Walking In The Spiderwebs

Actual Tripe

I've always been one to call "bullshit" when someone instantly responds with, "Well, it happened for a reason."  That tripe even comes in different flavors:  "God has a plan," "You're never given more than you can handle,""When there's an obstacle there's always a way," "Just wait, something better is coming along."

I've never believed in coincidence.  Either God causes things (subtly or overtly) or that's just the way they worked out (equal an opposite reactions and all that).  However, I've been challenged a bit lately on my view.  Which is kind of a huge deal, because this is a fundamental belief I've held for decades.

What if God is present in everything, every person, every situation?  God doesn't have to be controlling everything -- the strings are less of a puppeteer and more like a spider's web.  NOT the Jonathan Edwards kind.  Everything is connected, and each action, each word, each deed, whether good or bad, impacts everything else connected to the God-Web. 

Mind Tricks would be pretty sweet, though

I'm not saying there's an invisible and impersonal Force behind things, but there is an invisible and personal God present in an around everything.  Not
hing occurs outside of God's perception.  There is no way to break the God-Web, the other strands simply stretch and move.  The universe, then, is not simply a canvas on which we paint, but a living entity; reacting and adapting and connecting us all.

Too New Agey for you?  A little uncomfortable?  Not quite on my original point?
Good.  I'll do some Jesus quoting on the subject next post.

Now listen to this turtle.




If the fascists at youtube take the video down, it's Oogway from Kung Fu Panda talking about there not being accidents in life.

Temptation

From last week's sermon. 
With all due apologies to the Charlie Daniels Band.

THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO NOOGA
The Devil went down to Nooga, he was looking for some souls to steal

He'd grown fat and eager, hocking the American dream as a happy meal.

When he came across a congregation sittin' in rows of pews like this,

The Devil smiled a big ol grin and gave an evil hiss:

I'll bet you didn't know it, but I'm a red-blooded American, too.

And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you.

Now you've lived a pretty good life, son, but give the Devil his due.

I'll bet a life of ease, if you please, that says I can make things better for you.

The devil comes into your life and plants the seed of sin,

Overcharge and underpay, shift the blame to score a win,

Morals are subjective and rules don't apply to me

When Hell's broke loose in Nooga and the devil's tempting thee.

Chorus:

And as you struggle with all this, temptation grips your soul.

Can you hold your faith so true and still achieve your goal?

You have to respond with Jesus' words, on this you will not bend

Worship only the Lord your God, don't sell out your friend

Bread alone is not enough, don't put the Lord to the test,

Devil, get ye outta here, Jesus is the best!

The Devil hung his head because he knew that he'd been beat

The faith was strong with everyone, from their heads down to their feet

Y'ol Devil, we never wanna see you back here again,

'cause we done told you once, you son of a gun, Jesus is the best that's ever been.

Realized Eschatology

Last night we were studying Colossians and we were talking about the tension of having been raised with Christ above, but still living here below.  In other words, what does it mean to be a citizen of heaven, but to live in a world that is not heaven? 

It's a tough question to even ask, because it just sounds confusing.

We belong to Christ's Kingdom because we have participated (in a mysterious way) with Christ in his death and resurrection.  So in a real (and mysterious) way, we are new people designed to live a new life.

But we're still our old selves for right now.  With our old habits.  Our old ways of thinking.  Our old friends.  Our old society.  Our old world.  Living in our old bodies (not chronologically old, metaphorically old). 

Just because we are new doesn't mean everything else is.

Do you have any 2's?  Go Fish.

That's where the tension comes in.
That's why when we celebrate communion we hear the words "you proclaim Christ's death until he comes again." 
That's why the New Testament refers to our hope laid up in heaven, and our salvation which will be revealed in the last time.

See, we're saved now.  But we will be saved in the future.  Yes, that means in heaven.  No, we're not discussing the nature of heaven right now.

Yes.  Yes, I am.

Catholic Apologist James Akin (not to be confused with Clay Aiken) put it succinctly:  "I have been saved; I am being saved; and I will besaved."

Confused yet?  What does any of this have to do with Bible Study last night?  I'm getting to that.

Last night we were discussing this topic and everyone got understandably confused.  We all knew what we were talking about and got the general idea of how it worked, but it was still murky.  So one person laid it out very simply:


"Being a Christian now is fine.  Being a Christian in heaven will be fine and dandy."

I said, "Exactly!"

**BTW, the title of this post is the technical term for this entire discussion -- salvation is now and not yet**

See You Again

I did a funeral service this morning for a 94 year old woman.  Her closest surviving relatives were two grandsons -- both in their 30s.  They wanted something simple that reflected who their wonderful grandmother was.  So I thoughtfully picked several Scriptures, laid out the service, and prepared the message. 

When I arrived at the funeral home (after a harrowing journey on I-24 due to the snow and ice), I went over things with the grandsons.  It was very encouraging because when I told the older grandson the Scriptures I had selected, he nodded thoughtfully because he knew them. 

We had a wonderful time celebrating her life and witnessing to her resurrection in Christ.  Tears were shed, but the joy of the Lord was present.  It was everything a memorial service should be. 

Afterward the oldest grandson came up to me again, shook my hand, gave me a hug, looked me in the eye, and said with a smile, "I know I'll see you again at some point."

That was one of the most faith-encouraging things a total stranger has ever said to me before.  What an awesome thought -- that I will get the chance to see some of the most amazing Christian folks that I've only met for a moment, or never even spoken to, again someday! 

Praise God for this wonderful gift.

A Prayer Through Tears

If you've been watching the news at all, you are aware of the horrible violence and murders that have taken place in Connetticut.  Here is a prayer shared by The God Article.  I hope it touches you as it did me.  Blessings.  ~ Ben

A Prayer for the Conn. Elementary Shooting
from The God Article

Good and gracious God,

Today we are reminded
that we live in a broken world.
We are reminded of how fragile
life really is.

Some will surely say,
“Where is your God?”
And it is easy to echo their question.
But remind us that you
did not cause this tragedy
or any other.
Remind us that you suffer
with those who suffer.
You reach out and offer them
a loving embrace of comfort.
You call on your people
to do the same.

While we know in our hearts
that this tragedy was senseless,
we also know that you
have a beautiful way of pulling meaning
out of the senseless
in order to help us move forward
and grow closer to you.

So for this moment,
we hold in our hearts
the children and the teachers killed,
the families who will now grieve
and, yes, even the shooter.
And even as we remember them,
we give thanks for the knowledge
that you love each of them
and have invited them into your presences.

Once we have grieved this tragedy,
turn our minds toward the problem
of violence in this world.
Help us to bracket out
political perspectives
and the monetary call of big business,
and focus our hearts and minds
on the love of your creation,
the love of our neighbor.

May the way we move forward
honor the lives that have been lost.

Amen.