Flash of genius and new calvinism

Two interesting places to be. One is about a man who invents the modern-day wind shield wiper. His invention is then stolen by the Ford motor company and he proceeds to sue them. His suit is over his patents on the invention and he will not give up until he has beaten "the man" and been given credit for what is rightfully his. What the creators want you to see is that this man let nothing get in his way… nothing. The end of the movie is then a joyous montage of praise and admiration as he is congratulated by men offering him a bottle of champagne. What is missed in the way this man abandoned his family. He ditched them for money and recognition. This is a perfect example of how we have destroyed what is truly the great about human beings- the community and home that family is. We wonder why the elder generations think the young people have gone off the deep end. In many ways these people, images of God, were abandoned for created things (money, power, recognition, etc..). He was given and entrusted with a wife and 6 children but gave that up for his name. I pray that we may truly love our children, younger generation, and not abandon the children and family we are entrusted. We need a miracle.

Secondly, on a brighter more sovereign note… "Calvinism" is back. What does this mean? Funny question because this trend of Christian theology, which was just named (by Time Mag) number 3 on the top 10 ideas changing the world right now, was last 'popular' during the great depression. Funny thing happens when the money runs out… Jesus and his control all of a sudden becomes a reality rather than the magician in the sky. All throughout history there is this crazy bent for there to be these huge ebb and flows of theology, why? Pride. As soon as things begin to go well and life begins to become 'self-sustaining' the reality of God being God and upholding all things by the words of his mouth is forgotten. "I got it" is the favorite phrase of myself and all mankind. What would happen if we all humbly submitted to the reality of God at all times? My mind cannot imagine nor my heart fathom such perfection but the reality is that all men will bow and it will not be because of a lack of cash…

If you did not know Jesus will take care of us. He loves those who call on his name and will provide for them what they truly need. May we realize what we really need. If you do not believe he will take away all your burdens in the truth of what he has done for they will become like dust… if only you believe.

• If you are determined to be Calvinist do not forget to read all the parts of the Bible and understand that there will always be an element of grand mystery.
  

 

I would like to thank the guys in Seattle for hosting me- Joel, Blake, Cole, and Spencer. I had a great time and loved that place. Acts29 and Mars Hill were awesome and I look forward to going back eventually. Please pray for us as we try to discern where we should be after marriage: St. Louis, Austin, Denton, The Woodlands, or Seattle. All of them are great choices and would work out wonderfully but I just have not idea which is the best. Yes I do way over think. Also, the future of a ministry in Europe, church planting and all the things that go into beginning such endeavors.

left, right, new

I have a new layout and hopefully a new blogging attitude. I want to be more connected to the world as well, not just my world.



I am engaged, since the last time I wrote, to Lindsey Shepperd. She is wonderful and can actually deal with the real me. I still forget that now she is supposed to be my constant confidant, and not just sister. We are seeking the Lord on where we are to move, do school (me), minister, and live. It is still up in the air. We thought St. Louis was a viable option, but has not felt right about it. Uberspiritual... maybe, but I just have no desire to move without comfort in the plan. This does not take it out of the equation but...


A good article:
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/15022



In this above article there is a perfect explanation of what hinders the lost from being saved and the churchified lost from being reborn (Yes there is implied within that sentence the idea that there are many lost church folk... many... many). There is religion, the outside in, I do therefore I am justified (whether bowing before gods or man or Godme), or the gospel, I am justified resulting in voluntary, joyful, doing (Jesus does the saving). The end question is where do you start and stand? The left or right? I tend to bounce back and forth but long for the tranquility and passions that come from the middle. Many seem to say they tried it but they didn't try it... I believe you, but give it another shot it might just blow your world up this time... Jesus that is.

Going to the acts29 conference in Seattle in two weeks. I'm not sure if I am pumped or not because I haven't the faintest idea of why i am going. aka-a set of desires that I am there searching out... we will see maybe the heavens will open (i kind of just wrote this to see if adriel really does look for all of the 'literature' about a29 things written the previous days)

update

life is slightly out of my control right now, which is where it is supposed to be as interesting as that sounds. This out of control is not in a bad way, but in a "you are called to do this and so this is where you are," kind of way. I have very little holiness discipline in anything because so much discipline is being forced upon me in other arenas. I do not like that way, to be honest, because my pride wants my 'freedom,' a scary/ ends badly freedom, rather than the real freedom promised.

this is a good description of what struggling for communion and a desperate call for help sounds like to me:

If i could just sit with you a while
When I cannot feel, when my wounds don't heal
Lord I humbly kneel, hidden in You Lord,
You are my life so I don't mind to die
Just as long as I am hidden in You

If I could just sit with You a while, if You could just hold me
Nothing could touch me though I'm wounded, though I die
If I could just sit with You a while, I need You to hold me
Moment by moment, 'till forever passes by

When I know I’ve sinned when I should have been
Crying out my God and hidden in you
Lord I need you now, more than I know how
So I humbly bow, hidden in you

If I could just sit with You a while, if You could just hold me
Nothing could touch me though I'm wounded, though I die
If I could just sit with You a while, I need You to hold me
Moment by moment, 'till forever passes by

This is a song i heard at refuge at first Baptist Dallas with Matt and Bleecker, 5 years ago this month, that really stuck with me and soothes my soul.

2 of my friends have, literally, had miracles bestowed upon them through the power of prayer (aka by the Holy Spirit, through the Son, from the Father). One's mother had a massive heart attack but has survived through some pretty ridiculous operations and circumstances. Another, had two brain surgeries, a tumor fall onto the operating board, and woke up, after all this, absolutely coherent and able to function. Crazy Gloriousness.

Romans 4:5 Opened my eyes to many things that I had never been able to understand. The way it is stated, I understand being ungodly in a more clear sense to where grace and mercy means more before a just creator, as the created. It is easy for me to see God everywhere, creation, science, experience but sometimes pride gets in the way of my reality... jesus justified the ungodly...ME.

WENT TO THE TX VS ou GAME THIS WEEKEND... AMAZING. I thoroughly enjoy college football/ Texas football. what if church was like that, what would people think? Should it be? minus the division. I think in some ways it was a perfect picture of what everyone so longs for the church to be, in passionate unity. What is the state of our idolatry to a game played by 18- 23 year old boys? What is our faces were painted and we went to enjoy, eat, drink, talk, read all the hype and scream in the glory of the kingdom rather than a team?

Reductionist theology is where I tend to fall, which is not necessarily good. I am afraid for things that are created to be doctrine that are not explicitly said in scripture. Religious people like to create certainty out of implied and 'I believe he is trying to say this, by this ambiguous grey word or statement' texts or 'I don't think God is like ____ ."

Just a mild update more musings to come more often.... oh to be moved to move mountains.