Being Presbyterian

WED., JULY 4, 1990, 7:25 AM
FARM, STUDY

After a good start as a Methodist-type Christian you became, in your mid-20’s, a Presbyterian. Admittedly this was not a thoughtful, theological decision, but rather an attraction to a good servant of Mine, who was what you needed as a minister in those times. His life was not long by your culture’s standards, but he was an effective evangel with you and Lenore.

As you became aware of theology you realized that you were in the proper heritage, that of the knowledge of predestination. I prefer to call it the Power of God to override your will. You have “free will,” but so do I. Your life, as it works itself out, is some mystical “combination” of chance, your will and capacity to think and act as you want to, and My plan for your life, with My capacities to have matters My way.

When you finally come into the fuller consciousness that your culture calls death you shall see how this all worked together to make your life as it was. It was important for you to be an active Christian, it was important for you to become a teacher and to meet and marry Lenore, so, yes, I nudged you a bit toward starting your career at Punahou. Stanford was a preparation, and it also brought you into the Presbyterian fold. The return to Punahou was for more important experience, and to allow the position at Stanford to develop. Did I help in your being selected and in your being able to make the change? Oh, I had some influence, but your previous actions and your developing self were sufficient to make that “work” as it did.

You were back to being Presbyterian again, first at Menlo Park and then with My servants George and Bob in Palo Alto. You were coming to a more conscious understanding of your relationship to Me, as Triune God. You were developing, thus, as a born again Presbyterian Christian, but this was still quite separate from your university work. But not quite. Recall that your entrance into the alcohol studies field, your specialty for those early years, came through a scholarship from the Presbyterian Church, at that time conveniently interested in this issue.

You became involved with North Conway, and you wrote for church magazines. Yet it was not yet coming together. The end of your career at Stanford was necessary, and, again, I had some influence. The Colorado opportunity was convenient to cause you to think about some connection between health education and your Christian vocation. Still, you were destined to come to this place for the true development of your teaching career. The natural circumstances were there to work with, but you chose your destiny… that marvelous amalgam of your will and Mine.

You grew spiritually, as a Presbyterian, a denomination that traditionally has valued teaching, scholarship, and learning. You wrote prodigiously, and I nudged you toward that. You became a recognized professional and an ever more active Presbyterian. You were ready for Me to offer you your special destiny.

I came to you, not in dramatic wind and fire, but in the panic of a misplaced manuscript. You responded according to My plan, so I came to you rather directly. And We have been “together” for now over 11 years… and you’re still a Presbyterian. It is a sometimes uncomfortable “combination,” but I assure you, yet again, that it is the best for you, and for the church.

Your Ruminations on My thoughts, given to you in these Teachings, are your proper contribution to the spiritual lives of a diverse group, some of whom you were destined to be with in this life. Your teaching includes the spiritual ever so more comfortably and shall develop even farther in this direction. The church Newsletter is your means of influencing the congregation, so maintain this and give it your full attention each month. It is an opportunity, not an onerous task.