TUESDAY, October 27

Quoting this sermon; "Gods reality transcends anything we can imagine".
For me, this becomes a problem in that it also seems to transcend my ability to reconcile the scriptural passages with my own reason. I find a conflict with the reality of the Bible. It seems more a fantasy than a real and honest account of the times and mission of the prophets. I struggle with trying to find a reason I should except the testimonies of others a fact. What does one do when one finds one feels no obligation to believe in scriptural passages, especially when they contradict one another and make God appear to be a cold and malicious God (old testament). Why would he say his name is jealousy, a human trait, not one expected of God. Why would he order entire cities to be destroyed, even the innocent children and animals, just to demonstrate his wrath. I want to believe in a kind and loving God but the Bible prevents me from feeling anything but fear and distrust.

I grew up in a church that taught the Old and New Testament, but lived, at least in my mind, in the God of the Old Testament. It has been decades since and I have only fairly recently learned (heart and mind) of the forgiving and loving side of God. I have experienced it personally. My question is, "How can a God that is so mighty, powerful, holy and so "big", care to come down (transcend time and space) to love ME?" The answer is because that is just the nature of God. And until one experiences that loves for him or herself, it's just an enigma like outer space. This is where faith is important. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1) I pray that God will move in me, you, and this world, which is so evil and dark, and that he would show all the people, all of the factions, all of the "religions", and all of the governments his mighty strength, power, and, yes, love.

I think both Booth and Lebby would benefit from the writing of John Shelby Spong. Spong has actively wrestled with the subject of the definition of God and the limitations of the Bible for many years.

It seems to me that the struggle to reconcile the scriptures with our reason and our personal experience of God's love speaks directly to the difference between the facts and the truth.

Contrary to what many Christian traditions seem to claim, I don't believe that God dictated The Bible, word for word, to uber-holy secretaries who
flawlessly and factually transcribed the whole history of God's relationship with God's creation. I also do not believe the Holy Scriptures were written by superhuman beings who were somehow uninfluenced by their own cultural myths, ego-centered expectations, human frailties and personal bigotries. In my view, to take sacred texts so literally is highly problematic, as in the world we have daily proof. So where does that live us? I think it leaves us exactly where today's meditation writer points. When I truly understand that God is NOT a bigger and more powerful version of myself I don't saddle God with my ego-centered expectations, cultural myths, human frailties and personal bigotries. When I read the scriptures, I try very hard to not allow my desire to be right, obscure a divine truth that is still being revealed.

and perhaps after one reads spong, for perspective, read max lucado

i think we all struggle in darkness from time to time, that doesn't mean the light isn't still shining

As God told Moses on Mt. Sinai, "I am that I am."

I think part of the journey to be with God in this time and place, requires a flexibility on the part of the reader of the scriptures. Remember the Gospels were written decades apart. A literal translation seems to do what the author warns against -- we can't saddle God into our own perceptions. We can only reach out, read the scriptures in prayer, not as a scholar, but wait on God to reveal himself in our lives.

Us are always the wonderful, sensitive people who cannot trust (have faith) because They (no one and no God) are good enough. So if that is where your fears and insecurities tell you is a better place than trust, you will live in fear and insecurity. God does not lead us to punishment, but as a parent leads a child to adulthood, so the Bible walks us to an understanding of the direction God wishes us to walk in - moving from Law to Faith, from learning to action.

I heard a joke recently, "A scientist was so excited because he discovered how to spark life into an object. He ran and got his coworker and said, "Come and see this, I can start a life!" As the two of them stood there, God also decided He wanted to see this and showed up in the lab saying, "Wow, this is really something. Tell me how this works." So the scientist proceeded to explain the wires and gadgets and chemicals that he had inserted into the pile of dirt on the table. Just before the scientist was about to throw the switch to make it all come to life, God stopped him and said, "Get your own dirt."
Big difference between the Creator and the creation. No way around it. Only a leap of faith can make the transition in our hearts and minds that there is just no comparison between actually Creating the dirt and simply making something from it.

Good one Christine! I'm good with being the Created and find great security in surrendering my life to the Creator. And yes, faith is the key.....not intellectualizing myself into believing. In my opinion there is enough evidence to convince me that Jesus is guilty as charged......He is Emmanuel...God with us in the flesh!