Neither 
on 
this 
Mountain 
nor 
in 
Jerusalem

Dan West

Foreword

•Feather
•walk 'n' talk
•upwards
•hawk
•Light
•flash
•lessons
•home
•Colors
•wings
•purple light
•deer
•Crossroads
•knowledge
•vortex
•Hilltop
•news
•life
•Zion
Epilogue

Foreword

Neither/Nor is a collection of real life's events. The purpose of this series is to make the readers to remember, analyze and interpret similar experiences they had in their lives. This collection of stories does not follow a strict timeline sequence, but a thematic evolution. Names of people and places have been omitted in order to present the events accessible to be compared. Many stories have been trimmed, keeping just the essentials, but always real facts are depicted.

1
Feather
"Oh, there are spirits of the air,
And genii of the evening breeze." 
P.B. Shelley (To Coleridge)
walk & talk

I've been through the desert on a horse with no name 
It felt good to be out of the rain 
In the desert you can remember your name 
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain 
La la la-a la la la .... 

America, A Horse With No Name

Near the break of day, I was awakened by the cold breeze that sometimes precedes the sunrise. A baby horse was near me looking at me with curiosity. When I got up, it ran away. I stretched my arms and legs in order to be ready to walk. This was my second trip to this place. Once before I had visited that desert and explored the west region. It was an open plain, covered by cactus and bushes, which has few hidden meadows, with some trees. There was also a rocky promontory with some interesting cliffs, standing alone in the midst of this large valley. It had been my natural observatory for the last solar eclipse. Now there was not any astronomical event to analyze. I was there to inquire about myself, to see inside my own soul. 
After the sun rose, I headed toward the mountain. It was a clear blue morning. The wind was blowing my hair while I stopped in order to decide which route I would take to get to the base of the mountain. Usually during that season the desert is not too hot. It is possible then to find several kinds of animals and fruits. From these hills you may see many miles away. That is one of the reasons I really appreciate such places. Large open places gives you lots of room to think. The more I approached the hills the better I felt to make an evaluation of the last accounts.
After three days in that place I had conquered three cliffs and discovered two bird's shelters. I had met hares, horses, and crows and found some deer's tracks. I had written some lines trying to analyze my ideas. Also, I had obtained what I could consider a good poem. Some paintings had been created by watercolors spread by my fingers. I had captured awesome views by shooting my camera. Partially, at least, I read three of the books I had taken with me. Drawings, sketched in pencil, covered several pages of my notebook. I could have said it was a successful trip, a productive one. 
However, at that time I was going through a period of existential crisis. I wondered, whether my poem, and what I drew, what I experienced, and what I saw, were bringing more light to my mental and spiritual search? I had always enjoyed painting and writing while hiking, in order to enhance the experience and complete the journey by recreating the scenery with diverse artistic activities. Different than other times, now, the thoughts, drawings and poems were totally intended to bring any solution to the conflict. So the contents of the works scored higher than the forms. The reached ideas counted far more than the steps I took roaming around. The thoughts were more important than the words. 
The contact with nature was indeed very instructive and refreshed my mind, but had I completely learned my lesson? The joy of that trip was not to be found, as usual, by having fun and exiting experiences. I was then entangled in an internal philosophical discussion concerning the existence of God. I had just started my Physics major in Science school, and the more steps I walked ahead in scientific knowledge, the less solid I felt became the ground bellow me. 
When I reached the base of the mountains, a conversation with myself started inside my head. Essential questions broke out like a storm inside my head. A stream of ideas overflowed with words my thoughts. The inquiring process advanced faster as well the rhythm of my heart because of the physical effort.
"You cannot properly think of God because you cannot objectively take any measure of a supposed interaction with God." My mind developed, in a sort of dialogue, the mainstream of the materialistic point of view of most of physicists nowadays. 
"However, you cannot deny God’s presence,” dialectally I answered myself, "There are many people who affirms His existence." 
"So, what? Many people sharing a common idea does not make it true or false," the skeptical side replied, "There are many other religions with lots of believers, and that doesn't prove the existence of their god and goddess. Does it?"
"Okay. Despite everything, one thing I'm sure of: God is above all human science. And God doesn't need to be proved in order to be believed. For example, can any postulate of Physics -or any exact science- be proved? 
"No, surely no." 
"There is always a set of fundamental axioms upon which the building of knowledge is made up. These basic facts cannot be proved, but they are to be accepted to provide unity to the theories. A postulate is accepted on the generality or recurrence of certain phenomena. In the same way, God cannot be established as an axiom of everything. God might be experienced and understood by anyone. Also, and this is true, it cannot be proved that God does not exist." To this endless discussion there was no exit. Nevertheless, physically I had no option to follow, but had to keep walking upwardly. 
I reached the base of the mountain after the last hill. There was a sharp change in the aspect of the surroundings. Before, the ground was covered with bushes, now the slope was more steep and the ground became arid and rocky. I stopped for a moment and I breathed deeply. I was ready to advance step by step, both the brain walk and the hiking, expecting to get a conclusion as well as a rewarded feeling for reaching the top. An acute whistle made me stop and, revolving, I looked around trying to find the source of that sound. Scanning the surroundings my sight caught up the flight of a hawk not so far from me. With fast and short movements it passed from one side of the mountain to another crossing across the lace where I stood. It was, indeed, an amazing bird.

upwards

"And it's whispered that soon, If we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason.
And a new day will dawn
For those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter."

Led Zeppelin, Stairway To Heaven

For a while I admired the hawk, envying its ability. To fly, oh how I wished to soar above all those mingled thought and reached quickly the other side, the solid conclusion. I started climbing glancing at the hawk, who kept flying around the mountain. Sometimes it disappeared behind the shape of the slant, only to reappear again, in some other side. 
I tried to balance among the rhythm of my heart, my breath and my pace, until I was able to walk easily enjoying the view every moment. My inner dialogue was replaced by the appreciation of the nature's beauty: rocks, plants, mountains, clouds and the hawk were enough to kept captivated my attention during the ascent. 
Walking up became sweeter and greater as I went by the ravines. Several marble bed rocks were on my way. Their surfaces were very smooth, Their colors degraded in several tones and also combined with astonishing contrast. Their shapes and forms looked even greater because of their huge dimensions. Since I had to walk up through this ravine, carpeted with the most exquisite taste, a feeling of deep joy caught my heart. I took my shoes out. The rocks were indeed amazing. I ascended enjoying the place, literally with my eyes, hands and feet.

hawk

"I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you."
U2, I Still Haven't found What I'm Looking For

Near the end of the ascent, I beheld again the hawk flying around the top. Fascinated by its flight, I undertook an imaginary conversation with it. 
"Well, you see," I said, "I did not need to fly to get here." 
"You flew, I climbed, but finally we are at the top, together," I added, feeling glad to have finished. The last step was a great comfort.
At the time I reached the top, the hawk was flying right above me. It was describing short circles and getting higher each time. I stared at it for a long time. Suddenly, I perceived a feather descending softly, from above. It came down directly to the place where I was standing. I stretched out my arm and the hawk's feather stopped, right there, in the palm of my hand.
When the feather that the hawk had dropped down reached my hand, I held it fast and lift up my sight to the sky. I wondered how. I wondered why. Almost against all probability, I had caught a feather. A feather coming down from the hawk I was taking to. It was amazing indeed!
This strange encounter stirred up, out of my mind, many thoughts and feelings. Firstly, I focus my attention on the hawk. 
"What is this?" I inquired when I saw it going away. Soon, I could not see it anymore. Then I tried to make up an explanation of what I had just experienced. I made up two ways to interpret the facts. I said to myself, "Well, here you have something simple which requires a complex explanation."

