OK. Even More

If you look hard, you will see the deer(s)

More Scenery

From our Sunday drive through the mountains

Polar Opposites are Cold

OK my post about not liking any form of Calvanism really created heat. No so much here as at another blog.

Here is how I see it. Arminianism and Calvinism are not polar opposites. The polar opposite of Calvinism (or better Hyper-Calvinism) is the belief that everything just happens by chance. I will quote one of my favorite bands, Rush.

"Why are we here, because were here
Roll The Bones
Roll The Bones
Why does it happen because it happens
Roll The Bones
Roll The Bones"

Now I dont agree with Neil Peart's assesment of life here anymore than I agree that God is in charge and controls us like little robots. Both views are polar opposites and therefor frozen.

Neil Peart doesnt believe their is a God at all and that everything happens by chance. Calvin believed that God controls everything and there is no freewill.
Arminianism is a bit too far on the "Rush" side in that it discredits God's power.

I think in between lies the truth. God is there and is in control overall, however he doesnt override free will. Some things happen just by chance. The choice of whether to follow God is up to the person

Peace Like a River

This was taken at a place that I felt close to God. Not in Church but rather on the banks of the beautiful fast flowing Santiam River at Cascadia State Park. The cool sound of the water rushing is soothing to the soul. I like to spend a lot of my time in the outdoors. I find it renewing to the Spirit and Mind and Body.

That is one thing I love about Oregon. Its so easy to find places where there are no people where you can enjoy

Truth in 7 easy steps

I was at Roth's yesterday. Its a grocery store in Independence Oregon for the benefit of my fellow Oregonians. I saw a book there with a title that intrigued me so much I bought it. The book is called "7 Biblical Truths you want here in Church but might change your life". Its by David Rich. Since it was published by Harvest House of Eugene I thought why not. I have enjoyed other books they publish. well it started off kind of cool until I got the chapter called "Dead People cant help themselves". This was disturbing. It touches on predestination and election but goes so far as to say that God chooses who will become saved and who wont. In other words he says, this one for heaven, this one is gonna burn.

I have a real problem with a God that created people just to stoke up his bonfire down under. I have read the Bible many times and yes it speaks of election and I believe we cannot become Christians totally on our own. However I dont believe God made anyone to perish. Honestly I am not sure I even believe that everyone who is not a Christian in this life is automatically gonna burn. God is love. I believe he gives people second third fourth chances etc. this may sound like heresy to some but I think the Hyper-Calvinistic belief of God choosing who to save and who to roast is sick and disturbing. I honestly wouldnt want to serve a God that got pleasure out of making human marshmallows out of people for sick fun.

I believe God LOVES everyone and if there is a literal hell, everyone has the power to choose not to go there.

I too am a victim. Long live the gods of consumerism

OK. The title is total sarcasm. My specialty. I was reading about all the hype about bottled water and it dawned on me that we are all just dollar signs to the corporate execs. The gods of capitalism. The almighty dollar is their god. They will do anything. Burn the rainforest. Kill, have wars, destroy all to line their pockets. What they dont realize is when they get old and are dying, they wont be any better off than anyone. Just like the mannequins, I dont envy these people either.

I never realized how much of my thinking was shaped by them. What car to drive. What cell phone to have. What other piece of made in China crap I need. What chicken I eat. Well I am sick of it. No I am not gonna go off and grow my own food. Mainly because I wouldnt have a clue how to. As a product of consumerism, I like many lack basic skills needed to survive without an endless sea of "products" which are made to make money and nothing else.

I am however going to be more selective about companies I do business with for example, I now only drink Earth2o water. Because it has been proven legit to me. Also though I love the finger lickin good taste of the Colonel's chicken, I cannot in good conscience support a company that burns rainforest to make land to grow the chickens they so cruelly torture to death. I guess Pizza Hut is out too since they are owned by the same company. I know I know I canot take this too far. But would Jesus eat tortured chicken? Would he drink water contaminated with bromide? Would he drive a Tahoe? I think not.

Motives

I read the book of Phillipians before I went to bed tonight.

15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.^[c] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Part of that jumped out at me. My motives for wanting to go into full time ministry before were not right. Yeah I wanted to "lead people to the Lord" but what I really wanted was to break into the Church industry. I figured like any other industry you gotta start somewhere. Somewhere seemed to be working with kids. Now I believe good things came from my work with kids, but why did I do it. To work my way up the corporate ladder in the Church industry. Sure I felt good about it. To make it worse, Church actually encourages would be leaders this way. Since Church is a business, you start at the bottom (whether you feel led to or not) and work your way up. Once you get the recognition of men, you can do the "real" stuff

My whole perspective has changed. I no longer want to work my way up the corporate ladder. I am not sure that my purpose in life anymore is even to switch industries.

Ministry is service. Service to what. Service to God and to your fellow people. Nothing about a corporate ladder in that.