The Evenstar.

The Evenstar is the jewel that Arwen gives to Aragorn in Lord of the Rings.

It represents her undying love for him.

But because Arwen is an immortal Elf and Aragorn is human Arwen was effectively giving up her immortality.

And after Aragorn dies 120 years later Arwen dies of a broken heart.

But the immortality of the Elves is an earthly immortality.

In fact Arwen is going to be with Aragorn in Heaven!

For Love is Eternal.

And Life never ends.

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Bob Dylan.

A friend of mine is a big Bob Dylan fan.

He insists that Dylan is a good Christian man.

He told me that Dylan nearly died in a motorbike accident and converted to Christianity.

This despite the fact that the accident was in 1966 and he converted in 1978.

Apparently he is a registered Evangelical Preacher.

But when I got home I looked up some of his lyrics on the Internet.

They were confusing.

Some were good, some were dark and disturbing.

I was undecided.

Then I came across a video clip of a recent interview.

He said that his songs were magic.

The interviewer asked him why he still continued touring every year.

And Dylan said:"I made a bargain long ago....to get where I am now."

When asked with whom he said:"With the Chief Commander."

When asked:"On this Earth?"

He said:"On this Earth and the world we can't see."

You don't make bargains with God or Jesus for fame and fortune.

So I can only assume he meant a bargain with the devil.

He almost said as much.

He is black and white, good and bad, light and darkness.

His comments were ambiguous at the very least.

So his religion remains clouded in mystery.

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Cover Up.

In order to cover up the fact that they are greedy, selfish people rich Christian congregations erect a facade of friendly politeness.

"We are nice, kind, spiritual people."

No one is to criticize us.

And no one is to say anything nasty. 

But what happens during the week?

Nothing.

They pursue their selfish interests and ignore the poor and needy.

They say the words and sing the hymns but they do nothing.

Most of them have two houses or more and go on expensive overseas trips each year.

Then they congratulate themselves on their generosity when they give a tiny percentage of their disposable income to the Church.

They are hypocrites!

Prostitutes and devil-worshippers will go into Heaven before them.

And that is why the Church is dying.

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The Consolation Prize.

Jesus spoke of a Treasure in a Field and a Pearl of Great Price. (Matthew 13:44-46)

This is the Ultimate Prize.

Traditionally this is thought to be the gift of the Holy Spirit.

But I have a different view.

On Earth we hanker after worldly rewards: money, possessions, power, status, pleasure, fame, authority.....

But I believe that this Ultimate Prize is the Consolation Prize.

If we forego all the empty prizes of the world we will find this Ultimate Treasure.

It is Love.

The treasure in our own hearts.

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Temporal and Celestial.

The problems I have are Temporal not Celestial.

My relationship with God is good.

My prayers are answered.

And my love is requited.

But on Earth I am persecuted and victimized.

Since the AIDS crisis gay men have been used as a scapegoat for all the evils of the world.

And the Baby-Boomers have been bashed, brainwashed, and blamed for political purposes.

So my life is a waking contradiction.

But the rewards of love and the hope of Heaven far outweigh any suffering that may linger on.

I am blessed with Salvation.

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The Church.

Ironically the problems of our world originate in the Church itself.

Because the Church has traditionally taught Fear not Love.

And fear begets fear.

But there are only two things in the world:

Fear and Love.

And God is Love.

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Youth Crisis.

There is a Mental Health crisis in our youth. 

Numbers of anxiety and suicide are rising.

I believe this is because the messages that kids get from the media and the Internet are materialistic, negative, and destructive.

The Internet will direct you to product advertising or dubious information sites.

Computer Games are violent, evil, and sadistic.

Sports feed you with win at all costs/work harder mantras.

Talent quests and reality TV push worldly success and money motivation.

All this on top of massive expectations and little support at school.

But children are not taught to be human.

And ethics and principles are not presented to them. 

In fact most reality TV shows actively undermine any ideals or propriety.

Evil is entertainment.

And corruption is the norm.

None of these things leads to happiness or even satisfaction.

We are addicted, obsessed, and manipulated.

What is needed is a return to the Humanities in education.

And some sort of philosophy that will lead to meaning in their lives.

The Church is no longer seen as a positive influence.

In fact the Church is viewed as suspicious, intimidating, and sinister.

And ideals are denigrated and dismissed.

So that leaves you with nothing.

There is nothing to live for.

The time has come to find a new way.

To rehumanize our youth.

Education is not just work training.

History, Philosophy, and Literature give us valuable life lessons.

And Comparative Religion broadens our outlook.

Clear Thinking gives us discrimination of the information we are presented with.

And Current Affairs encourages critical thinking.

This is one way to help our youth.

And set them on the path to meaning and happiness in their lives.

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