2
Light
Cogito, ergo sum.
I see very clearly that in order to think it is necessary to exist.
Rene Descartes

flash

"The keeper of the city key 
Put shutters on the dreams.
I wait outside the pilgrim's door
With insufficient schemes."

King Crimson, The Court Of The Crimson King

I was no longer a kid, but I was not not yet a man. I was old enough to dream, and too young to accept the reality of this world in decadency. I was in that time when one thinks that all possible disillusionment had already taken place. I assumed that hope was but just another word. 
Suddenly, the idea came to my mind. It seemed to me the best one I could ever had gotten. Definitely, there would not be a better solution for me. It would be the perfect exit. It was not the farewell of a desperate soul but the taking up for a special man, similar to the way was received up in ancient times.
I cherished the idea for a while, to meet the lightening in the heights. Outside, out there in the countryside. Yea, it would be a great take off, without sadness, and no leftovers. To leave behind nothing. To free the spirit in a blast of light. 
Thinking metaphysically, I thought that not anyone would receive it. However, I speculated. I wondered who would deserve being taken in such a brilliant way. To leave in a twinkle, leaving no rests. I supposed that those who were able to find it, joining mystical and physical knowledge, would get it. Those who could reach the point in space time and higher dimensions. To leave in a sudden, to go in a second is something that would happen to those who are right. I was sure I would qualify. Moreover, it was not hard to realize how to get struck by lightning. It was necessary only to look for a place where the electrical potential were the easiest to be broken. I knew I could get it if I tried.
To find the place to meet the lightning bolt, I browsed in my mind for a place to go, the beach, the desert, the rainforest, the mountains. I made up my mind and decided to go to the cliff near the volcano during the most rainy time, the beginning of the summer. I wondered about possible places. Among the clouds, on the range of volcanoes. seemed to be the best place to receive that heavenly gift. The best spot to get that token of divine mercy. 
The bus stopped in the last, the highest town, and the last passenger descended. Among them, I went into the small station to buy something and ask for directions to make my way to the volcano. It was already the first hours of the evening. The rain fell down agitated by the wind. The indicated road soon led me out of town. 
I found a tree. Since it was raining more abundantly, I sat near its base. Some honey and bread would give me the energy I needed for the next part of the way. I ate ceremonially, thinking this would be my Last Supper. Sighing, I closed my eyes and rested my head on my knees, holding around my legs with my arms. I wished the rain would increase, but I felt less and less water falling on my back. I opened my eyes and looked around. 
The clouds were moving away. Moonlight illuminated the clouds from behind. I got up and started to walk. The longer I ascended, the clearer the sky became. After an hour, I was able to see the top of the dark rocky promontory, which looked transfigured. Its silhouette highly contrasted with the white snow capping the volcano crater that was behind it.
I continued my ascending march till I could see the cliff completely. By this time, the sky was with no clouds but stars and the full moon. I realized that, for at least that night, it would be impossible to meet the lightning. “What was wrong?” I wondered. Definitely, I did not know. Nevertheless, I was decided not to give up. I could wait for as long as it were necessary. Instead of walking by the trail to the base of the cliff, I made up my mind for a climbing. In this way I would spend more time to reach the top, and get some advantage from the moonlight. 
Turning toward the north I went into the forest until I met a huge wall. Before starting the ascent, I grabbed some candies and carrots from my backpack. I ate them quickly and let my feet and hands pull me up the way. Since it was summer, the rocks were wet and had abundant moss. It made the ascension slow and hard. However I had a beautiful scenery before my eyes. Being in one of the highest parts of the range I was able, to see hundreds of miles away. 
In a moment, because of the wet moss on the often very smooth rocks, the climbing became impossible. I couldn't go upwards anymore. I was not able to descend, either. I was trapped in the wall. At that height, falling would be terrible. What should I do? 
There was a possibility of passing through a cleft in the rock. I attempted passing through. However, I couldn't, because it was narrow and the backpack did not make it through. Putting aside the backpack, I took off my outer clothes, the jacket, the sweater and scarf. Joining them together, I attached them to my belt. Then I ascended through the narrow cleft. 
After passing that part, I hauled the backpack and continued. This technique helped me to advance with more safety. With great patience and big effort, I continued moving up. However, there was a part of the way where the inclination surpassed the vertical. I tried carefully to ascend, but a rock broke up and I almost fell down. In a trance, I hit my knee. That was bad.
I wondered why I had chosen that dangerous route. The morning was coming. Then I saw an eagle which took off from the highest trees whose tops I could see from above. The eagle soared over the trees, moving in wide circles. Soon, another one joined it and together they slowly ascended moving back and forth. After a while they were flying at the same height where I was standing in the wall. Their flight was majestic! They continually called each other. Although sometimes they moved in the same direction and sometimes they did not, their trajectories ascended at the same rate. It seemed they agreed step by step.
They went higher and higher following the same pattern of flight. Later on, they were just a couple of spots against the sky of the dawn. Looking at them I gained understanding in perseverance. I had to be skillful to endure the ascent. Then I continued my ascent. I performed as they did. Slowly, I started moving sidewards till I found a better route to follow upwardly. I kept on this strategy, even enjoying every hardship of the way. Considering attentively the risk, I opted always for the the most secure. With all my senses and my strength, I made my way by the rocks until the morning was about to break out.

lessons

No, you're never too old to Rock'n'Roll 
but you was too young to die.

