Scott Langdon [00:00:17] This is God: An Autobiography, The Podcast. A dramatic adaptation and continuing discussion of the book God: An Autobiography, As Told To A Philosopher by Jerry L. Martin. He was a lifelong agnostic, but one day he had an occasion to pray. To his vast surprise, God answered- in words. Being a philosopher, he had a lot of questions, and God had a lot to tell him.
Scott Langdon [00:00:58] Episode 153. Hello and welcome to episode 153 of God: An Autobiography, The Podcast. I'm your host, Scott Langdon. Next week Jerry will be joined by his wonderful friend Ajit Dass for a discussion on episode 12 of our podcast titled: 12. Another Author Claims To Communicate With God. Ajit is a great supporter of Jerry's work and this podcast and it's going to be so great to finally have him with us. Episode 12 happens to be very meaningful to me as well. This was the point in the process of making these episodes where my relationship with God began to change dramatically. In episode 12, Jerry really begins to argue with God. He doesn't understand how God could be so contradictory in his messages. He gets very frustrated with God and tells Him so. It was during the making of Episode 12 that I remembered how close God always is and always has been. I've remembered how to talk with God about everything and to not hold back. And so I have, and it's changed everything for me. So in preparation for next week's edition of The Life Wisdom Project, we bring you a replay of Episode 12: Another Author Claims to Communicate with God. I hope you enjoy the episode. Episode 12.
Dramatic Adaptation 12. Another Author Claims To Communicate With God
Jerry L. Martin - voiced by Scott Langdon
The Voice of God - voiced by Jerry L. Martin, who heard the voice
Jerry L. Martin [00:02:39] The brash display at the front of the bookstore announced "Conversations with God"--the first of three volumes in which God tells all...to somebody else. I thought I was the one anointed to carry God's message. "What's going on here?" I thought. Before my own experience, I would not have thought for a minute that the author, Neale Donald Walsch, actually heard from God. But, if God spoke to me, he could surely speak to anyone he pleased. In fact, I had been told he communicates with people all the time. Walsch, too, reports God as saying, "I talk to everyone. All the time. The question is not to whom do I talk, but who listens." Just what I had been told. Had God appointed two messengers? With different messages? Or was this guy not on the up-and-up? I have to admit, I was skeptical. My own prayers were herky-jerky and the voice I heard spoke in my own casual vernacular. Walsch's conversations are reported in polished prose. That looked rigged. Nor was I impressed with what Walsch reports having been told. It sounded like pop Buddhism--feel-good stuff that sells books but is unlikely to be God's authentic word. “Isn't Walsch just a charlatan, Lord?”
Voice of God [00:04:03] He got most of it right.
Jerry L. Martin [00:04:06] Got most of it right? But, Lord, some of what Walsch reports contradicts what you have told me.
Voice of God [00:04:13] They probably are not contradictions, but merely appear to be. Of course, you are both fallible receptors.
Jerry L. Martin [00:04:21] Walsch reports you as saying that "you can do whatever you believe you can." That's just silly.
Voice of God [00:04:29] Give me an example.
Jerry L. Martin [00:04:31] There's a woman I know, who has clear goals, strong convictions, and great force of will, and yet often fails.
Voice of God [00:04:38] Now, give me an instance from your own life.
Jerry L. Martin [00:04:41] Just winning a tennis game, for example.
Voice of God [00:04:43] Give me a break. A.) You always have mixed thoughts in those situations and B.) I said you can't alter physical laws. If you completely wanted to win at tennis and believed you could, you would practice, exercise, and so forth. When I say you can do anything, I don't mean that you don't have to take the necessary steps. Napoleon was charismatic, but he still had to train troops, plan logistics, and so on. Stop being simpleminded. You are fixating on a single meaning of "you can do anything" and trying to rebut it. Instead, think about what meaning could be true. It certainly does not mean wish fulfillment. Think about it.
Jerry L. Martin [00:05:32] Walsch reports you as saying, "God will grant whatever is asked, without fail." Whatever is asked!
Voice of God [00:05:41] The trick is in *ask.* Not everything you *want* has been *asked* in the right way, with fulsomeness of soul.
Jerry L. Martin [00:05:49] But then the statement is completely misleading. It depends on a verbal sleight of hand.
Voice of God [00:05:55] Not so. Some might be confused by it, but it is a way of focusing attention on the right way to ask, to believe and feel fully, and to motivate this change in people. But it is not a lie, not even a Noble Lie. It is the direct truth. When you come into the fullness of being, of partnership with God, everything you truly seek will be granted. That may seem like a bait and switch, but that is not the way you will see it when you get there. You will see that this is indeed what you really wanted all along.
Jerry L. Martin [00:06:31] But it seems misleading since it suggests that you can win the lottery by wishing for it.
Voice of God [00:06:37] But don't you see? That's not what your soul wants. If it did, per impossible, it would win it. But, it doesn't, because your soul has no true desire for such things.
Jerry L. Martin [00:06:52] But Lord, don't you see how misleading that statement is? It certainly will be read as wish fulfillment.
Voice of God [00:06:59] Then it's a mistake. That is not what I meant. People want God's will to conform to theirs. Others try to conform their will to God's. But, at root, the two are the same. The goal is to get to the point that you surface your true will, which will coincide with God's. Remember that I want what is good for you. I do not have some arbitrary plan and then demand obedience to it. I want nothing other than you're fulfillment. That is what you want, too. You will develop more and have a greater impact for good if you will trust in me and believe in yourself--not in your ego, your will, but in your spirit and your destiny.
Jerry L. Martin [00:07:46] Destiny?
Voice of God [00:07:48] Yes, there is a goal for you, for each person--an individual path of evolution--that I want to help you along. Believing that you can progress and trust in me to help you is very helpful in achieving that goal.
Jerry L. Martin [00:08:06] Walsch reports that everyone will achieve union eventually, through many lives.
Voice of God [00:08:12] That is true, but that does not mean that it is automatic. Everyone will succeed because everyone will eventually do the right thing. In a sense, it doesn't matter who gets there first--there is no prize for speed--all lives are equally valuable. But it matters to the individual, and to the amount of earthly suffering he or she will experience.
Jerry L. Martin [00:08:38] Walsch says God has "no preference" with regard to "how you live your life."
Voice of God [00:08:45] Wrong. I want you to become your best self. What is true is that I accept your need to do whatever you do and to take many lives to achieve fulfillment.
Jerry L. Martin [00:09:09] Many lives? That sounded like reincarnation, in which I had zero interest, so I didn't ask about it. I don't think I took it seriously. I didn't pray about Walsch after that. Whatever God was or wasn't doing with him was between him and God.
Scott Langdon [00:09:38] Thank you for listening to God: An Autobiography, The Podcast. Subscribe for free today wherever you listen to your podcasts and hear a new episode every week. You can hear the complete dramatic adaptation of God: An Autobiography, As Told To A Philosopher by Jerry L. Martin by beginning with episode one of our podcast and listening through its conclusion with Episode 44. You can read the original true story in the book from which this podcast is adapted, God: An Autobiography, As Told to a Philosopher, available now at amazon.com, and always at godanautobiography.com. Pick up your own copy today. If you have any questions about this or any other episode, please email us at questions@godanautobiography.com, and experience the world from God's perspective as it was told to a philosopher. This is Scott Langdon. I'll see you next time.