Previously I have
recommended the Christopher Nolan film Interstellar
(here and
here) and I
will continue to sing its praises even while encouraging us to see it for all
it is and look discerningly at its message. As the main character, Cooper, says
his good-byes to his family and prepares to leave the galaxy, he makes a
statement that suggests depth but perhaps simply reveals the not so deep philosophy
of the Nolan brothers who wrote the screenplay for this film.
recommended the Christopher Nolan film Interstellar
(here and
here) and I
will continue to sing its praises even while encouraging us to see it for all
it is and look discerningly at its message. As the main character, Cooper, says
his good-byes to his family and prepares to leave the galaxy, he makes a
statement that suggests depth but perhaps simply reveals the not so deep philosophy
of the Nolan brothers who wrote the screenplay for this film.
“We’re
just here to be memories for our kids.” Cooper (Matthew McConaughey)
in Interstellar.[1]
just here to be memories for our kids.” Cooper (Matthew McConaughey)
in Interstellar.[1]
On the one hand, this
is not a bad concept. If we are here to be memories for our kids, we will want
to make certain that the memories we leave behind are good memories and we will likely live
good lives. But as a true philosophy of life, it falls far short. Our lives
have an existence apart from the lives of our children. I will not get on a
soap-box and preach a message that defines my own perspective on the purpose of
life. Anyone who reads a few pages of this blog will soon discern what my view
on this would be. Instead, I encourage you to think further about why we are
here. It must be more than just to be memories for our kids. As we consider the
joys and horrors of this life, we must at least admit that our purpose is to
contribute to the joys and diminish the horrors. What more would you add to
this? How would you answer the question of why we are here?
is not a bad concept. If we are here to be memories for our kids, we will want
to make certain that the memories we leave behind are good memories and we will likely live
good lives. But as a true philosophy of life, it falls far short. Our lives
have an existence apart from the lives of our children. I will not get on a
soap-box and preach a message that defines my own perspective on the purpose of
life. Anyone who reads a few pages of this blog will soon discern what my view
on this would be. Instead, I encourage you to think further about why we are
here. It must be more than just to be memories for our kids. As we consider the
joys and horrors of this life, we must at least admit that our purpose is to
contribute to the joys and diminish the horrors. What more would you add to
this? How would you answer the question of why we are here?
[1] Interstellar. Directed by Christopher
Nolan. Written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. Performed by Matthew
McConaughey. 2014.
Nolan. Written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. Performed by Matthew
McConaughey. 2014.
You have got my heart on a string.I haven’t even met you and youYou have got my heart on a string.You are brightening my sensesIgnoring all my defensesYou have got my heart on a string.You’ve a name that makes me think light,Posies and roses, sun-beams brightWonderland, daisy chains, starlightAnd beautiful indigo nightYou have got my heart on a string.I haven’t even met you and youYou have got my heart on a string.You are brightening my sensesIgnoring all my defensesYou have got my heart on a string.Your walk is noble, full of graceHold your head high as faith you chaseFill up a room yet take no spaceTil all can see the better placeYou have got my heart on a string.I haven’t even met you and youYou have got my heart on a string.You are brightening my sensesIgnoring all my defensesYou have got my heart on a string.The moon calls birds to fly, departViolin strings that pull a heartLove’s the grace that feels like a dartMy bond with you will never partYou have got my heart on a string.I haven’t even met you and youYou have got my heart on a string.You are brightening my sensesIgnoring all my defensesYou have got my heart on a string.
For Violet Alice Smith born September 6, 2015
New Horizons, Rosetta, Mars
Curiosity, The International Space Station, Cassini, Hubble, and Mars Express,
many of these missions, spacecraft, and satellites have become well-known to us
over the last few years. NASA, ESA, and the international space community have
accomplished magnificent feats of exploration and the news media has shown us
the significance of these events. We live in the heyday of local solar system exploration:
all eight planets in our solar system have been visited and dwarf planets like
Pluto and others in the Kuiper Belt have been explored and catalogued.
