Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Pointing Fingers

The Democrats are pointing fingers at the Republicans. The Republicans blame it on the Democrats. McCain says it is Obama's fault, while Obama points right back to McCain. And everyone seems to be pointing the finger at Bush. All the while our country is falling apart, the stock market had the lowest drop in points ever yesterday according to one newsreport I watched this morning.

Some will say it does not matter whose fault it is, we just need to fix it. Normally I would agree, but this time I think the only way to "fix" our country is to get to the root cause of the problem. That means pointing the finger where it really needs to be pointed.

What is the root cause of all our nation's troubles? GREED! One word can sum it all up and one word points the finger at everyone of us. I think it is time to be very blunt and no longer sugar coat things. We are a self centered and selfish nation. We want what we want and we want it NOW! At all levels this is what happened. The top guys loosened regulations and guidelines that were setup to protect us so they could make some money. Those of us at the bottom, were greedy and wanted our "stuff" now even though it did not make logical sense for use to do so. Did not matter if we really could not afford it, the bank says we can! (And yes, I'm pointing the finger at myself here! I'm just as guilty!)

Now we are trying to pass a bail-out plan. The Democrats say there needs to be more regulation, the Republicans say the Deomocrats are turning us into a Socialist country. In the end, we are still doing the same thing. We are being selfish and greedy, pointing the fingers at others. Wanting to be bailed out of our mistakes with no harm to ourselves. Who really cares about anyone else.

Greed and selfishness is not a government problem. It is not a political problem (it crosses all lines and parties!), it is not a social problem, it is not even an economic problem. It is a SPIRITUAL problem. And the only way to solve a spiritual issue is to go to the Lord in repentence. We need to be dropping to our knees in prayer, repenting of our sins and asking the Lord for guidance and wisdom in how to move forward.

I read the stories in the Old Testament about the Israelites and I'm amazed at how fast they could turn away from God. I think "How stupid were they! I would never do that!". I'm wrong. I have done that, we all have. We have turned from God as a nation and chosen to do things our way. Now our nation is falling apart. We need to learn a lesson from the Israelites. When they finally opened their eyes to sin they would fall on their faces before a Holy God and repent. We need to do the same. Will you join me? Repent of our Greed and then ask the Lord to give guidance to our leaders and discernment in how to heal this nation.

Dear Lord,

We come to you and repent of our greed and selfishness. We repent of thinking that we could do things our own way. We acknowledge your Sovereignty in our lives and in our nation. Please open the eyes and hearts of our leaders (and ours as well!). Please give them wisdom and discernment in what is needed to heal this nation, but most of all to heal our lives, our hearts. That is the beginning of healing the nation, the healing of our hearts and lives. We thank you that you are a mericful and gracious Lord who loves us unconditionally. We come to you and ask that you have Your Way with our lives and with this nation.

In Jesus' precious Name,
Amen

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Fireproof Movie

I've recently heard about this movie and wanted to know if anyone had seen it yet? It just came out in theaters last week. It looks like it could be really good. I've included a widget below that includes a link to the trailer. If you have seen the movie or heard anything about it I would love to hear your comments.









Friday, September 26, 2008

What is it all about? Part 2

So I come back to the same question. What is it really all about? First, what is it NOT about?

It is NOT about Religion!

It is NOT about Church!

It is NOT about Christianity!

What it is about is a relationship. A true and full relationship with God our Creator, through His Son, Jesus Christ who died for us and defeated death.

So simple, yet we make it so complicated. Why?

I think it is because we don't truly understand what it is to be in relationship with someone.

Even our closest and best relationship falls horribly short of what our Father desires for us.

Lord~

I pray that you open my heart to what a true relationship with you entails. Sweep away any preconceived notions of what this may or may not look like. Show me how to openly and honestly communicate with you. How to fully know you. Put within me that desire to pursue a full relationship with you regardless the cost. Teach me what being in communion with you really is in all its glory and wonder. I desire to know you fully. Fan that flame into an all-consuming fire.

In the name of your precious Son,

Amen

Thursday, September 25, 2008

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting for our State and Nation

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sins, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

With the upcoming elections there is a prayer movement sweeping this nation. A friend of mine is part of the Governor's Prayer team. Beginning yesterday she started sending out prayers daily as part of the California 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting. I'm including the prayer sent today (Day2) below.

