Things I’ve Learned

It has been several days since my last entry. One reason is a need to do some pondering on things I’ve been reading and thinking. I don’t think we, as Americans, do much pondering any more. We just take things as they come for the most part and have very little critical thinking. The other reason was because we were out of town and I did not have Internet access. Imagine that, being some place in the US, not in isolation, where there is no Internet access. I suppose my mother and father in law should really get with the times, but then, they really don’t need access to the Internet.

Did I miss the Internet? Not really. I thought I would, but I really did not. There was a time or two when I was reading that I thought, “gee, I would like to look that up!” When I realized I could not, the thought vanished and I was fine until a later time.

What I learned while I was away was this:

• I can get by without access to the world through the Internet
• Most of the email I receive has little value or consequence to my personal life
• When I’m stuck in a house with dozens of relatives, I can find a quiet place to read and find it quite productive
• There are seminaries that grant MDiv. degrees that do not require students to learn the original languages of the Bible
• You can have 20-30 adults in one place over a period of two days and only hear one brief conversation about God
• I have far away friends who care enough about me to call me on Thanksgiving
• That religious zealots killing whole tribes of people – men, women, and children, could really prove to be intolerant behavior for other people looking on
• My dog learns better than some people
• That my sister was surprised and pleased when I called her to say “happy Thanksgiving”

There was much more, but by now I’m sure what you’ve learned is that you can only take so much of what I’ve learned. So that should be sufficient.  Oh yes, one more thing. Reading scripture for the pure joy of reading scripture is actually a delight.

Ain’t life grand?

Who Cares?

There was a time when that question was similar to the “what’s up?” or “go figure” type of sayings. I remember a pastor where I once served as music and youth director used it almost every other sentence.  I am beginning to wonder whether or not it ought to come back in vogue?  After all, when you look at some of the questions and issues that are being discussed these days, “who cares?”

Those who do not live in the Charlotte, NC area may not be aware of the recent decision by the NC Baptist Convention to boot one of the Charlotte churches out of their association because that particular church willingly accepts homosexuals. Now that does not mean they accept sinners with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. It means they accept homosexuals, accept their lifestyle, allow them to maintain it and permit them in positions of leadership in the church.

Of course the general population, including the editor of the Charlotte Observer, who happens to be a member of that church, objects to the association’s action as though they were being judgmental and taking an adverse position to scripture.

Naturally, when the dust settles, no one will care about anyone’s position other than the fact that the “church” is intolerant toward gays and that we are not showing the love of Christ. So “who cares?”

You could quote scripture until the cows come home and most would say that was then, this is now. We don’t live in those times any more. Or homosexuality is something you are born with and if God creates people that way, how could He condemn them when He created them that way? 

I think sociologists and philosophers would call much of that ethical or moral relativism. Of course, they may be right. I learned this morning that the civil and ceremonial laws of the OT were no longer valid and only the moral laws apply in the “new covenant” era.  So that sheds a whole new light on things. The further we move away from home port the less clear things seem to become.  But then “who cares?”

Oh well, I have several days to mull this over and perhaps emerge with a whole new perspective on things.

What’s Next

My wife is a “glass half full” kind of woman. She is just a joy to be around. Not the over-the-top giddy type of positive, but an even, keep things in perspective, type of positive. It’s a good balance for me, since I’m the typical glass half empty kind of guy.

I used to be a “half fuller”. In fact, I was more than that, I was an over the top, full to overflowing kind. There are still moments when I have spurts of that type of behavior – usually it is when I am around other half empty folks, I see it as my job to be the half full person in the group. After all, there always needs to be balance.

At this point in my journey, I don’t know that the issue is half full or half empty anymore. Sometimes it is all I can do to hang on to the glass. Perhaps that is because there is too much thinking and not enough action. Or too many questions and not enough answers. Or too many tomorrows and not enough hope. I am not certain. Nor am I certain that it matters. 

I have noticed that some people touch the lives of hundreds over their lifetime and negate every moment of it as though it did not matter. Others long to do the same and would cherish the idea that what they do mattered as much.  What kind of irony is that.

As I was mowing the grass yesterday I thought – “does a drowning man drown because he stops struggling or does he stop struggling because he drowns?” What an odd thought.  But that thought lead to this one, “what’s next?”

Where did I leave my glass?

PS.  We did get rain! 

Let’s Talk About Rain

In some parts of the world rain is not a problem. They have plenty. In other parts, such as the southeastern United States they have very little. In fact, the drought situation in the Carolinas and Georgia has gone beyond serious. It is so bad, that even on last night’s news they covered a special prayer session where folks were gathered to pray for rain. 

Here’s the problem. Of course it will rain eventually, so in some sense the prayer will be answered. However, when you have news coverage of a prayer vigil for rain, some folks are going to wonder why it doesn’t rain the next day. Then they begin to question why God doesn’t answer prayer. Seems to me we have enough of our own folks doing that without adding to the problem.

The other side of the coin is this. Perhaps God does not want it to rain. Then of course, there is the obvious. In His sovereignty, He set the forces of nature in motion and it will do what it will do. If we expected God to “interfere” every time things did not go right, then we would never get to blame Mother Nature for anything. 

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!  For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth…”  (Psalm 97:1,9a)

One other note. What happens in my little corner of the world, invariably impacts some one else’s corner of the world. Therefore, my drought may result in someone else’s much needed “something”. As a result, maybe I should keep my perspective and just use less water until circumstances change.

just wondering

Those who follow this blog with any regularity know that I often have more questions than answers.  Which for some is uncomfortable and for others is not intimidating in the least. After all, if Socrates was right, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” what should we say about an unexamined faith?

There is a question I keep pondering regarding Discipleship. It stems from a class I am auditing at Southern Evangelical Seminary. Our instructor, has said, on more than one occasion, that what we are teaching people when we disciple them in the complete Christian life, is the “ideal”. It is not something we can attain, but it is something worthy of striving for.

Now in some sense that is true. We will never be “complete” until we are complete in Glory. However, is there not the potential for fulfilling Christ’s command to be “perfect” this side of heaven? If not, then what was the purpose of the God-Man and his example of living a life without sin? Simply to be a perfect sacrifice. If so, why hold him up as an example as being tempted in all areas like we are, yet without sinning, if it is not within our grasp?

Yes, I can hear it now, our goal is not to be sinless, but to sin less. Which is cute. But it does not address the issue. Can I bring my mind and my body under the authority of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to such a degree, that I am walking – for lack of a better term – in harmony with God?