Furthermore, thanks to the Hubble Space Telescope, and other far-reaching imaging
systems, we have a much greater awareness of our place in the universe. I am
one person who is excited to live in this time and I observe with great joy the
new advances in space exploration.
Some would argue that this obsession
with worlds beyond our world is unhealthy. They would say that we should be
investing in solving the problems on this planet before we explore others.
Certainly, we must heed the voices which call us to end poverty, suffering, and
violence on Planet Earth, but I would suggest that we also need to give heed to
the message of the planets and stars around us. In Christopher Nolan’s
excellent movie Interstellar, Matthew
McConaughey plays an
engineer and astronaut who has retired to farming on a planet that desperately
needs farmers. Yet, even as he settles into his new role, he laments the days
of pioneering and exploration that came to an end as he was beginning his
career. In a scene where he is front porch reminiscing and philosophizing with
his father-in-law he says,
with worlds beyond our world is unhealthy. They would say that we should be
investing in solving the problems on this planet before we explore others.
Certainly, we must heed the voices which call us to end poverty, suffering, and
violence on Planet Earth, but I would suggest that we also need to give heed to
the message of the planets and stars around us. In Christopher Nolan’s
excellent movie Interstellar, Matthew
McConaughey plays an
engineer and astronaut who has retired to farming on a planet that desperately
needs farmers. Yet, even as he settles into his new role, he laments the days
of pioneering and exploration that came to an end as he was beginning his
career. In a scene where he is front porch reminiscing and philosophizing with
his father-in-law he says,
“We used
to look up at the sky and wonder at our place in the stars. Now we just look
down, and worry about our place in the dirt.”[1]
to look up at the sky and wonder at our place in the stars. Now we just look
down, and worry about our place in the dirt.”[1]
In
one sentence the Nolan brothers capture the angst of our generation. We worry,
we wonder, we focus upon our ability to scratch out a living in this dirt, on
this earth on which we live. Yet, at the same time, we wonder if there isn’t
something more beyond this place, beyond this subsistence, and beyond this
life.
one sentence the Nolan brothers capture the angst of our generation. We worry,
we wonder, we focus upon our ability to scratch out a living in this dirt, on
this earth on which we live. Yet, at the same time, we wonder if there isn’t
something more beyond this place, beyond this subsistence, and beyond this
life.
Could
it be that our calling is to keep our eyes on both the dirt at our feet and the
stars in the sky? Can we invest in both earth-dust and star-dust? Can we seek
right relationships here on earth while looking to the heavens beyond? A life
lived in this way will not be easy. It will require continual assessment of our
goals, our consumption, and our contributions. It will require us to ask
difficult questions about ultimate purposes of lives lived here on earth and of
our own life in particular. It will cause us to consider the source of our
existence and the gratitude with which we live. Personally, I am up for
exploring that kind of life!
it be that our calling is to keep our eyes on both the dirt at our feet and the
stars in the sky? Can we invest in both earth-dust and star-dust? Can we seek
right relationships here on earth while looking to the heavens beyond? A life
lived in this way will not be easy. It will require continual assessment of our
goals, our consumption, and our contributions. It will require us to ask
difficult questions about ultimate purposes of lives lived here on earth and of
our own life in particular. It will cause us to consider the source of our
existence and the gratitude with which we live. Personally, I am up for
exploring that kind of life!
[1] Interstellar.
Directed by Christopher Nolan. Written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. Performed by Matthew McConaughey. 2014.
Directed by Christopher Nolan. Written by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. Performed by Matthew McConaughey. 2014.
