than to quarrel.
I think that most of us have an inclination to want to share ... and if not desiring to share, at the minimal, to be accepted.
And perhaps being accepted just means to be left alone. And criticizing someone is not leaving them alone. But, in truth, I think that most people who feel they want to be left alone don't really want to be left alone ...they just feel being around others is not very desirable, because that has been their experience.
(I'm alone right now, but I want to be ...because I'm not a seasoned writer, and it is difficult to me to concentrate. Yet, I also know I'm not alone. God is here ...and though I never recall asking God how my writing is, I know He loves me. And if I'm trying, it's okay if I'm a bit 'trying'.
Experience is a very big part of learning ...and it includes information gathered inside of our brain. There is also a fact that we rank our experiences ...ignoring some, and choosing to dwell on others.
And most of our experiences include other people, each with their own ideas and their own experiences. So, the stronger we hold to our own ideas, and not listen to their ideas ...well, that can bring about an undesirable outcome.
The thing about knowledge and wisdom ...well, it seems to me that they exist because of sharing. They don't come about on their own.
It becomes very complex when we live in a tangible society ...desiring more than water. We accumulate belongings and place monetary values on our things. At times this becomes such a distraction that we lose our focus on what really matters ...the intangible things.
There are societies that don't seem to really care about things beyond food, shelter, and clothing ...yet, they have to have relationships, otherwise they wouldn't continue to exist.
The sad thing is that oftentimes the individuals within those relationships don't place equal value upon others. Yet, that is very common throughout most of the world. It doesn't matter whether they have conflict over food and shelter, or if they disagree over the origin of the universe ---there are always those we esteem and those we tend to look down upon.
If I lack the knowledge to argue about certain subjects, I can always find some petty thing to debate. It is no advantage to have the knowledge if it just inclines me to argue about something just because I feel I have the advantage and esteem myself to know more than others.
A comedian once said that the way to appear smart is to keep company with a bunch of dumb people. But, I'd rather be considered dumb, yet polite ---than to be smart, and smart about it.
Yet, there are also those who do not merely seek acceptance and encouragement ---but they seek advantage by not recognizing the value of others, other than for how they can use them. They want to be alone on 'top', but they don't want to be alone in a more direct sense ...as they need others to carry out their whims.
It has been said that 'misery loves company' ...but, I think 'love' is the wrong word in this case.
Do we really want to feel alone in our misery? Most of us truly do not want to be miserable, and we want others to care and provide comfort to us.
So, I certainly see 'using people' as bad ...though I also fail to see the good in trying to influence people over petty things. It's sad when we join people together to suit our needs and help accomplish our goals. The goal should not be valued more than the people needed to achieve it. Foremost, we need to value one another.
I think that point is rather clear, but what I'm trying to say, is it more than that?
Okay, I will cut to the chase (or maybe not, because when it comes to writing, I tend to go on & on) ...
Let's look at science ...the systematic study of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the testing of theories.
And let's look at faith ...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (the Epistle to the Hebrews, Chapter 11)
One of the problems arises when both faith and science address the subject of things that cannot be seen. The Scientific Method has helped us tremendously in so many fields of study, yet its method has increasingly come to claim that reliable knowledge is built only through peer reviewed studies. And you may not like this analogy, but when I was younger my peers would have mostly got me in trouble ...and I'm thankful I was not easily swayed by peers.
Yes, there are many good studies that are ignored because they don't fit well with other accepted studies. And in fairness, I must say that there were also other Books that were considered to be not fit to join the other writings that were accepted into the Bible.
And what I am foremost addressing here is the very difficult 'marriage of minds' in reference to mostly our 'beginnings' as put forth as peer reviewed science, and the 'in the beginning' addressed in the first couple of Chapters of the Book of Genesis.
There are people who say they are Christians, who believe in the Bible, yet they believe in the evolution of humankind ...and they feel it is supported by science.
I find it difficult to view the evolution of 'good & evil' ...and I don't think that aspect of it is compatible with what I read in the Bible. I don't think 'good & evil' can even be defined through an evolutionary model.
In the 2nd Chapter of the Book of Genesis, it mentions 'the knowledge of good & evil', and in the 3rd Chapter the thirst of knowledge becomes part of the great temptation ---the one choosing to tempt, if believed, certainly did not evolve according to the accepted laws of science.
I contend that there is a spirit world that does not follow the laws of science, but is outside of our orderly world. We can find comfort in the order of our world, but should we ignore that which does not fit that order?
