One of the great things about Little Rock is you can get just about anywhere in no time. Another is the interesting little restaurants I like to try.
Today my mother in law and sister in law ate at a gluten-free place called The Root Cafe. It has a delightful ambiance. In fact, I felt for a moment as if I was eating in a foreign land, ya know, like one you'd experience on a mission trip. From the coke served in bottles to the mismatched lawn chairs around umbrella tables. Rolled up plastic walls and mostly outdoor seating.
We might as well have been in a foreign place because the three guys that sat at our shared table spoke French the entire time. If only I spoke French...then I could pretend I didn't and just before leaving I could say something to let them know I heard their gossip. That is assuming they talk about others in front of their face without them knowing. What? You wouldn't do that?!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
new books.
I've started reading a couple of new books to learn more about what I believe and why and to challenge myself to really, well, think.
Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament by Peter Enns
What if the creation story in Genesis is a metaphor and not literal? Would that change your belief that the Bible is true? It doesn't have to. (quoted paragraph at the bottom pertains to my questions)
"What the Bible is must be understood in light of the cultural context in which it was given." (Enns p.41)
I want to learn more about other religions and beliefs. I believe it will help me better understand where people are coming from plus I hope to be able to engage in conversations better with people of other faiths. So I looked for a book that would give me a good overview of many religions and belief systems. Here is what I found:
All You Want To Know But Didn't Think You Could Ask: Religions, Cults, and Popular Beliefs by Jessica L.T. Devega and Christine Ortega Gaurkee
Perfect! :) I think it's a good start!
"Therefore the question is not the degree to which Genesis conforms to what we would think is a proper description of origins. It is a fundamental misunderstanding of Genesis to expect it to answer questions generated by a modern worldview, such as whether the days were literal or figurative, or whether the days of creation can be lined up with modern science, or whether the flood was local or universal. The question that Genesis is prepared to answer is whether Yahweh, the God of Israel, is worthy of worship. And the point is made not by allowing ancient Israelites to catch a glimpse of a spherical earth or a heliocentric universe. It is wholly incomprehensible to think that thousands of years ago God would have felt constrained to speak in a way that would be meaningful only to Westerners several thousand years later. To do so borders on modern, Western arrogance. Rather, Genesis makes its case in a way that ancient men and women would have readily understood--indeed, the only way." (Enns p. 55)
Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament by Peter Enns
What if the creation story in Genesis is a metaphor and not literal? Would that change your belief that the Bible is true? It doesn't have to. (quoted paragraph at the bottom pertains to my questions)
"What the Bible is must be understood in light of the cultural context in which it was given." (Enns p.41)
I want to learn more about other religions and beliefs. I believe it will help me better understand where people are coming from plus I hope to be able to engage in conversations better with people of other faiths. So I looked for a book that would give me a good overview of many religions and belief systems. Here is what I found:
All You Want To Know But Didn't Think You Could Ask: Religions, Cults, and Popular Beliefs by Jessica L.T. Devega and Christine Ortega Gaurkee
Perfect! :) I think it's a good start!
"Therefore the question is not the degree to which Genesis conforms to what we would think is a proper description of origins. It is a fundamental misunderstanding of Genesis to expect it to answer questions generated by a modern worldview, such as whether the days were literal or figurative, or whether the days of creation can be lined up with modern science, or whether the flood was local or universal. The question that Genesis is prepared to answer is whether Yahweh, the God of Israel, is worthy of worship. And the point is made not by allowing ancient Israelites to catch a glimpse of a spherical earth or a heliocentric universe. It is wholly incomprehensible to think that thousands of years ago God would have felt constrained to speak in a way that would be meaningful only to Westerners several thousand years later. To do so borders on modern, Western arrogance. Rather, Genesis makes its case in a way that ancient men and women would have readily understood--indeed, the only way." (Enns p. 55)
Thursday, August 09, 2012
church and hell.
I have struggled to write a new post... mainly because I can't pin point where I want to begin. (Oh, and having a 10 month old makes sitting down and typing a challenging game. What can I say, my child already loves technology! I let him type one day and somehow he typed the omega symbol!! I don't even know how to do that!)
I have some questions. I admit there are things I have not thought of to ask or consider so please include your own questions and comments. :)
First I must preface these questions with some clarity so those that know me or think they know me can understand where my heart lies.
I love God. I love Jesus. My life is pointless without the pursuit of Him...knowing him, loving him, glorifying him.