“The
mercy of the world is you don’t know what’s going to happen.” ― Wendell Berry, Jayber Crow
mercy of the world is you don’t know what’s going to happen.” ― Wendell Berry, Jayber Crow
As
children, and then young adults, we start out into this world without a very
good sense of who we are. The older we get, the more we realize our capacities,
our strengths, our weaknesses, our gifts from God, and the things that we will
never accomplish. If I had known from the start the gifts I would be given, I
might have set out to take advantage of those abilities and might not have
attempted some other things. I would have been a lesser man for taking that
approach; for we learn our true weight in the world by testing our legs. One
cannot truly learn that they are good at something until they try, practise,
and perfect that ability. Conversely, one does not learn their weaknesses and
disabilities without a good number of attempts and failures.
children, and then young adults, we start out into this world without a very
good sense of who we are. The older we get, the more we realize our capacities,
our strengths, our weaknesses, our gifts from God, and the things that we will
never accomplish. If I had known from the start the gifts I would be given, I
might have set out to take advantage of those abilities and might not have
attempted some other things. I would have been a lesser man for taking that
approach; for we learn our true weight in the world by testing our legs. One
cannot truly learn that they are good at something until they try, practise,
and perfect that ability. Conversely, one does not learn their weaknesses and
disabilities without a good number of attempts and failures.
Despite
our questions, insecurities, curiosities, and frustrations, God has given us a
good gift in not allowing us to know our futures. “When the trumpet of the
Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more” we will look back over our
lives with an eye to how the story was woven together from its many balls of
yarn. We will see the smooth and harmonious colours of the ordered portions of
our lives and we will see the snarls, loose loops, broken strands, and clashing
colours of the places along the way in which we made small and large mistakes – and the times when the horror of the world impinged upon the fabric of life.
Then, we will know how much we have been blessed, the true nature of our work
will be understood, and we will appreciate the full grace of the One who holds
all of the fabrics together in the tapestry of a collected community.
our questions, insecurities, curiosities, and frustrations, God has given us a
good gift in not allowing us to know our futures. “When the trumpet of the
Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more” we will look back over our
lives with an eye to how the story was woven together from its many balls of
yarn. We will see the smooth and harmonious colours of the ordered portions of
our lives and we will see the snarls, loose loops, broken strands, and clashing
colours of the places along the way in which we made small and large mistakes – and the times when the horror of the world impinged upon the fabric of life.
Then, we will know how much we have been blessed, the true nature of our work
will be understood, and we will appreciate the full grace of the One who holds
all of the fabrics together in the tapestry of a collected community.
Some of the most challenging passages in
the New Testament are those related to “works” versus “grace.” Theologians have
struggled to understand, and argued over, the meaning of these verses for
centuries; and this debate is at the root of the greatest divides in all of
Christianity. The spectrum of “divine predestination” on one side and, on the
other side, “free will and its contingent response to God” have divided such
denominations as the Reformed Churches and the Anabaptist churches, the
Catholic and certain evangelical churches, and the Baptist and the Mennonite
churches. Some denominations even have divisions among their churches
related to the concepts of grace versus works. Passages like this one in Romans
4 are challenging to understand and, dependent on the lens through which we see
them, are seen as evidence for one or the other side in the debate.
the New Testament are those related to “works” versus “grace.” Theologians have
struggled to understand, and argued over, the meaning of these verses for
centuries; and this debate is at the root of the greatest divides in all of
Christianity. The spectrum of “divine predestination” on one side and, on the
other side, “free will and its contingent response to God” have divided such
denominations as the Reformed Churches and the Anabaptist churches, the
Catholic and certain evangelical churches, and the Baptist and the Mennonite
churches. Some denominations even have divisions among their churches
related to the concepts of grace versus works. Passages like this one in Romans
4 are challenging to understand and, dependent on the lens through which we see
them, are seen as evidence for one or the other side in the debate.
Romans 4:16, 18, 20-2216 So
the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all
certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if
we have faith like Abraham’s. . . . 18 Even when there was no
reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing . . . . 20 Abraham
never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and
in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that
God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of
Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God
counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded
24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count
us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from
the dead.
Most theologians and denominations have
found a place to rest on the continuum of views somewhere between the extreme
ends. All traditions must come to terms with the relationship between the
things we do to put ourselves in right relationship with God and the
ever-reaching work of God that assures that some people will receive salvation
and eternal life. Even as I write the words, “some people will receive,” I
struggle with the word to use: “some,” “all,” “most,” “a few,” “some but not
all.” I will let it stand with “some,” knowing that it will raise questions
among specific readers from specific traditions of understanding.
found a place to rest on the continuum of views somewhere between the extreme
ends. All traditions must come to terms with the relationship between the
things we do to put ourselves in right relationship with God and the
ever-reaching work of God that assures that some people will receive salvation
and eternal life. Even as I write the words, “some people will receive,” I
struggle with the word to use: “some,” “all,” “most,” “a few,” “some but not
all.” I will let it stand with “some,” knowing that it will raise questions
among specific readers from specific traditions of understanding.
