Intelligence? Maybe not

   I have been musing over some conversations that I have had recently.  A number of things stand out about those discussions. This isn't about anyone in particular, but more about a group of individuals from various  backgrounds, social standing and economic diversities. 

    The one thing they all have in common is that they think they know more about any given subject, issue, topic than other people. They sit in their intellectual high seat of "judgement" and declare all other ideas or experiences to have no credibility or validity. It is all about "intelligence" and intellectualism.  Or I should say Pseudo Intellectualism. 

   I may be wrong, but I thought intellect was more than stated opinions. I thought it was about being open to consider those ideas, experiences or beliefs that may be different than our own. I was thinking that in order to have an "intelligent" discussion, there would be the willingness to view a matter from all perspectives, and not just from my much more highly considered opinion. There are times when things that are "irrational", are the very things we have need of. After all, the things that make no sense to me, may be the very thing that opens up a new life for someone else.

   It is perplexing to me, when someone will speak of the danger we are in, of becoming a "totalitarian" nation, and out of the other side of their mouths, they are convinced that "their reasonings" are the ONLY correct reasonings. They are the ones who REALLY see the truth behind the issues.

   When it comes to "religion".... heaven help us all!  I was brought up in a "totalitarian" religion. I know the manipulation of mind control and fear. I know what it was like to be continually subject to "programming" and seeing things from only one perspective. After all... we had the truth, and no one else did. 

  What concerns me sometimes is, that people cannot differentiate between "religion" and faith.  
Religion is very intellectual. Faith on the other hand, makes no sense to the "natural" mind. Pseudo Intellectual people have a very difficult time with "Faith". In their opinion, it is not rational to believe that a person can actually communicate with "God". If they believe there is a "god",  he is distant, silent, and uninvolved in individual lives. If you try to explain to them the experiences you have had, or conversations (yes, I mean back and forth dialog) then you are off your meds! It seems that, just because they have never personally experienced it, then there can be no validity to it. 

   The religion I grew up in did not believe God was personally involved. He was very hard to please, distant and unreliable. You had to do all the right things, pray the right way and sacrifice all to appease an angry God.

   I however, have developed Faith. It is not about religion, it is about relationship. It was a lifelong journey of discovery. It cost me very dearly in terms of losing friends and family. Not because I turned my back on them, (in fact just the opposite) but because I had begun to think and experience for myself. God became VERY real to me. Jesus Christ became a constant companion and friend. I began  and continue to have encounters and experiences that many do not understand, nor will they accept.  Thats ok with me. I respect where they are in their journey. Many of the things I experience in an ongoing basis, I had at one time in the past, labeled as "foolishness".  Then I experienced it for myself.

   Just so there is no misunderstanding - I am a FERVENT - ON FIRE lover of Jesus Christ - the One who loves me like no other.  I am a baptised in the Holy Spirit, tongue talking , Bible believing and walking by faith woman of God. I have had encounters in the spirit realm and I have been given angelic direction because of God's everlasting GOODNESS and grace for me.

   You may think that I or people like me, are off their rockers.  Thats okay with me.  I can still accept you and walk with you, because I am intelligent enough to realize that there are things I may NEVER understand,  and thats the way it should be.