However...
I have questions. Somethings just do not make sense. Sometimes I think we may all be feeling or thinking the same things, but no one is wanting to say anything and we just go with the flow because that is what we do. Maybe from ignorance (respectfully stated), embarrassment or plain ole fear of "what will they think of me?" We regurgitate answers, some cliche, some not, some absolutely sincere, some clueless. But do we really deep down know what we are saying and what we are claiming that we personally believe.
One, we either believe somethings because we have been told to. No questions asked, maybe a couple. Two, we believe somethings because they resonate so deeply with our soul that we have surrendered our thoughts, words, actions, attitudes, etc. and there is a daily manifestation of allegiance to these beliefs.
Questions:
1. So, we are not to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:25)....
What do you think is the purpose of coming together on Sunday (or Saturday) mornings for "church"? To encourage one another in the Lord, right.
What do you think about house churches? Does someone really have to go to a "church building" to worship with other believers, that including singing praises, prayer, Scripture reading, fellowship, encouragement, sacraments? What if someone decided to start a "gathering" in their home with believers and did basically everything you'd experience on a Sunday morning at the church down on the corner? And even added in a meal. ;)
2. God, knowing ALL things before time began and we as Christians claim God is sovereign, being he is in control of all things, why make people who would spend eternity in a place called hell (whether that's annihilation or endless suffering) based on a choice made during this short 70 to 80 years (if even that) here on earth? For one, he did not have to create us, and second he didn't have to allow sin to come into the picture. How is it loving to set things in motion that would have such results? Infinite punishment for finite sins? (Whether there is a hell or not, I still want to know Christ and serve him. I believe God is my refuge, my rock, my hope. But still my questions are sincere.)
I have some questions. I admit there are things I have not thought of to ask or consider so please include your own questions and comments. :)
First I must preface these questions with some clarity so those that know me or think they know me can understand where my heart lies.
I love God. I love Jesus. My life is pointless without the pursuit of Him...knowing him, loving him, glorifying him.
However...
I have questions. Somethings just do not make sense. Sometimes I think we may all be feeling or thinking the same things, but no one is wanting to say anything and we just go with the flow because that is what we do. Maybe from ignorance (respectfully stated), embarrassment or plain ole fear of "what will they think of me?" We regurgitate answers, some cliche, some not, some absolutely sincere, some clueless. But do we really deep down know what we are saying and what we are claiming that we personally believe.
One, we either believe somethings because we have been told to. No questions asked, maybe a couple. Two, we believe somethings because they resonate so deeply with our soul that we have surrendered our thoughts, words, actions, attitudes, etc. and there is a daily manifestation of allegiance to these beliefs.
Questions:
1. So, we are not to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:25)....
What do you think is the purpose of coming together on Sunday (or Saturday) mornings for "church"? To encourage one another in the Lord, right.
What do you think about house churches? Does someone really have to go to a "church building" to worship with other believers, that including singing praises, prayer, Scripture reading, fellowship, encouragement, sacraments? What if someone decided to start a "gathering" in their home with believers and did basically everything you'd experience on a Sunday morning at the church down on the corner? And even added in a meal. ;)
2. God, knowing ALL things before time began and we as Christians claim God is sovereign, being he is in control of all things, why make people who would spend eternity in a place called hell (whether that's annihilation or endless suffering) based on a choice made during this short 70 to 80 years (if even that) here on earth? For one, he did not have to create us, and second he didn't have to allow sin to come into the picture. How is it loving to set things in motion that would have such results? Infinite punishment for finite sins? (Whether there is a hell or not, I still want to know Christ and serve him. I believe God is my refuge, my rock, my hope. But still my questions are sincere.)
Sunday, June 10, 2012
...and here we go...
my first post... (well that is since 2006!)
Let me preface by saying I am not a writer, expect to see typos though I will try my best to refrain from making such inexcusable mistakes ;), and half the stuff I post may not make sense. Ya know like how some dreams do not make sense.
