The Battle

The battle is therefore on between the form side of life and the soul. The Dweller on the Threshold (the threshold of divinity, my brothers) is humanity itself with its ancient habits of thought, its selfishness and greed. Humanity today stands face to face with the Angel of the Presence--the Soul Whose nature is love and light and inclusive understanding.

The great problem today is which of these two will emerge the victor out of the conflict, and which of these two great agencies of life will determine humanity's future and indicate the way which humanity will decide to go.

The issues at stake are clear to all right-thinking people. Intolerance and an intense national pride and self-satisfaction can blind men to the facts of the case today, but there are enough people thinking clearly to make the future of right decisions more probable than at any previous time in the history of the race.

~Master Djwhal Khul

Of Note: This passage spells out the situation clearly. The ramifications of the conflict can be seen everywhere. When we do not follow the Soul, pain ensues to bring us back to the Truth. At this point, most of us are creators of pain--physical, emotional and mental--rather than divine creators of loving understanding. The decision to change is ours and in that thought lies hope of a lighted future for Humanity. Marie caught this surreal sunset one evening from her backyard in Texas. It symbolizes the lighted future we all crave and to which we strive.

Today's Weather Report: Finally a warm day, in the mid 30's. The sun shone for a short time before the clouds creeped in. Freezing rain is now predicted which we do not need before heading out of town tomorrow. Jim's mother will celebrate her 90th birthday on Sunday surrounded by family and friends. Nothing can get in the way of that sojourn out of town.

Watch For Change Snippet: On January 26th, the International Criminal Court, the only permanent international court with jurisdiction to try individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, met for the first time. Prosecutors began with the case against Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the former leader of the rebel group Congolese Patriots, for conscription of child soldiers, some as young as 8. The trial got off to a rocky start as the issue of prosecution of witnesses back in Congo made a few retract their statements. Even with that, the beginning of this historical trial puts the perpetrators of crimes against humanity on notice. One witness, a Congolese militia fighter, stated that Mr. Lubanga told the child soldiers: "Do not be afraid. The war will not be difficult." Because of his alleged egregious acts against children, it would appear that Mr. Lubanga's difficulties have just begun. It should be noted that the ICC began without the backing of the United States. It will be interesting to see if the new President decides to change that official stance.