Dallas Willard (September 4, 1935 – May 8,
2013) was an intelligent
pastor to pastors, theologian, and author. Many of his books offer genuine help
in the practical outworking of our understanding of these various perspectives
on works and grace. His professional and private life were a living testimony
to his understanding of grace. He understood his place of privilege in God’s
household and still recognized the necessity of effort in all things. Because
of years of study and writing, the right words regarding “earning” and “effort”
were readily available to him when he was interviewed in 2002.
2013) was an intelligent
pastor to pastors, theologian, and author. Many of his books offer genuine help
in the practical outworking of our understanding of these various perspectives
on works and grace. His professional and private life were a living testimony
to his understanding of grace. He understood his place of privilege in God’s
household and still recognized the necessity of effort in all things. Because
of years of study and writing, the right words regarding “earning” and “effort”
were readily available to him when he was interviewed in 2002.
“Grace is not opposed
to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an
action. Grace, you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins
alone.”[1]
Several years before,
Willard had expanded these themes further in his
book The Divine Conspiracy. I would highly recommend this book to
Christians, followers of other faiths, and followers of no faith. It is
certainly one valuable work that helps to resolve the time-worn conundrum of
works versus grace.
Willard had expanded these themes further in his
book The Divine Conspiracy. I would highly recommend this book to
Christians, followers of other faiths, and followers of no faith. It is
certainly one valuable work that helps to resolve the time-worn conundrum of
works versus grace.
I conclude this entry
by directing our attention to Psalm 121 which was originally written as a song
that pilgrims would sing on their way to Jerusalem. As travelers walked the
dangerous roads on their way to a time of reunion, celebration, and sacrifice
toward their God, this song exemplifies the attitudes necessary for these brave
travelers. “I look up to the mountains but my help does not come from there. My
help comes from the Lord. He watches over his people: this people who move
forward to take hold of this love and protection from God; this people who must
walk, must praise, must offer sacrifice, must trust the Lord even as they rely
upon him for their help. He watches over his people both now and forever.”
by directing our attention to Psalm 121 which was originally written as a song
that pilgrims would sing on their way to Jerusalem. As travelers walked the
dangerous roads on their way to a time of reunion, celebration, and sacrifice
toward their God, this song exemplifies the attitudes necessary for these brave
travelers. “I look up to the mountains but my help does not come from there. My
help comes from the Lord. He watches over his people: this people who move
forward to take hold of this love and protection from God; this people who must
walk, must praise, must offer sacrifice, must trust the Lord even as they rely
upon him for their help. He watches over his people both now and forever.”
Psalm 1211 I
look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes
from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!3 He
will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.5 The
Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.7 The
Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.8 The Lord
keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.New Living Translation (NLT)
|
[1] “Kingdom Living;” Interview with Andy Peck for Christianity + Renewal
Magazine, Published by United Kingdom, May 2002. |
In the last week,
two articles caught my attention and contributed to my sense of wonder. One article
spoke of new microscope techniques for viewing very small chemical processes inliving cells. The other article was about images
taken of very large objects: the planets and dwarf planets in our solar system. We live in an amazing era in which we
are able to see both ends of this spectrum of size. Now of course, there are
objects much larger than planets that we can see: large stars, cloud nebulae,
and galaxies; and there are objects much smaller than cells, some of which we
can see and some of which we can infer from the properties of matter: DNA
strands, individual molecules, atoms, electrons, and quarks. For thousands of
years, humans sat out under the skies and looked at the sun, moon, and stars
and wondered what they were and what they would look like close up. This
mystery of the heavens struck people with awe and led them to theological and
philosophical thinking. They also looked down at their bodies and noted that
they were “fearfully and wonderfully made.” When they cut their hands and saw
blood they wondered what it was and how the body healed itself.
