Who Is God?: Source of Joy and Peace, Solution to Terrorism, Crime, Addiction, Prejudice, and Deprivation

By Henry Loyd Copeland

About Who Is God?

Who is god? is written for all humankind. It contains a most powerful message about two way communications between the reader and God. Getting to know God requires communication. In other words, the prerequisite to getting to know is two way communications between the reader and God. The reader actually becomes interactive with God.

A fundamental communications model is presented illustrating some of the simplicities and some of the complexities associated with communicating. However, the book proceeds to make two-way communicating quite simple between the reader and God. This simplicity is achieved by identifying, defining, and elaborating on terms relevant to good communications. The reader asks: "Who am I?", and an answer is provided. This is followed by an introduction to God, followed by an introduction to Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, The Holy Trinity, and love. With this background, the reader communicates with God, and God communicates with the reader.

Who is god? informs the reader as to how God communicates with the reader; how the reader communicates with God; some of Gods messages to the reader; some of the reader's messages to God; and finally the reader's conclusions after knowing himself or herself and God better.

The profound impacts of Who is god? on the reader are: 1) recognition of the true God, God of the Holy Bible; 2) realization that God has established the ultimate communication model; and 3) realization that this type of relationship with God is both: a) the source of peace and joy, and b) the solution to terrorism, crime, addiction, prejudice, and deprivation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 4, 2008
• ISBN: 9781463463274

Henry Loyd Copeland

ABOUT THE AUTHOR   Henry Loyd Copeland   The author is a Christian layman who retired from General Dynamics Corporation after forty years of engineering, engineering management, and program management experience.  His formal education include: Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; Master of Science, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; and Master of Business Administration, National University, San Diego, California.  He has taught college level business and mathematics courses for over thirty (30) years.  He has been happily married to Elsie Suther Copeland since 1947.  They have three children. four grandchildren, and one great grandchild.  He has a Baptist background and currently is a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, San Diego, CA.   Six individuals contributed most significantly to the author's Christian background: a) Reverend Alan Newman, b) Dr. Walter Martin, c) Dr. Billy Graham, d) Dr. Robert H. Schuller, Sr., e) Reverend William Bolton, and f) Dr. John Paul Powell.   The author has been a Christian since childhood; however, he has had his Christianity challenged by his own actions and thoughts, by others purporting to be presenting the truth, and by atheist and agnostic peers and superiors in the work place.  These challenges caused him to study the Holy Bible and many reference books on Christianity and other religions to enable him to more clearly identify and define his own beliefs.  The result of such study and personal trust in God has: a) enabled him to know God and himself better, and b) enabled him to know that God communicates with him and that he communicates with God.  The author's main objective in writing this book is to benefit others as a result of his experience.

Book preview

Contents

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 2

COMMUNICATION

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

APPENDIX C

APPENDIX D

APPENDIX E

APPENDIX F

COPYRIGHT

The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators by William J. Bennett. Copyright © 1993. Published Jointly by The Heritage Foundation, Empower America. Used by permission.

The Miracles by Dr. H. Richard Casdorph. South Plainfield, NJ: Logos International/Bridge Publishing, Inc. (07080), pp. 38-45.

From: Willmington’s Book of Bible Lists By: H. L. Willmington Copyright © 1987 Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

From The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 4, Psalm and Proverbs ed. George A. Butterick. Copyright renewal © 1984 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

From The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 7, New Testament Articles, Matthew, and Mark ed.

George A. Butterick. Copyright renewal © 1984 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

From The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 9, Acts and Romans ed. George A. Butterick. Copyright renewal © 1984 by Abingdon Press. Used by permission.

From: Holman Bible Dictionary by Trent C. Butler. © Copyright 1991 Holman Bible Publishers. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations from Today’s English Version. Copyright © American Bible Society 1966, 1974, 1976, 1992. Used by permission.

From: Thompson Chain-Reference Bible

By: Frank Charles Thompson, DD., PH D.

Used by permission of B.B. Kirkbride Bible Company, Inc.

Taken from: The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error by Keith L. Brooks. Copyright ©1969, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Moody Press. Used by permission.