In addition she sent me a link to Pray the Vote 2008, which has a link to enroll if you are interested. They also have a link to the 40 Days to Pray the Vote which started today. You can sign up to be emailed the daily prayers.

Please consider joining us in the next 40 days to pray for our state(s) and our nation as the November elections draw closer.

* * * * * *

Prayer from Minister Joe Wright to Kansas Legislature in Topeka on January 23, 1996, it's even more relevant now.

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today to ask Your Forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance.

We know Your Word says, ''Woe to those who call evil good,'' but that's exactly what we have done.

We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that; we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism;

We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism;

We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle;

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;

We have neglected the needy and called it self preservation;

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;

We have killed our unborn and called it choice;

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable;

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem;

We have abused power and called it political savvy;

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition;

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression;

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

Guide and bless these men and women who have been put in office by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will.

(Added by the sender: Lord, as we confess our sins honestly before you, we cry to you for mercy and ask you to put righteous men and women after your own heart in seats of authority in our land. See attached Prayer for Leaders after God's own heart.)

I ask in in the name of your Son, The Living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Chasing

My husband and I are attending a 6 week bible study with a small group called "One Month to Live" that is being sponsored by a local church (yes, I did say my husband and I!)

The basic gist of the study is if you only had one month left to live, what would you regret about your life? What changes would you make in your life? Why don't we make those changes now?

This last week's topic was about Loving Completely and our discussion last night was very good and insightful. Part of the video we watched last night and then discussed included a short film which was made by the authors' son. I found this video to be very powerful. It refers to a parable Jesus told in the Bible which is very touching and powerful on its own.

Please enjoy and let God's unconditional love for you sink in.

Chasing by Ryan Shook



Monday, September 22, 2008

What is it all about?

Religion, Church, Christian

In the past year certain words have begun to make me cringe each time I hear them. I don't necessarily have an issue with the concepts as they are used in God's Word, however I've come to realize in today's culture these words have taken on a very different meaning.

For a long time now I've cringed when someone refers to me as being "religious". From my observations in society this word has come to be a dead and legalistic term. It is all about rules and regulations, guilt and oppression. This is not anything new though. Reading the New Testament it is clear this is how it was 2,000 years ago when Jesus walked among us. The group of people you see Him critcizing the harshest are the religious, rather than those traditionally thought of as sinners.

Then there is the word church. Jesus referred to the church as a body of Believers, His Bride. However, in our world the word church tends to bring up images of a building where people go once a week to socialize and be "religious". I know this is not the case in all churches, but to those who are not Christian, I can tell you that is how it often appears. And unfortunately, the impression is the same among some Christians themselves.

That brings me to the third word. When someone asks me what religion I am, I cringe to say Christian. As humans we are imperfect, prone to pride, arrogance and selfishness. We have taken the word Christian which should bring to mind someone who follows Christ and we've turned it into something cheap. We have drug it through the mud. Christianity over the years has done many good things for this world, but it has also done some of the most horrific things as well. When the world hears "Christian", do they envision a follower of Christ? Instead many times they see selfish, arrogant people pushing their agenda by hiding behind the "church" and "religion".

I don't mean for this to be a downer. I bring it up because I have begun recently to question what I believe and what I've always been taught. I don't doubt God or His Word, however I do question how we as imperfect people see these things. I question not only what I believe, but why I believe it.

As I question more and more and ask Him for wisdom and discernment, the one thing that comes more to life for me is what this is really all about. Not from our perspective, but from God's. What is the Church? What is Christianity really all about?

The answer He has revealed to me is one word - relationship. I've heard this before, but it is really coming to life for me now. This is what it all comes down to in the end. It is all about getting to know our Heavenly Fahter through His Son, our Savior. It is not about rules and regulations, it is not about church or programs. We can do all of that but if we don't pursue Him personally, daily we will never understand it. My biggest concern now is to get to know the Lord. I don't want to put Him in a box, but I also don't want to fall for whatever comes my way.