two articles caught my attention and contributed to my sense of wonder. One article
spoke of new microscope techniques for viewing very small chemical processes inliving cells. The other article was about images
taken of very large objects: the planets and dwarf planets in our solar system. We live in an amazing era in which we
are able to see both ends of this spectrum of size. Now of course, there are
objects much larger than planets that we can see: large stars, cloud nebulae,
and galaxies; and there are objects much smaller than cells, some of which we
can see and some of which we can infer from the properties of matter: DNA
strands, individual molecules, atoms, electrons, and quarks. For thousands of
years, humans sat out under the skies and looked at the sun, moon, and stars
and wondered what they were and what they would look like close up. This
mystery of the heavens struck people with awe and led them to theological and
philosophical thinking. They also looked down at their bodies and noted that
they were “fearfully and wonderfully made.” When they cut their hands and saw
blood they wondered what it was and how the body healed itself.
Today, we have much more collective data than our great-grandparents and
ancestors before that. Yet, there is still much mystery in the world and in our
universe. To what theological and philosophical thoughts are we now inclined?
Do we have as much wisdom as our ancestors? Sometimes, because we can explain
that Jupiter is a planet and not a star, and can understand how it stays in
orbit around our sun, we think that we have no more need for explanation. We
might think that we know most of what there is to know about Jupiter. What of
the deeper questions? Why is Jupiter there? Philosophically, we might ask, “Why
is there something rather than nothing?” Theologically, we might ask, “Why is
there a Jupiter – since, as far as we know, there is nothing living out there?”
Why, indeed, are there other galaxies filled with billions of stars and billions
of planets?
ancestors before that. Yet, there is still much mystery in the world and in our
universe. To what theological and philosophical thoughts are we now inclined?
Do we have as much wisdom as our ancestors? Sometimes, because we can explain
that Jupiter is a planet and not a star, and can understand how it stays in
orbit around our sun, we think that we have no more need for explanation. We
might think that we know most of what there is to know about Jupiter. What of
the deeper questions? Why is Jupiter there? Philosophically, we might ask, “Why
is there something rather than nothing?” Theologically, we might ask, “Why is
there a Jupiter – since, as far as we know, there is nothing living out there?”
Why, indeed, are there other galaxies filled with billions of stars and billions
of planets?
There are some in the world who would suggest that because we can see
biological processes working in a cell and can explain how a living being functions
that we have no need of philosophy or theology or a reference to a God to
understand the nature of our existence. Certainly this attitude is
short-sighted. Even if we were to adequately explain the essence of life and
consciousness, being able to imagine a world in which no God was necessary does
not preclude His existence. I would suggest that we are still far from an
adequate understanding of what constitutes life and we have barely scratched
the surface of an understanding of consciousness. We see much, we have much
information, we have a great deal of understanding; yet, what we don’t see, don’t
know, and don’t understand, far outweighs what we do see, know, and understand.
biological processes working in a cell and can explain how a living being functions
that we have no need of philosophy or theology or a reference to a God to
understand the nature of our existence. Certainly this attitude is
short-sighted. Even if we were to adequately explain the essence of life and
consciousness, being able to imagine a world in which no God was necessary does
not preclude His existence. I would suggest that we are still far from an
adequate understanding of what constitutes life and we have barely scratched
the surface of an understanding of consciousness. We see much, we have much
information, we have a great deal of understanding; yet, what we don’t see, don’t
know, and don’t understand, far outweighs what we do see, know, and understand.
It makes sense that we express a large degree of humility in recognizing
that we don’t have all of the answers. Perhaps the best way forward is to develop
our best understanding of who we are, why we are here, and whether or not there
is a God to whom we answer. We can each lay out principles by which we will
live while looking to others for guidance. Then, we humbly hold to these
understandings and principles of life until such time as things shake us from
that approach to life and we find that we must embrace a different
understanding that better fits our present knowledge.
that we don’t have all of the answers. Perhaps the best way forward is to develop
our best understanding of who we are, why we are here, and whether or not there
is a God to whom we answer. We can each lay out principles by which we will
live while looking to others for guidance. Then, we humbly hold to these
understandings and principles of life until such time as things shake us from
that approach to life and we find that we must embrace a different
understanding that better fits our present knowledge.