Taken from The Harper Study Bible, NRSV. Copyright © 1964 by Harper & Row. Assigned to Zondervan Publishing House 1965. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

"Taken from: The Great Doctrines of the Bible by William Evans. Copyright © 1912, 1939, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. Moody Press. Used by permission.

All Scripture text except as noted is from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

A.W.F. Blunt, The Acts of the Apostles (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1926; Clarendon Bible), p. 144. Used by permission of Oxford University Press.

Map created by PC Bible Atlas for Windows 1.0, Copyright 1993 by Parsons Technology, Inc. Used by permission.

From: Positive Prayers for Power Filled Living

By: Dr. Robert H. Schuller, Sr.

Used by permission of Crystal Cathedral Ministries

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Who Is God?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Henry Loyd Copeland

The author is a Christian layman who retired from General Dynamics Corporation after forty years of engineering, engineering management, and program management experience. His formal education include: Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama; Master of Science, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; and Master of Business Administration, National University, San Diego, California. He has taught college level business and mathematics courses for over thirty (30) years. He has been happily married to Elsie Suther Copeland since 1947. They have three children. four grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He has a Baptist background and currently is a member of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, San Diego, CA.

Six individuals contributed most significantly to the author’s Christian background: a) Reverend Alan Newman, b) Dr. Walter Martin, c) Dr. Billy Graham, d) Dr. Robert H. Schuller, Sr., e) Reverend William Bolton, and f) Dr. John Paul Powell.

The author has been a Christian since childhood; however, he has had his Christianity challenged by his own actions and thoughts, by others purporting to be presenting the truth, and by atheist and agnostic peers and superiors in the work place. These challenges caused him to study the Holy Bible and many reference books on Christianity and other religions to enable him to more clearly identify and define his own beliefs. The result of such study and personal trust in God has: a) enabled him to know God and himself better, and b) enabled him to know that God communicates with him and that he communicates with God. The author’s main objective in writing this book is to benefit others as a result of his experience.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Beverly Ann Smith

Beverly and her husband, Norman, were married in Seattle, Washington in 1956. They moved to Spokane, Washington where they lived for ten years. During this period their daughter, Jennifer, was born. They have resided in San Diego, California since 1967.

Beverly attended the University of Washington in Seattle with an emphasis in art.

The Smith family are long time members of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church. The Church has commissioned Beverly in several areas of her artistic capabilities including: four communion table tapestries depicting Advent, Easter, Pentecost, and Communion liturgies; and designing the Trees of Life which have become a permanent part of the Family Life Center. Other contributions include various banners for special events, clerical stoles, and Sunday bulletin cover designs.

Illustrating this book is another opportunity for Beverly to Glorify God through her interpretative artistic renderings.

ABOUT THE EDITOR

The Reverend Dr. Bradley C. Copeland

Rev. Copeland has served as pastor of the Magnolia Presbyterian Church in Riverside, California for over 25 years. He is a graduate of San Diego State University receiving his B.A. in Political Science. He received his Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from San Francisco Theological Seminary.

Dr. Copeland has developed ongoing mission projects in Kawere, Zimbabwe and Lima, Peru. Pastor Copeland has served the larger Church in various capacities including sixteen years in pastor/church relations. He is currently serving as a Trustee of the nations oldest and one of the largest charitable foundations-The Presbyterian Foundation. He is married to Lori, an elementary school principal and together they have two grown daughters, and one granddaughter.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated first and foremost to my wife with respect, gratitude, and affection:

Amy Elsie Suther Copeland Wife, Mother, Friend, and Angel

This book also is dedicated to my three children and four grandchildren:

Children

Amy Sue Wavra

Bradley Clark Copeland

Daniel Loyd Copeland

Grandchildren

Abby Marie Copeland

Deanna Noel Copeland

Andrew Reid Dorsey

Emily Elizabeth Dorsey

Great Grandchildren

Kierstyn Renee Cohen

This book also is dedicated to my parents and in-laws:

Mother; Sadie Mercedes Copeland

Father; Henry Loyd Copeland

Mother-in-law; Sue Willie Suther

Father-in-law; Alexander Percy Suther

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author used the following resources in writing this book: a) existing literature, b) professionals who were trained in theology, c) Christian churches, d) lay personnel who have studied and practiced theology, e) personal experiences, and f) computer software. End notes are intentionally inserted at the beginning instead of the end of portions of text from existing literature.