Jethro Tull

After hours climbing, finally I overcame the wall and walked over its crest till I reached the peak of the cliff. I just got to the top of the rocky promontory when the sun rose above the far mountains. There was fog among the trees but there were no more clouds,, the sky was blue, deep blue. Surely it was a beautiful place to be. The majestic snow-capped volcano dominated to the south. The snow covered only its superior part, the crater, because it was summer. Toward the east a huge mountain standing, with a vertical wall, covered a large part of the scenery. The valley spread out in a vast region till the range of mountains drew the skyline.
I delighted in the panoramic view of the valley when I perceived that, from far off, a group of clouds moved over the trees. They moved swiftly, coming together from the same direction. They looked like the traces the jets leave in their flight. It was awesome, and at the same time frightening. What could it be?
In the same way the rows are sketched, as the plow moves on over a field, lines of cloud were moving up towards the mountains' peaks. Similar to wakes, the tracks left by ships, the streams of clouds crept over the forest till they reached the cliff. There, they ascended vertically and, slowly, disolved.
I had not recovered from the stunning impression when a group of birds flew directly to the point where I was standing. They flew in formation till they arrived at the peak. Almost hitting the rock, they pulled away and went around the promontory.
After I had enjoyed these natural events, I found myself in a predicament. Running after the lightning, I arrived to that very special place, but with no clouds at all. The climbing had been a great experience, but now to come back without getting what I went looking for did not seem attractive to me. I realized the being there had a reason, and I had to understand something new, to learn a lesson. 
I figured out that the place was my classroom. The mountains, forest and sky would be the blackboard, but, what about the teacher? Being alone should not be a difficulty for me. That was no problem, I would learn by myself. It would be even better than an scheduled class. It sounded good to me. I could decide the content and extent of the lessons and also the break-times. I had, then, to chose the methodology to follow and the experiments to perform. 
To have a great class for understanding all that I needed before the lightning was my purpose. I hoped to have in the afternoon the same whether that I met the day before when I arrived. Looking around, I found the first topic of my lesson. Since the group of birds were still flying around, I opted for having a flight lesson. Learning how to fly was the first class I would take. I focused my attention on my subject. I observed their movements, the way they used their wings to change direction and gained impulse during their flight. After nearly a couple of hours, I was able to describe how the wings moved during the diverse kinds of flights. I made a mental test, I considered it as a learned lesson, so I could take a break.
After the chocolate break time, wondering about the profit of my first lesson, I thought it had been a waste of time. Knowing how to fly and having no wings was just useless. I needed to have a different perspective; maybe, analyzing in a different way I could obtained indeed a relevant lesson. I asked the birds whether they could give a hint, perhaps they knew how I could apply what I had learned. However, I did not speak bird language, so there were no way to properly ask them and get back an appropriate answer.
Since to get a valuable information from the birds, I needed to understand their singing, I decided the topic of the second class would be to learn birds' talk. It was another waste of time, I got no clue of what a bird said in more than an hour of vain attempts. Near noon, I finished the class with at least one satisfaction, I had not learn something that would be also useless to me. I took another break time. I ate chocolate and honey and stretched my arms and legs. Then, a sound like a buzz approached the place where I was standing on the rocks. I could not see anything, but the source of sound seemed to come nearer and nearer. When it was close enough to my reach, it started to spin around the cliff. I could follow the sound with my sight but there was nothing that produced it. There were no object related with the perception of that flying sound. Still astonished, I sat down. After a while, I had my eyes prying but nothing could be seen. I wondered about that phenomenon, another unexplained thing to think about. However, why not to try to think using scientific knowledge and let the imagination figure out a solution? This was something having no visible appearance, but flying around. 
Meditating about it, I got a way to continue my classes. The next topic would be about the practical consequences of knowing how wings works. I thought that, somehow, I could fly. Maybe I could fly in perception only. I would virtually fly if, having my body resting, the way I visually perceived the scenery changed, in distance and perspective, as moving away from the initial point. I planned an imaginary trajectory going from the place I stood and soaring toward the southeast to pass in between the mountain and the volcano. The consequences of moving in that path would be that I would see the size of both, month and volcano increasing, while the general perspective should change.
I chose the best position I could find sitting between two rocks. I tried many and diverse ways to get any result, but I could not until I fixed my eyes upon a rock in the mountain that was in front of me. I perceived a slight change in my perception of the volcano. It seemed as if its highest part made a small twist. Encouraged by this small achievement I kept on trying for hours but all that I got was just to see how the peak spun around several degrees.
Exhausted by the stressful effort, I quit my intention near the sunset. Moreover there were no clouds, so I was disappointed. I felt that I got neither any lesson and nor lightning. Why? My understanding concerning the lesson became expanded. It had been a lesson of faith. I remember that saying, "If you have faith ... you can say to this mountain..."
Then I realized God's presence. Sure! Since God was everywhere, so He was there also. I thought that if I did not meet the lightning it was because I had not ask God for it. Would God give it to me? I prayed for clouds, and after a while, from behind a mountain, a huge white cloud appeared. It was resplendent, reflecting the light of the sun. I was excited, so I kept praying. I ask for many clouds and rain but nothing happened. The white cloud stood there alone where it appeared at first, but increased in size. I prayed more and more, but in vain. It seemed that my faith was not working, or at least not enough.
I tried to make an explanation and I guessed that it was not lacking faith but it was that the reason I was there was to get a lesson of faith instead of a lightning. "God," I said, "If this is not yet time for a lightning, could you then show me the Last Events?" The size and shape of the white cloud started to change. I saw its form like drawing of the outline the four riders of the Apocalypse. 
Terrified, I fell down on my knees. I closed my eyes and prayed God to forgive me for having dared such requests. I acknowledged God's sovereignty over his creation. How could I choose the time and way he would take me into heaven? I was confronted by the one who gives life and takes it away in his own will. I understood then that God had a purpose for me and I had to accept the challenge to live according to his will. 
I had to come back home and live by faith. I got light. I had been enlightened from high; I realized that the purpose of the trip had been achieved. That was the reason I went up, to get light, wisdom to live, to learn to live by faith. When I finished my prayer, it was dark and cold. I was afraid to fall while descending, so I decided to wait till the next morning to get down from that place.

home

Time keeps movin' on
Friends they turn away
I keep movin' on
But I never found out why
I keep pushing so hard the dream
I keep trying to make it right
Through another lonely day, whoa

Janis Joplin, Kozmic Blues 

The next morning I decided not to go back by the same way. I would start walking by faith and it would be great going back home by a new and amazing way. There was a shelter for alpinists some miles away. I headed toward the cabin. When I arrived at the place, I found nobody; that made me feel good because I could spend all the time I needed to meditated on the last day's events. I decided to make it my home for the whole day. I prepared some tea, and sat in front of the window. I enjoyed watching the snow outside while thinking of what had had happened to me, and what I would expect in the future.
The next day I went around the volcano. Descending from the arid region to the forest, I walked to the East. Once I reached again the forest full of pine, I felt better. I was so happy to be there, it was an amazing place to walk through. I discovered much scenery and some amazing spots that seemed to be a place planned fairy tales. I met a small lake. It was so exciting that I could not resist and I dove into it. The water was so cold that I did not spend lot of time swimming in it. When I came up from the water I felt zestful and my eyes perceived everything as if it all was brand new. The colors of the trees and the sky had been highlighted. I had discovered the power of a cold bath, it was a very cool refreshment!
I continued my trip around the mountains through the ravines trying to orient my way, helped by the sun's position. However, in a moment I felt that I was lost. I was tired, and I did not know what to do. I met some blue birds. Desperately, although I knew they could not understand me, I asked them for directions. They just flew away. 
Just kidding, I went after them, asking them not to leave me alone. Soon I found a trail which I followed until I met the freeway. I felt safe. Not much later, I started to walk by the highway. Later, I got home.
3
Colors
"Charm is the measure of attraction's power
To chain the fleeting fancy of an hour." 
Louisa Carroll Thomas. 
wings