I believe we live in a world suited to our physical needs, yet our minds enter a battlefield of ideas. And those awarded with 'peer review' status are picked as the winners, while the losers are those who disagree ---in one arena of thought ---yet, in the other arena are those who also want to view themselves as winners, and tend to look down on those who disagree with them.
There is a difference though as some groups don't view others as losers ---they want others to win too. Though they disagree with how that is accomplished.
Before I continue on, I want to more clearly state that I believe in God, I am a Christian (meaning, I believe in Jesus as stated in the Bible), and I believe in both the Old & New Testament of the Bible.
In describing God, I am referring to One who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere present.
The air in the room I am presently in is relatively the same ...there can be dangerous air if a certain gas is added or the concentration is changed (if the dog gases or blames me, there may be a temporary slight change in the air, but hopefully that can be remedied through an open window). We often don't think about it because it's natural to respire, but we may want to delay taking a deep breath.
To 'inspire means to 'breathe into' ...and we can invite the Holy Spirit within us. We also often say we have Jesus in our hearts. And I think it is focusing a bit too much on the semantics if we ask if there is also room for the Heavenly Father.
The word 'Trinity' has two parts, with 'tri-' meaning three ...and '-nity' meaning the state, quality, or condition of being. In other words, the unity of three Persons.
A musical trio doesn't all sing the same part, but what if each member of the trio could sing each of the other 2 parts ...yet, they wouldn't because it wouldn't be as wonderful. Each accepts the role they have.
Some people can walk on their hands, but if our legs function, then it may work more efficiently to walk with our legs. I believe God created us in a special way to benefit us, and if we feel lacking in one area, God can give us the ability or He may bless us in another area.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 ---
[For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.]
Now, you may say you had to all suffer together through my explanation ...but it is the Bible I'm quoting there, not myself, and I believe it's worth looking into.
We can be told how we should be as 'one' body of believers, yet who should guide us in achieving that? I think the Bible should be our guide ...and we should look to how the Bible tells us to be towards one another, and also towards God.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, there was a concern for our roles in life. God gave us purposes and guidelines on how we should function, yet we humans have blurred our understanding of all that, particularly concerning 'marriage'.
I've heard many people talk ....and it amazes me how often people leapfrog right over verses to only focus on what they feel favors their preferred perspective. And when the term 'submit' reaches their ears in Chapter 5, I am amazed (and not in a positive way) how they can leapfrog right over the verse that says, "Submit to one another ..."
The Bible tells us who God is, and it does not describe Him in physical terms ...but by what we would call 'inner character'.
There is no good analogy for the Trinity ...as the Trinity expresses who God is, a description that only fits God. And each Personage can be described as the fullness of God.
The group of us humans were created with the ability to be open to 'knowing' God ...'His image'.
And God is love.
True love is not denied ---and with God's righteousness, love is made available to everyone. And for that to happen, God has to be everywhere (omnipresent).
Yet, to understand who accepts God's love, 'knowing' (being omniscient) would have to be present to know all who accept Him ...as all do not.
We have freedom of choice. And though we can accept God's love, there are those who not only refuse to accept that love, they vehemently and violently oppose God. It could be through ignorance, or it could be that they are being used as pawns ---and they may not know it. But there are those who are fully aware that what they are doing is wrong. And they don't even care if they cannot get away with it. They feel it's a 'win' situation if they get to the heart of the matter ---getting to each of our hearts, to oppose Him ---whittle down our beliefs and our hopes.
We may not understand, but we can still stand ---because God allows us the power to acknowledge our standing with Him if we only accept Him. Having that guidance and influence in our lives, doesn't mean we will not have struggles, but we cannot be forced to abandon the hope and reality of His love. God is all-powerful (omnipotent).
We may all have our slightly different definitions of 'love' and 'righteousness', yet with an everywhere present God who is also all-knowing and all-powerful ---we can be guided through our life with a daily increased understanding of His love ---and be free to accept His righteousness through Jesus.
A 'deist' mostly takes the stance that God provided the means for existence,then stepped back and let the universe evolve ...being uninvolved in its evolution. And 'theistic evolution is a different term, but seems to say basically the same thing (at least in my understanding of it). But, there is seldom any one sole belief, and sadly so many variations seem to be birthed through a 'marriage of ideas' that should not be united. The Apostle Paul said, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers." And being yoked like that is always unequal. We need to find equal strength through Him. And we need to have strength because we don't. Even those of us who believe in the same Bible ...yes, there are still differences.
Why do the major differences emerge, when we have the same Bible??
Well, it does seem that science leaves its scientific methods too often and makes assumptions that cannot be tested. And often those who find excitement in any new idea, is a bit prone to believe less in what the Bible actually says, and may re-evaluate what they now think it says (or whether it is to be viewed as a parable, and be valued more for its message than its facts).