There is little room for hubris or self-sufficiency. Every person
on this planet must admit to incomplete knowledge of life and the universe. May
we rejoice in what we do know and may we humbly walk alongside each other
teaching and learning as we go.
on this planet must admit to incomplete knowledge of life and the universe. May
we rejoice in what we do know and may we humbly walk alongside each other
teaching and learning as we go.
Physicists have suggested that our entire
universe may be the other side of a black hole. Theories of this sort are
highly speculative and subject to replacement by another theory in a short
while; but the idea is that every black hole has a white hole and a whole
universe on the other side. Let me try to explain. Black holes are
mathematically predicted to occur in our universe and several potential ones
have been identified in our universe, including one at the center of our
galaxy. Black holes are usually caused by the collapse of a large star such
that large amounts of mass are compressed into a small space resulting in a
huge gravitational force. As more and more mass falls into the center of the
black hole the gravitational force continues to increase to the point where it
attracts everything around it including light. The entire black hole collapses
into a single point of matter known as the singularity. At a certain point,
close to the black hole, an event horizon forms. The event horizon is the point
at which nothing escapes the gravity of the black hole and all mass and light
is drawn in. Thus, the name black hole, they are dark because not even light
escapes from them. They appear as a spherical orb of absolute darkness and are
only detected by the gravitational lensing that they create as light passes between earth and
a black hole. (See here for a more complete explanation of a black hole.)
So, if all of that mass, energy, and light
is attracted into a black hole, where does it go? The latest theory is that on
the other side of a black hole is a white hole. A white hole is a point, or
singularity, from which immense amounts of light, mass, and energy spew. (See here for an explanation.)
A singularity spewing massive amounts of light, mass, and energy sounds a lot
like the Big Bang from which our universe sprang. Could it be that our entire
universe is simply the other side of a very large black hole? That is what one of the latest theories suggests.
In fact, it may be that on the other side of every black hole another universe
exists that owes its beginning to a black hole, a white hole, and a Big Bang (see here for more).
is attracted into a black hole, where does it go? The latest theory is that on
the other side of a black hole is a white hole. A white hole is a point, or
singularity, from which immense amounts of light, mass, and energy spew. (See here for an explanation.)
A singularity spewing massive amounts of light, mass, and energy sounds a lot
like the Big Bang from which our universe sprang. Could it be that our entire
universe is simply the other side of a very large black hole? That is what one of the latest theories suggests.
In fact, it may be that on the other side of every black hole another universe
exists that owes its beginning to a black hole, a white hole, and a Big Bang (see here for more).
I know, if you think about such things for
too long it will either give you a headache or drive you insane trying to
understand it all. Or, it could simply drive you to the point of believing that,
behind it all, there must be a Creator God. As Sir Arthur Eddington once said, “Not only is the universe stranger than we
imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.” It is as if God were showing how
mighty he is when he built this universe (and perhaps a few more universes) or maybe he was just being incredibly creative. The more we learn about our known
universe, the more we realize that it is ultimately incomprehensible to our
limited minds. The greatest minds in science are continually stumped by the
complexities. The immense scale makes it incredibly difficult to even observe
black holes and other interesting objects. If we could get close and experiment
with a black hole, perhaps we could learn more; but the closest one to us is
the one at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy, approximately 25,000 light
years away. Could it be that God made ultimate reality frustratingly out of our
reach? Did he purposely make it so difficult to understand that the universe
will always contain a great measure of mystery? Might it be that we truly need
to live by faith and not by sight?
