Index 
Morality
Gnostics won: They retained the idea that only special knowledge of the few leads to salvation. ISTMRN we are somewhat gnostic assuming we “scientists” know, but few others know. Some gnostics like me say wisdom and knowledge is the way, others revelation, still others revelation including obligation for evangelism; gnostics all. The Mormons were here today after they proposed coming to my house when I met them at Starbuck in Woodstock. I invited them in with the warning, “Let us talk of gods and men” poem I wrote based on 2 day-ago journal entry. Before I was done even explain the home rules, they ran away like scared rabbits, no doubt with my soul in their prayers. They didn’t even stay long enough to even give the idea of their names, though perhaps they said the words. All I asked was, “Show me the wonderful words in your book, so I may add to my collection of the “sages of the ages, and all they wanted to me was the story of Jesus, especially in the “new world”. I said, “I know that story, show me the words in your book that tell me how to behave in my heart with my fellow man.” They continued the story of Jesus getting quite uniformed but not wrong. I pointed out information Bishop of Lungdunum Irenaeus could help make their case for authority of their book, which was where they were leading me. So I quoted their book, to paraphrase, “Jesus Rules”. Again I asked, “Show me the words in your book", so I can think Jesus might have said the same or similar things. They continued with the story of Jesus, ignoring my questions. When I persisted once again (my sin of not letting it go), they got up to leave. I then repeated the last phrase of my written welcome and told them to leave because they were wasting my time. As they were leaving, one turned back to me and said (despite the other one nudging the other to say, “Let it be”), “I really respect you and will pray for your soul.” To which I replied, "I doubt the former and thank you for the latter.” He continued, “What can we do to show you the word?” I said, “Show me the word”. So he pulled out his book and did. It had to do with repentance and admonished the reader to “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (don’t recall the verse). Checking the index, ”repentance” is a pretty big in their book, and they all (I checked 3) say the same thing. “Repent for the kingdom is a hand”. I replied, “As true as can be, as Jesus said, you could die today or tomorrow on the slippery road due to beautiful snow storm last night, the kingdom is at hand. You have a choice right now, this instant, to go Jesus way. The golden platter is waiting to carry you to heaven, all you have to do is climb on." To which he too turned and fled, repeating he respected me. I think they think that to repent means to beat yourself up for your past sins, I think is just means “move on, forget the past.” I also think they and others interprest the “kingdom is a hand” to mean in the future sometime close, not yet. I think the Kingdom is now, this instant. But the "kingdom is at hand at which point the righteous, the community of believers, Christian church members will rise to heaven.” I offer heaven now in this life, they offer me suffering in life as atonement for past or original sin to build my karma for a better “afterlife”. How strange. Senses The flowers burst forth in Spring, yet is but a pretty prelude to the seed which grows from the flower is the warm Summer rains and hardens it shell in Autumn for the harsh Winter that follows. Some seeds they say, as still alive after hundreds of years. I prefer arrangement of seeds rather than flowers in my apartment, they last longer and are easier to maintain, and often are more delicate. However, I do stop now and then to smell the roses in the Spring and Summer. |