And where does this mostly come into play?
Christians and scientists both seem to like to explore the unknown ...and it is somewhat natural for us humans to want to find answers, or to provide them when they can't be found.
It helps our esteem to think we have the answers. But, I think it often does not help the 'truth' of the matter.
I often wonder how a person who believes in God, so often sidelines the spirit world in their search for truth.
Yet recently, I've heard many conversations that have been focusing on the spirit world, and those conversations also seem a bit unsettling.
I contend that I don't think we were meant to focus on the things which were not made clear by God. If it was so important or valuable for us to know, then God would have told us. And I think it is a bit wrong to focus on those things ...especially since we aren't doing such a good job with the things that God has repetitively told us.
But, it is so intriguing.
And therefore, we have so many groups claiming they have the answers to things God has not told us ...and the blanks are filled in by esteemed apologists, or select peer reviewed scientific studies.
You may ask, then why am I contemplating also doing it?
Well, I'm not focusing on it ...just like when I watch a movie, it is an experience, but it is not mine and I don't live on in that world depicted on the screen. It's my job to screen the events of my own life and decide how they are going to affect me.
But, a point I am trying to make is: if I provide an explanation that should somewhat satisfy both the apologist and the scientist, in reference to what happened at the beginning of time (which we don't know) ---I contend that neither the apologist nor the scientist will be satisfied.
And let me say, neither am I satisfied with what I'm going to write ...as I don't contend what I'm going to say is true.
Where is the benefit? I believe compromise is good for where you and your family choose to go on vacation ...but, I don't think compromise is good when deciding on things of eternal value, deciding by popular or majority opinion whether we believe select things are true.
I hope my explanation for what I'm going to say doesn't prove to be longer than what I say. So, on to chapter 3 ...a bit of a story.
3 ---Never had a chance to say goodbye
The sun is setting just beneath the trees marking the horizon. The nearness of the trees will provide a few moments more before the darkness overtakes all of the landscape.
Such a peaceful setting, home to the mostly forgotten Faithorn, as I knew it.
I take that back ...there are some who still remember, and a few from my high school class even still live here. I should say that most of us that moved away from Faithorn are the ones who perhaps have forgotten the most.
It was the year of my 50th high school class reunion. I didn't go because Dad's health had been a concern ...and I had made more trips than usual. And I didn't feel like taking the trip outside of the other trips, anticipating perhaps the trip I really didn't want to make. All six of us had to face the fact that Dad was 98 years old.
Actually, I had not gone to any of the reunions, except the first one. And it seemed a bit out of the ordinary ...as the first reunion was a 1-year reunion.
I didn't think anyone had really changed in just one year's time ...and I guess I didn't either.
Now, all these years later ...I realize that perhaps I am the one who needed to change. In high school I mostly kept to myself, or just shielded myself by spending those free hours at school with classmates talking about things that made me laugh. I didn't contribute much ...I just laughed. And I was very appreciative of their laughter. It was a good release, and I considered them friends I could still have today ...but, of course, I never attended any reunions and lost touch with most everyone.
I feel like I'm in a different world, standing so still as I face the granite stones, carved so precisely.
A tear is joined by others. Once the thought begins, I can't stem the tears.
I try to speak, but I cannot ...why even try!!
But somehow I feel I must.
Why does verbalizing it matter? I don't know. Why try to do what is so hard to do?
Mom came here first ...before Dad, I mean. That was 4 years ago. Mom's last days on earth were somewhat just like all her other days. Except this time she knew it was her time. Yet aside from that and her battle with cancer, she still was being herself ...and thinking of others, now asking if Dad had taken his pills.
As the last one arrived, she raised up her arms in celebration as her devoted husband and all her six children gathered around her bed. She lovingly made eye contact with each of us, showing her appreciation that we were all there.
After a few moments, Mom said, "I'm going to rest a bit now ...you all just enjoy each other!"
**********************************
A couple years later, it seemed like Dad's turn.
In the spring of the year, I was visiting him in the hospital.
He was home much of the year, living by himself ...but my older brother lived about 20 minutes away, and did most everything that needed to be done, fulfilling Dad's desire to be in his own home.
But, there were also times when Dad had to go to the hospital ...and the frequency of those times was increasing.
I visited Dad at home, but then I think it was another UTI ...I'm not sure, as it was difficult for all of us, and I can't remember. I didn't chronicle the events.
Anyway, I do recall that he had to go to the hospital and my older brother worked across the street from the hospital, so he quickly got there too.
