Both Sides of the Coin

They say that if you flip a coin enough times, it will land on either side 50% of the time based on the laws of probability. The outcome simply has to do with chance. But, you could take any set number of times and get some extreme results; like having 20 times of landing on heads.

This is interesting because it doesn't negate the law of probability, it just shows that there are circumstances, due to odds and other factors, that allow for this random and spectacular event to take place.

But if I were to see someone flip a coin and have it land on heads 50 times, I would begin to doubt that there was another side to that coin...

Sometimes, I think this is how people look at God. We focus on the love of God, his promises, his Justice, His grace and mercy. We concentrate on the things of God that make us feel good and fuzzy. We look at Jesus as this smiling guy approving all of our actions and are comforted by what we believe he stands for - acceptance and forgiveness. And, indeed, he does stand for that.

But as we read the gospels, many of us forget the flip side of the coin. We forget about the jealous God of Israel who loves us with such an incredible passion that his rage has burned against whose who had turned against him and rejected him. We forget that God punished with unabashed intensity those who place themselves as enemies of God. We neglect the fact that God's expectations for us are beyond what any of us can accomplish on our own. We fail to realize that failure is not an option...

Our perspective of God is incredibly important. A flawed perspective causes us to cast our own insecurities and incorrectly assume who God is. All through the Bible, it is GOD himself who reveals his attributes and character. He is the Loving Creator, the Provider, the Sustainer of life. He is the Lion of Judah, the Great "I AM." He is the Mighty God, a Jealous God. He is Sovereign, Omnipotent. He is the God of Justice. He is Holy. He is the Beginning and the end. He is Ruler of all.

To just look at half of God's qualities is to commit the sin of myopic perspective. When we only focus on what we determine to be God's predominant attributes (love, grace, mercy, etc...) we skew who God is. He is storing up wrath for the day of judgment. Jonathan Edwards had it right when he wrote "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

But wait! How can God be full of love AND angry at the same time?

People, He is BEYOND our understanding. He is God. He is able to contain every emotion, express them in complete Holiness at the same time. He is not flawed, nor does he express the petty and corrupted type of emotions that we humans experience. Just as his thoughts are higher than our own, I believe that if we were able to grasp even a taste of the intensity of God's emotions, our brains would explode.

All I'm saying is that for us to deny God the expression of who HE is by putting him in the poorly constructed and shabby box of emotions that we understand is a travesty. God is perfectly capable of revealing who He is.

Anytime I hear someone say "I don't think God is like that." or "I don't think God would do that." I cringe on the inside.

HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW?!? Are you resting on your own thoughts of God? Have you not allowed HIM to reveal His character and likeness to you? Have you sought Him? Have you even read His word? Do you not know that our God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow? He has already revealed who He is...

It's the "think" that irks me. It signals to me that people are either unsure of who God really is, or they are so lost in the specifics that they aren't letting God speak for Himself. They're determining who God is based on their own understanding... Not good enough.

My challenge to anyone still reading - Stop! For just a minute, stop trying to place God in the box of your own understanding. Stop trying to fit God into your perception of the universe and life philosophy. Stop imagining God as the soft and fuzzy omnipotent father of love. (Not saying that's not part of who he is) But let GOD show you who he is.

This is the difference between having a God we can relate to and understand; a God we're comfortable with and experiencing a God who is beyond our understanding. A God worthy of our respect and awe. In fearful wonder we can approach his thrown and humble ourselves before the Lord God Almighty. Letting God show us who He is will break your world. His power can, then, fully be expressed in your life. His word will wreck your understanding. His will destroys your pomp and destroy the vanity of your intelligence. All this happens when we abandon our preconceived notions and allow God, and His Word, to correct our flawed ideas of who He truly is.

Let God be God. He is beyond even our highest concept of Him. That is much more terrifying than our lack-luster conception, but it is also far more comforting to me.

Brainage Drainage

Umm... I have no excuse. I've had so much on my mind and have simply neglected to post my thought on the blog so so many wonderful (and anonymous) people can read them at will.

...

Sometimes I find that thought disconcerting. Who are you people? Why do you read my blog and don't post a thought or comment? Do you even read it?!? What if peope just click on the page because the title seems interesting and then skim the first line and declare "BORING!" and skip to the next blog?... The potenitality for judgment frightens me... oh well. Who cares?

Anyway,  these past few weeks have been a blur of events and a whirlwind of adventure and responsibilities. If you've made it this far, I'm guessing that means you're interested in what's been up. Here's what's what!

Massive preparations have been happening for District Youth camp here in Florida. On Monday, over 70 students fom across the Sunshine State will assemble for a retreat from the culture and civilized world they are used to. I'm responsible to make sure everyone has paid, gets registered and that all the cool things (t-shirts, waterbottles, give-away-ables, etc.) are present and accounted for. Also games and activities. Lots to be coordinated. 

That, on top of making sure all my bases are covered for the week I will be gone. On TOP of making sure all my bases were covered this PAST week. I was in Tampa for a conference with all the Wesleyan Pastors in Florida. What a wonderful... uhh... what's the opposite of vacation? 

Whatever that word is, that was it. Stuff to be taken care of with different people at that conference. Driving here and there. I love driving. Got to put an extra 600 miles on my car that week. JOY! Was drafted into the worship team for two nights of celebration during the conference. A few hours of practice filled my afternoons. It was a distinct privilege to share that responsibility, but also very taxing (I'm not THAT great a musician. I'm just good at pretending).

BUT! My best friend in the whole world flew in from Wisconsin just to see me for that week. It was good to see her. She and I have been friends for the past... 15-16 years which makes her the oldest surviving participant in the craziness that is my life. She should get a plaque or something, seriously. 

Wait, you're wondering why my best friend happened to be down for a random conference? Oh. Well on Friday of that conference, I received my full credentials as an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church. A fairly big deal. My friend and LOTS of family and church family came over to see that service for this occasion. It was heartwarming. 

So, this week, I've been pushing to get all my ducks in a row for this youth camp. In the wake of such an eventful week, I'm feeling very weak. There's a billion and a half things that need to be done. Details that need to be finessed, loose ends to tie and I'm just hoping that everything is in place so that things don't crumble like a house of cards. But in my frantic last-minute time frame, I'm slowing down and losing ground in the energy department. Even now, as I sit, sipping some iced coffee at Starbucks, it's all my body can do to stay awake and alert enough to finish this blog. This blog post that has been serving as a distraction and short break from the work that is a necessity for me to finish! AHHH!

Pressure.

These are the weeks that breed hardened and tested endurance. I will relish the fact that a vacation will not be far away after all these things have been accomplished. A chance for relaxation and restoration will be available. Fresh breath can fill my soul again. My mind and muscles can be rejuvenated. My batteries can be recharged for another go. I can hardly wait. 

Thanks for reading, by the way. If you have in fact read this far, you are truly a fan. I've said nothing of consequence, but you've obviously developed an interest in my life because you are still devouring my words and thoughts that simply express my comings and goings. Why are you still reading? It's time to comment, let me know that you have been here, leave YOUR mark. Express your thoughts so I can read and enjoy them. 

Tell me, what pressures YOU most in your busy weeks? Is it work? Family? Friends? Unforeseen crises?!? How do you relieve yourself of that stress and make it through?