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"He who does not love, has not become acquainted with God, does not and ever did know him, for God Is Love!" AMP- John 4:8

"My beloved friends let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God because God is Love -- so you can't know him if you don't love." MSG - 1 John 4: 7-10

PREFACE

I was in the early stages of publishing this book, when my attention was drawn to a rather significant and enlightening newspaper article. It was in a local community Christian oriented publication, with a story focused on a then American Idol finalist and “believer." The article essentially discussed his personal confrontation with, and the dilemma presented by, traditionalist attitudes and viewpoints concerning musicians who perform secular music, as professed Christians. It reminded me of one of the reasons I was compelled to write this book, and, that there are countless others who confront similar spiritual vs. secular conflicts. Such persons are not just limited to musicians, entertainers and others within the performing arts. My personal experiences have led me to the undeniable conclusion, that such conflicts and confrontations present themselves as a result of our inner knowing, and dialog communicated from God to us through the Holy Spirit.

The original title for this book was to be RELUCTANT RADICAL, as I would be addressing things, that could well be considered radical, just as many of the teachings of Jesus were... radical, controversial, contrary to traditional beliefs and understandings. Admittedly, I experienced a bit of reluctance, because I knew the level of transparency that would be required. However once I began writing, I felt a reassuring and encouraging flow. I clearly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit guiding and assisting me, creating an even deeper awareness of how He has been working with me all my Life, preparing me for this very moment. It became quite clear to me that I simply must write this, and that its' real focus is not on my reluctance, nor is it on the content herein, being radical, because. I am neither. I am however a vehicle, a fellow spirit, sharing my experience, observations and resultant awareness, with all who are interested and, curious enough to read this, and perhaps recognize your own “inner knowing," - knowing, not conjecture, wild speculation, or delusional imagining.

This book is about the reality and experience we share as spiritual beings, living within physical (human) bodies in a physical world, universe and planet. This isn't science fiction, or tales from Hollywood script writers. It's about US...the US that is GOD, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and yes, you and Me! US! WE! This is not heresy, blasphemy nor taking from or adding anything to the “Word of God" It's exactly what Jesus lived and died teaching us, although He's really not dead, and He isn't a Zombie either. This book is about and speaks to Spirit...our oneness, our relationships, and lives within that contextual reality. It's really simple to understand and recognize, not complex and complicated. It's about reason as well as reasoning's, experience and experiencing, life and living, and above all Love and Loving. Humanity, as a whole does not understand this, even claiming such thoughts to be non-spiritual, while in reality, it is entirely spiritual.

I limit the use of scriptural quotes and referencing, to give credence to my realities. The situations and experiences I discuss herein are relevant only to the specific circumstances of my life, before, during and even after, their occurrences...as were David's, The Apostle Paul's, Job's or “Pick-u'r-Prophet's". Even their accounting's are subject to the interpretations of a multitude of translators, in any number of languages. Then, there's the matter of those hidden recorders and cameras that captured “word for word" what God actually “spoke" to the biblical characters and scribes. Apparently they had access to some pretty intimate scenarios and inter-personal encounters. My intent is not to be disparaging of biblical accountings, yet I have reason to question the supposed “divine inspiration", understandings and motivations behind certain biblical and ecclesiastical sources; some having absolutely nothing to do with the reality and true nature of God. His teachings, through Jesus, and the purpose and workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives, is to guide, not control us, or to enslave our minds. I've come to know that the inner knowing of which I speak are about God speaking to us, reminding us of who we really are...that He is ever-present, always with and within us, and Above ALL else.....He IS LOVE!

This was God, in spirit, communicating with me, in spirit, preparing me for what he, in his infinite wisdom knew I was going to experience in human, earthly, physical form. Teaching me to recognize and know, that no matter what I would face and encounter, he loved me and would always be with me...that he would never forsake me. Strengthening me to “fear not for I am with you always". He knew the talents and abilities He created within me. He knew the resources my journeys and missions would require...the things I would need to learn...and that I, in this very specific time, among other things, was to write this book.

The authenticity of wisdom and knowledge can only be verified as reality through circumstantial application of a given premise based on specificity and an understanding of the laws governing cause and effect. All other conclusions are speculative, assumptive, or faith inspired acceptance. Contrary to the widely held belief, Christianity itself does not suggest that its' "believers" accept its precepts and teachings on “blind faith". It, instead, encourages us to "taste and see" (experience and know) the goodness, reality, the love of God...that GOD IS LOVE! Incidentally, my paraphrasing is no less inspired or valid, than that expressed in the wide variety of biblical translations, interpretations, and understandings, throughout their historical accountings. As I have, and continue to do so, I also encourage you to "taste and see"(Psalms 34:8) and to consider the significance of the entire chapter. Don't take my sharings, or those of anyone else, as anything other than our experience and awareness. This particular scriptural reference is definitely and powerfully relevant to my personal experience, a plethora of those I know, and to (since its' original writing), a countless and ever increasing number of others whose shared “inner knowing" is that GOD IS LOVE!

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