A number of days later, I was with Dad when he ate his evening meal. He was told he may be going home the following day, but he was also told not to get dressed because he'd have to be checked before he left.
The next day, I arrived at the hospital after he had eaten breakfast ...and he was all dressed, including having his high-top work shoes (or functionally his outdoor shoes) all laced up.
It took a while for the doctor to do his rounds, and he may even have been covering more than one local hospital ...but, it was late afternoon when the papers came for Dad to be discharged.
But by this time, Dad had become weary of waiting to go home, and he decided to rest ...quickly falling asleep.
When Dad woke up, I told him the good news that he was able to go home.
Dad said, "This is my home!"
I knew he wanted to go home, and he was just a bit confused, but I didn't know how long it would take for him to become un-confused.
I decided to help him into a wheelchair to take him to the bathroom ...and he was compliant with that.
Then when I got him back into the wheelchair, instead of taking him back to the bed, I wheeled him in the opposite direction ...to the car.
I did not understand what was going on with Dad, I just knew what he was saying was not at all what he would later say he wanted, so I was taking him home.
But, it was not without protest.
Dad very sincerely stated, "I don't understand you, why are you doing this? Are you going to take me to the Faithorn cemetery and just drop me off there?"
The next day Dad seemed to be fine again, and happy to be home.
*****************************
Summer soon came along, and my youngest daughter had a vehicular collision with a person attempting to pass a car on the downside of a hill while my daughter was driving up the other side. When my daughter saw the the person pull out, she turned sharply to avoid a head-on collision. She got hit on the side of the left front bumper. Upon impact, both the front airbag and the side airbag deployed. And because her arm was extended and gripping the wheel as she turned to avoid being hit head-on, the force of the airbags striking her arm from two different directions sliced her collarbone like a piece of celery.
I got a call over the phone, "Don't worry, Dad! I'm fine ...I'm in an ambulance and they are taking me to the hospital, but I'm fine!"
She moved in with me until the surgery could be scheduled, and it would be a while before she could drive. Eventually the surgery was scheduled and the surgeon placed a plate with seven screws along my daughter's clavicle.
Our dog also had surgery around that same time ...so we would sit outside with Arrow, and enjoy the summer sun. (I had built a ramp out the back door, as Arrow was an indoor dog ...sort of out of necessity, as he would bark at everything. And that kind of gets on the nerves of neighbors ...some more than others.)
But, while Arrow was recovering, he seemed to behave a bit more peaceful, barking less. He and my daughter were sitting together and I could tell it was a healing moment. I was sitting with them and it was healing for me too.
I feel I had a good relationship with both, so there wasn't that aspect of healing that had to take place. And though it was much physical healing for her and our dog, the healing I felt within me was of the type that can only take place when one slows down. It's the healing of our inner self, putting proper priorities in place and focusing on what is important. Prayer also goes along with that. Yet, it's a bit different from when we pray, then get busy again.
And it's also different from when we pray and we are alone. I know all of us are not the same, yet if I'm alone and focus too much on my alone-ness, then that's not good. After all, I know God is there.
That peaceful time together sort of occupied our summer and into the autumn.
After that healing time, everyone was getting lonesome for my Dad ---that feeling was multiplied by the fact that my Dad was assuredly lonesome for all of us too ---and we were sure time for him was taking on a new dimension.
We all wanted to see Dad again. We had seen him in the spring, but we all wanted to travel up North again. Work schedules made that reality a challenge, but we planned on Thanksgiving.
When Thanksgiving came, Dad had returned for a hospital visit and contracted Covid ...so we knew we would not be able to see him at that time.
We rescheduled for Christmas, but Dad only made it to the middle of December.
*******************************
At his funeral, I felt ...well, you know how I felt. Maybe you don't know precisely how I felt, but I don't know precisely how you felt either ...as most all of you have had to navigate your emotions during similar times.
For me, I don't do well saying anything ...because when I try, it just comes out as stupid stuff. I didn't say anything about Dad, or about my siblings (who were also hurting) ...but, feeling I had to say something when all those people arrived to extend their condolences, well, I said things about nothing ---nothing of 'Philippians 4:8' value anyway. I just said stupid stuff.
Now, I realize that I was better off when I was young. People were used to me saying nothing at all ...and I think I was better off that way.
I was touched by all the people of Faithorn who cooked and provided a meal at the Town Hall. How did I show my appreciation? I said stupid stuff. Of all the times ...I said stupid stuff. If I felt I had trouble talking in social settings ...this certainly was not an easy social event. My difficulty in social settings was bad enough, but when magnified by a moment of grief ...to say the least, it made it even worse.
