"those who are "naturally" good as being
blessed by the Creator with more of His
character than the down and out-er who more
approximates the devil."

This concept could led to a lengthy theological discussion. Not proposing that we have one, though.

> This idea opened up new trains of thought
> for me in considering how people come to
> Christ. MacDonald believed (at least as I
> interpret his stories) that the
> "good" has a shorter path to God
> because they are naturally doing those
> things that a Godly character would exhibit.
> That is, of course, unless the
> "good" person did not consider
> himself to be the source of that goodness.
> In THAT case it would be the works of man
> that are elevated, and NOT God.

I can think of people that I have known who represent both character types that have turned to Christ. Of course, we're all sinners. Whether degree matters, though, is something to think about. In Romans, Paul scolds the depraved, self-righteous, and everyone who might think that he hasn't sinned.

> Below is a picture of where I attended the
> retreat in the mountains just south and east
> of Los Angeles, in Big Bear, California.

Beautiful location. Nice place to retreat to God.