"She's like a rainbow 
Coming, colors in the air 
Oh, everywhere 
She comes in colors"

Rolling Stones, She is Like a Rainbow

After three days, I arrived at the mountain. It looked majestic because of the sharp contrast between the flat prairie and the imposing mass of rock, which formed the upper half of the mountain. I was so tired that the initial fascination the mountain had exerted over me now disappeared.
I sat on the ground after the sun, with glorious orange beams, had set. I opened my backpack and got my daily ration, one orange, one lemon, one piece of corn bread and one piece of seed bread. I ate slowly enjoying the dusk. I finished it drinking some water. Then I made an evaluation. After three days and 40 miles under a scorching sun, I was really too tired to attempt climbing the mountain. Even though climbing had been one of the things moved me to visit this remote place, at this moment I deserted the idea to visit the top. Rather, I planned for the next day to go around the mountain and pick up some meteorites and fossils in the dried lake. That would be a good end for such an exhaustive trip. I unfolded my blanket and laid down on it. Easily I felt sleep.
Later, I woke up and got up. I rolled my blanket and packed my provisions. Finally I grabbed my backpack and guitar. I started to walk. A starry heaven, without moon, shone with such splendor that I was able to advance without difficulty. Against the gleam of heaven, the dark shape of the mountain lifted up in front of me. And, unexpectedly, I was going toward it. When I realized this fact, I instantly stopped. "Where am I going?" I asked myself, "well my feet are leading me toward the mountain, despite the fact that I have before made up my mind not to do it."
Contrary to what I though, the dawn was not near but the night had just started. I stopped, astonished. I tried to think it over. However it was so clear. Since I came to climb the mountain, I was on my way to conquer its top. I had started the ascent. When I realized it, I said, "O no, I've already changed the plan, now I'm just going to go round it, not to climb it." I saw quietly all around. There was no other way more challenging that the one going to the mountain top. Nonetheless, the freshness of the wind and the beauty of the night were so attractive to me that I considered it wouldn't be that bad, so I decided just let it go. 
I took a deep, deep breath, “Okay,” I said, “Here I am and over there I can see the top of the mountain. I just need to climb to get there.” I directed my steps upwardly through the bushes and the rocks. Although the inferior half of the mountain had a great slope, it was walkable since there were no many obstacles in the way and there was enough light coming from the sky.
I walked up slowly. There was no hurry for me. As I advanced, my perspective changed forthwith. The land around the mount was very flat, so coming up, the slant allowed me to have an extended vision of the desert around. The more I moved up, the wider the view was. When I reached half the height of the mountain, the slope abruptly changed. Now I was in front of a vertical rocky wall. 
I climbed the wall with great excitement. The star's light was enough to find a way among the rocks. There was a moment in which I could not go further with all my stuff. I had to leave aside my guitar and my backpack. I only kept with me my seashell. This lit my load but also it made the way harder because I used only one hand to climb while I held the shell in the other. I stopped many times to see the starry heaven and its special beauty. I could even see some meteorites falling in the area. Near the dawn I hurried up to get the top. I found a way very narrow but I could go through to the end. The first sunbeams met me right in the last steps. I enjoyed the sunrise standing in the edge of the mountain, sounding my seashell. 
The top of the mountain was a flat circular area where I ran back and forth celebrating that I had climbed it. Finally, despite my attempt to quit, I had reached one of the main objectives that had moved me to be in that region. It had been a strange way to climb, at night, but it was successful in its goal. From the top it was possible to see several hundreds of miles away because of the flatness of the desert. I had a wonderful view that I almost missed, but I did not.
I tried to visit every corner of the top before descending. When I came to the southern edge, I stood in a prominent rock. Watching the cliff I realized that the ascension was really dangerous, I had done it without perceiving the real peril because I did it at night. Now it seemed so risky to me to practice a descent. I was wondering how to go down when a group of blackbirds came flying toward the cliff. The way the flew was kind of crazy. They directly advanced toward the rocks to turn aside only when they almost crashed. They seemed to enjoy this practice. I did enjoy watching their tricks, but I was more amazed when I saw them coming in my direction in order to do the same. They flew to the place I was, and when they turned up, they feathers shone with bright colors. Some turned into a metallic blue, some others changed into a resplendent silver light. I wondered whether they knew what they were doing because they were not hunting or searching for food or having an oriented activity that I could understand. I did figure it out that they were performing a sort of aerial dance.
I did not need to understand what they did to make up a response. Having nothing but words, I gathered together phrases and ideas and declaimed poems honoring their flight and celebrating life. I was moved by their aerial dance so much that also I decided to perform mine. I took off my clothes and my shoes and ran away. I jumped and cried aloud verses and songs, feeling the freedom of having wings, the wings of genuine expression. Mine was a flight of victory.

deer

When the last eagle flies 
Over the last crumbling mountain (...)
They will stare unbelieving at the last unicorn 

America, The Last Unicorn 

The sunset was just about to happen when I got the highest part of that hill. Since I have a stone in my shoes, I stopped to get rid of it. I knelt on my left leg and worn out the right shoe. I took out the stone and threw it away. The sun, at that moment it was huge and orange, approached the skyline. When I lifted up my eyes to admire the sunset, a deer was standing, right there, in front of me. Never before I had met a deer, so it was an amazing moment for me. It was precisely at the top of the hill; it was watching me. I looked at it for a while. The sun, as a sweet floating tangerine, was right above the edge of the skyline. Since I didn’t want to miss the sunset I tried to watch both, the deer and the star, glimpsing at each other.
Finally, after the sun had completely gone behind the skyline, I prepared to move. Meanwhile, the deer kept its beautiful stance, almost frozen. Only its ears moved momentarily. Slowly, I stood up trying not to fright it off. When I got the vertical position a weird feeling of intense happiness filled my heart. We were there, two natural beings, watching each other in a silent dialogue. That was awesome!
We stared at each other for long time, but the light was fading away, what could I do? Hey, I shouted and it lift up the head. It prepared to walked away. Suddenly, I left my emotion come out in a burst , and run toward the direction the deer was standing. When it saw me, it swiftly jumped above rocks and bushes, disappearing momentarily from my sigh. When I reached the hilltop, it had already reached the peak of the next one, a hill that was further than hundred feet away. It stopped again at that place and, standing, kept watching me. Behind it, the sky displayed a spread of colored clouds. I did dare to move again, I tried to keep a memorable image, a mental picture record., however later on it slowly went away. 
After a sigh, I continued the march, at that moment I realized that right before me the way was full of deer's tracks, I walked slowly meditating in all the beauty of the place. I kept watching the colorful farewell on the skyline. Orange and pink lights succeeded the sunset till the firs stars appeared. 
Next day I hanged around toward the North. That place was really special. Supposedly, long ago it was a great lake but now it was only a dessert. It was bare ground, with no trees but full of surprises. In the dried lake, I found several fossils and meteorites. 