The author acknowledges The Reverend Dr. Bradley Clark Copeland for his in-depth critique and editing.

The author acknowledges Beverly Ann Smith for her outstanding illustrations that significantly contribute to the reader’s understanding and retention.

The Reverend Alan Newman is acknowledged for his significant contribution to the spiritual development of the author. His guidance provided the needed direction that enabled the author to write this book.

1. Existing Literature—The author acknowledges that if it were not for the following existing literature, this book could not have been written:

a. Holy Bible

b. A Commentary on The Holy Bible

c. The Interpreter’s Bible

d. These Things We Believe

e. Book of Bible Lists

f. The Kingdom of the Cults

g. The Great Doctrines of the Bible

h. Topical Bible with Cruden’s Concordance

2. Professionals—Christian pastors who have directly contributed to the author’s spiritual life and the spiritual life of others, especially:

a. The Reverend Dr. Bradley Clark Copeland

b. The Reverend Alan Newman

c. The Reverend Dr. Billy Graham

d. The Reverend Dr. Robert H. Schuller

e. The Reverend William Bolton

f. The Reverend Dr. John Paul Powell

3. Christian Churches; especially:

a. Hour of Power; Chrystal Cathedral Ministries

b. First Baptist Church; Selma, AL

b. Ocean Beach Baptist Church; San Diego, CA

c. First Baptist Church; Redbank, NJ

d. Tremont Temple Baptist Church, Boston, MA

e. Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church; San Diego, CA

f. Magnolia Presbyterian Church; Riverside, CA

4. Lay Personnel, with the exception of one who contributed directly to the writing of this book, are too numerous to identify. They include individuals who: a) taught Sunday School, b) attended Sunday School and churches, c) worked at General Dynamics Corporation, and d) presented both Christian and non Christian materials via various media. Thomas H. Scholder is acknowledged for his contribution of some of his experiences which are included in Chapter 6.

5. Personal Experiences.

6. Computer Software—Computer technology was of great

assistance in preparation of this book.

a. Microsoft Word for Windows; Microsoft Corporation

b. Quick Verse for Windows; Parsons Technology, Inc.

c. PC Bible Atlas for Windows; Parsons Technology, Inc.

d. Holman Bible Dictionary for Windows, Parsons

Technology, Inc.

e. Nave’s Topical Bible, Parsons Technology, Inc.

FOREWORD

This book could not have been written without the presence and inspiration of Almighty God of the Holy Bible.

WHO IS GOD? is written for all humankind. It contains a most powerful message about two way communications between the reader and God. Getting to know God requires communication. In other words, the prerequisite to getting to know is two way communication between the reader and God. The reader actually becomes interactive with God.

A fundamental communications model is presented illustrating some of the simplicities and some of the complexities associated with communicating. However, the book proceeds to make two-way communicating quite simple between the reader and God. This simplicity is achieved by identifying, defining, and elaborating on terms relevant to good communications. The reader asks: Who am I?, and an answer is provided. This is followed by an introduction to God, followed by an introduction to Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, The Holy Trinity, and love. With this background, the reader communicates with God, and God communicates with the reader.

WHO IS GOD? informs the reader as to how God communicates with the reader; how the reader communicates with God; some of God’s messages to the reader; some of the reader’s messages to God; and finally the reader’s conclusions after knowing himself or herself and God better.

The profound impacts of WHO IS GOD? on the reader are: 1) recognition of the true God, God of the Holy Bible; 2) realization that God has established the ultimate communication model; and 3) realization that this type of relationship with God is both: a) the source of peace and joy, and b) the solution to terrorism, crime, addiction, prejudice, and deprivation.

Henry Loyd Copeland

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God the Father-Your Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

What is my objective in reading this book?

Who is God?

Do I want to know God?

Do I want to communicate with God?

What are my preconceptions?

