Bathing in Its Illusory Beauty

     We have missed a couple of Sundays lately---camping trip at Sam A. Baker, Jan's family's annual reunion, and our own family's getaway to the Smokies---and it was very special to be back in our church today.  Cole gets baptized [in the creek] this coming Sunday. Our pastor is a very fine speaker who seems dedicated to expounding the Word.  I found being in the worship service especially touching today.

     The serenity and inspiration in all of God's vistas awaken in me a recognition of my emptiness without Him in my life and my dependence on Him if I'm to be any kind of a decent human being at all.  The awesome quality of His universe is indeed thrilling! Awareness of that fearsome power and intent humbles me, yet assures me of my God's glory, goodness, justness, and power.

     Faith is truly childlike, yet also remarkably supernatural.  It is a "leap" in a sense, but can also be a "simple baby's step."  In and of itself, it is not intellectual or emotional---it is a willed motion, deed, activity. Modern culture has little or no room for or acceptance of faith as a motivation or causation, and so I believe God will soon intervene in some dramatic fashion---to reassert to mankind that He is the legitimate Creator.  I don't know this; I have no prophetic knowledge.  But, we seem to have embraced sin completely, bathing in its illusory beauty. 

     Oh, well.  I don't know much of anything for sure even after years of trying to understand . . . and I now traipse about inconsequentially.  So, in the spirit of "silence is golden," I will stop.

Our Sated Egos

     What a wonderful six days of vacation:  the Smokies---Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, waterfalls, Clingman's Dome, hikes, a round of golf that was better than expected, Cade's Cove! And a five-bedroom, three-story cabin with a breathtaking view from the very top of a mountain with every member of our family there; I say: God has blessed me and blessed us!       
     Now, I'm thinking about the less fortunate.  I don't feel guilty about this; I just don't quite understand the mystery behind the blessings of God. Some people [like me] seem so blessed while others suffer amid continual turmoil and trouble.  I try to live a Christ-centered life, but inevitably, some days I'm more successful than others.  I do try to bless other people, but too often I don't recognize ways or opportunities to do so. Helping can be very difficult.

      Why does God bless some more than others? Because He chooses to and simply said the choice is His.  Not because we are somehow worthy of His gifts.  The serenity of the panoramas from the balcony of that vacation cabin were special gifts from God that I recognized as such.

   Is our goal in life personal gain and happiness? Is our purpose and truth equivalent to our sated egos? Or is our life here about conforming to the image of Christ Jesus---impossible, but our goal all the same? Are material and physical benefits the real and only indications of God's goodness? Consider the setbacks, failures, illnesses, and disappointments of Christ's followers down through the centuries. God truly is always good---despite whether we as individuals are happy or not with our lot.
       Man!  Was that one super vacation! Despite spending too much time in the car driving, I'm so thankful for this time away with my family. Thank you, God, for this blessing. Hopefully, we can do it again before too long.

All This Nonsense

     I have a friend who recently retired and now is suddenly plagued with rheumatoid arthritis. We all recognize that life holds its unexpected [actually not-so-unexpected] surprises.  In the proverbial blink of an eye, one's whole life can be upset. Such agitation can challenge our faith.
       I'm almost 70 now.  I've seen a lot of things in my life.  I've seen many attitude changes in my culture.  I cannot understand how or why the people of this country have so passively accepted some of the warped developments of late!  My God cannot be happy with us right now. Squishing Christianity into some super-tolerating, sweet-Jesus, all-is-love, accept-anything-and-everything bottle completely ignores the Just God (and much of Scriptures). Sure, we are to love---but, a just God must execute justice, by definition.  While at the same time, He loves each of us and sinners as well. He is the active agent. I really don't understand this, but I do fear many are going to regret in good time many of their current activities.
       However, God will do what God will do . . . and it is most certainly not ultimately my concern. Thank goodness!  But, my faith is not going to be challenged by all this nonsense (nor am I going to continue to live under great stress); I'm going to strive to serve my God as best I can, and others are going to have to face their own ramifications for not doing so.  I do want my friend's rheumatoid arthritis to be lessened. I do want lawlessness to be reined in. I do want my loved ones to live in a safer world.  
       So, my weapon of choice henceforth will be prayer---accelerated, intense prayer. Paul contended that without faith we could not please God (Hebrews 11) and with faith we have bold and confident access to Him (Ephesians 3).  James proclaimed that the prayers of a righteous person can accomplish much (James 5). Jesus Himself marveled at our unbelief (Mark 6).  Beyond all of these ideas, Jesus asserted that if we did not doubt in our hearts, anything could be granted us (Mark 11). This is not to suggest a rags-to-riches application for prayer, but a much more intimate relationship with God through the intercession of Jesus Christ.  Perhaps, God has stopped listening (Psalms 66, Jeremiah 14, Lamentations 3, Micah 3).  I pray not. Perhaps, He doesn't like our motives (James 4). Pray first for Jesus' mediation.
       So, keep the faith, baby!
       

. . . just ain't gonna happen

     We've been very busy with our mundane, but grand activities:  working at rental house, camping, maintaining the swimming pool, yard work, and watching grandkids.  Yes, grandkids---and they inspire this post.  I look at them in worry and wonder, just what awaits them in life?  While we were away camping (and not paying attention to national affairs), the Supreme Court authorized same-sex marriage in all 50 states and further supported Obama(mis)care. Lately, there's the greater acceptance of the warped activities of trans-genders which could directly affect their daily lives.  So, the progressives and activists celebrate these changes as victories, while I see them as a slipping-away of my life-values (biases they would say) and as degradation and threats to the well-being of my grandkids' futures.

     Don't picture me as some mean-spirited, ugly, hate-spewing monster, friends.  I'm far from that I hope---perhaps, a bit weak in your concept of tolerance and in great need, no doubt, of God's help in the area of compassion and mercy.  However, your need for my approval of your sins  just ain't gonna happen. Your emotional and intellectual arguments, your tendency to bully me over to your view, will always play second-fiddle to God's orchestra, only to be heard in His Word, the Bible.  (Wow, this loony-tune even referred to that outdated bible!)  I only mentioned a few of man's sins and weaknesses earlier.  There's an entire host of them. I know, for I'm guilty of my fair share of them.

     But, please don't be a total hypocrite!  Just because you have no moral compass except your own ego, don't presume that I shouldn't choose some other ethical guide than yours. Give me my elbow room, too.  Legal isn't necessarily Moral.  And, please, question for yourself whether you now have the right to stomp all over me and mine. Yep, I worry about the futures of my grandkids.  God forgive us all.