Later I planned to visit the other side. I saw different possibilities and decided for the easiest way. I had just began to walk when a rattlesnake, which was beneath the rocks, moved beneath my feet. Since I noticed its presence, I did not finished the step, that would have let me so close to it, but rather I jumped away from that rock. I felt between two large rocks and immediately I turned to face the snake. It had lifted up its head in menacing stance. I thought for a moment and went around a rock. From above it, i jumped where it was and presses its head against the ground with my flute. With the other hand I reached my knife which was inside my backpack. With a strike a separated its head from its body. 
I felt really bad right after that incident. For a while, I meditated on it till I found it like a natural account. I just had had the archetypical hunter encounter. I had reacted in self-defense, and I had eliminated the source of danger. Finally, I cut the rattle and put it in my bag with the snail's shells I had collected during the days before. 
From the range of mountain in the west, a large amount of clouds started to advance toward the valley. I began to descend cautiously. When I reached an inner small valley among the mountains, the sky was already covered with dense clouds. Since I had not a tent I knew I could not escape to be wet by the coming rain. However, there was an alternative for my clothes. I though that after the rain I could wear my dry clothes if I keep them covered. Gathering together, back pack clothes and guitar under the rain coat, I made up my mind to wait for the rain naked. It would be like a shower. 
I knelt down to set up all my snails' shells on the ground. I though it would be a good idea to cleanse them during the shower. It would keep me busy in case of a long term rain. Among the shells there was the rattle. I arranged them in several lines, from the smallest to the greater, having the rattle in an edge. Suddenly a crack sounded behind me. It was creepy because I though I was alone, moreover, I was naked. 
I turned my head toward both sides when I heard that sound, but I did not see anything. I lifted up my shoulders not worrying about that. When I turned back my eyes onto the shells, I realized that the rattle was gone. I looked for it again and again, but unsuccessfully. It was a very strange situation. I tried to ignore the situation and kept waiting for the rain. 
I never knew how the rattle disappeared but something remarkable was that right after it disappeared a strong wind started to push away the clouds. Very soon, some beams of sunlight shone upon me. The sky became clearer and clearer. Neither the expected stormy rain nor a little shower came but a warm shinning sun appeared behind the fading clouds. It was really great to have a sun bath instead of a cold rain shower. Half an hour later, the sky was again totally blue, as it was in the beginning of the day. 
Surely, there are infinite connections between the many things of the world. However there is also connection between the spiritual realm. 

purple night

"Suddenly, someone is there at the turnstile,
The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

The Beatles, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

The most beautiful time of darkness I ever had happened to me in the midst of the day, precisely at noon. We were on a hill where many flowers colored the bushes and the grass. She was also colorful, dressing those fancy clothes and wearing necklaces and bracelets made by herself. Although she always got weird garments, that day she was dressing as for a special party, she said. She celebrated life! Indeed it was a great event because not every day we are able to watch moon and sun meet each other in such a way that nature all stops to see them.
She had gotten special 'candies' for the celebration. I had had to decline an invitation for an astronomical meeting at the seashore. Together we had decided for that place in order to have a natural observation of the solar eclipse, having for instruments but our enhanced eyes. I have not enough words to describe that awesome time we enjoyed full with colors, in a purple sky.
We arrive to the spot in the middle of the morning. It was cold and foggy but we were prepared with honey and chocolate bars. After we pitched the tent we gather some firewood. We had some corn for our meal and marshmallows and tea for our dinner.
When the sun had covered by the moon, rainbows appeared around them. At the same time, many stars shone in the heaven and some planets, drawing a line, witnessed the magnificent event, in a purple sky.
About eleven o'clock many clouds came pushed by a cold breeze. The sky became, more and more gray till it was totally covered by clouds. I regretted not have gone to the seashore where the astronomers had met together. There I would have enjoyed and excellent weather and even the possibility to use some telescopes. Also I could have shoot some great pictures and interact with important astrophysicist from many countries. 
Thinking that I had decided to go rather to the forest because of a girl made me feel bad. It was the eclipse of the century, and I would spend this event with an unschooled friend covered by dense clouds, that was sad indeed. She was down, too. Since she realized that because of our friendship I let her to convinced me to be with her, she would felt guilty if We were not able to watch the eclipse.
"Come on," I said, "It's not that bad! Later we will be able to watch it on video and see the pictures." She saw me with pity. "Well, we cannot be sad forever," I tried to change her mood, "We can still have a party, Can't we?" She did not even move. "Let's light the firewood, and have some tea." I suggested and got up to gather the stuff. 
She said to me, "Look at this, I was saving this for the best moment, however, I think that we can use it now." In her hands there was an excellent material reserved for that day, green smoke, sweet mushrooms, and magic fruits. I realized how much she cared for that event. "Wow," I exclaimed surprised, "this is a superior class! With it we can have a very good time." With the sweetness of the honey and the heat of the fire we got better. Who would need an eclipse to have a good time when we had a splendid table in a precious place? The tea accompanied our meal, and things started to look better.
Some minutes before noon, the sky became darker quickly. As the time for the totality approached, the light grew dim as it was a normal sundown. The animal started to hide as they normally do in the dusk. The birds turned to their nest. It seemed as if the night was coming earlier. Suddenly the clouds opened and we saw the moon in the center of the sky almost covering the sun completely. We looked at each other with uncertainty because we did not expected a last time change. Would we watch the event?
It seemed that we would be able to watch the eclipse, well, at least the main phase, the totality. She smiled. The wind pushed away, more and more, the clouds till the sky was almost completely visible. Then she started to laughter, it was unbelievable but, finally our desire would be fulfilled. The more the moon cover the sun's face the darker the blue of the sky became. Near the totality, the color shifted to a purple, and getting more intense as the sun disappeared behind the moon. The trees and the bushes, the same that the grass and the rocks, acquired a very unusual tint. Since lines of colored shadow crept over the hills the world turned into a very weird scenery, as if we were beneath a colorful fluid, or inside a dream.
There was some subtle clouds above us, running away continually by a fresh breeze. This made a sort of screen dispersing the light and causing very impressive optic phenomena. When the moon had almost covered the sun's image, in the edge of the corona, a series of rainbows flipped over the point of the conjunction inwardly and surrounded the dark's face of the moon, closing circles around it. When the rainbows flipped over they shone lights upon us, showering with colors. We were astonished, standing on the hill shouting, "wow," "awesome," "great," "cool," and lots of exclamations which naturally flew out of our mouths. 
The more the moon hide away the sunlight, the more rainbows flipped over the last point of light and enclosed them. At the moment of the totality, when the moon shape covered completely the sun's , the heaven pitched deep purple. Then, there were several rainbows superposed enclosing around the black circle. It was amazing to see also the planets aligned in the ecliptic, having in the zenith the moon and sun in conjunction. The moon was totally dark, having behind it the sun, it let only visible its outer flagrant crown, its corona. Around them a set of amazing rainbows with the weirdest color I had ever seen. That was totally great! The best of all, we needed no instruments to watch this special features of the so called eclipse of the century. I was trembling for the emotion, I turned my sight unto her, and surprisingly, she was dancing. She was crazy, spinning all around, laughing and showing a wide smile. Sometimes she exclaimed at the marvelous event. This completed, to me, the scene. Surely I had a better experience being there than elsewhere. I forgot all about telescopes and astronomers, data and technology, personalities and glamour. I enjoyed a natural event an a natural fashion, and that was indeed the best way.

