Out the Door

It's Free

I subscribe to a RSS feed from Give Away of the Day.  It offers free downloads of various software.  I've found a couple useful.

Before I decide to try the give away of the day software I always read the comments others have made.  The wide spectrum of complements and complaints never ceases to amaze me.  One person thinks the program is the best thing since sliced bread (though no one uses that exact phrasing, I'm showing my age again).  Another person thinks the same program is a pile of garbage and a waste of time.

As I read the comments I ask myself, "who do I believe?"  Being one who believes there no such thing as a free lunch, I tend to put more credence in the negative comments.

I wonder if this is the reason so many people have trouble wrapping their minds around God's grace.  We tend to put a value on things based on what it has cost us, and not just in monetary ways.  If I spend a lot of hours finishing a woodworking project, it takes on an importance which far outweighs its actual worth, because it cost me my labor. 

It's this kind of thinking that leads many people to believe they must earn God's favor.  If it's worth having, and obviously I think it is, then it's worth working for.  But grace cannot be earned, it's free.  Grace is the most contra-intuitive thing in all the universe.  The most valuable thing we can ever possess is the give away of the day.

If you haven't "downloaded" God's grace for yourself, take the word of certified skeptic that this is one that you don't want to pass up.  And it's as easy as saying to God, "God, help me!  Save me by your grace."

Why we suffer

I came across this little paragraph from an unknown author in a book I’m reading:

Suffering is not God’s desire for us, but it occurs in the process of life.  Suffering is not given to teach us something, but through it we learn.  Suffering is not given to punish us, but sometimes it is the consequence of our sin or poor judgment.  Suffering does not occur because our faith is weak, but through it our faith may be strengthened.  God does not depend on human suffering to achieve his purposes, but sometimes through suffering his purposes are achieved.  Suffering can either destroy us, or it can add meaning to our life.  (quoted from Seeing Gray in a World of Black & White by Rev. Adam Hamilton)

All of us will be confronted by suffering and pain sometime in life.  I’ve often heard people say in the midst of some tragedy, “Everything happens for a reason.”   It’s a way of saying “God is in control therefore everything must have a purpose even if we don’t know what it is.”  The way I see it, if God controls everything, he’s not doing a very good job of things. 

How can it be God is in control when people continually are diagnosed with cancer, heart attacks, strokes and a host of other afflictions?  How can it be God is in control when tens of thousands of children die every day from hunger or easily treatable diseases?  How can it be God is in control when wars and pestilence ravage our world year after year?  How can it be God is in control when 6,000 American teenagers die in car accidents every year?   There must be another answer besides saying that all these things happen to fulfill God purposes.

God is good and his lovingkindness never fails.  There must be a way of reconciling the belief that God loves those he created and the suffering all humans experience.  It’s impossible to come anywhere close to answering the question of suffering in a few short paragraphs.  Here are a couple of ideas though.

First, God created the universe to operate within the laws of physics.  The same gravity which keeps us all from floating off into space, can result in pain if we fall.  Sometimes the laws of nature work in our favor, sometimes they work against us.  God does at times intervene and supersede these laws, but not very often.  That’s why those times are called miracles and not everyday occurrences.

Second, we live in a world where individuals have free will.  As a result, we may suffer because of the choices that other people make.  God does not always protect us from the sinful behavior of others or of our own.  God gives people the freedom to drink and drive.  God gives people the freedom to smoke cigarettes, eat fatty foods, and overindulge in sweet treats.  But with those kinds of choices may come consequences that cause suffering. 

Thirdly, we live in a world where evil forces from the spiritual realm conspire against us.  I certainly don’t believe that there’s a demon under every rock ready to ambush us.  On the other hand, the Bible is clear that there is one who comes “only to kill, steal, and destroy.” (John 10:10)

God leaves it to us to live within the physical laws of the world, to live in ways that don’t cause harm to others or ourselves and to do battle in the heavenlies.  Moreover, God does not leave us all alone.  God upholds us by the power of his Spirit and gives to us grace and mercy, so that in the midst of our suffering we may turn to him and find strength and peace.

Something worth celebrating!

Julie & I are still flying high following the engagement of our son Josh to his friend Erika.  They've been dating for a little over a year and we absolutely adore her.  They are a lot of fun to be with.  Julie & I haven't quite got used to the idea of our son being of marrying age.  Josh had asked Erika's father's permission to marry her before he asked her.  Not sure where he got that old fashion chivalry, but it appears he's ready to take on the responsibility of being a husband.

They met at UNI through Camp Adventure which provides camping and day care for tens of thousands of military and foreign service personnel around the world.  This summer Josh will be directing a camp in Brussels, while Erika will be in England.  We're very proud of their service to those who give so much for our nation!

They both still have some schooling left to complete, but that's not stopping them from moving forward with wedding plans for next May.  They've already asked me to conduct the wedding.  Sure makes this old dad feel mighty good.

How blessed our lives our because Josh and Erika are part of our family.  We thank God for both of them!

Still a United Methodist

Every four years I wonder if I can remain a United Methodist.  I wait with baited breath to see if the General Conference will remain true to the scriptures or will give into the pressure of the relativists. I'm very happy to say that, God willing, I will be a part of the UMC for at least another four years.

I have said for twenty years that if the UMC ever changes it's stance on homosexuality, I'd would find some other place else to serve the Lord.  The real issue isn't homosexuality, but the authority of scripture.  Some have tried to twist the Bible's words around to their own meaning, when in fact what the Bible has to say is clear.  Thankful the majority of the delegates to the General Conference still hold to the authority of God's word and have defeated another assault on our church's beliefs.  United Methodist still believe that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.

That truth should not keep the church from reaching out to gay and lesbian individuals or allowing them to participate within the life of the church with some exclusions.  I believe that unmarried heterosexual couples who are living together are doing something which is incompatible with Christian teaching.  That hasn't prevented me from ministering to and with them with some exclusions.

The reason it is important for the UMC to retain it's stance about homosexuality, is because there are those who would discount the teachings of the scriptures and say what God calls sin isn't sin.  This must not happen.  Thanks be to God it hasn't and I get to stay a United Methodist.