The Bible refers to our walk as being the narrow road. What I've found is this narrow road has two ditches on either side which we can fall into if we are not careful. And I've found myself in both ditches at different times during my walk. One on side is legalism, where we loose focus on the goal, our relationship with Christ and focus on all the rules for being righteous. What is right or wrong. The other side is liberalism where we decide all is good, God is in it all. On one side we focus solely on God's Holiness and Righteousness. On the other hand we focus solely on His Love and Grace. God is both Righteous and Merciful, however it is hard for use to reconcile these two sides into one mighty God.

A true relationship with God means keeping an open mind towards Him and any correction He may give us. Not an open mind accepting of everything the world throws at us. Instead an open mind that is willing to admit we may be (and probably are) wrong about Him. A heart that earnestly prays for wisdom and discernment from the Lord even if that means blowing up the boxes we have created and tried to put Him in.

I can only do this by pursuing a true relationship with Him. That is His desire for me. If I focus on that, the rest will come. As I get to know Him better He will fill me with His Light. His Light is the only thing that can drive away the darkness that is in me because in the end that darkness is the absence fo Light, the absence of Him!

Instead of trying to do what is "right" and becoming righteous in my power and then beating myeslf up when I fail (which will always be the case when we try to do things this way!), I am going to pursue a deeper relationship with Him. When I do that, I will begin to walk with Him and He will empower me to change. The focus needs to be on the relationship, that is all that matters in the end.

Friday, September 19, 2008

The Shack - My Review

I just finished reading The Shack by William P. Young. I will not give away any of the plot in my review here, but I do want to say that if I was told that I could only read one book for the rest of my life (other than the Bible) this book would be my choice.

When I was about halfway through the book, I described it to one of my friends by saying - "If you have put God in a box, this book will blow up that box." This past year has been a journey for me to get to know my Creator on a more intimate level. This book has done more to open my eyes to how God really sees us and wants to relate to us than any other book I have read.

I truly believe when this book was written the Lord was giving the inspiration and guiding the keystrokes. It will be a book I read at least once a year.

I had originally heard a little about this book and the story behind how it was published. This intrigued me. Then I had two individuals I respect who do NOT usually read fiction, recommend this book (one is a former pastor of mine and the other is an extremely gifted author). Then my uncle emailed me and told me I needed to read the book. So, I figured I needed to at least check it out. My life will not ever be the same and I will never view my relationship with the Lord the same.

No matter who you are, no matter your current beliefs, no matter what your walk with the Lord is right now (or isn't for that matter) I recommend you take the time to read this book and ask the Lord to open your heart to Him. I truly believe no matter who you are, you will find your life changed in some way.

If you want to check out more about the book you can visit the website - The Shack Book. Once you read it I would love to hear what you think. If you have already read it, please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Why ProLife?

Randy Alcorn has written a book called Why Prolife? which I highly recommend. He is currently offering it in a free pdf downloadable file at his website Eternal Perspectives Ministry.

I highly recommend everyone download and read this, regardless of your current beliefs. In Randy's own words:

Though I'm a Christian, I don't make many arguements from the Bible in this book. (I've done that elsewhere.) The case I present is grounded in medical science and reliable psychological studies. These sources should be as credible to any truth-respecting agnostic as they are to Christians. Indeed, many non-Christians oppose abortion.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Got Hope? Obama

Did I get your attention? I saw this on a bumper sticker a couple days ago and it got me to thinking and asking myself some very candid questions. I am not voting for Obama this November and I don't believe that he is our hope. However, I really don't put my hope in any of the candidates (although there are definitely some I prefer over others!)

I started to ask myself some very hard questions and really started to search my heart. What is the true answer to these questions? Is it where I want/should be?

Who do I really put my hope in? God's Word tells us that our hope should be in Christ Jesus. We can't put our hope in anyone else. Not only does it go against God's Word, but it is actually unfair to the person because nobody can live up to that expectation.

As Christians we hear all the time about how our hope is to be in God, in our savior. But do I really live as if He is my Hope? Does my life truly reflect this, at all times?

When things are bad, where do I look first? Do I look to myself? Others? or do I automatically go to the Lord? When things are good, where do I give the praise? Do I pat myself on the back, or do I praise the Lord who has given me everything that I have? The one that knows what is best for me?

This is something that is not natural for us as sinful humans. We tend to think we know what is best for us and we want to do things our own way. We tend to want to take credit for the good things in our life and to solve our own problems. It makes us feel like we have some control in a world that is so very out of control.

