Another Post

I really cant think of much to say right now. I am tired and overheated. It got up to 82 today and its almost as hot in my house right now.

Overall I am more content with things. Other than being broke now, life is good. but I am suffering from an unexplainable fear. I worry that everything will crash and burn. I look for the hook in what everyone says and does. I experience deep dread that something awful will happen. Though I must remind you that on the surface things are fine. I think I am a slacker. I think I can tdo anything right. I feel like if everyone else figured it out, they wouldnt want me around. Deep down, I think I am messed up and am good at hiding it from the world around me. I feel like a faker. Like an imposter in my own skin at times. Like I am faking it. If they could only see in, they would not like what they see. Now if I can just figure out who they are.

I feel better having written this.

Serenity

What does the word mean? Many think it has to do with AA. Or the serenity prayer (invented by AA., Just kidding) Heres the definition

Serenity

noun

1. Lack of emotional agitation: calm, calmness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, placidness, quietude, tranquillity. See calm/agitation.
2. An absence of motion or disturbance: calm, calmness, hush, lull, peace, peacefulness, placidity, placidness, quiet, quietness, stillness, tranquillity, untroubledness. See calm/agitation.

I find it essential to obtain serenity to ponder the things of God. Or is it that pondering God makes me serene. Either way, they seem to go hand in hand.

My Problem with John Calvin

John Calvin: "By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death." (Institutes of Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 21,

I have been challenged on what my issue with Calvinism is. Its above. Now I admit I found this on the net and I will take the advice of someone who posted a comment and read the actual works of Calvin when I find them and have the time. However, I am not sure how you can take the statement "All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; "
How can you not think Calvin believes God created people to burn.

My thought is yes he does know who will get saved and yes He knew that and created them anyway. why? Because God gives us freewill. I believe that he wants NONE to perish. Some choose damnation. God wont stop them but it greives him when they do. Its not aha I made this one choose hell.

I beleive all are CALLED to be the elect. Those who accept the office of Christian actually get elected.

Chew on this for a while

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