Archive for June, 2008
I’m Not Going To Africa
Earlier this week I finally got the call from a pastor at the church who’s college ministry disfellowshipped me… If this sounds convoluted or insane, that’s because it’s both. He informed me that if by any chance I no longer felt called to Africa that he could return my deposit.
I took the hint.
Also, since last time I wrote my $1,600 road bike was stolen.
If you ever see a health and wealth preacher, do me a favor and punch him in the face for me.
But I want to do more than just sulk this time
Specifically, I want to talk about the unusual nature of spiritual things in the real world.
A friend and I were recently talking about naturalism. And the paradox involved in rejecting naturalism for belief in god, who is, and must be by definition, the most natural thing in the universe.
We are not basic to the universe. Plants and dirt and planets and rocks, none of these things are central to reality. They are all alien to the universe we live in, which is centered around God, who created and preceded everything.
So it’s bizarre that when we think of “spiritual” things we humans have a tendency to differentiate that from the “regular” things of this world like rocks. As if there is something inherently secular about matter.
…Wow I’m a nerd…
What I’m trying to say is that I think we as humans expect God to interact with us in a whirlwind (as he does in Job) but as Christians we train ourselves that God often comes as a still small voice (as he does in Exodus) but somewhere we have neglected the probability for God to come to us through entirely human means (as he does in the gospels)
God (or in my case satan, as I think it’s appropriate to identify him as the source of the lies and accusations I’ve been subjected to lately.) often chooses to work out his will through the most ordinary of means imaginable.
Disassembling Africa…
Stealing Property…
Altering Communities…
Spreading Lies…
…
Opening Opportunities…
Empowering Friendships…
Fixing Computers…
Eating Tacos…
These things are every bit within the realm of spiritual forces as are, providing peace and reassurance or temptation. That’s Sunday school stuff.
But how many of us have really internalized the truth of that?
I’d have to wager it’s not that many…
If it were more, We’d pray differently
-Gaffney Out