As far as the upcoming elections and the rest of my life, I am putting my hope in the Creator of the Universe who knows the future. My hope is in Him because I know even if the person I vote for does not end up in the White House, the Lord is still in control. He is always in control, even when it may not seem so to me. I can only see a very small part of the big picture. I have to trust that He loves me and will take care of me.

This is something I'm learning does not just happen one day and stays with you. It is a choice I'm having to make everyday. The more time I spend with Him the easier it is for me to trust Him and make that choice each day.

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
~Psalm 42:11

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.
~Psalm 52:9

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
~Psalm 62:5

the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
~Psalm 147:11

When Christians Come Out of the Closet - External Article

I was sent this article today which I thought was really good. It addresses how I've been feeling about this situation for quite some time so I wanted to share it. Please click the read more below to see the entire article.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Wednesday, September 17, 2008
When Christians Come Out of the Closet

Singer Ray Boltz’s shocking announcement that he’s gay offers us a chance to adjust our attitudes.

How should we respond when a fellow Christian embraces a gay lifestyle? Do we give him a hug and tell him we wholeheartedly respect his decision? Do we just keep quiet and pray? Or do we grab a Bible and offer a stern lecture?

I know it’s an uncomfortable subject, but I’m delving into it because recording artist Ray Boltz has come out of the closet. The 55-year-old singer, winner of three Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association, told the world last Friday that he just got tired of fighting his same-sex feelings. He told the Washington Blade, a gay magazine, that he now lives “a normal gay life” and feels liberated.

I am sure the gay community rejoiced that Boltz has joined their side of this debate. Now they are waiting to see our response. Many of them expect Christians to yank Boltz’s music off the radio, stage bonfires with his CDs and send cryptic death threats. (Hint: None of these is the right reaction.)

Best known for a string of Christian hits in the 1990s including “Thank You” and “I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb,” Boltz told the Blade that he disclosed his repressed homosexuality to his wife and four grown children in 2004, the year he retired from his music career. He quietly moved to South Florida and began dating. His divorce from his wife of 33 years was finalized this year.
His confession was brutally honest: “I’d denied [my homosexuality] ever since I was a kid. I became a Christian. I thought ...
Read More

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Conversations in your Head

Sometimes I wonder if I'm weird. Now I know we are all weird in our own ways, but sometimes I think I might be more so than others. But I do think it is a family thing, because I truly believe I'm one of the least weird in my family. Growing up I had tons of family around me. Seriously, I grew up in the house next door to the house my dad grew up in. And on the other side of that house was where my great grandparents lived! And that is just the beginning of it! It was like Everybody Loves Raymond blown up about 10 times at a hick level (I was a country girl, no doubt about that!)

Anyway, I digress from my point. I have conversations in my head. Not just the ones were you replay a conversation you had in your head and in this version you come up with all the witty comebacks that you missed when the conversation really happened. And not just the conversations you may have in your head in anticipation of an upcoming conversation. Or even the conversations you have in your head that are ones you want to have with someone, but will probably never have the guts to initiate. I do have all of these at times, but that is not the predominate conversations going on in my head.

The conversations that play over and over in my head are ones between two different people, I'm not part of them. In fact, I'm not even in the vicinity of these conversations. It is like I've become a fly on the wall or these were secretly taped and I'm now watching them. The people having the conversations are always different, but the subject is always the same. . . (Warning: here comes the part were I am very transparent and show an ugly side of me!)

. . .the topic is always ME. I've not really shared this with anyone before, it is kind of embarrasing and makes me realize how vain and insecure I can be at times. It is something I'm trying to change in my life, but have once again realized only God can give me the strength. I realize this all comes about b/c of insecurities that I have.

Here is how the scenario plays out:

I'm in a situation somewhere with others. I say or do something and later when I'm alone I start thinking "Angela, that was stupid! Why in the world did you say/do that!" I start second guessing myself and this fear of what others thinks of me bubbles up and often overflows. I'm left an insecure mess and that is when the conversations start. In my head I hear two individuals (or more) start talking about me and one of them always comes to my rescue and starts sticking up for me.

But you know what? I've realized this is an issue for two reasons.

1. I fear man more than I fear the Lord. I need to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks of me, what I do or what I say. All that really matters is if I'm following the Lord. If I am working on my relationship with Him then I'll start walking with Him. That is what matters. It will offend some people when I start to do this, but I have to ask myself - who matters the most? God does!

