Gloria to God:

Dear God, You have taught us to stay away from judgment. And I try, but, God, aren't some things moral and others immoral? I don't know how not to think that some things are moral and others aren't.

I saw part of a movie the other night that was based on a true story. I was so appalled, God. It was about a public school in Chicago and a state contest of academic knowledge. Somehow a student got a hold of the questions and answers to the state contest and gave them to the teacher. That does not appall me. What appalls me is that the teacher THANKED the student for the answers and then encouraged his students to cheat on the exam.

That a teacher would actually undermine his students' integrity in order to win simply is beyond my understanding. A teacher? He went so far as to tell them they could never tell their parents, not even their priest.

The cheating students won and were as proud of themselves and excited as if they had honestly won.

They did so well that they were under suspicion. The teacher told the students to deny any wrongdoing and taught them how to cover up.

Eventually the student who had found the test in the first place confessed.

There were more instances of what seems to me to be immoral.

The police met with each child individually and lied to them outrageously. They wanted a confession, but they were not caring about truth. They broke one kid down and seemed to feel proud of themselves, although their "winning" was also based on taking advantage.

The students in the school beat up the original kid who had told the truth, as if it were noble to cheat and ignoble to tell the truth.

Before the teacher left town, he met with the students. They gave him a present and a card stating that he was the best teacher in the world!

And then, a few nights later, I saw The Godfather, and despite all the outrageous things they did, I was on their side and didn't want them to be caught. I liked the power they had. They didn't do anything that I believe in and they sure believed in revenge, and I was not outraged with them as I was with the teacher. I judge myself for judging, and I judge myself for not judging. My real question is: How moral am I?

God:

Some people believe it's all right to win any way they can. Those in authority do not always use their authority well. And it's easy for My children to be swayed and want glory so much that they will even accept false glory.

But the good thing, Gloria, is that My children want glory. The teacher, the students, the mob, want glory. But they just don't know what glory is. They think it is fame. They think it is control.

Some actions have better results than others.

All kinds of mistakes can be made.

People make choices. Some are wise and some are less wise.

I would encourage My children not to take advantage of others. That is what cheating does. That is what bullying does. I would also encourage My children to put their attention on Me rather than fault.

See with Christ's vision. The world saw Mary Magdalene as a sinner. Christ saw beyond action. He did not accept the outer manifestation as the person. Actions are open to interpretation, but people are not. You can think what you want, but do not suborn My children. Cheating is demeaning, but throwing stones is also demeaning. Demeaning means against truth.

How wonderful it seems to take up a cause. But a cause is not more important than My children.

Open your heart even to that teacher. What you really cannot forgive him for is his not accepting that what he did was wrong. You have a hard time accepting when people do not see things as you do, is that not true?

Gloria:

Yes, now that You mention it.

God:

The teacher and the students wasted a lot of energy in untruth. You are appalled at the waste of energy.

And you waste energy in being appalled.

Being appalled is a form of control, dear one. Cheating, bullying, being appalled, all forms of control.

You have greater awareness at this moment because of that teacher and the movie. You are seeing judgment from another angle now.

Gloria:

I am seeing more gently because of You.

God:

Yes. See more gently for Me.

The world needs more honesty. But judgment is not honest either because it says that one is better than another. It says you are separate one from the other. It says there is other when there is no other.

The surface is the surface. It may belie the truth.

The truth is that My heart beats in all.

If that is hard to accept, then accept that judgment closes and vision opens.

Let the issue be, not that something and someone is wrong, but that there is much to heal in the world. Judgment does not heal. Holding yourself higher than another does not heal.

When you taught school, you were not a judger but a healer.

Be that with adults. Be that with that teacher. Send him some good will. Do you think he does not need it? See beyond his foolishness. Pick him up with your mind. Don't put him down, and don't leave him where he is. Uplift him. Do not condone, and do not judge. Leap over that.

Make your comprehension great.

Make My vision yours.

* * *

John M. to Heavenletters:

Welcome back. So relieved to hear that God was there! :)

I just received yesterday's HeavenLetter again today, just so you know.

I hope all is well with you.

Jon to Heavenletters:

Dear Gloria, glad to have you back. I am sure Alaska is another wonderful expression of God's splendor. Look forward to hearing about your travels.

God's Love, Jon

Abby to Heavenletters:

Welcome back! I don't think I missed any Heavenletters. Just wanted to say hi, and I look forward to the next workshop!

Diane to God:

Dear God, WOW! What a tremendous letter yesterday. I love it when You teach us how to pray.

Tina to Heavenletters:

Yesterday's might be the best HEAVEN I ever read (if it were Kosher to compare!) about dressing down fear. I definitely have people I want to forward it to.

I also dearly loved the Heavenletter about the Garden of Eden. So nice to have all the blame and shame and being thrown out by God as a punishment stuff flushed.

Thank you, Gloria, for being such a powerful Godwriting role model for the rest of us. And thank you especially for all the courage which I know it took to go public. I hope the rest of us won't be intimidated by your powerful example.

Thanks.