Will my preconceptions stand in the way of my experiencing and

learning new things?

¹Instead of doubting everything that can be doubted, let us

rather doubt nothing until we are compelled to doubt.

Who Is God? contains a most powerful message for the reader and all of humankind. The source of joy and peace as well as the solution to crime, terrorism, addiction, prejudice, and deprivation are based on knowing God. Yes, humankind has pursued getting to know God through out history; some succeeding and some failing in their attempts. Lack of getting to know God would be the biggest travesty of one’s entire lifetime.

Who Is God? is written for both the Christian and the non-Christian. The intent and hope is that: 1) the Christian will become more informed and more experienced in communicating with God, and 2) the non-Christian will become more informed and actually experience communicating with God.

Getting to know is not just a simple introduction that is shallow in nature. Getting to know requires establishment of a personal connection or relationship that is not shallow in nature but possesses depth. What is meant by depth? A need must exist, and this need must be sufficiently sincere to cause one to assume responsibility for pursuit of this relationship. Yes, a commitment must be made to spend a certain amount of time and energy in this pursuit. it is a pursuit on both a personal basis as well as an academic basis.

Such an introduction requires knowledge as to how to communicate with someone else. Communication is not just talking. It is two-way in nature. The reader communicates with God and God really communicates with the reader. Yes, God has taken extraordinary steps to communicate with humankind.

Dialog must take place between the two communicators who really want to get their messages across. Yes, both speaking and listening are required of each. One cannot be a dictator and expect to communicate with the other, especially if the other has the authority and power of choice to either listen or not listen. Therefore, this book is not a dictator in that it does not force anything on to the reader.

This communication process is made easier by the use of the first person, I, to represent the reader. The first person, I, is not the author or anyone else. Again, the first person, I, is the reader.

Use of the first person makes it easier to personally experience and interact by being both a receiver of information and an transmitter of information. From this point forward, the first person is used, so I will make the transition now. Reading this book may be the ultimate opportunity for me-one that I must pursue.

I am in the same boat as every other person who possesses preconceptions that have to a great degree determined my opinions and even my values and character. Some of these preconceptions are correct and some most likely are incorrect. Such preconceptions can limit my learning ability and limit other options in my life. At this point, I will do my best to be objective in my thoughts and approach reading this book with an open mind and find out what it really says to me. In other words, I want to know the facts and how to get the facts. I will review all of the information that is presented, and hang on or have faith until I get the facts; yes, until I get to know God.

A fundamental communications model is presented in Chapter 2 illustrating some of the simplicities and some of the complexities associated with communicating. Attempts are made to make two-way communicating quite simple between God and me. This simplicity is achieved by identifying, defining, and elaborating on terms relevant to good communications. Special clarity is provided to enable me to understand these terms and their inter-relationships. I ask the question: Who am I?, and an answer is provided. This is followed by an introduction to God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, and love. Then, with this background, I communicate with God, and God communicates with me.

The profound impacts of Who Is God? are: 1) my recognition of the true God, God of the Holy Bible; 2) realization that God has established the ultimate communication model; and 3) realization that God has provided the source of joy and peace as well as the ultimate solution to terrorism, crime, addiction, prejudice, and deprivation.

I recognize that many people including myself are sincere and earnest in attempts to fulfill deep and legitimate needs of the human spirit. On the other hand, I recognize that many of these attempts have been and still are based on erroneous information. Some of these erroneous approaches are discussed at the ends of each of Chapters 4 through 7.

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The Holy Bible-Communication Channel

CHAPTER 2

COMMUNICATION

Two Way

Why communicate?

Does God really communicate with me?

Can I really communicate with God?

Do I want to communicate with God?

What are my preconceptions?

Will my preconceptions stand in the way of my experiencing and

learning new things?

The greatest power in the world today is the power of humankind to

communicate with Almighty God!

Communication is not just one person talking to another person. Communication is the process that I use in speaking, providing or transmitting information or messages that I want to convey to other individuals. Communication also is the process that I use in listening, obtaining, getting, or receiving information or messages from others. Therefore, communication is an exchange of information and constitutes a learning process. Information that is exchanged are numerous in types and will be discussed later in this chapter. Again, I see that this is not just one-way talk, but an exchange of information.