2. I'm looking for others to fight my battles, to stand up for me, to defend me. This is wrong. I can't put that pressure on anyone else. It is not fair to them. And it is not their job. In fact, many times we should NOT defend ourselves. Jesus is an example of this. People spoke out about him falsely so many times and he did not worry about defending himself. Why? Because he knew he was walking with the Father and that any defending that may need to be done would be done by the Father. Done by the Father in His timing! I need that same attitude.

So - now I'm trying to change these things in my life. But not by my power, because I can only do this with God's help. I'm weak and I admit that. By God's grace and power these conversations are going to become real conversations between myself and my Saviour instead of fake conversations between two other people who are most likely not even thinking of me!

Why am I sharing all of this? Well, I'm not sure. Recently the Lord told me through a good friend that the way for me to work through some things I was dealing with was to write. So that is what I'm doing. I'm writing. If nobody reads these, then so be it. I'm obeying the Lord. If someone does read this and it helps them in some way, then Praise God!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Personhood Amendment

Today I received an email regarding a post from Eternal Perspectives, a blog by Randy Alcorn, an author for whom I have a high regard. The post was called Sarah Palin, Experience, and Video from Colorado for Equal Rights.

The post itself is very good and I agree with his points of view. If you have some time to check out the post, please do so.

What really touched me though was the video at the end regarding the Colorado Personhood Amendment that is being put on the ballet. This would change the state constitution to reflect that a baby from fertilization is a person and should therefore enjoy equal rights with the rest of us and deserving of protection.




Colorado for Equal Rights Personhood Amendment from Personhood USA on Vimeo.

I found this so encouraging and I just had to praise the Lord for this 19 year old who has chosen to make a stand for Life. I support her 100% and am praying this will pass in 2008. And from there I pray this will catch like wildfire and spread across our nation. This gives a clearer view of what the ProLife/ProChoice argument is really about. It is NOT about a choice, it is about a LIFE!!!!!

Visit the Personhood 08 - Equal Rights for Colorado website for more information.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Soul - C.S. Lewis

I am going through a study with some friends of mine right now (and my husband!) called One Month to Live. The study is a 30 day study which includes a book with a short reading for each day. Today's reading was called Power Surge and talks about how we need to stay connected with God because He is our source of power. We can't do things in our own power as it leads to burnout. The only way we can succeed is to rely on God's power/strength.

At the beginning of this chapter there is a quote which really spoke to me.


You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.
~ C.S. Lewis


I found this to be very profound. Something I've never really thought about before, but which makes sense. I think we often do not realize this. We are focused on our life here on earth only, because that is the part of ourselves that we can see and visibly work on improving. However we are not a body that happens to contain a soul. We are a Soul which has a body. We need to concentrate on improving our soul as well as our body. The only way we can do this successfully is to concentrate on our relationship with the Lord.


I know from first hand experience though how hard this is to put into practice. I too often loose sight of where my strength and power truly come from. I rely on myself; my skills, my knowledge and my strength instead of running to the Lord and relying on Him. This year the Lord has been teaching me this lesson.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Gossiping the Gospel

This year we are homeschooling our daughter with the help of a three day a week co-op. One of the books which is part of her curriculum this year is called Window on the World. This books is divided up into people groups which includes countries (India, Lobi, Samoa etc) and groups of people (Children on the Streets, Gypsies, etc). Each section is two pages and tells you a little bit about that people group and gives ideas of how to pray for them, including things to thank God for and things to ask God for related to these people.

This week we read the introduction and two people groups; Children of the Streets and Gypsies. The Children of the Streets section brought me to tears and the compassion I saw in my daughters eyes was amazing. After going through this group I could see her heart go out to these children and she realized how thankful she was for her family.

Tonight we read about the Gypsies. There was one item towards the end of the page that really resonated with me.

Gypsy evangelist Tom Wilson said, "We Gypsies are a nation of evangelists, we can't help gossiping the gospel."

Then in the prayer section one of the prayer points is to fill Gypsy Christians with love and joy and the readiness to always "gossip the gospel."

