Jona to God:

Dear God, I have a question that's been bothering me all summer. My counselors and fellow workers at camp have been debating about it too. The subject is eternal salvation.

Is there an unforgivable sin?

If a person becomes a believer, can they still sin without repentance? Eternal salvation has been something that has been in debate all summer, and I don't know what I believe yet.

Thank you for everything, Father.

Love, Jona, age 16

God to Jona:

My beloved Jona, what kind of salvation would it be if it were not eternal? Temporary salvation would be no salvation at all.

There is no unforgivable mistake. All what-you-call sins are mistakes. One way or another, they are mistakes.

To be unhappy is a mistake of understanding.

When one is happy, it is unlikely that he would do anything to cause unhappiness to another. When one is happy, he wants everyone to be happy along with him.

And when one is unhappy, he wants others to be unhappy with him, or even unhappier because that then makes him, the hurter, happier than someone else. Someone else becomes less fortunate that he is.

When someone is very unhappy — I am talking the kind of unhappiness and loneliness and pain that some grow up with — he may look to take the pain out of himself and attach it to another. I am talking about aggressive action and offense here. Whatever his life has been to this date, it is not justification for hurting another, and some, from the same pain and background, as you know, become wise and compassionate. I need to point this out so everyone knows that there is choice.

But the one who from your point of view hurts another or his property feels he is entitled. Just like the rest of My children, he is seeking greater happiness. Only he isn't very good at that. He is mistaken.

All of My children are seeking greater happiness, dear Jona. And they do the best they are able at that moment. They are taking what, for them, seems like the next step forward.

I will tell you what sin is. It is not asking for enough. It is short-changing yourself. It is away from love. It is away from truth.

Truly, Jona, I do not let some people into Heaven and bar others. There are no restrictions in Heaven. None. All are welcome. Where do you think a sinner (that is your word, not Mine) will learn better — in what you call hell or in what you call Heaven? Where are the good teachers? Where is the good company? Does punishment on earth work? Not that I have noticed. Why would it work in the afterlife?

Neither Heaven nor Hell is a place. They are states of consciousness. No one on earth is a stranger to Heaven or hell. Create more Heaven on earth, and fewer people will make the mistakes that you call sin.

Repentance is not an act. Repentance is understanding in a different way. It is seeing differently. Anything less than that is a struggle or an endowment to guilt. It is not so much that it is good for people to be sorry as it is for them to go beyond. Someone may be sorry for stumbling in the dark, but getting into the light is different from feeling sorry. Continual feeling bad keeps My children where they are. Look high and far, dear Jona.

Whenever you feel that someone is doing wrong, send them My love, Jona. Don't put x's on some of My children and checks on others. I do not encourage My children to be doorkeepers to Heaven. I suggest being door-openers.

Your friends and counselors may not accept what I am saying, dear Jona, pure-of-heart-and-soul-child of Mine. But that is all right. They are where they are. They may not know the answers, but they may also be seeking answers that they favor or fit in with what they want to believe or have been taught. Keep your good heart, dear Jona, and be My angel.

* * *

Diane to Marianne:

Dear Marianne, what powerful asking September 24. What powerful response from God the next day.

Marianne to Heavenletters:

Spending time with God, Heavenreaders, and you is one of the most important and meaningful times of my day.

Marianne to God and Mother Mary:

Dear God and Mother Mary, Your words have given me tremendous peace and comfort. As I was almost finished reading, I started to cry. The crying was such a needed release. I know I must live in the present, and put my love and attention on my son. Today we had a very good day of play and cuddling. My husband and I are discussing, not arguing, how to accomplish some fairly major household repairs. I do feel lighter. It was a big step for me to share those family secrets with Heavenreaders. But it's my ego making it such a burden, and I truly did get a lot "off my chest."

I also must tell You Your words to Steven (August 19) helped me so much, such as "Too much time in your life is spent thinking how you feel," and "find someone to do a kindness for," and "write down the good things about that day." Sometimes I do this, but I need reminders.

I admit I will continue to long to see my family (Mom, Dad, Tom, Gram etc), and wonder about the past, but I will send them my love (and jokes, complaints too) and get on with my life.

God to Marianne:

Well done, My dear Marianne.