Excerpt from my Book chapter 3

It disturbs me when I hear that by simply accepting mercy and grace with is most certainly un-merited, we are promised a life of prosperous means. While I believe that the Lord may indeed bless with talents to make riches,(3) it is a stretch to say that all followers are destined to be resolved of life's problems. I find it to be quiet the opposite. We are told in Scripture that we are not to expect any ease from this world in which we live(4).


We have been placed in front of the eternal justice, and through the words and actions of another, the very one we spurned, we are released, free to go. Not only are we free to go, we are still given the unbelievable opportunity to choose. Do we choose to respond to the incomprehensible act of love, or do we think that we can continue on in our affair with ourselves? It is with this audacity that we continue to act in opposition to the way we are meant to be. We were created to embrace with full humility the love, and forgiveness extended to within our grasp. Only when we decide to take hold of this forgiveness do we begin a process of relationship, not unlike any other, and yet utterly opposite of anything we have ever known before. This is exactly what we are invited into, every day. Not merely a relationship, but a sanctifying relationship. This relationship is as a marriage should be. It has been aptly stated that marriage is a gift resembling a full-length mirror with a tag upon it stating "here is to discovering what your really like!" Such is a relationship with our Redeemer.

It is in His light where we must daily make the decision. Ironically, not unlike a moth, we make a move towards the holy light of God. In this light is the beauty of the creator and the exposing radiation of Justice and Holiness. When we are first drawn in, we may get so close that we pass away, but are given the chance for a new life. To be "born again." Along with this paradox of destructive, life-breathing light do we realize that not only is our mortality exposed, but all the elements that consist of our make up is brought to light. Both the pure things and the self-destructive actions we have acquired. For the Believer we must embrace and progress into this sickeningly, bittersweet light. We must recognize that as painful as it may be, it is only with this light is our sin eradicated. Just as a cancerous cell is exposed and disintegrated by radiation, so is our cancerous nature of the flesh. It goes without saying that this process is painful, and very much a life-long event.

Yet, if we claim to accept His forgiveness, we must have no other choice but to proceed on this path. It is a path marked by a humble acceptance of the gift that is offered. When we progress on this path we must realize that there is nothing to be done that would warrant the placement of this forgiveness, gracious justification and life-long sanctification upon demanding. The mere thought of the above mentioned words must evoke but one action, a singular mindset; that of humility. Any other action practically negates the positive action of these terms. Without a humble spirit, one cannot reasonably expect to begin to comprehend the power of forgiveness, nor the ramifications of Justification. Just as those who have never fathered a child, therefore never able to fully understand the sense of unconditional love, which spurs on forgiveness, so is a proud person attempting to comprehend forgiveness moved by Agape. For this is exactly what precedes forgiveness of this magnitude. We have cheated, have made love to another, spitting in the face of our true love.


Yet, it is not the coldness in response, which we fully deserve, but loving arms, welcoming eyes, ready to bring us back.(5)

Cities and Discussions on sovereignty

I went down to the cities this past weekend to visit Cal and Christina. We had some good times, watched the Final Four at Joe's. Luke and I had a good conversation about God, rain, and Sovereignty.

It all made me think. God's sovereignty is one thing that I think ties in directly with my faith and trust, yet it wasn't until Luke brought it up that I really started thinking about it.God's sovereignty seems really about the recognition that God is in control, that His ways are higher than mine. This may seem elemental, let me expound.

Sovereignty has causes a lot of issues with many believers, the challenge of reconciling evil with a belief in an all-loving God. Issues dealing with such powerful questions as "why bad things happen to good people?"; "If God was really loving He would not allow that to happen."While I feel that an aspect regarding the question of God's sovereignty is related to free will, the ironic thing about believing that there is a higher being with an ability to do that which is above us, is that when we attempt to grasp this thing called sovereignty we realize we will never fully understand it. Which only makes sense. This is where faith comes in. Without a faith system it would be truly impossible to begin to attempt to understand much less accept the truth that there are events that occur beyond our human control, but not beyond the reach of God. These are the glasses we must don before we look back at an unsavory event, or even looking ahead at a potential issue in the future. We must either understand or accept the truth of a sovereign God, or we deny our faith all together. If we attempt to deny just the singular facet of faith that is God's sovereignty, we may then through in the towel. There is no reason to have a belief or place trust in a God who is not in control or is at our human level of understanding. A level that wrestles with the problem of pain, grasping at the straws of comprehension.

For a personal example, in my life right now, if I choose now to throw away my faith in a sovereign God, it does nothing for me, nothing to further my position in life. If, on the other hand, I decide to believe, seek to understand and accept with faith the work of a God who is above me, I find that I may be no further in my understanding but I am able to rest in a peace of knowing a loving being is over all. Many may read this declaring it an argument for a "crutch" use of faith. I would say that that is exactly what it is! Surprised? No one with a broken limb refuses help, a crutch to aid in their walking. A faith in a sovereign God in the midst of turmoil is an aid to the soul. I feel sorry for those whose hearts and souls are busted yet are too proud to embrace the healing help of faith. Some claim it is a weakness to use such a crutch, a lean-to of beliefs. I dare say it takes a bigger man to acknowledge his helplessness and need for assistance than it does to hobble along on one foot refusing service of any kind. If I were to place my bet on a foot race pitting the injured man with the use of a walking stick opposed to the injured man hopping on one foot, my money would return. For the man with the use of the crutch is sure to win.

-BS

Beginning

The past months have seen more evidences of fleshly actions, despair, agony, grace, mercy, love, betrayal, and forgiveness than any other time in the the previous 22 years of my life. I hope that my placing written words to the thoughts, dreams, desires may in some way encourage, inspire and make clear the processes of life.

In the following posts I will attempt, as best as I can, to put into words all that has come to be in my thoughts, conversations and relationships, both human and divine.

I hope you enjoy. Thank you.

-BS