Fine And Dandy Or Thanatos And Tartarus

I don't begrudge anyone comfort when having lost a loved one. Absolutely not. And I do of course believe we will again see our loved ones who have left us. And I most ardently believe in "happy ever after" for all God's children.

But if we take a 'life goes on' into an after life, for granted, how will we learn to fully abhor death? And, therefore too, every thing that leads to it, all imperfection, no matter how small?

More and more I find myself thinking our heavenly Father is designing by this life of learning good from evil (life from death!) ..not only that we would have affection and compassion for our fellow person... our brothers and sisters, but that we would truly, truly abhor death. And all its causes - within our selves, most of all - which is all and any tiny straying from God, knowing full well that He is Life itself and Perfection. Therefore imperfection, is the opposite of life. And its a course - imperfection - which is irreversible, because imperfect, by itself, cannot make itself perfect.

It is darkness, even deepest darkness "tartarus", and is the bottomless pit (of potential)! Without God's salvation (Great Plan Of) we would all perish. But this journey through imperfection (surely?) is an unavoidable journey and lesson. Do you know why? (Or that is, what makes me think so? After all, it is only theory!)

What was God's other choice? No rational creatures? ..ever..?

monastic mourning.. (happens to us all..)

Streams Of Living Water

I was thinking today, about how glorious the all made new will be. How a part of the glory will be the earth made new, "wherein righteousness is to dwell". The physical universe. I was thinking about this as I was looking at a glorious tree this evening, with a glorious sunset behind it.

When I happen across the idea, I find myself rejecting it (strongly), the idea that we will be some sort of floating consciousness. If that's what God wanted, that's what He would have made. (Imho.)

Those heavenly creatures around His Throne, crying "Glory! glory! glory! To He who is, and who was and is to come".. Real creatures. I would be sad to think they are mere metaphor for some abstract mystery. Not that I don't believe in abstract mysteries! And maybe like all things they are metaphor.. (also). But I think people need a gospel and a promise they can get their teeth into.

I think the living water is first and foremost within. Refreshing and keeping "alive", renewed and inspired the soul/being/individual. But I also think it will be a literal river of crystal clear sparkling water(s) upon the planet made new. In the vicinity of which the lion will eat straw like the ox and the bear will graze with the cow. I also think His leading His own to springs of living water includes during critical apocalyptic days when he will lead His own to fresh water. (Artesian.)

As We Undergo Training

The proverb says "train up a child". And we are all God's children. As a parent myself, the goal in the training of my own children was for them to be able to stand on their feet and make good choices and decisions in their life. There was a place for punishment - no t.v., no games, or whatnot, but the end goal was to produce a person who could rationalize concerning good, and not so good choices.

The ability to know where things lead. What will be the results and consequences from this choice, this action, or that action? As a parent, it was not ever my intention to produce a child who would forever be dependant upon me to make the right choices for them. To forever have to punish and reward was not the end I ever had in sight. I wanted to raise up children who would know and understand for themselves, right from wrong (good from evil).

As a child of God, I believe experience is the best teacher, for all of us. The looking back upon the burnt out ashes of life lived apart from God is a forever lesson. The smoke of our crashing and burning will rise up for ever and ever..