4
Crossroads
" I went to the garden of Love,
and saw what I never had seen before." 
William Blake 

knowledge

"We have learned 
that rational thinking 
does not suffice 
to solve the problems."

Albert Einstein

Surely, there are infinite connections between the many things of the world. However there is also connection between the spiritual realm. I had learned a lot. First of all I realized that God was not restricted to inhabit inside the walls of the church since godly things such as friendship and altruism were found among the gentiles. Also, I saw all the creation as a sanctuary where you can - and in many times you are naturally moved to- worship God. I realized the connections between the way one relates to nature and to others,Therefore I could identify the motives and feelings people have are founded spiritually upon hidden causes. The world's rudiments seemed to be instruments tool that anyone could analyze, test and utilize for one's purposes. However, whether it is good or evil, most times does not appear as an interesting matter of discussion. Nevertheless I attempt to ignore it. Indeed I always new that. To create a painting, to climb a mountain, to use substances seemed just merely to be the means we use to express and formalize one's own intentions, in order to make an outline for the real world. As if solving the problem of crossing the rain forest during the summer would have a relevant impact in the next term at school. Indeed, our mind during the childhood is permeated by magic thought, however as we grow up we land in the realm of the actual world. With this discovery I could get a new perspective. As creatures, humans cannot choose but who they want to follow/serve/obey. The point was, then, how to pick the best option. Indubitably the great good spirit is better than any other spirit. Nevertheless, there were still some other possibilities which seemed to be godly but indeed they were only illusions in disguise. It was attractive to get to know some special ways of healing sickness. It seemed to be a good aspiration and an interesting learning way. So I decided to investigate the knowledge of spiritual healing.

vortex

"Every bond you break, 
every step you take
I'll be watching you"

Police, Every Breath You Take

Mount Carmel was a place for a decisive encounter. Elijah, the prophet, had the people of Israel gather in order to make a decision. "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but is Baal is God follow him." Elijah challenged four hundred prophets of Baal to make a sacrifice and to call on the name of their god to be answered by fire. He would do the same, he would prepare the altar and call on the name of the LORD.
It does not matter what your last resort is. You only use it in extreme cases, when you have exhausted all other possibilities. I was precisely in that situation, after I had analyzed, tested and proved false a large variety of ways. Science, art, philosophies, meditation, pleasures, and drugs have been my subjects in the school of life. Nothing else deserved more my attention. 
However there was still one way remaining, It was a scaring way, would I dare taking it? I had witnessed the failure of several people attempting similar goals. I knew it was just another endless way. So, why to spend time investigating it? Because it was a sort of last resort.
I supposed that healing was a good purpose to consider. My intention was to acquire the necessary knowledge to heal. However, when I seriously thought about it, I realized it was a wrong way to follow. I understood that acquiring power over the element in order to manipulate spiritual forces to cure diseases was only a masked plan of darkness. 
In a certain Gnostic system of thought, there is a way to enter into the spiritual healing. It is supposed that when a person wants to control spirits to heal a sort of covenant is necessary to be signed. Choosing one's favorite plant, the initiating has to pour a blood drop on it in order to make it one's ally. 
I thought that the goal was worthy enough to go through such a means. I torn a thorn out of a plant and pressed it against my thumb. I tried to make it bleed. I couldn't because I did not press with enough strength, it was painful! I didn't like that way. It hurt. I stopped to consider the idea, it was indeed insane. I quit my intention.
Then, I had to make up my mind. This was my last decision, neither I would try anymore using any psychedelic substance for any purpose, nor I would climb any mountain to know how to deal with life issues. 
I understood I was not doing well. God's knowledge and power is given through Jesus Christ and I was at that moment investigating a wrong way. I repented and asked God to forgive me and give me another chance to live according to his light. So, I deny myself to use any substance and also I rejected the idea to climb the mountain that was in front of me. 
That decision was really tough to me, but I needed not to be involved with any work of darkness. Definitely, I understood that there are not neutral spirits. There are evil spirits and there is the Holy Spirit, who is God.
I went to sleep that day with my new resolution. This had been not only a intellectual struggle but also a spiritual warfare. Since I was exhausted, I did not use my equipment, I just laid down on the ground. 
The cold breeze in the morning woke me up. I stared at the mountain for a while. It still had strong attraction to me. I knew that I could reap benefits if I climbed it. Nevertheless, I had made a decision to follow. I walked to the place I had left my back pack in order to wear my shoes. Since I had hurting my feet by scratching I used to cover my skin with the cortex of a plant, Aloe Vera. When I took the branch of Aloe I had carried with me, I was frozen because of what I saw. In the place where I had ripped a bit of plant to cover my wound the day before, there were a little plan, a small aloe Vera with near sixteen tiny branches! That was really marvelous. I understood that my decision to follow the good spirit, the Holy Spirit, had led me into life.
Having in front of me such regenerated plant, I realized that God had answered my prayer with a remarkable sign. I couldn't deny his power to transform and give life. All of the reasons interposed in my mind clogging my faith in God stumbling came down. No, there was not necessary thousands, millions or billions of years for God to act and make whatever he wanted. God is Almighty, a token of his power had been displayed before my eyes. No scientific inference, no philosophic position could stand its own before the evidence of God's power and reality. That day, in that special way, God overcame my doubt and fortified my faith in Jesus Christ, my Savior.
This experience was similar to that one of the people Israel had with Elijah and the prophets of Baal. "They called on the name of Baal from the morning till noon but there was no answer... and they continued... until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response."
30 Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord , which was in ruins. ... 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord , and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." 
34 "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. 
"Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. 
36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O Lord , God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O Lord , answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord , are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." 
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 
39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The Lord -he is God! The Lord -he is God!" 
After witnessing such display of power there is no room for any doubt. The LORD, our Heavenly Father is God. Yes, Jesus Christ is our God! Hallelujah. Amen.