Now, I know a bit more how my cousin feels when he says he doesn't do well with funerals. Of course, who actually does? I just know I shouldn't have said anything. A nod of recognition would have been sufficient.
************************
Is that why I feel I must say something now?
I don't want to fail again. Yet, who can hear me?
Dad isn't here anymore, really.
I picture Dad and Mom holding hands ---not from grave to grave, but walking in the sun ---somewhere even more beautiful than here.
I guess that's why we all bring flowers, and keep the area well-trimmed ...it's like imagining a beautiful place they are at. It helps us feel good about it ...and perhaps good about ourselves.
And maybe we can even say, "I'm sorry I never had a chance to say 'goodbye', Dad."
4 ---Who heard my voice?
Trinity heard my voice.
Trinity is everywhere, and knows everything.
Trinity knows that I don't mean to say what I often say, and that I don't mean to say it the way that it comes out.
I wish everyone who I come across would understand this ...or at least attempt to.
Why don't we give each other the benefit of the doubt?
****************************************
Trinity knows how I feel.
Trinity also knows that I care about how others care.
Trinity knows that I don't believe in the grandiose scheme of 'evolution' ...and that I wrote a book, 'The Evolution of Confusion' part 1 'The Essence', to attempt to shed some understanding about 'Trinity'.
Trinity knows the good and the bad about me, but also knows that I don't look at my own self as a measuring stick of how I feel about myself. I look to Jesus ...particularly the time Trinity agreed that Jesus would be born as a human, to join us, so we could better understand how we should join Trinity.
I'm thinking about the fact that Trinity knows everything. Often we think it's cool how we can get to know another person where we get to the point of finishing each other's sentences. And we laugh about that.
And I'm wondering whether the Three of Them even had to talk among Themselves ...because of that omniscient character that Trinity has.
But, I think ...the conversation is really for our benefit, and the Word is certainly necessary because we are not all-knowing. And without Trinity we virtually can know nothing ...and without the Word, we can know little or nothing about Him.
Yet, we think we are so smart sometimes. And we even ignore Trinity because we feel we are doing so good with the answers to so many things.
But, when we think we can do well without Trinity, we are not taking a new path. It is not an unfamiliar path. Many have taken the path before us.
That path has been traveled before, and we would be advised not to continue on that path.
Many of us take a wrong path, but there are often side trails. And we can always seek to get back to where we feel we want to go. And even if we want to go on a path we know is wrong, we can always turn around ---we can acknowledge the wrong and look to what is right.
Yes, we can do that, but there are paths that are well-marked that clearly lead away from Trinity. And those paths were blazed by the one who I refer to as 'The Opposition Leader', or if you just take the initials ---TOL.
TOL is not omnipresent, not omniscient, and not omnipotent ...so, why should I be concerned?
Well, I profess that I care ---and I also know that the teachings of TOL come in many forms, and integrate in our lives in many ways. Though I wish that were not true ---it is. And we help promote those ways, so when we do the work, TOL doesn't need to be everywhere.
*****************************
TOL despises relationships. A relationship may have many definitions, but when it requires sharing ...that is undesirable as far as TOL is concerned.
The only sharing that is worthwhile is information shared for the purpose of using that information to elicit a desired result ...a result that benefits TOL.
Trinity explains things for our benefit ---while TOL explains things usually in the form of accusations, which leads us to choose those paths that don't benefit us, but we think they do. But, I should understand a bit more true benefit. If we value the same benefits as TOL ---only thinking of what benefits us ---that is not a lasting benefit. It only compels us to strive for more, not caring how anyone else is affected.
5 ---Who wants my voice??
TOL decides he wants to write down the part of what happened before the humans happened.
The Word is written to show the humans the way ...but, it does not tell of what happened before those glorious six days, not glorious to TOL, he is just being facetious.
TOL will write his own story ...of how things were before restrictions were placed upon him. He knows Trinity didn't want to tell the story because Trinity wants the humans to focus on Him. Trinity shared very little about TOL.
But, TOL knows there are those who are a bit like he is. Exploring dark personality traits somehow is intriguing to humans, as they also have a tendency to be captivated by the bold confidence ...they themselves being inclined to rebellious desires of their own. And this relatability pleases TOL.
TOL knows that with the restrictions placed upon him, he needs the humans to voice the things that are important to him.
This worked out well during the time of that privileged Noah, and it can work again.
TOL felt he was well on his way to get people to submit to their esteemed leaders who pretended to follow Trinity's way, while at the same time could shout, "Crucify Him!!"
With Trinity loving those despicable humans so much that He decided to come as one of them ...that certainly seemed like a mistake, but TOL knew he should have known better than to think Trinity would make a mistake. TOL should have suspected something and been on his guard.