Real communication can have a lot of depth and provide great challenges. Real communication also can be the thread that binds others and me together. Yes, I have always thought that I have had good relationships before; however, now I can see the possibility of my relationships having greater depth, being more sincere, more permanent, and more fulfilling. Yes, communication between God and me is essential to my establishing and maintaining an in-depth relationship with God.

I really would like to be receptive or positive toward God so that I can at least understand whether or not God really sends messages to me and what God is attempting to say to me. If God does send messages to me, and I do not respond, my lack of response is negative, either intentionally or unintentionally. I would like to be positive toward God.

Communication Model-Guide to Elements of Communication

First, I will attempt to better understand the basics of communicating by reviewing some communication models. These models represent what is taking place between one person and another person; one person says something and another person hears what was said. The person who hears what the first person has said responds either passively or actively. These models indicate that there is a sender or one who speaks, a message that contains information, a channel through which the message is conveyed, and a receiver or one who listens and hears the message that was sent. These models increase in complexity by introducing additional elements of communicating including some of the techniques used to aid in assuring that the messages from the sender are really received, understood, and acted upon by the receiver.

Figure 2.1 is a basic communication model including the terms Sender, Message, Channel, and Receiver. This model is highly idealized, since it assumes an hypothetical common ground between the sender and the receiver. in other words, it assumes that the sender and the receiver are alike, including education, experience, perception, intentions, and others. The more closely the characteristics of the sender and receiver are alike, the simpler and easier the communication process.

Image596.JPG

Figure 2.1 Basic Communication Model

In other words, the essence of communications between two individuals is the degree to which the two individuals are alike!

This is an extremely interesting point. I know I am not identical to God. I cannot be identical to God in every way. Does this mean that communication between God and me will improve as the similarity between us becomes closer and closer? if this is the case, it follows that communication will be very difficult if not impossible the more we are unlike. I think this is what is being said here. If so, I really do need to make a commitment to pursue this relationship. This will take time and energy on my part. In other words, I want to know the facts and how to get the facts. Therefore, I will review all of the information that is presented to me, and I will continue to read and hang on or have faith until I get the facts.

Figure 2.2 is an expansion of the basic communication model to include some additional complexities. These additional complexities are: encode, decode, and feedback.

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Figure 2.2 Basic Communication Model Including Some Complexities

Figure 2.3 is included to provide a transition between the above models and the purpose and content discussed in this chapter and the chapters that follow. I can see from the model that there is considerable expansion of the model to include several: a) senders, b) encoding techniques, c) channels, d) decoding techniques, e) receivers, and f) feedback techniques.

For example, if God sends a message to me, he might be using one or more of the encoding techniques shown in Figure 2.3 to aid me in my understanding His message. Yes, the encoding is used to help me and not hinder me in my understanding. I can see that not only can there be several senders, encoding techniques, channels, decoding techniques, receivers, and feedback, but also I can see that there can be many combinations of these elements of communication.

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Figure 2.3 Communication Model with Additional Complexities

Again, i repeat, the essence of communicating between two entities is the degree that the two individuals are alike. Best communication takes place when the sender and the receiver are alike. in such cases, there is no need for the sender to encode the message, and likewise, there is no need for the receiver to decode the message. When there are differences between the sender and the receiver, encoding is required, and likewise, decoding is required.

For example, i can understand that communications between two different beings, one a human and the other a mammal, can be quite difficult depending on the training and ability of the human and the training and ability of the mammal. This can be illustrated by my observation of the interaction between Sea World’s dolphin trainers and their dolphins. The same difficulty exists in communications between God and me. Yes, we are different; however, can we become more similar, so we can at least communicate, if not communicate better? We can communicate only if I will permit communication to take place. If I have no desire to communicate, there will be no communication.

i can understand that communications between two adults can be limited, if the two adults are different because of physical, educational, social, religious, cultural, and/or other characteristics. Also, major barriers to communications are inherent in differences in terminology or differences in definitions of commonly used words. Such differences can and have caused misunderstandings that range from minor to major, including mild disagreements to war between nations. Such differences certainly have caused the organization and establishment of different religions. it becomes more apparent that the more similar two individuals are, the higher the probability of better communications.