5
Hilltop
"He is coming like the glory 
of the morning on the wave." 
Julia Ward Howe
news

"Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
Bob Dylan,The answer is blowing in the wind
I waited for the train while writing in a little notebook. With the Bible in one hand and the pencil in the other, I mad a sketch for a sermon. Having understood that it was necessary for ma to act quickly, I realized that the faster I got ready the better I would do. It was preferable to start preaching before going back to the city than to wait for another favorable occasion. Back in my home, at the city I would find any kind of obstacle to achieve this intention. I had just declared victory on one of my hardest adversaries, so I needed to make it real.
With approximately other twenty passengers I got up the train when it arrived to the station. It was delayed but it usually it came late. I paid my fare and took a sit in the first car. I as excited, so I prayed for strength and wisdom, for courage to stand up and deliver the message of salvation. I took many pieces of paper and used them as bookmarks in the Bible, in order to make easier finding the verses I had chosen to support the preaching. After I made up my mind, I walked through the hallway till the last car. I was looking for the person in charge. 
When I found the one who gives the tickets, I asked him whether I was able to preach aloud or not. He made me some questions concerning the content of what I would like to express. After thinking about it for a moment , he said, "I think it's okay," he said.
"Good morning," I started, "God has sent me to tell you something important." Opening the Bible, I read the verses found in Mark 1:16, "Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news." Then I added an explanation of what were the good news and what they meant for us all. I read another passage, the one that is in Acts 4:10-12, which finishes with the following declaration, concerning Jesus Christ, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Supported in this assert, I exposed the falsehood of the diverse ways manhood has elaborated attempting to reach heaven, such as religions and philosophies.
The initial hesitation I had started to grow dim. Since there was a varied audience before me, I went gaining confidence to deliver the message. Most of the passengers listened attentively, such thing made feel okay. After the speech was over, I asked them to consider all the words I had spoken unto them. Also I recommended to read their Bibles, when they were back home, and analyzed carefully the message of life that God has given unto us in Jesus Christ. I thanked them their attention and I went back to my sit. I praised God in prayer for the ability he gave me to bring out the gospel's message. Then I got my breakfast.
I ate quietly some food I bought in the station. When I finished, I went to the second last car. In the hallway I stopped for a while to pray. Entering, I stopped near the middle of the car and I addressed the people in similar way to the first time. Since in this car there were more children than in the first one, I developed in the fly some illustrations targeting them, that they might understand better. When I finished, after telling them thanks, I went out to take a break. 
I was between the cars, where the wind refreshed me, when a man approached me and asked me a word. I assented and asked him whether he had heard the message I had given. He acknowledged it as the reason to talk me. From the Bible directly I gave him some answers, I urged him to accept Jesus Christ as Savior. 
He did not feel ready to have a commitment to God. Instead of that, he asked me to pray for him that when he got home he would be willing to attend church and understand batter in order to make his decision. He had been out of his home for seven months and now that he returned he expected to have a different lifestyle. He had heard about God and also he knew some people of the local church. He has some sympathy to the church and God's stuff but now he felt compelled to take it more seriously. I told him he had pray and I would support his petition unto God. He prayed quietly. Also, I prayed.
I was glad I could see how God had started to work in me and through me.
(...)
With my friends it was different, a little bit harder. However, praying before talking with someone always gave good results. Specially I remember when I witnessed one of my friends of the College. She majored Biology. She knew I was a Christian since I had had to say it as explanation when I restrained in certain issues. Even though I never tried to proselytize, I had shared some elements of the the message with her, but trying not to confront her.
That day we met in the hallway which bridged The classrooms to the laboratories. We started, after greetings, talking about classes and schedules. "Did you have a great time during the break?" trying to have a better topic to talk about, I said to her. "It was cool, and what about yours," she asked me, "was it good?" "Yes, it was a sort of strange adventure because I came back preaching in the train." I answered. That was enough for her to throw me a lot of words questioning my believes. I tried an explanation, then another one, and it worked. I was amazed that every time she interpose an excuse to not believe I could elaborate and developed and idea which fitted well in the discourse. 
When we arrived to the evolution issue, I thought, momentarily, to share with her the experience I had had in the countryside days before. However, instead of telling the whole story, which would have taken a long time, I came with a simple explanation. Since I have seen God's power to create a full plant, in a short time, out of a separated branch, I realized that the problem of the evolutionist scheme is the character of the presuppositions involved. "If you see a stone, threw by your friend, coming through the window and landing in your desk. Are you able to know where the stone was thrown from?" Well, in the case that you can fully describe the trajectory inside your room, you can really know the place at the level of the ground outside by making a projection in the time, backwardly." Nodding, I asked her again, "Is this the same sort of time projection that is performed in evolution?" Smiling, she affirmed. "Because of this you think that, since by reasoning we have this power of time predictability then, the evolutionary story is right?" I waited for her answer. "Sure, but always based in the evidence of the fossil record." 
After a pause, I finally inquired, "If, instead of a stone landing on your desk, you see a butterfly coming though your window and finishing its flight on your computer, would you be able to describe its trajectory before it entered your room?" She laughed at me, and said, "Oh no, that's impossible, a butterfly is a living creature, it has will and flies wherever it wants."
Trying to see how well we understand each other I said, "Why you can affirm that for the stone you can get the info you want? Why you reasoning works in that case?" She deemed a moment, "Because the stone is only subjected to Physics' principles of movement. And Physics' laws are valid everywhere." Near to the conclusion I said, "Precisely, that is the weakest link of this theory. The assumption that the Principles of Physics (and Chemistry and Biology) are valid everywhere and every time is very strong, but unfortunately, it lacks of a solid ground. The extrapolation of the observed data has fallen outside from any verification. It has reached the point of mere speculation."
"Basically the problem is in the principles. When the theorist starts his work denying God's existence, he shortens his own vision and understanding and is trapped in his own argument. When he says that everything happens by hazard with no any will involved, in order to solve the problem, he is giving the same treatment to the stone and to the butterfly." I ended, asking, "Can you see this clearly?"
(...)
We talked for almost two hours, till we had to attend our first class. She said she needed to think it over before to commit in such a decision. She understood very well that it was a personal lifetime decision. It was not an easy resolution to take in a moment. We said bye each other. I walked away praising God for his wonderful work.

