Hi *****, Good hearing from you, sounds like you have done some intense thinking about what's to come for us as a nation and us as a planet.... I could not possibly argue with or challenge you on any of this...Because I don't know and neither do you. Maybe you have a gift of prophecies. You may hate that word because of its Christian/church affiliation. Whatever. All I know is that I have done PLENTY of pondering and thinking about What this life is all about, the constant chasing after money, the fake airs people put on to impress each other, the madness of this society in which youth, beauty and the almighty dollar rein supreme. The truth of the matter is, for me anyway, I have never bought the "Suit/lie" thing; for better or worse I have always remained true to who I am, essentially. Maybe you haven't... I'm sure that it's a painful thing to come to that realization. But the fact remains that it is not the end of the world and can be a re-awakening like you could have never imagined. Sometimes remaining true to the "long-haired, jeans wearing, guitar/keyplaying spiritual hedonist" that I have been has been painful, and a growing process. I have changed, though. The hedonist part does not really apply any longer. I would never seek my pleasure at the expense of another, consciously anyway. For sure I am still a sinner (you probably don't like that word either!) for I am a man, and hence nowhere near perfect. With these facts in mind, and all the overwhelming challenges we face as a race and as individuals, there are some decisions (bad word, again?!?) to be made concerning our perceptions and the very meaning of our existence.

All this to say that in my life anyway, the answer is Christ. Forget about all your perceptions of Falwell, Jim Baker and other current or former charlatans; or for that matter the church at large. What they are/were is of no significance/relevance to what God is, in terms of YOUR relationship (or lack thereof) to HIM. If you believe in a Supreme Being Who created us, one would think that, He is a Spirit but yet, has personality, so that we can have some sort of relationship w/ Him...Many people make the mistake of 'throwing the baby out w/ the bathwater" (C.S. Lewis' Analogy) when it comes to God. More specifically, perceptions like, "All those people in that church seem so hypocritical," and then proceeding to ignore God, because of this hypocrisy...Wrong move, do not collect 200.00 and do not pass go.

For sure you are correct in your assessment of the world and it's miseries. It's pretty hard to make "sense"(as we know it) of things like Earthquakes that kill 16,000 people, Columbine High, etc., to say nothing of the capitalistic back climbing and shallowness that seems to be a part of society at large. What are we to make of all this? What do these things combined with what we know about love, friendship, tenderness and compassion add up to?

It's my opinion that if we can imagine something, there is some sort of reality behind it or the possibility if it BECOMING reality is there; think of Airplanes, electric guitars, computers, and men walking on the moon. These things all started out w/ an idea, an imagining of what MIGHT be possible, and then through faith, perseverance, talent and application, they became realities.

In my mind's eye, I can picture a place, a perfect place, where love abounds, where physical beauty is present and appreciated, yet unimportant. Where all our needs are met and we are safe. Where there is no sense of competition, inferiority complexes, superiority, or unfair judgements based on race. Where everyone is loved and equally important, regardless if you are/were a political dignitary, a Pastor, rock star or ditchdigger, gas station attendant, or garbageman; Where all the confusion and turmoil of this world is something so far removed from our consciousness, it's not even something we are aware ever existed. I believe such a place exists, and that it's name is Heaven. I believe it exists because I can imagine it. I Believe it exists because a Loving God would not leave us unattended down here without hope on this place called earth which more often that not is a cruel and hellish place. (If one has a problem with the concept of a loving God, where do they think this thing called love originates from, from men? Gimme a break!) I believe it exists because "the Bible tells me so." It would also seem to me that, what better way than for God to actually BECOME a man, i.e. Jesus, to relate to us on a more level playing field, to clue us in, this searching, grasping humanity that we are each of us a part of.

Anyway, it would appear we don't have much to go on down here. But that’s not true. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and yes, mysteriously also God himself, we have plenty to go on, and we needn't be clueless after all. It says in the Bible that you will know them (Christians) by their love for each other and for their enemies as well. I have seen this firsthand at this church, Woodland Hills Church. I wish you would come down here to visit sometime, not only so we could see each other, but so you could experience a portion of what I have experienced here. Keep Hope Alive. More Later, old, friend, "Dr. *****" (Remember that white surgeon's smock you used to wear? Gotta run, Greg