Maybe I should start there... dreams! Like the one I had a few nights ago. I was walking up a staircase with my friend Lora and noticed some shelves on the landing between the staircases. On one shelf there was a huge glass vase corked and filled with Dr. Pepper. Seriously? Who would fill a huge glass vase with Dr. Pepper because there is no stinkin' way anyone can pick it up to pour any to drink. It made me think about why I dreamed that (most dreams make me think that). Maybe I dreamed about a Dr. Pepper filled vase because it makes no sense and sometimes LIFE just makes no sense!! In the dream there is no mention of the vase to Lora. It is almost as if it was normal. :/ I am having a conversation with her though about the seasons and how I love fall and how I don't like to be cold. She turns, sits on the steps and out of the blue she asks, "Do you believe in the power of God?" She asked it as if it was in relation to what I was talking about. I chuckled and said, "I believe in...long sleeves and pants," as if I was either trying to avoid her question or I was just being ornery, I don't know. I don't usually, actually very rarely give credence to dreams. However, I have been thinking about them more and more and wonder if there is a possibility to learning some night-time lessons or inquiry as to what is deeper in our souls. I pondered this dream conversation through out the day and even the next. "Why did she ask me that?" as if this happened in reality. If anything, the dream reminds me that sometimes we, and I mean "I", will cover up the main issue, skip over it, distract myself from facing something profound because I'm scared what I thought was true may not be true at all. Yes, of course wearing long sleeves and pants in fall is necessary (sometimes not always true in Arkansas). The main issue is belief. Belief? Yes, belief! Faith! Trust! I can cover of my skin in the fall's cool weather and have faith that that will do the trick but what about believing in God's power? Believing it is real? Having faith that He is using it? And trusting that it is for my good? Am I there? And I don't mean to sound cliche, but really.
I hear you now.... "Ok, Ariel, you think waaaay too deep about your dreams!" Well, why do we have them? I tend to think it's for some reason and this one just happened to point me to thinking about God. :)
OK. *big sigh* I didn't really mean to go there. My main purpose for this blog is to ask questions to get some discussion going. I will revisit this in my next post...
Oh, and the name of my blog...yeah I like it a lot! Don't you? We are all looking for purpose in this life but we are getting old while we are searching, so let's search diligently and truthfully and humbly.
Let me preface by saying I am not a writer, expect to see typos though I will try my best to refrain from making such inexcusable mistakes ;), and half the stuff I post may not make sense. Ya know like how some dreams do not make sense.
Maybe I should start there... dreams! Like the one I had a few nights ago. I was walking up a staircase with my friend Lora and noticed some shelves on the landing between the staircases. On one shelf there was a huge glass vase corked and filled with Dr. Pepper. Seriously? Who would fill a huge glass vase with Dr. Pepper because there is no stinkin' way anyone can pick it up to pour any to drink. It made me think about why I dreamed that (most dreams make me think that). Maybe I dreamed about a Dr. Pepper filled vase because it makes no sense and sometimes LIFE just makes no sense!! In the dream there is no mention of the vase to Lora. It is almost as if it was normal. :/ I am having a conversation with her though about the seasons and how I love fall and how I don't like to be cold. She turns, sits on the steps and out of the blue she asks, "Do you believe in the power of God?" She asked it as if it was in relation to what I was talking about. I chuckled and said, "I believe in...long sleeves and pants," as if I was either trying to avoid her question or I was just being ornery, I don't know. I don't usually, actually very rarely give credence to dreams. However, I have been thinking about them more and more and wonder if there is a possibility to learning some night-time lessons or inquiry as to what is deeper in our souls. I pondered this dream conversation through out the day and even the next. "Why did she ask me that?" as if this happened in reality. If anything, the dream reminds me that sometimes we, and I mean "I", will cover up the main issue, skip over it, distract myself from facing something profound because I'm scared what I thought was true may not be true at all. Yes, of course wearing long sleeves and pants in fall is necessary (sometimes not always true in Arkansas). The main issue is belief. Belief? Yes, belief! Faith! Trust! I can cover of my skin in the fall's cool weather and have faith that that will do the trick but what about believing in God's power? Believing it is real? Having faith that He is using it? And trusting that it is for my good? Am I there? And I don't mean to sound cliche, but really.
I hear you now.... "Ok, Ariel, you think waaaay too deep about your dreams!" Well, why do we have them? I tend to think it's for some reason and this one just happened to point me to thinking about God. :)
OK. *big sigh* I didn't really mean to go there. My main purpose for this blog is to ask questions to get some discussion going. I will revisit this in my next post...
Oh, and the name of my blog...yeah I like it a lot! Don't you? We are all looking for purpose in this life but we are getting old while we are searching, so let's search diligently and truthfully and humbly.
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