too long it will either give you a headache or drive you insane trying to
understand it all. Or, it could simply drive you to the point of believing that,
behind it all, there must be a Creator God. As Sir Arthur Eddington once said, “Not only is the universe stranger than we
imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.” It is as if God were showing how
mighty he is when he built this universe (and perhaps a few more universes) or maybe he was just being incredibly creative. The more we learn about our known
universe, the more we realize that it is ultimately incomprehensible to our
limited minds. The greatest minds in science are continually stumped by the
complexities. The immense scale makes it incredibly difficult to even observe
black holes and other interesting objects. If we could get close and experiment
with a black hole, perhaps we could learn more; but the closest one to us is
the one at the center of our own Milky Way Galaxy, approximately 25,000 light
years away. Could it be that God made ultimate reality frustratingly out of our
reach? Did he purposely make it so difficult to understand that the universe
will always contain a great measure of mystery? Might it be that we truly need
to live by faith and not by sight?
There are many great
definitions of leadership, but one of my favourites is this simple one by the
little known Arnold H. Glasow. “A good leader takes a little more than his
share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” Leadership must certainly
be measured by degrees of humility. The woman or man who does not recognize the
contributions of followers or does not recognize that their own success was
built upon the foundations of others before them, is no leader. Leadership is
experimentation, taking chances, using best guesses, following hunches, and
trusting in higher powers. How can one revel in oneself when a particular hunch
pays off? Great leaders practise great gratitude.
definitions of leadership, but one of my favourites is this simple one by the
little known Arnold H. Glasow. “A good leader takes a little more than his
share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” Leadership must certainly
be measured by degrees of humility. The woman or man who does not recognize the
contributions of followers or does not recognize that their own success was
built upon the foundations of others before them, is no leader. Leadership is
experimentation, taking chances, using best guesses, following hunches, and
trusting in higher powers. How can one revel in oneself when a particular hunch
pays off? Great leaders practise great gratitude.
We have all known those who profess to
be leaders while seeking to find a place to lay the blame. They are all too
willing to point at their staff or their superiors, “throwing them under the
bus.” Leaders will seek to make others successful and
will redirect fault: they will either recognize fault with a “buck
stops with me” mentality or seek to learn from the problem and move on without
pointing at anyone.
be leaders while seeking to find a place to lay the blame. They are all too
willing to point at their staff or their superiors, “throwing them under the
bus.” Leaders will seek to make others successful and
will redirect fault: they will either recognize fault with a “buck
stops with me” mentality or seek to learn from the problem and move on without
pointing at anyone.
Certainly, it is okay to take a share
of the credit, but it is a whole team that moves an organization forward. When
there is significant recognition, the pseudo-leader is like a “black hole” of credit,
allowing nothing to escape absorption, whereas the accolades will quickly
reflect off a true leader’s convex surface to shine back on others.
of the credit, but it is a whole team that moves an organization forward. When
there is significant recognition, the pseudo-leader is like a “black hole” of credit,
allowing nothing to escape absorption, whereas the accolades will quickly
reflect off a true leader’s convex surface to shine back on others.
Am I being real with God, or just “playing at church?”
How many idols do I have in my hip pocket just in case this religion doesn’t
work out? The Jews, during the time of Jeremiah the Prophet, were playing the
odds. They had a number of idols and places of worship that supplemented their
covenant with Yahweh. Yet God had asked them to enter into exclusive rights
with him; they had not lived up to their end of the agreement. God allowed
their idols to entangle them with other nations until Babylonia eventually
enslaved them. They became educated slaves in the homes and construction sites
of the kings of Babylon. (To read about how this happened, read the book of Jeremiah; particularly Jeremiah 21 and following.) What am I hanging onto as a separate insurance plan?
The Jars of Clay songwriters remind
us that our Lord has a “Love of a Jealous Kind.”
How many idols do I have in my hip pocket just in case this religion doesn’t
work out? The Jews, during the time of Jeremiah the Prophet, were playing the
odds. They had a number of idols and places of worship that supplemented their
covenant with Yahweh. Yet God had asked them to enter into exclusive rights
with him; they had not lived up to their end of the agreement. God allowed
their idols to entangle them with other nations until Babylonia eventually
enslaved them. They became educated slaves in the homes and construction sites
of the kings of Babylon. (To read about how this happened, read the book of Jeremiah; particularly Jeremiah 21 and following.) What am I hanging onto as a separate insurance plan?
