Some Spiritual Thoughts

Maybe the quote "God is love" is the best explanation.

For some reason I'm having more spiritual thoughts than usual. Maybe because it's my birthday this week. I don't know.  I was brought up as a Catholic but organized religions seem to cause more problems than they solve.

Some religions are more violent than others.

<> <> <> <> <>

"In my Father’s house are many mansions."
Is God too big to fit into any one religion?
It would be a great comfort if I could  find one that "fits" me.
Does each person, being unique, have her own path
to God?

<> <> <> <> <>

I do believe in God. But I’m not sure of God’s identity or how to react. I am aware of a longing (my yearning) for something more than just this life followed by nothing.

It is not just an instinct to survive because many people commit suicide to stop the pain they feel in living.

It is not the fear of experiencing nothingness because if I cease to exist after death I won’t be aware of the nothingness and so I won’t suffer.

I've read somewhere that if there is a longing, a desire; there must be an object that is longed for. For hunger and thirst nourishment exists as food and drink. For sexual longing satisfaction exists. For curiosity learning exists.

I want to avoid trying to understand God. It’s a mistake to think I can understand the creator of existence when I can’t even understand myself or much of science, mathematics, etc. This makes a lot of my philosophical notes attempting to understand God not needed or useful and maybe even an obstacle to spirituality.

After all the logic I still can’t tell. Therefore I must make an emotional leap of faith. Maybe God wants this emotional leap not just a cold proof.

But still:
I wish I had more faith.
I wish I had some clarity.
I wish I knew what I was supposed to do.

Secrete Invisible Text Code

I was playing around with different fonts and colors when it occurred to me that there was an easy way to hide a message within a document on your PC. 

HIDDEN MESSAGE

--> The secrete message is hidden here. I hope you enjoyed this post!

How it's done:

~Just type as usual.

~Highlight the text you want to hide.

~Pick a color to match the page color. Use white text color on a white page and so on.

To read the message you only have to highlight the text. 

Example: There is a hidden message in this post above the words How it's done: .

Note:

For an Email message highlighting the invisible area is also required in order to read it.

Copying and pasting the text on a document page will show the message without highlighting it. It won't be hidden. Also, this will not work with some document programs like word processors. 

If it doesn't work in a document program then send it as an email.

If you try it let me know if this works for you.

Example of a Code That Is Simple To Set Up Yet Difficult To Solve

I thought up this code myself.  Maybe I saw it somewhere and forgot where but as far as I know I figured it out myself.  Of course others must have also thought of this code.

See my earlier post for an explanation of the code:
http://johns-spot112948.blogspot.com/2009/08/easy-to-use-yet-difficult-to-solve-code.html

I'm sure experts will have other ways to solve this code but it will be unsolvable to the average person.

1. Both the person sending the code and the person receiving the message must have the same reference text.  In this way the code can be solved only by having a copy of this text.
2. The code is numerical using a set number to space out the words.

Example of a reference text:
"I must tell you how much I enjoyed making up this code.
The hope is that this code is difficult to solve."
(The space number will be 7)

Using this reference text I compose my new message:

1474787117

To find the solution to the message:
Remove the spacer number 7:
This leaves the following numbers:
14  4  8  11

Going back to the reference text:
Find the word by its location:
The 14th word is: hope
The 4th word is: you
The 8th word is enjoyed
The 11th word is this


Solution:

Hope you enjoyed this.

The code can be made more difficult by counting the letters instead of whole words and the reference text can be longer. Also the spacer number can change as you go through the code.
Without the reference text and spacer number I don't think the code can be solved.

Keeping Track of a Novel's Storyline with a Spreadsheet

I used a spreadsheet program to keep track of the storyline while writing my novel.  I've heard of using index cards, blackboards, post-it-notes, etc. A spreadsheet seems to be the best way.

First you'll need to learn how to use a spreadsheet.  I use the Microsoft Works Spreadsheet that came with my PC.  There are more sophisticated spreadsheets but this one is all you'll need.  You can arrange the details to what works best for you.  Use the instructions provided with the program to learn how it works.  It will be worth the effort.

I set mine up by columns for chapter, page, characters and action. I use just enough detail to jog my memory.
If I want to change the order of the plot's action I can easily find the details.
If I want to add a chapter between the chapters I've written I just add a row.
If I want to make a change I can instantly find what chapter and page it's on.

Of course with each change you make you must adjust the details of the spreadsheet (like page numbers, action, etc.)

I hope you'll find this useful.

Note: For the details from my novel I have a copyright registration on file with the U.S. Copyright Office.
You can use the spreadsheet idea for your own work.