Wednesday, October 20th, 2010
OK, so here’s one for the grist-mill! [I hope you’ll enter into the discussion on this one!] Last post I talked about God growing to understand us. Many people feel that God knows everything and to consider God learning demeans God somehow. I don’t feel that way at all for two reasons: One, I am artistic and my creative expressions create something that is an expression of me. Each creation is an expansion of me not a subtraction. Two, God is infinitely creative and to be infinitely creative requires creation, growth, and expansion, if not learning too. I see the issue more as God growing and learning, and expanding as He creates more to learn and experience and grow; than as a God who doesn’t know it all and learns to fill in lacks. Creativity absolutely requires creating something new and that something new may bring new things to learn with it! Every time I create something I learn something new; whether it’s a photo album in which I’m artistically presenting my life in pictures (which always reminds and teaches me more deeply that I am blest!); Or it’s a Bible study where I’m putting together information for people on a certain topic – all teachers know that when you teach, you learn even more than your students!
All this leads me to seeing God as growing and expanding and yes, learning! I came to this conclusion, through studying the Torah and Old Testament. Isaiah 5:2c reminded me again today. Isaiah and God are discussing His judgments on His people of Judah which they are referring to as a carefully tended vineyard. It says “Then [God] expected it to produce good grapes, But it produced only worthless ones.” Why was God surprised?? He knows we are fallen and warped by evil? But in the context, He is truly surprised. The entire Old Testament is full of God ranting and raving about how we have turned from Him and don’t get it!! But the kicker is that this attitude is then TOTALLY LACKING in the New Testament! What changed? God experienced humanity in the form of Jesus Christ – He experienced the catch twenty-two we feel in trying to emulate [copy] God, and yet always fail in our fallen humanity. God learned from His creation! This isn’t basic faith, it’s advanced faith [neither position affects our salvation and we really just don’t know for sure, we’re all guessing about God’s character using the Scriptures and our experience as hints.] But it’s so important that I talk about God’s extending grace and reconnecting to His precious creation as Jesus’ divine agenda, in three places in God for Everyone – on pages 12, 62, and 181-182. Finally, check out Hebrews 5:8, then tell me what you think!
Tags: Discussing God, Evidence of God, Paradigm shift, Proofs God exists, Questions and answers about God, Who is God?
Posted in Book | No Comments »
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
I love to share the really exceptional things I run across, so here’s one taken from Tough Times, Tough People in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Written by Johnna Stein, it reminds us of two of the primary spiritual principles: Less is More, and Attitude is Everything:
Good Times in Bad Times
The economy’s failing is what they all say, Don’t worry ’bout tomorrow, appreciate today.
Those stocks and 401Ks have shrunk and gone down. It’s my own choice to wear a smile or a frown.
The gas prices shoot sky high, then lower than low. I have learned to conserve wherever I go.
The cost of heating our home makes me want to weep; I don double socks, then curl up in deep sleep.
Beans and rice make great protein when meat prices soar. There is no gas shortage in our home anymore.
Our drink of choice has become good ole H2O. We have it on the rocks to put on a good show.
We snip out coupons and dream of discounts galore. We await final sales in our favorite store.
No more nights on the town; we eat more homemade fare, Which leads to conversing and becoming aware.
Forget box office tickets and the movie debut; Renting DVD’s is cheaper, with no ads to view.
The TV reminds us of things we can’t afford. Turning it off provides its own great reward.
We’ve rediscovered board games and the fun they bring. Free books from the library, another new theing.
Getting back to basics has brought us joy and fun. Could it be this cutting back has merely begun?
There’s always someone worse off than we are, they say. Which remins us we’re blessed in a really big way.
In good times or bad times, we know one thing is true: Having faith in our God, helps us see our way through.
The conomy’s failing is what they all say. Don’t worry’bout tomorrow delight in today!
Tags: attitude of gratitude, Living for today, Paradigm shift, Postive Encouragement, Practical Spirituality
Posted in Book | No Comments »