Yet, TOL was so excited about the treachery that he was planning ...he sort of lost his focus.
Trinity coming as one of the humans really messed up TOL's plan. And for a while the followers were really accomplishing much for Trinity. But, TOL worked hard to gain the upper hand again ...in his pleasantly violent way.
With many of Trinity's followers out of the way, and others afraid they would have the same outcome, it didn't take long for TOL to re-establish himself.
It was working so much better before when people didn't know how to read, and they had to listen to the leaders. Then Trinity had to inspire that guy to invent the printing press.
For a time, many of Trinity's believers got excited, and gathered together for what they called 'revivals'. They were being educated again, in the Word.
But now, TOL sees another choice opportunity. With such a focus on learning how to read, and with children going to school to get an education, perhaps now would be a time for TOL to present his story.
TOL decides to write his own version of how things were ...the part Trinity didn't share with the humans, before the part Trinity did share with the humans.
Yet, maybe there's a better way.
If TOL just writes his version, then there will be two versions ...and the humans may like Trinity's version better.
TOL thinks about that. He will still write his version, but he will save it for later. It seems a better path would be to get the humans to believe that the Word is unreliable. He will whittle away at what he feels are the weak points of the Word.
TOL knows full well there are no weak points of the Word, but the Word is so long ...and few people will even be able to get through it. They will depend on others to highlight points, and they will then begin to trust fallible humans. It may seem like the easy way out for the humans, but it is an easy way in for TOL.
The intellectuals do not disappoint. They proudly promote their ideas, and since they are exploring on their own, they present so many differences. Without a doubt, this is getting interesting. The intellectuals that follow the Trinity cannot get their ideas accepted into the curriculum of the schools. The school system says they cannot choose the side of one faith beliefs system, favoring it over all others.
Then the school systems initiate a huge push for science ...claiming we don't want to fall behind other nations with their advances. But the sciences do not just push on with technological advances ...they focus on origins.
TOL laughs ...and though they soon correct the statement, initially it is said that humans evolved from apes.
Humans are so saturated with this countless barrage of profound ideas, they soon tire of it all ...and they can rarely be found themselves. The majority of them hold their knowledge in their hand ...and are locked into social media.
The followers of Trinity want to build their own defense as followers of Trinity ...yet, they realize that adding to the conversation involving their own explanations would just mean there were things that needed to be corrected ...so, that also leaves it open to future correction. And what conclusion could be made other than saying it was a mistake in the first place.
Most believers in the Word would be strongly against adding to the Word ---the things that Trinity thought best not to include would just act as a distraction. Yet, those things are wide open for TOL. He can fabricate, forge, and falsify.
TOL knows he will not have any success with strong believers, but they are few and far between.
TOL already knows where he will want to begin. He will being with the first couple Chapters of the Word.
When the Word says, "the earth was without form and void" ...at that time TOL felt it was going to be void of him, but he was allowed back on the scene.
TOL didn't understand the purpose behind all that 'creation' stuff ...and it happened so quickly, in what was seemingly human days, what they'd call 'solar days'. That star that was positioned perfectly to suit all the humans needs ...was simply called 'the sun'.
But, if TOL didn't understand it, neither would the humans. And though the Word states it directly, when the humans don't understand something fully, they have no problem with just making things up.
6 ---What's next??
Moving on from 'Creation', TOL hates those two favored characters.
Sure, Trinity had those he liked when he walked the earth as one of them ...and TOL was pleased with his own influence towards snuffing out their influence. TOL considers this, and smugly says to himself, "I wonder who won that round?"
But, those other two ...they got invited to the mountain. TOL recalls another time, before all the humans, when he wasn't invited to a certain mountain ...so he had to sneak up there to walk among the splendid fiery stones. But Moses and Elijah ...they get invited, along with Peter, James, and John. But those three followers just got to watch as Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Trinity.
This still bothers TOL ...especially the Moses guy, but the universities of 'higher learning' will take of that. TOL knows he's already helped them to make it so they don't talk about the Word, but he can get even borderline believers to put Moses in a more worthy place ...not believing anything Moses wrote about.
TOL hates the Word, so he certainly doesn't spend any time studying it ---so he relies on the humans to do that for him. Yet, those who please TOL don't like to spend much time studying it either ...they just rely on all those who are a bit clever and witty.
And there are a few of these confident fellows. One in particular is a very intelligent, respected atheist. Agnostics will do just fine too ...but this one is a well-known atheist, and he says, "All the Egyptian records say nothing about Moses." And he adds, "The Egyptians were perhaps the best record keepers."