The Jars of Clay songwriters remind
us that our Lord has a “Love of a Jealous Kind.”
Love of
a Jealous Kind
a Jealous Kind
I built another temple to a stranger
I gave away my heart to the rushing wind
I set my course to run right into danger
I sought the company of fools instead of friends
I gave away my heart to the rushing wind
I set my course to run right into danger
I sought the company of fools instead of friends
You know I’ve been unfaithful
With lovers in lines
While you’re turning over tables
With the rage of a jealous kind
With lovers in lines
While you’re turning over tables
With the rage of a jealous kind
I chose the gallows to the aisle
Thought that love would never find
Hanging ropes will never keep you
And your love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind
Thought that love would never find
Hanging ropes will never keep you
And your love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind
Tryin’ to jump away from rock that keeps on spreading
Solace in the shift of the sinking sand
I’d rather feel the pain all too familiar
Than be broken by a lover I don’t understand
‘Cause I don’t understand
Solace in the shift of the sinking sand
I’d rather feel the pain all too familiar
Than be broken by a lover I don’t understand
‘Cause I don’t understand
You know I’ve been unfaithful
With lovers in lines
While you’re turning over tables
With the rage of a jealous kind
With lovers in lines
While you’re turning over tables
With the rage of a jealous kind
I chose the gallows to the aisle
And thought that love would never find
Hanging ropes will never keep you
And your love of a jealous kind
And thought that love would never find
Hanging ropes will never keep you
And your love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind, yeah
Love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind
One hundred other lovers, more, one hundred other
altars
If I should slow my pace and finally subject me to grace
And love that shames the wise, betrays the heart’s deceit and lies
And breaks the back of foolish pride
altars
If I should slow my pace and finally subject me to grace
And love that shames the wise, betrays the heart’s deceit and lies
And breaks the back of foolish pride
You know I’ve been unfaithful
With lovers in lines
While you’re turning over tables
With the rage of a jealous kind
With lovers in lines
While you’re turning over tables
With the rage of a jealous kind
I chose the gallows to the aisle
Thought that love would never find
Hanging ropes will never keep you
And your love of a jealous kind
And love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind, yeah
Love of a jealous kind, oh yeah
Love of a jealous kind
Love of a jealous kind, oh yeah
Love of a jealous kind
Songwriters: MASON, STEPHEN DANIEL / LOWELL, CHARLIE /
HASELTINE, DAN / ODMARK, MATT; Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
HASELTINE, DAN / ODMARK, MATT; Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
“For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Deuteronomy 4:24.
“I am jealous for
you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one
husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.” 2
Corinthians 11:2.
you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one
husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.” 2
Corinthians 11:2.
Frequently, my attitude needs adjustment. The
odd thing is that my own blog can be the catalyst for such “attitudinal
correction.” Recently, looking for a quote by Annie Dillard, I came upon my
thoughts as expressed on July 10 of 2011 (read them here). There, once again, Annie
Dillard’s reflections about church caused me to shake my head and ask good
questions about my perspectives. The following words inspired me to better thoughts
regarding people and greater thoughts about God.
odd thing is that my own blog can be the catalyst for such “attitudinal
correction.” Recently, looking for a quote by Annie Dillard, I came upon my
thoughts as expressed on July 10 of 2011 (read them here). There, once again, Annie
Dillard’s reflections about church caused me to shake my head and ask good
questions about my perspectives. The following words inspired me to better thoughts
regarding people and greater thoughts about God.
“On the whole, I do not find
Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does
anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as
I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing
on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a
Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to
church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life
preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping
god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to
where we can never return.”[1]
Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does
anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as
I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing
on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a
Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies’ straw hats and velvet hats to
church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life
preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping
god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to
where we can never return.”[1]
Lord, save me from myself.
[1] Annie Dillard, Teaching a Stone to Talk: Expeditions and Encounters
(New York: HarperPerennial, 1982), p. 52.
(New York: HarperPerennial, 1982), p. 52.