But then I think of times when sparring or wrestling with a friend or child, when the struggle is clearly a refining and strengthening exercise. When I have a theological or political discussion with a friend, we build each other up and refine our ideas, and occasionally persuade on one point or another.

Maybe there is a continuum of productive/destructive struggle. Where on this line is my two dogs struggling? I want to say it is productive, but that’s because I don’t really want my flesh to lose. I want it to be kept in check, but I will certainly mourn and have to be pried loose from the flesh when the time comes to move on.

I’m going to have to chew on that idea for a while. Thanks.

Difficult to put this into words but there is a recognition of that two dog battle but not from within but from being a third party that is sucked into the abyss of that good/bad battle of the others self.

This two dog war is apparent not only in personal or individual interactions but also social and on the political level. Which one wins? Both dogs as they feast of the collateral damage of the witness.

This describes my view of myself well, and I identify with Paul’s description of battling against the flesh. Not battling because of guilt or fear, but because I really like treating people well and living in love.

For many other people in my life, this doesn’t resonate at all, and so their spritual journey is very, very different from mine. The things they look for in a life of faith, if they look for faith at all, is different, and our conversations sound like two people from different planets describing different experiences and desires.

Of course, I’m not sure if this is at all relevant to the context of this post, but there you have it.

But don’t lose sight of the “original innocence” which is also within us.