TOL is so happy for that comment.
But then one smarty believer says, "Proud nations often keep great records, but likely not of their defeats."
TOL sees much benefit in the fact that though the common people (which are the majority of persons) are not much interested in 'intellectuals' and their cerebral capacity ...they do often listen to those reckless narratives. At least the summation of all that intellectual stuff is of some interest to the common person ...allowing them to bypass all that intellectual stuff, while still being acknowledged as knowing something. That being so, the common person tends to repeat sound bites and pays attention to clever memes and such. And that way TOL finds value in social media to spread the news ...his preferred kind of news.
So, this one social media contributor says, "I'm actually believing that Moses didn't even exist. The name was probably just assigned to an individual of folklore or myth who people could admire and look up to ...to inspire them. But, if Moses did live at all, he was just making himself to appear 'bigger than life' ...as Trinity's 'right hand man'. Either way, there is no way I believe that stuff."
The smarty person asks, "Do you believe in Jesus?"
"Yes, I believe in Jesus."
TOL is hoping the person thinks Jesus is 'larger than life' too. Many people believe in Jesus, but not the absolute Word ...from 'the beginning'.
The smarty person quotes Jesus as saying, "If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"
"That is the Gospel of John."
"Yes, John 5:46-47 ..."
"The Gospel of John is corrupted."
"What do you mean?"
"Only the Synoptic Gospels are reliable."
"And what are they?"
"Matthew, Mark, and Luke ..."
"Well, what about Matthew Chapter 17, and Chapter 9 of both Mark and Luke? They describe the transfiguration, of Jesus going to a mountain and talking with Moses and Elijah."
TOL should convince someone to block those smarty people from social media ...someone can make it happen. It is difficult to to get people to abandon the idea of Jesus altogether, but
It has already happened that the morality of the people has fallen drastically. Most of the believers of the Word don't feel we are supposed to at all hold to what Moses had wrote. Even those who believe in Moses ...they understand it to be that we are not to still follow the Law given at that time, as it is outdated. And the Apostle Paul is not even considered a true Apostle by many ...so, it seems everything Paul said is not considered of value to many. Therefore much of the morality and guidelines on how to live are not emphasized.
This also please TOL, and he looks to how things are going with the nation that seemingly has the most influence in the world ...the proud United States of America. They have been a real pain to TOL. They claim to be established as a nation following the Word.
And for a long time those United States have been on their high horse. Let's look at the 'Gallop Polls'. (Remember, it's my language, my humor, and my spelling.)
Gallup Polls:
1940s through 1960s: 96%-98% believe
2011: 92% believe
2013 through 2017: 87%
2022: 81%
(But, if you challenge their beliefs, asking if they believe with a measure of certainty, the results are even less.)
2007: 71%
2023 through 2024: 54%
(And those who proclaim to have no faith beliefs are as follows:)
1991: 6%
recently: 29%
Without a doubt TOL is pleased with those who do have their doubts.
The only way for this to work is for both the intellects and the common people to reject all of the Word.
TOL is confident that the educational system will gradually whittle down the number of people who believe in the Word.
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What percentage of our beliefs
do we feel are true?
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We get involved in so many things trying to make our life seem relevant. We adhere to things that others have adhered to because we see no benefit from not doing so. Why challenge that which is accepted? We don't want anyone to breach our comfort zone, suggesting something is wrong. We have carefully structured our life and our ideas to make life not a burden. We may have good days and bad days, but generally we don't expect major obstacles that we can't navigate around. But others are navigating also. And we often don't realize how vulnerable that all is. We have all built our own 'house of cards', and if that one card is removed, we know what will happen. We have built our ideas close to where others have. We see that others have that same card ...and we don't want to visualize everything collapsing in and around us.
So we loudly defend what has been built, hoping the vibrations from our own voice doesn't cause the collapse.
We don't want to think this entire time we've been barking up the wrong tree. And we certainly don't want any dog to think 'the leg that we stand on' is a tree.
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&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& (Back cover)
Pastor Myron did not give a name, and rightfully so ...as no one coming in for therapy should fear their name is going to come up in conversation outside of their private session.
The parables that Jesus told did not include any names. And Myron's story respectfully followed that example.
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Woman seeking counseling: "I feel unwanted in my marriage.
Myron: "Please explain what you mean."
Woman: "Well, when my husband gets home from work each day, he rarely gives me a second look ...he goes straight to the dog's leash and takes the dog for a walk. I feel so unwanted, and I don't know what to do about it."
Myron: "Well, the next time he gets home from work just run circles around him and jump up and down ...and I think he will take you for a walk."