life

"I Am The Resurrection And The Life."
Jesus Christ

That day in the countryside I had to turn to God looking for direction and I felt the reproof of the Holy Spirit for my break of loyalty to Him. I repented myself for my dissipation and I asked to the Lord forgave me and gave another opportunity to serve Him. I took the decision to follow Him earnestly. Then God showed me a miracle when He made a plant to sprout up a new shoot from night to morning! Thus God showed me His Great Power to transform anything and I understood that He would fulfill His purpose on me, despite my wandering. I repented from my lack of wisdom and I decided to follow Christ Jesus with all my heart.
When I came back to the city I made a great pile and I burnt all my works (poems, writings, paintings, sculptures and pictures). I started a new way of living: I closed myself to worldly books and music (Philosophies and Ideologies of this world). And as a result God moved me to decide to be baptized. Soon after I led an evangelistic group preaching the gospel in parks and the subway for several months. It was then that I understood that God wanted me to dedicate full-time to His work but I also had the drive to finish my academic career. I worked for 2 years in the Children's Ministry. At the same time I was an itinerant street preacher.
Accepting Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior is the most important decision I have made in my life. It happened when I was 14 years old, I remember it as the most glorious experience I have ever had because it was passing from death to life, and also because of the emotions I experienced the day in which I become a son of God. Since I was born and raised in a Christian family, I had knowledge about God when I was just a child. I knew that all of us were separated from God’s glory because of sin. Also, I realized that it was necessary for me, in order to be saved, to accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as an atonement for my faults. Otherwise I would share the unbeliever's destine which is eternal separation from God’s presence. 
We used to attend church every Sunday. In most of the sermons there was an invitation to accept God’s gift of salvation in a public confession of faith. Sunday after Sunday I was watching the time pass by while thinking that maybe next time or in another opportunity when the sermon was special and I would be able to make my own decision. However I really knew that no one had the power to preserve his own life, and that at any moment I could leave this world and if I hadn’t accept God’s gift before, the place I would go would not be heaven. This thoughts kept me going to Church with expectancy every week. We had an invited preacher that day, the pastor Pat Carter. Indeed I remember neither the date when it happened nor the sermon’s theme but the facts are lucidly engraved in my memory. As it is common after the message it was a time to reflect on the words spoken and make a decision. When the preacher made the Invitation I bowed my head in prayer. The situation was clear, I was a sinner who needed God’s forgiveness. I required to be born again in order to enter the heavenly kingdom, but I hesitated. Suddenly I felt my heart moved. I wondered what it was. Surprised I acknowledged God was inviting me to become part of his kingdom, to be saved. I could not resist the impulse that led me to the front. It was as that light and gentle touch pulled onward. I stood up and let God lead me to the front. When I got to the altar my heart was being softly pressed and surrounded by a special warmth. I just had to say yes to Jesus Christ, to accepted God’s grace by faith. I knelt having inexpressible feeling. I felt so close to Jesus Christ. He was asking me to surrender my life and to receive his glorious favor. I was just unable to say, "No," to him, so I started to pray asking him to forgive all my sins and to give me eternal life. I was aware of my situation, just at the threshold of Heaven and knowing that Christ Jesus was willing to receive me. I begged, "Jesus Christ, please save me," don’t let me go to the hell, give me life. I supplicated, "Make me born again! Please, God! Save me!” And then the certitude came suddenly to me, like a lightning. My sorrow became joy, my pain went away and I began to praise the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful feeling of assurance which filled me up with an ineffable gladness. I was forgiven. I was saved by Christ Jesus. Songs of praise sprang up within my heart but externally I was still crying, unable to say any word! For a long time I stayed in that state of commotion. When I recovered the calm the service was over and everyone was preparing to leave. After I left the Church I was still plenty of joy, singing inside my heart and mind while tears were pouring out of my eyes in abundance. My mom asked me what had happened with me but I couldn’t say any thing because every time I opened the mouth my voice was broken. Nonetheless my inner expression overflowed with happiness! This emotion lasted more than an hour after the service. Many songs in my heart and many tears in my eyes were mingled in the feeling of my brand new eternal life because of the great love God had lavished on my soul. I was already a son of God! I felt no more fears for the future, no more expectation but the complete certainty of God living in me. The Holy Spirit had come to dwell in my heart. Jesus Christ had became my Lord, my Owner,and my friend forever! And all of this by grace, praise be our Lord Jesus Christ now and ever! Amen. Since I was born again I have had many different kinds of experiences in which clearly I have seen the care of God and his love for me. I acknowledge his presence and his continuous help to make me better every day of my life . The things are not the same as before I became a child of God. Now a have a neat relationship with God, He is my Father and I am his son. Daily we are in contact. I can talk to him in prayer and He speaks to me in the Bible. And even more than that, He lives within my heart! One wonderful aspect of Christian life is God's family, all those who accept Jesus Christ as His Savior form the Church, the family of God. The relationship among the believer is in love because the Holy Spirit is living in our hearts. 

Zion

"If the sky above you 
grows dark and full of clouds 
And that old north wind begins to blow.
Keep you head together" 
Carole King, You've Got A Friend

The beautiful bride, God has chosen to live with, and within, is the Church. Spiritually, there is an eternal union between God and his people. Every believer is a dwelling place of the Spirit of God. When a person is born again becomes a child of God. By faith we receive the gift of God's grace that is salvation through Jesus Christ. Accepting Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior means to surrender our lives unto Him. To give God the throne of our heart. There is nothing in all creation that can separate a true believer from God since they conform a unity by the Holy Spirit. The original communion Creator-creature is restored by the new birth, which is spiritual. Being born again lead to have many different kinds of experiences in which is evident the care of God and His love for his own. The things are not the same as before we became children of God, now we have a neat relationship with God. He is our Father and I we are his children. Daily we are in contact. We can talk to him in prayer and He speaks to us in the Bible, and through His people. One wonderful aspect of Christian life is the family. All those who accept Jesus Christ as His Savior form the Church, the family of God. The relationship among the believers is a love based communion because the Holy Spirit is living in our hearts.

epilogue

"Are you talking to me?" 
dw

"Will you give me a drink?" He asked the woman. Neither she answered, "Yes I will," nor she said, "Sorry, I'm busy now," but what the asked woman replied was something like, "Are you talking to me?" or even, "How you dare to talk to me?"
The set up could have not been worse; he was a Jewish man, while she was a Samaritan woman. They met in a landmark: a well that Jacob had given his son Joseph. By that time, Jewish and Samaritans had a religious and historical conflict that prevent them to relate each other in peaceful terms. However, the outcome of that harsh started talk was the best.
Jesus was on a journey from Judea to Galilee. Since they had to go through Samaria, they came to the town named Sichar. According to John, the Samaritan woman replied Christ with a question, "How can you ask me for a drink?" Who in the world told that guy it was a good idea to ask her anything? He was thirsty, yes, but he could have waited for his friends to come back with the food they went to get. Nevertheless, Jesus was also concerned about the woman's thirst
Because, he was engaged in his missionary labor, he told her, "If you knew the gift of God and who is it that ask you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
Encrypted in that saying, Christ revealed her who he was: the Messiah. The woman intuited something, so asked "Are you greater than our father Jacob?" Jesus advanced another hint, "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 
She focused on the water; she wanted to have some of that 'living water.' Although she realized her own thirst, she was thinking it was a physical substance. "Sir, give me this water," she replied, "So I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
Since she was not able to realize who he was, Jesus changed the strategy. He asked her about her private life and to her answer he completed with the right information that nobody could have given to him. In this way he let her know that he had full knowledge about her. That was something proper of not a common person. So, she said, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place we must worship is in Jerusalem."
The answer of Jesus was fully prophetic and true, "Believe me, woman," Christ told her, "A time is coming when you will worship the Father neither ion this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you don't know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
To this, since somehow she was aware of the prophesies pointing out to those times, she responded, "I know that the Messiah, the Christ, is coming." Even, she was expecting for his coming as she added, "When he comes he will explain everything to us." Precisely, she got the point. So, Jesus openly affirmed, "I who speak to you am he."
Here there was an interval when the disciples came back from the city and she went to bring the news to her people about the coming of the Messiah. 
"Many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the woman's testimony." However, since they asked Jesus to stay with them for two days, they were able by themselves to listen to Christ and being taught by the Teacher. Afterwards, they said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." That was the excellent outcome of this special encounter.