There is so much gossiping that goes on in our world. I thought this was just a high school thing but I've come to realize that we humans never outgrow this habit. I see it just as much at work and everyday life as I did in high school. And to be honest, I am a part of it more often than I would like to admit. I realize it is wrong and I deem that I will not do it any longer, but still I find myself sometimes participating before I even realize what I'm doing!

So this hit me as a novel idea. Obviously as humans gossiping is something we relish, so if we are going to do it - why not gossip about the gospel!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Beauty from Pain

Recently God has made it clear to me in different ways that I need to start writing again. I think my blog is the way to do this, at least for now. The difference though is I need to be more transparent. I need to write what I'm feeling, what God is teaching me without censoring it because I'm worried what others might think or because I worry about who may be reading this.

My attempt going forward on this blog will be to give you the real me - the good, the bad and the ugly. The struggles and the truimphs. Whatever God has for me, I will write about here. I will stop fearing man, and fear my Lord.

With that being said, I've also started journaling again. Awhile back I was in a pretty low place emotionally and spiritually. I finally gave up something I've been struggling and hoping for to the Lord. I mean I really gave it up this time. I prayed for His will to be done - not mine. I prayed that whatever that meant that He would give me the strength to get through it. I prayed for Him to show me who I really am, in all my ugliness. I prayed He would show me clearly the areas I needed to make changes, the things I was doing wrong that had caused me to be where I was. And to reveal to me the things that I needed to take a firm stand on, regardless of what those around me thought.

I had written the words to a Superchick song called Beauty from Pain in my journal during this time and some verses and words which I want to share now. I remember many days on the way to and from work slipping in this CD and turning it up. Playing this song over and over and singing it out with all that I had in me, tears streaming down my face as I drove.

This version I found online is set to some cartoons. I kind of like it, but the video itself is not the point. If you are hurting right now I encourage you to just close your eyes and listen to this song. The words are powerful on their own, but the music along with the words just touches your soul. It is a cry from your heart to the Lord, your Creator - your Redeemer.







At the same time I was going through this a friend gave me these words to a song

"On the solid rock of Jesus I stand - All other ground is just sinking sand"



I went home and wrote them down because they were so powerful to me. A reminder. Then the Lord gave me these two verses -


The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord.
~ Psalm 45:11



I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
~ Psalm 40:1-3

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Science v. God

I don't usually post emails I have received, but my dear brother sent me this one and I loved it. Especially the very end. And I figure since I've been gone for so long - this is a good way to get back into the groove of posting. Enjoy!

(For the record - I don't believe that Science and God are in conflict with one another, I just think, as this shows, that we often twist one or the other, or both many times to make it appear as if they are at odds with one another.)

Science v. God

'Let me explain the problem science has with Jesus Christ.' The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.

'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'

'Yes sir,' the student says.

'So you believe in God?'

'Absolutely.'

'Is God good?'

'Sure! God's good.'

'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'

'Yes.'

'Are you good or evil?'

'The Bible says I'm evil.'

The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a moment.

'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'

'Yes sir, I would.'

'So you're good...!''

'I wouldn't say that.'

'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'

The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'

The student remains silent.

'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. 'Let's start again, young fella Is God good?'

'Er, yes,' the student says.

'Is Satan good?'

The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'

'Then where does Satan come from?'

The student: 'From...God...'

'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything,correct?'

'Yes.'

'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'

Without allowing the student to answer, the professor continues:'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'

The student: 'Yes.'

'So who created them?'

The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question. 'Who created them?'

There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized. 'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'

The student's voice is confident: 'Yes, professor, I do.'

The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'

'No sir. I've never seen Him'

'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'

'No, sir, I have not.'

'Have you ever actually felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelled your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'

'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'

'Yet you still believe in him?'

'Yes. '

'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrableprotocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'

'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'

'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'

The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking aquestion of his own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'

'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'

'And is there such a thing as cold?'

'Yes, son, there's cold too.'

'No sir, there isn't.'

The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested.The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain.

'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'

Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.

'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'

' Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it isn't darkness?'

'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'

The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'

'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'

The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. 'Flawed? Can you explain how?'

'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains. 'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it.'

'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'

'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do'

'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'

The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.

'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'

The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided.

'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'

The student looks around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?' The class breaks out into laughter.

'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelled the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir. So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'

Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable.

Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers. 'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'

'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'

Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'

To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.'

The professor sat down.