The Chat With God

What came back to me was both surprising and instantaneous.

Three little words: "Pray It Forward"

The cynics out there will say I'm deluded/schizophrenic, the rationalists will say it was my subconscious talking and the devout will say it was divine inspiration.

To the cynics I say:

"I'm a split personality - and SO AM I!"

To the rationalists I say:

"Perhaps it's my 'id' but it felt odd"

To the devout I say what Hong Kong Phoey said:

"Could be!"

Now, my friends may find this site somewhat strange for me to create as I am not "religious".

I'm an ordinary guy who is lucky in life with a great family but I do not attend church nor do I align myself with any religion.

I am however spiritual.

I do believe in God (and from a mathematical perspective it's a smart move ;-) - think of it as the ultimate in insurance policies) but I don't believe any one religion is right over another.

Indeed I believe religion or more accurately the zealots of each religion have caused much of the pain and suffering mankind has witnessed over the millenia.

As far as I'm concerned, the following holds true:

What I mean by this is the underlying messages of good put forth by the world religions concur with each other.

Messages of good have been hijacked and perverted by men of malice looking to manipulate, control and herd to do their own nefarious bidding.

Rant On

Let me tell you about those out there who think their God has told them to kill in his name on the promise of some eternal glory: They are certifiable.

Rant Off

Excuse my vernacular:

Fighting For Peace Is Like Fucking For Chastity

So who am I to pontificate and say God spoke to me?

Well, on the offchance the big man (or woman) upstairs was talking to me, I have listened and I have acted.

It would be rude not to ;-)

Here are the qualities and traits which define me:

I am an idealist, a pragmatist, a realist, a dreamer, a father, a husband, a brother, a saint [sic], a sinner, a winner, a loser, a worker, a fighter, a pacifist, a smart guy, a dummy, a good guy and bad but overall I'm someone who is trying to make a difference in the time I have to spend on this planet.

I'm a contradiction in terms - I'm just a man.

Perhaps a little poem might put this in perspective:

A Time To Pray

I am but a man on my chosen way,

I heard a voice, divine some might say,

From left-field it's message brought me here,

And with trepidous steps I publish with fear...

Silence, the easy option - but the divine fool?

Would avoid the here and now of ridicule,

So what's with the words you type and say?

What possible power can you unleash when you pray?

The power of intent, you reap what you sow,

So say a little prayer - you just never know...

How your thoughts and your actions impact another,

Be they father, mother, sister or brother

Some will say The Prayer Bank has a hidden agenda,

Although titled bank, there's no money, no lender,

I'll leave you with words to soak up, to imbue,

May the road rise before you and

May your God go with you.

Tom O'Brien

August 2009