Again, in communication model terms, it is easier to communicate when the sender and receiver are alike, and the channel of communication is eye to eye or face to face. Under such circumstances, there can be less need to encode and decode the message. However, even in such circumstances it is still desirable for the sender to obtain feedback or the receiver to provide feedback to more assure that both the sender and the receiver have a common understanding of the message.

Sender-Sends Message & Listens

The sender, or source of the message, initiates the communication. The sender is the one who has information, needs, or desires, and a purpose for communicating with someone else. The sender is the speaker or transmitter of information. Senders either transmit messages directly to the receiver or encode messages. There are many senders who transmit messages. Since I am interested in getting to know God, and know that getting to know God requires communication between us, i am most interested at this point in understanding God and myself as senders. Figure 2.3 includes: God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Message-Information

The message is the information that is sent to the receiver and is to be experienced and understood by one or more of the senses of the receiver. There are many types of messages as well as messages themselves. The type of message and message itself depends upon the nature of the sender, the information that the sender wants the receiver to experience and understand, and the nature of the receiver.

Encoding-Sender’s Effort to Communicate

Encoding takes place when the sender changes or translates the information to be transmitted into a different or revised form to enable the receiver to both receive the message and better understand the message. There are many forms of encoding used by the sender to enable the receiver to understand a message. The sender can select and use the most appropriate encoding technique that will enable the receiver to best decode and understand the message. The following are some of the many encoding techniques:

1. Allegory-An allegory (extended metaphor) is the description of one thing under the image of another; a story in which people, things, and happenings have another meaning.

2. Miracle-A miracle is an event or action that apparently contradicts known scientific laws and is hence thought to be due to supernatural causes, especially to an act of God.

3. Parable-A parable is a short, fictitious story based on a familiar experience and having an application to the spiritual life.

4. Prophecy-Prophecy in the Bible deals with foretelling the intuitively felt will of God for a specific situation in the life of an individual or a nation.

5. Paradox-A paradox is a statement that seems contradictory, unbelievable, or absurd but that may actually be true in fact.

6. Symbol-A symbol is something that stands for or represents another thing; especially, an object used to represent something abstract; emblem: as, the dove is a symbol of peace, the cross is the symbol of Christianity.

Channel-Multimedia

The channel is the method of transmission or media used by the sender in sending information to the receiver. The channel must be appropriate for the particular message for the communication to be effective. There are many types of channels and channels themselves used in communicating. Figure 2.3 includes the following channels: literature, individuals, experiences, and even me, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Bible is the most important literature channel available for the Christian. There are Greek and Hebrew translations, and a number of English versions and others. In addition, there are numerous books and reference books.

Individuals, both professional and non-professional are very important channels. Some of these individuals include: pastors, ministers, priests, teachers, friends, acquaintances, and even unknown individuals who are neither friends nor acquaintances, and even me.

Both major and minor experiences are channels in that they convey messages. It should be recognized that small or minor experiences can be very significant in my appreciating the fact that a sender is transmitting a message to me.

Decoding-Receiver’s Effort to Communicate

Decoding is the process by which the receiver interprets the encoded form of the message and translates it into information that is meaningful to the receiver. There are many forms of decoding. Decoding is affected by my past experience, my education, my personal assessments of the message, my expectations, and the degree of mutuality of meaning of the terms used in the communication process.

Decoding can be either involuntary or voluntary. I can be decoding a message without being aware that I am decoding it. Also, if I do not feel that i either understand the message or understand it sufficiently, i can use reference material to aid me in my decoding. The effectiveness of my decoding also depends on the condition of my inner self or spiritual self, sometimes referred to as the condition of my heart. The more my decoding results in my receiving the sender’s intended message, the more effective the communication.

I also can seek help from individuals, both professional and nonprofessional. Some of these individuals include: pastors, ministers, priests, teachers, friends, and acquaintances.

Receiver-Listens & Responds

The receiver must be a good listener to be a good receiver.