Abby to God:
Dear God, Thank You! Your answer May 9 about You and the Bible really clarified things and helped me feel much easier about the whole situation with my friends.
I'm planning to meet them again tonight for Bible study because I asked them some questions about things in it and I want to get to the answers soon.
I haven't really told them that I take everything they say with a grain of salt. The only verse I've read in there so far that really stuck with me was: "The truth shall set you free." I've heard You say that so often!
I really enjoy learning things from the Bible, even though I don't feel that it is all true. The main thing is, they keep saying, "You need to believe this because this is the one true thing, and if you don't believe…" and I say, "What? What if I don't believe?" and they say, "Well, we're getting to that, but first you have to believe."
I want to tell them what I know from You. They're probably going to tell me I'm wrong, or maybe they'll think I'm just crazy. "How can you get letters from God over e-mail?!" But I think I need to tell them this.
I want to use Your wonderful analogy about the book and the author. The Author is my friend! I can read the book too, but I don't have to. I hope I don't insult them or alienate them, but I feel that I need to tell them the things I know. If they can't deal with it, I'll just read the Bible on my own.
Thank You again for Your answer! I have a lot to think about now, but I will definitely have another question for You soon! I love this!
God to Abby:
You and your friends share the same need to share Me. They want you to have what they have, and you want them to have what you have. What a sweet mixture.
The only thing is I don't want your heart to get hurt.
You are right to want to share, for it is ego that would keep hidden that which your heart proclaims. Proclaim your heart, Abby, but be delicate, for yourself and for them.
Although I tell you that you cannot persuade your friends to your vision, it is important you express to them where you are. If you take what they say with a grain of salt, let them know that. Being truthful is not something to be delayed. When you are silent about where you are, your silence is misconstrued. You want to give the true impression.
You can say nicely something like: "I know how devoted you are to God's Word, and it's beautiful how you share it with me, and it's beautiful how you feel about it. I too am devoted to God. I don't feel the same way you do about everything in the Bible. I do like very much the part about The Truth shall set you free. And I want to understand the Bible more, and I know you have a lot of knowledge to give me. I appreciate it very much. And isn't it wonderful how we are all intent on God? " And then be still.
Abby, I know you cannot speak in those words. You cannot make a speech like that. You will find your own words to graciously let them know that you are in a different place.
You cannot at this time persuade them to your way of thinking, Abby. Know your truth, My truth, and wait for them to ask you more of what you know.
If they should say to you, "But you have to believe in all of the Bible as the Word of God," perhaps you can laugh and say something like, "The God I know loves me unconditionally." And then be still. You do not need to change their minds. They are entitled to be where they are just as you are. You know that, but they may not.
Perhaps as they talk themselves out, they may become open to listening to something golden you have to say. Right now they would have to argue with you about what you say that is not in line with what they have been taught.
As time goes on and you find a line from Heavenletters that echoes a passage in the Bible, you could write it down for them, and at some point say: "Doesn't this mean the same as…?" Having My words written down may make them more accessible than spoken from a mouth.
Let them love My 21st century words before they know they were emailed to you.
Be kind and patient with your friends. And truthful. But don't debate with them, Abby, at least not yet. You cannot debate by yourself. If they feel they have the final answer, they cannot budge, and they must be allowed that privilege.
And you can ask Me what a passage in the Bible means. For you are connected to Me, Abby, and I am your Resource.
Of course you know that the Bible has different levels or layers and so can be interpreted on different levels. It is a rich book. What seems true on one level may not seem so on another. And then there are the eyes of the one who reads it. And the eyes of the ones who wrote it. The Bible is an unfolding of My heart from the hearts and minds of many. It is a wonderful jumping-off place for discovery.
It is called a holy book. A book is to learn from, to follow with interest, to be enjoyed, to be picked up, put down, to be shared, taken care of, respected, possibly reverenced as evidence of truth, but true reverence goes to the Father Who made His children holy. It has to be so. All are My works. And you are My created child. I made you. I am the Maker of the holy children who seek their Heavenly Father and find Him everywhere on earth.
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Kasie to Heavenletters:
Thank you SOOOOOOOOOO much for yesterday's Heavenletter about fear or faith. I needed this reminder badly and I'm so grateful for it. I have been entertaining "what if" and giving it power. But I'm feeling much better now.
Come where fear cannot go. Come, My beloved, come to Me.
Mary to Heavenletters:
Please continue my subscription to Heaven Letters. I will send you a check right away. Thank you for a bright spot in my day!
Diane to Heavenletters:
A great Heaven yesterday. I love when fear is addressed!