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(I was not the person who went to Myron for counseling, though that's not boasting that I don't need therapy. Writing books is presently my therapy, in hopes that this will also help you. I also want to add that I don't want be in the doghouse over this one, so I want to clarify that this was not any of my family members either.)
When I first heard this story, I laughed, then I made up a dance, and named it after our dog 'Summer'.
I think the dog was the only one that got excited.
And no, I'm not going to show anyone the 'Summer dance', and I think my family will be grateful for that.
*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&(at end of the book)
Epilogue:
This book ties in with other books I've written, with more in common than the merely fact that I wrote them.
The books that I'm referring to are foremost 'The Evolution of Confusion' series ---primarily 'The Essence'. And also 'Questions of the Heart', and the beginning part of 'Chain-Link Fences'.
But, enough of that ...
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-*-*-*-*---I think a good way to look at the Trinity is to say "God is love" .../which /the /Bible/ says. So, ask yourself this, "If you send someone love, or give someone your love ...would you have less love if you sent some to another person, or would you have none if you gave your full love to another??" Of course, the answer is "No, certainly not!" ...and most people would agree that you'd have more. When we look at another person, the face may be our focal point ...and when people write letters of love, they frequently mention the eyes, lips, and hair ---'the eyes deep as an ocean, yet sparkling to the sight; the softness of lips and like sweet nectar; the hair soft as corn silk and with the sweet fragrance of flowers. Hands are also mentioned for their warm and gentle loving touch. Some people say they love the mind, yet few would likely even be attracted to a much kinder version of Krang, from the cartoon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The word 'krang' usually refers to the empty carcass of a whale after the blubber has been removed ...and in a way, our brains look like blubber. And the term 'blubber brain' is not meant to be complimentary. There is also a rather insulting joke about the members of the body arguing who is to be in charge ...and how the one who wins the argument is relevant to why certain people always seem to be the head of organizations. But, to look again at the verse in First Corinthians, Chapter 12, explains the value of all (a brain can not learn unless it is brought to the place where it can learn ...and that seems to be the goal for most of us, to get to the place where we can learn)-*-*-*-*---Again, I want to emphasize that being created in the 'image of God', I do not believe is through being 'humanesque', but in the knowing of God. And no fossil records can determine that. -*-*-*-*-*---and TOL is much satisfied with his success. The humans have fallen for every single one of his deceptions. He wonders if Trinity will let him have one last moment to gloat over his superb victory. It is at this time he'd like to present his version of what happened, and laugh because they got it so wrong. Yet, TOL really wants the company ...and as if it's not bad enough that he has to suffer, it makes it all worth it that others have to suffer along with him.
Yes, there is nothing TOL enjoys more than to watch these humans suffer. It wasn't always that way ...at first he didn't feel anything at all about any creature. He just used them as sport, and he found great entertainment in his conquests, not thinking at all about them as living beings. He was superior to them, and nothing else mattered ...it make him feel even more superior. This 'equality' thing is not for him.
The thing that is even more grand now ...is the fact that Trinity cares so much for these humans. Trinity didn't just create them to forage for food like more simple creatures. And even Trinity's seemingly more advanced ones, whether climbing a tree or consuming the grass of the field ---they are still just ruminating, whether chewing a cud, or ruminating in the mind in their simple way.
TOL feels no remorse from bringing an end to that kind of endless repetitive life. And it actually makes him feel so much better each time he sees how Trinity doesn't want them to suffer. ****(already stated)But now that he is restricted, TOL resorts to having the humans do the dirty work for him. ******TOL sees how much Trinity loves the humans ...and that just adds to his pleasure when he sees them suffer at the hands of each other.
TOL used to take personal pleasure in seeing each one suffer, but now he just wants them to annihilate each other in mass numbers.
And it amuses TOL that some of the people think they are pleasing Trinity by doing this ...and if they continue to do it, they think Trinity will come to earth with praise for their committed efforts towards the destruction of humankind.
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Micah 5:2 (NIV): "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
- 2 Samuel 7:12–16: God promises David that an offspring will establish an everlasting throne and kingdom.
- Isaiah 11:1–10: Predicts a "shoot from the stump of Jesse" (David’s father) who will reign over the nations.
- Jeremiah 23:5–6: States that the LORD will raise up a "righteous Branch" from David's line, a King who will reign wisely.
- Jeremiah 33:15–17: Reaffirms that a descendant of David will reign on the throne forever.
- Psalm 89:3–4, 35–37: Confirms God's covenant that David’s line will endure forever.
- Isaiah 9:6–7: Proclaims a child will be born to reign on David’s throne forever.
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