If....

This week, I was delighted to attend a Bible study. The group is studying Ephesians. Some thing was said that got me thinking about so-called "agnostic" or "atheist." Now I need to do some research to see if there is a word for not believing someone is an "agnostic" or "atheist?" I ain't buying it any more!! Every single person able to live at least a minute knows that God exists. Even rocks know this.

I had a conversation once with someone who said something like, "If there is a God, then how can he reject someone and let them go to Hell?"

That question seems pretty ridiculous to me. It's like saying, "If she was my mother, then why did she burn my eggs at least once a year until I was 42?" You know that woman is your mother!! You do not remember her giving birth to you, or maybe even the moment she decided to adopt you, but you know that woman is your mom! The question is: Why did you not learn to cook your own eggs?

Just because you wonder "if...," this does not mean that there is no God. It just means you do not understand things that you see, or do not see.

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see."

Wonder in the Everlasting Beauty of God

Every time I get online at the library, the screen is distorted. To top it off, when I ask anyone, other than my kids, if they see what I see, they say something like, "Looks fine to me." AAAAAGH!!! Thank God for laptops and wireless internet...at home. Though it smells like stinky feet in here, what a thrill to have a laptop. And no, we have not located the source of the smell yet.

We are learning about mutualism, parasites, consumerism, and commensalism, in science . I do not recall having this much fun with science in elementary school. I don't remember learning this stuff at all. Commensalism is something like marriage, right?

Today, looking at the mountains, I couldn't help but think of what is beyond...California. It would be so awesome to see the ocean. I want to go to there!!! But, I am still able to see the beauty of the mountains and appreciate living here in Colorado. It is so important to stop and smell the roses. To appreciate what and who is around me is part of my "duty." Isn't that part of loving God and enjoying Him?

Challenge: Seek God's beauty, and you will find it. In Matthew 7:7, Jesus says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (NIV) This isn't a verse introducing the ATM, immediate gratification way of living and trying to get rich, or anything like that. God is merciful. Though there is ugliness all around, no thanks to the father of lies, God's beauty remains. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (NIV)

The song that has been resonating with me lately is "From the Inside Out" recorded by Hillsong United (2006), also performed by Seventh Day Slumber (2009). Here are the words:

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
my heart and my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Chorus 2x
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out