I'm reading Catherine Coulter's Wizard's Daughter. I enjoy the mysticism.

As I reflect, I am reminded that throughout my life, I have encountered people who touch my soul. Some stay in my immediate life for some time, while others I have interacted with for only minutes.

Yet, each one had a lasting and memorable impact on my life and my thoughts.

It would be hard to fit them into a label, as I have felt bonds with people of diverse philosophies, spiritual insights, and paths of living. If there is a connection, it has seemed to me to be something quite intangible - of being open to giving of oneself and to receive.

I remember the man I will always think of as my Pastor - Orval Butcher. And there was his Father, a special man whom we called Pop Butcher. And a retired Army chaplain, Chaplain Lauby. Then, there was a so-called American Indian, or Native American, that I chatted with for some thirty minutes in a sidewalk café in La Jolla Colony. A friend is Wiccan.

Another friend might be thought of as an entertainer by some, and by many others, a Christian minister. I recognize her as much more.

I look forward to other special moments - when I encounter someone I know I was meant to meet.

What about you? Do you ever have times when you feel a sense of wonder?

Religion - like politics - evokes strong feelings.  Despite lip-service to tolerance, so many people are convinced that they know what God likes and dislikes, and "the way" to God.

As chronicled in John 21:15-25, Peter asked his Lord, "...what about him?"  We seem to be more concerned about others whose spiritual path seems different than ours than we are with our own path.

Jesus answered Peter: "...what is that to you?  You must follow me."

The so-called "Minor Prophets" has a recurring theme wherein God wonders how we can glibly call God our Father, when we refuse to accept our brothers and sisters.

I very much like the repeating comment - in Wm. Paul Young's The Shack - made by Papa (God the Father) as She (I use the pronoun used so provocatively in Young's book, which I find very refreshing) tells Mack that She is especially fond of him (and of everyone else, also).  She was not fond of all of their actions and thoughtlessness and pride and fear, but each person is special in Her heart.

As each of us seeks and finds God (whom I believe is just waiting for us to open our eyes and hearts), I think we should trust God to lead each person as to what is "right" and "wrong" for that person.

Religions seek to define God and our God-talk (theology) and who and what we must be and do.  But God is larger and more faithful than any religion or philosophy.

Is your religion - or sect or denomination - the "only way" to God?  Why not work on your own impediments and wait and see.  As for myself, I know that I have sensed God's love and gentle spirit within people of every walk of life and way of thought.

Look to God - not to others.

Angels come in packages you don't expect.

One night a man got my attention as I walked by him in a piano bar in Brandon, FL - a place called Armand's. I don't know if there is a "politically correct" way to say he was Jewish-looking. But he did, to me. He made some comments that showed he knew things about me that I doubt anyone would know.

We went to the bar, where I set my drink and he held his stogie. I don't recall seeing him smoke it, though. He told me he knew that my excuse for not doing right was because I didn't feel "loved." He wanted me to know that God did love me. He also warned me that although he thought it was too late to change, something bad would happen to me on State Route 579 if I did not get right with God. Since I usually drove that way when I put the bar to bed (after starting the evening with happy hour at the Outback), this got my attention! I remembered an old harassing technique you could use if someone was witnessing to you: "If I get right, will you be my friend?" True to character, I still wanted to "feel" loved. But when I tried that on him, he said that he was only friends with the Lord.

I now believe he was the Angel of the Lord. And I believe He, one more time, showed me He loves me.

I went to the bathroom again, and when I returned, he was gone. It began to occur to me the next day, to wonder if I had passed out and had a dream. But in that bar, I would have been kicked out for that. And I thought about it and realized that nobody in the lounge or at the bar seemed to pay any attention to us. Of course, that's not completely a surprise, when people are talking quietly. But the bartender didn't even wander by. I now believe, based on what someone who has had angel experiences told me, that I was in like a time warp - outside of time, if you will.

First, when I got home safely, I prayed and prayed. Then I cleaned up my act. Then, I turned back to the church (I was a former minister). But I soon saw that my views of the GOD who loves people as they are and as they hurt and no matter what disease they have, or sexuality they exude or don't, or how many mistakes they have made, or what they drink or smoke... didn't sit too well there. I began to realize that spirituality doesn't require membership in a particular church or denomination or even religion.

About this time, I met Marge. Our first date was in Armand's. We both love music and football, and if we sin, we sin together! She is teaching me the rules. Sometimes, I have to ask forgiveness because I cause a misunderstanding (you know, "A female is never wrong." "If a male thinks the female is wrong, he should immediately apologize for causing the misunderstanding."). But I included in our vows that she is to remember that I "am just a man!"

Angels come in packages you don't expect.

One night a man got my attention as I walked by him in a piano bar in Brandon, FL - a place called Armand's. I don't know if there is a "politically correct" way to say he was Jewish-looking. But he did, to me. He made some comments that showed he knew things about me that I doubt anyone would know.

We went to the bar, where I set my drink and he held his stogie. I don't recall seeing him smoke it, though. He told me he knew that my excuse for not doing right was because I didn't feel "loved." He wanted me to know that God did love me. He also warned me that although he thought it was too late to change, something bad would happen to me on State Route 579 if I did not get right with God. Since I usually drove that way when I put the bar to bed (after starting the evening with happy hour at the Outback), this got my attention! I remembered an old harassing technique you could use if someone was witnessing to you: "If I get right, will you be my friend?" True to character, I still wanted to "feel" loved. But when I tried that on him, he said that he was only friends with the Lord.

I now believe he was the Angel of the Lord. And I believe He, one more time, showed me He loves me.

I went to the bathroom again, and when I returned, he was gone. It began to occur to me the next day, to wonder if I had passed out and had a dream. But in that bar, I would have been kicked out for that. And I thought about it and realized that nobody in the lounge or at the bar seemed to pay any attention to us. Of course, that's not completely a surprise, when people are talking quietly. But the bartender didn't even wander by. I now believe, based on what someone who has had angel experiences told me, that I was in like a time warp - outside of time, if you will.

First, when I got home safely, I prayed and prayed. Then I cleaned up my act. Then, I turned back to the church (I was a former minister). But I soon saw that my views of the GOD who loves people as they are and as they hurt and no matter what disease they have, or sexuality they exude or don't, or how many mistakes they have made, or what they drink or smoke... didn't sit too well there. I began to realize that spirituality doesn't require membership in a particular church or denomination or even religion.

About this time, I met Marge. Our first date was in Armand's. We both love music and football, and if we sin, we sin together! She is teaching me the rules. Sometimes, I have to ask forgiveness because I cause a misunderstanding (you know, "A female is never wrong." "If a male thinks the female is wrong, he should immediately apologize for causing the misunderstanding."). But I included in our vows that she is to remember that I "am just a man!"